NEC Phases Out Phone Systems & Support… TCI Can Help You Move Forward

If you’re using a NEC SL2100, SV9100, or 3C System, this transition will occur over the next few years, with key dates to keep in mind:

  • December 31, 2024: Last day to order new NEC systems
  • March 31, 2025: Final date for NEC to ship ordered hardware
  • March 31, 2026: End of technical support from NEC

Given this timeline, you’ll want to start planning your transition to new communication solutions. Here are some key considerations:

  • Assess current needs: Evaluate your organization’s communication requirements and how they may have evolved since implementing your NEC system.
  • Explore alternatives: Research the latest unified communications (UC) platforms that offer features like VoIP, video conferencing, and mobile integration.
  • Consider hybrid and cloud-based solutions: Many businesses are moving to a mix of premises and cloud or fully cloud-based phone systems for greater flexibility and scalability.
  • Plan for migration: Develop a timeline for transitioning to a new system before NEC support ends in 2026.
  • Budget accordingly: Factor in costs for new hardware, software licenses, and potential infrastructure upgrades.

Special Offers for NEC Customers

While NEC is exiting the UC business, there are opportunities to find cost-effective alternatives. TCI and Mitel have special pricing available for you now – including significant discounts for upfront purchases or monthly subscription plans.

When selecting a new system, consider factors beyond just price:

  • TCI offers UC and Contact Center platforms that outperform NEC
  • Flexible deployment models (On-Premises, Private/Public Cloud, partner/IaaS hosted)
  • Scalability to accommodate future growth
  • Integration capabilities with existing business applications
  • Reliability and uptime guarantees
  • Choice of payment (CapEx or OpEx)
  • A local partner for service and support
  • Partner stability – TCI has over 40 years in the UC business
  • Expertise in Vertical solutions (e.g., Associations, Finance, Hospitality)
  • Incentive programs that deliver investment protection

Your local TCI team can assess your current Voice environment and recommend suitable solutions. By planning ahead and exploring your options now, you can ensure a smooth transition from your NEC system to a communication platform that better meets your organization’s evolving needs.

Let’s get started: Contact us at: (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.
 

Create Exceptional Customer Experiences with New Contact Center Tools

The capabilities and scope of the traditional call center have expanded as technology continues to evolve.

Today’s contact center operations can range from a few customer service representatives in a small business to enterprise-level corporations with hundreds of agents spread across multiple regional offices and remote telework locations.

TCI’s contact center experts can get you up to speed on the latest tools, and when you’re ready, our local team can design, deploy, and support your solution.

TCI’s Mitel-powered Customer Experience solutions feature interaction routing, self-service IVR, performance analytics, real-time dashboards, and workforce optimization tools.

We customize arrangements for small and mid-sized businesses and large enterprises…

  • MiContact Center Business – Whether you have a few call center agents or a thousand omnichannel agents, MiContact Center Business puts your customers at the core of your business with scalable solutions for sales, service, support, and more.
  • MiContact Center Enterprise – Transform your voice-only call center into an omnichannel experience center with this flexible, powerful, all-in-one customer interaction management platform.
  • Mitel Workforce Optimization – Gain deeper customer insights to enhance the customer experience while optimizing resources and enhancing performance with Mitel Interaction Recording, Quality Management, Speech Analytics, and Workforce Management solutions.
  • MiContact Center Outbound – Elevate customer engagement with this complete outbound contact management suite that supports all modes of outbound dialing, multi-channel communications, and campaign management.

Unleash Your Sales, Service, and Support Potential

Start a different conversation with your customers when you give them the freedom to interact with you the way they want (voice, text, chat, video) on any device, and give your employees the tools to manage today’s omnichannel customer journeys.

Build a World-Class Customer Center

Don’t just connect with your customers, convince them you care with an omnichannel communications suite featuring workflow designer, speech-enabled IVR, speech analytics, quality and performance management, real-time dashboards, and more.

Ready to improve your customer satisfaction scores, first contact resolution rates, and customer effort scores? Contact us today: (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.
 

6 Best Practices for a Stronger Cybersecurity Posture

How to Fortify Your Digital Fortress

Effective cybersecurity is not a “set it and forget it” panacea but an active, ongoing process. To establish a robust security foundation, your IT team must diligently implement and maintain these critical best practices:

1. Restrict Administrator Privileges

Limit administrator access on user devices. This simple step can thwart many attacks that rely on users inadvertently running malicious software. Without admin rights, users can’t install unauthorized programs, significantly reducing your attack surface.

2. Stay Current with Patches

Keeping software up to date is one of the most cost-effective security measures. Enable auto-updates where possible and prioritize vulnerabilities listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. Remember, many successful attacks exploit known vulnerabilities that have not yet been patched.

3. Implement and Verify Backup Systems

Don’t fall victim to ransomware due to inadequate backups. Regularly schedule backups for all critical systems and, crucially, test both partial and full restorations. Develop a comprehensive backup strategy, including frequency (continuous, hourly, weekly) and a detailed restoration plan.

4. Encrypt Laptop Drives

While smartphones and Chromebooks typically come with built-in encryption, Windows and Mac laptops often require manual configuration. Given the frequency of laptop theft or loss, ensuring your entire fleet has encrypted drives is essential for data protection.

5. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Don’t rely on user compliance alone. Implement technical controls to mandate MFA across your organization. Regularly audit for non-compliant accounts, paying special attention to new hires and staff who’ve recently changed devices.

6. Prioritize MFA for Admin Accounts

System administrators are prime targets for cybercriminals. Surprisingly, Microsoft reports that only about half of Azure Active Directory global admins use MFA. Make it a non-negotiable policy for all admin accounts to use MFA, as compromised admin credentials can lead to catastrophic breaches.

By consistently applying these practices, you’ll significantly enhance your organization’s cybersecurity posture, making it far more resilient against common attack vectors.

Your organization’s Voice Communications need to be protected too. Make sure your systems are secure. Contact TCI at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.
 

How Modern Unified Communications Elevate the Hospitality Industry

As hospitality leaders gear up for the busy summer season, plenty of technological tools are available to streamline operations and provide an overall improved and immersive guest experience.

Whether it’s enabling multimodal technology for frontline workers, AI-powered tools, or hybrid cloud solutions, investing in modern UC solutions is something every property manager should take time to consider.

Enabling Hospitality Staff with Modern Tech

Hospitality thrives on exceeding guest’s needs and expectations, and modern technology infrastructure plays an integral role in attaining that outcome. In today’s environment, guests expect quick, personalized, and effortless communication, which can put a lot of pressure on frontline hospitality employees.

Modern UC solutions allow properties to combine frontline, back office, and vertical workflows, ensuring the entire workforce is on the same page. Whether working on-site or remotely, multimodal technology allows staff to collaborate seamlessly on guest requests through the best medium for the situation – voice, video, chat, SMS, or a combination.

For example, an on-the-go property manager can carry a wireless DECT handset, which offers a reliable signal anywhere on a property. Fully integrated into the property’s communications solution, it ensures secure access to voice calls, interactive messaging, and critical alerts from colleagues at the front desk or an off-site contact center.

Frontline hospitality staff are essential to delivering memorable experiences. They often provide a guest’s first and last impression of a property. By giving them the right communication tools for their job, you empower them to do their best work while boosting the customer experience. This builds a property’s reputation as both a fulfilling place to work and an enjoyable place to stay.

AI and Unified Communications in Hospitality

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a popular topic today, but it is important to look beyond the hype and pinpoint its real-world value. That’s why it is essential to focus on opportunities to deliberately deploy AI to better serve guests. With modern UC solutions, this can be done through simple, integrated experiences built for the hospitality space.

Generative AI (GenAI) chatbots and voice bots can help streamline on-site customer service requests during busy and demanding times by handling simple but time-consuming tasks that would otherwise fall to frontline staff. If the bot cannot resolve the issue, an AI-powered agent assistant can smoothly transfer the call to a live agent along with call notes, ensuring the guest does not need to repeat information.

Besides streamlining workflows, the valuable data collected through AI interactions with customers can enhance the guest experience. For instance, when integrated into contact center platforms, AI can instantly transcribe and summarize calls and provide detailed call trends to supervisors. AI integration can also identify and track caller sentiment, which can be used to train staff for specific situations.

Augmenting UC solutions with AI is about more than finding efficiencies. It’s about quickly tapping into unique guest insights to deliver better personalization, ultimately leading to higher customer satisfaction.

Hybrid Cloud Solutions for Hospitality

For many properties, the decision between relying on legacy on-prem infrastructure that still delivers value and embracing the flexibility of the cloud is a real challenge. That is why hybrid cloud-based solutions are increasingly becoming the chosen route, as they are tailored and scaled to fit specific needs with size and budget in mind.

Hybrid cloud solutions are ideal for hoteliers who are not entirely ready to ditch their legacy infrastructure. They allow security and flexibility and offer a proven mix of private cloud, public cloud, and on-premises solutions. Hybrid cloud solutions are reliable and provide robust security features, data privacy, and regulatory compliance to ensure hospitality organizations protect themselves while streamlining communication. With the proper guidance from a trusted, vertical-focused UC provider, property managers can choose the best path for their needs.

Migrating to the cloud goes beyond a mere destination. It involves implementing solutions that offer maximum flexibility and ensuring that each property has the right communication tools to effectively support its customers, staff, and stakeholders now and in the future.

Let’s talk about new ways to elevate your property and serve guests better in your evolving marketplace. TCI hospitality experts are here to help: (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.
 

Mergers & Money: Security Or Commodity? Crypto Would Identical To To Know

The distinction between buying and selling basic items and trading financial instruments appears clear enough. However, in phrases of digital property like cryptocurrency, the classification turns into murkier. Depending in your perspective, cryptocurrencies might be thought-about commodities or securities. How this debate is resolved could have a big impact on the method forward for crypto. Commodities, then again, are bodily goods which may be traded on exchanges in wholesale portions.

security vs currency vs commodity

These may vary from oil and pure gasoline to wheat, corn, or valuable metals like gold or silver. These primary grades are designed to make sure that it is a homogenous product across varied markets, further emphasizing the fungible nature of commodities. When they’re traded on an change, commodities must additionally meet specific minimum requirements, often identified as basic grades. Securities, like shares, offer you https://www.xcritical.com/ partial ownership in firms and infrequently include the opportunity for dividends. Like the SEC for securities, the CFTC is led by 5 commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

Should the value of your shares improve you would sell them at a revenue. As such, investing in commodities and securities can provide two completely different paths to diversification. There is an ongoing debate about whether Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies should be classified as a safety or a commodity. The decentralized nature of Bitcoin raises questions about whether or not the asset meets the factors of the Howey Test that may classify it as a security.

  • According to their perspective, cryptocurrencies are used as a retailer of worth, similar to commodities like gold.
  • Bitcoin is classed as a commodity by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
  • This dedication was solidified within the CFTC’s case in opposition to crypto trade Bitfinex and its sister firm, stablecoin issuer Tether.
  • There is an ongoing debate about whether or not Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies must be categorised as a safety or a commodity.
  • An asset that meets all the standards is considered a security in the united states and subjected to securities law.
  • There isn’t any one-size-fits-all reply for cryptocurrencies since there are several forms of tokens; relying on the character of the blockchain and token, they might or may not pass the Howey Test.

Is Crypto A Commodity Or Security?

For instance, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum may be categorised as commodities as a outcome of they have been designed to behave as a retailer of value or because of their decentralized nature. On the other hand, token types like security tokens are categorised as securities as a outcome of they characterize shares of tasks or an organization. Another key argument that cryptocurrencies shouldn’t be considered securities revolves round their decentralized nature. The Howey test specifies that a security involves investing in a standard enterprise and profiting from the efforts of a 3rd get together.

Choosing Between Commodities Vs Securities

security vs currency vs commodity

When you buy a bond, you’re basically lending money to an entity—be it an organization or a government. In return, you get the promise of your a refund at a future date, along with curiosity funds during the bond’s life. For instance, if you purchase a stock you earn cash if it rises in worth, and lose if it Financial cryptography drops.

security vs currency vs commodity

A essential attribute of a safety is the authorized declare it offers to the proprietor. Whether it is a share of an organization’s inventory or a government bond, ownership of a security usually implies a level of control or a claim on assets. Securities are readily transferable, making them fascinating funding vehicles. Shares of inventory, for instance, can be purchased and bought on stock exchanges, and ownership may be transferred with relative ease.

This could be attractive if you want one thing different from regular shares. Instead, traders may actively take part by staking coins, validating transactions, or voting on governance choices, complicating the Howey Test software. Proponents of classifying crypto as commodities argue that this decentralized construction means investors aren’t solely reliant on third-party efforts. Considering that the us market is amongst the most well-known and its regulatory businesses are among the many most vocal, we’ll give consideration to the united states regulatory setup.

The Commodity Exchange Act, originally security vs currency vs commodity passed in 1936, lays out the foundational rules for buying and selling commodity futures. It has been updated over time to match market developments, and it grants the CFTC the authority to establish detailed rules published in the Code of Federal Regulations. This article explains the key variations between securities and commodities and examines how these differences impression the regulation and classification of cryptocurrencies right now. Securities are subject to extra extensive laws geared toward defending buyers from fraudulent actions and guaranteeing transparency. On the opposite hand, commodities sometimes have much less stringent regulations, probably exposing buyers to larger risks as a result of lowered oversight. The strategy of complying with securities rules could also be expensive and sophisticated, doubtlessly limiting some projects’ capacity to conduct token gross sales or ICOs.

Crypto exchanges aren’t exempt from this compliance; an exchange must be registered to commerce securities earlier than buying and selling tokens thought of securities. Securities are financial devices that characterize ownership or debt obligations in an entity, similar to a corporation, government, or organization. They are typically purchased and sold in monetary markets, allowing investors to take part within the growth or financing actions of the issuing entity. While they are each property that traders can purchase and sell, securities receive stricter regulatory oversight than commodities. Companies that issue securities like stocks and bonds should present traders with detailed, clear data, while commodities are subject to less stringent reporting necessities.

The Howey Test, stemming from SEC (the Securities and Exchange Commission) v. Howey Co. (1946), assesses whether transactions qualify as funding contracts under laws on Commodities and Securities markets. Criteria embrace an funding of cash, in a standard enterprise, with an expectation of income solely from others’ efforts. Regulators, just like the SEC, use this check to judge Cryptocurrency offerings by a Crypto trade. If tokens offered meet Howey Test standards, they may be subject to securities regulations, including registration requirements. The test ensures regulatory oversight in the Crypto house, determining compliance with legal guidelines and protecting buyers whereas promoting market integrity. Understanding the excellence between securities and commodities is crucial for merchants and traders.

Bitcoin is assessed as a commodity by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Its decentralized nature and lack of ties to an organization differentiate it from traditional securities. Marc Guberti is an investing writer enthusiastic about serving to folks learn extra about cash management, investing and finance. He has greater than 10 years of writing expertise targeted on finance and digital advertising. In the case of ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings) and STOs (Security Token Offerings), finishing all of the regulatory requirements and trading on a registered Exchange is crucial. Generally, a company can’t sell securities unless it’s fully registered with the SEC or falls inside an exemption (Reg D and Reg S) class.

6 Essential Communications Features for Your Frontline Workers

Roughly 70 percent of the American workforce is in frontline positions, filling essential customer-facing roles. They’re on the front lines, quite literally, of the industries making the world go round, including:

  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Manufacturing and construction
  • Retail and customer service
  • Hospitality and food preparation
  • Public safety
  • Fulfillment and delivery

In the past few years, the frontline field has expanded as gig work like ridesharing and food delivery services becomes more prevalent. Frontline employees are more likely to have hourly, shift, or part-time positions, sometimes working multiple jobs to make ends meet.

Communication is central to the success of all frontline workers since many serve as the public’s first point of contact with their organization. Others, like construction or public safety workers, may require reliable communication methods for safety issues.

Equipping these essential employees with modern, intuitive, and durable communication tools enables them to deliver exceptional service, make informed decisions, and stay connected to their coworkers. As the frontline landscape continues to expand and evolve, investments in collaboration and communications solutions are central to supporting these critical roles.

Essential Customized Tools

Effective communication is vital for frontline employees to excel in their dynamic work environments. However, their needs differ significantly from those of traditional, office-based employees.

Communication requirements vary widely from job to job. A clerk in a hotel lobby may use very different tools than a laborer on a manufacturing floor. No matter where they are, frontline workers require solutions that integrate seamlessly into their unique workflows.

The ideal unified communications and collaboration (UCC) solution isn’t just about making calls or sending messages (although it must do that, too) – it should have features that enhance frontline workers’ efficiency, keep them connected, and empower them to do their best work.

These capabilities include:

1. AI-augmented Capabilities – AI can provide critical support for employees in customer service roles. AI-powered chatbots can handle basic client interactions or assist human agents with conversation histories, sentiment analysis, or even suggesting courses of action.

2. Seamless Connectivity – In professions where time is of the essence, like nursing or public safety, the ability to reach the right person can make a big difference. Simplified call trees and emergency response solutions make critical calls faster for healthcare and safety workers.

3. Hardware for Demanding Environments – The frontline workplace demands hardware that is as durable and easy to use. Whether on a warehouse floor, hospital, or construction site, DECT handsets and other devices must be high-performing and long-lasting.

4. Location-agnostic Systems – Frontline workers may not have fixed office locations, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have consistent communication experiences. Providing on-the-go tools for on-site, remote, or mobile employees means they can efficiently work wherever they are.

5. Multimodal Communications – Sometimes, a video call is faster than a text chat. Collaboration and communications software seamlessly switches between video, voice, and text, allowing colleagues to work together efficiently.

6. Industry-specific Integrations – Frontline professionals have particular needs, so it’s essential to have a communications partner who understands the unique requirements of each industry and can tailor their solutions to their customers.

TCI helps you tackle the challenges of frontline work.

Frontline work is constantly evolving. TCI offers flexible, industry-specific unified communications, collaboration, and contact center solutions that grow and develop alongside your business to ensure your workforce always has the latest technology to do their jobs.

When frontline operations require multiple systems, seamless integration is vital to efficient workflows. Need API integrations with your critical business apps? We support your need to create a comprehensive communications ecosystem that gives your employees the information they need when they need it.

We offer market-leading DECT handsets for your essential employees on the go. For instance, Mitel offers a popular, rugged 700d DECT phone series that features extended battery capacity, ambient noise filters, and secure communications. No matter where they are or what they’re doing, your frontline workers will have an efficient workspace at their fingertips.

From secure, high-quality communications and user-friendly collaboration software to durable hardware with easy installation and reliable customer support, TCI has what it takes to support your frontline team.

Give us a call: (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.