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Webinar Recap… Supporting Your On-the-Go Workforce with Mobile-Ready Cloud Voice Services

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Workers today are no longer tied to their desk. They’re working in the field, traveling, and balancing time between office and home – proving that how work is done is more important than where it is done.

In this Mitel webinar, you’ll learn how you can better support your free-range workforce with cloud communications and collaboration tools. Among the topics covered:

  • How the workplace is shifting and creating new demands for a mobile workforce
  • Ways collaboration tools increase business efficiencies and user productivity
  • Why providing employees with the right tools will make your business more successful

Watch the webinar now [28:22]

TCI mobility experts enable work anywhere, anytime, on any device. Support your on-the-go team… Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

How VoIP Phone Technology Closes the Communication Gaps for Small Teams & Business

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Integrated VoIP phone solutions facilitate collaboration with intuitive, easy-to-use technology. They can improve business outcomes and help you compete with the “big guys.” Here’s how VoIP phones can be a game changer for your business…

Enhance Collaboration without Sacrificing Mobility

With VoIP phones, everyone in your company stays connected, no matter where they work. Using a smartphone mobile app, your employees can take their in-office phone capabilities wherever they go. Employees can seamlessly transfer calls across devices and tap into features such as audio, web and video conferencing, group messaging and SMS to instantly connect to office colleagues.

Focus on Business, Not Your Phone Service

Because VoIP phones are easy to deploy, your employees will transition to your new system with minimal disruption and minimal training. This means your staff will spend more time on the big picture and less time on non-productive tasks. With new technology that’s updated regularly, frustrating service problems and dropped calls become things of the past.

Plus, native integrations with the leading CRMs mean your contact center can run at full throttle. Call and customer histories are integrated so you can analyze the data and uncover insights that will help your team make more meaningful connections with customers and prospects.

As your business expands, your VoIP phone solution adapts to your changing needs. You can add functionality, employees or locations as needed. Because there are no physical landlines required for VoIP phones, the systems are very cost-effective to scale.

Improve Your Bottom Line

VoIP phones also deliver the benefits of unified communications without a steep investment. When you move your phone system to the cloud, you can manage your IT budget as an operating expenditure (OPEX). Instead of incurring hard costs for equipment that may become obsolete within a couple of years, you pay only for the capacity you need at the moment. As requirements change, it’s easy to scale.

Another benefit of the OPEX model… Your VoIP phone provider is responsible for technical support, reducing the need for your IT team to be continually involved with upgrades and maintenance.

When it comes to deploying VoIP, you can count on your local TCI team. We handle all the details, set up everything and get your people up to speed on Day One. Contact TCI today: (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

 

Performance Analytics Keeps Your Communications Network Running at Peak Efficiency

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Through our partner Mitel, TCI offers you the ability to monitor the performance of your entire communications network – identifying real-time issues and rapidly alerting IT administrators about adverse conditions.

Mitel Performance Analytics (MPA) provides quick resolution tools like secure remote access and active testing capabilities that make it simple to manage locations seamlessly. Whether you have 8 or 800 users, voice quality stays crystal-clear and downtime is minimized.

MPA also addresses the need to know not only when a problem occurs, but where it occurs. Voice quality problems – delay, echo and jitter, for example – can be caused by a variety of events, from congestion to improper configuration. For faster problem resolution, MPA now monitors third-party devices like routers and servers in the network infrastructure, in addition to your Mitel systems.

Your admins can access devices from anywhere, and devices can be moved easily between containers. Plus, data can be consolidated in one central place. Information can also be shared more easily among your locations. And with configurable SNMP device monitoring, MPA can now monitor just about any device, anywhere in the world.

MPA is available as part of the Mitel Premium Software Assurance subscription, enabling you to proactively monitor and manage your entire network and identify voice and network quality concerns before business-impacting outages arise.

Many businesses today are undergoing rapid growth and searching for ways to digitally transform. MPA provides these organizations with ways to grow and still maintain a healthy network to meet and exceed growing customer expectations.

Monitoring and Performance Analytics… More reasons to go with TCI and Mitel. Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

 

Get Ready… Laws Requiring Direct 911 Access from Your Office Phones Go into Effect February 2020

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Last year, the President signed into law two statutes intended to improve emergency calling – Kari’s Law and Ray Baum’s Act. Both take effect February 16, 2020 and are intended to protect employees and others with improved access to 911 emergency services.

  • Kari’s Law applies to newly-installed multi-line telephone systems. The law requires that users be able to directly call emergency services by dialing 911 without having to dial a prefix to reach an outside line.
  • Ray Baum’s Act requires that the FCC adopt regulations that would give 911 emergency operators a specific location for the calling party so that appropriate assistance can be dispatched to that location.

FCC Regulations

FCC rules require implementation of the Kari’s Law requirements for telephone systems manufactured, purchased, or installed after February 16, 2020. The FCC‘s dispatch location rules required by Ray Baum’s Act have not yet been finalized. But businesses planning new telephone systems should be aware of these requirements and ensure that their technology providers’ offerings are in compliance.

Compliance Challenges

Businesses seeking to comply with the new 911 rules must consider several factors, including the technology used in their IT environments, network topology and the geographic scope of their phone system deployment. Also, many states have already adopted their own 911 regulations, which could be a source of compliance confusion.

If compliance with these new 911 mandates presents a challenge for your business, TCI experts can help. Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

On Schedule & Within Budget… TCI Deploys Certified Infrastructure for Your Broadband, IT, Voice & AV Connections

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When you need to manage a new building, a renovation or a campus addition, our experts will design, manage, install, support and maintain the entire infrastructure.

We work with you every step of the way…

TCI has decades of experience building networks you can count on. Our team ensures a successful infrastructure deployment, upgrade or expansion that will support all your Voice, Data, Audio-Video and Surveillance needs.

  • Design-build Solutions
  • Structured cabling: fiber, copper, riser, backbone
  • Network Access: MPLS, Internet, Trunking, Broadband
  • Network Backbone: Switches, Routers, PoE
  • Network Security: Firewalls – Purchased or Managed
  • Wireless Networks: Secure Corporate & Guest Managed Wi-Fi – Purchased, Managed or as a Service
  • Sound Masking / Paging
  • Emergency / Mass Notification: Premises or Cloud Based solutions
  • CCTV – Entry Access Solutions
  • Conference Rooms: AV & Video Conference Solutions

Engage us before your building plans have been finalized. We’ll ensure that all network requirements are included in the plans, saving you money by avoiding change orders later.

Learn more

Ready to speed up your business? Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Complement Your Mobile Work Style with Mitel’s Powerful 6900 IP Series Desk Phones

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Mitel’s MiVoice 6900 series desk phones enable you to become more mobile with one-touch Bluetooth pairing and seamless integration with your mobile phone. Not only can you stay productive by easily switching calls between your desk phone and your mobile phone, you can have mobile and desktop contacts automatically sync between your devices.

6900 Series Video Introduction [44 sec.]

Elegant Phones – Choose from expansive models to meet the needs of business users at every level.

Advanced Features – Bridge the gap between the desk phone and mobile devices with Bluetooth and MobileLink.

Rich Accessories – A broad array of add-on accessories enable the phones to be tailored to specific user needs.

Outstanding Audio – Mitel’s Hi-Q audio technology delivers exceptional quality with high definition sound for an unmatched communication experience.

Easy Reading & Interaction – LCD displays are easy to read and large enough to easily find out more about a caller.

Enhanced Call Management – Programmable keys may be used for call appearances or speed dial numbers.

Walk & Talk – The enhanced, full duplex speakerphone allows you to multi-task without a break in the conversation, even with multiple callers.

More MiVoice 6900 Series Phone features…

  • Support for Mitel Teleworker, ACD agent and supervisor, hot desking, MiCollab Client and more
  • Secure encrypted voice communication, IEEE 802.1x authentication support
  • Quality of Service support – IEEE 802.1 p/Q VLAN and priority tagging
  • Dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports (LAN/PC), powered USB 2.0 Host port, sidecar expansion port, dedicated 4-pin modular headset port convertible to DHSG/EHS capable

Ready for the convenience, productivity and security that come from adding mobility to your desk phones? Contact TCI today: (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

Great Pricing & One-Stop Public Sector Procurement via Mitel’s Sourcewell Contract

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Sourcewell (formerly known as The National Joint Powers Alliance) is a contracting agency serving the public sector.

How does Sourcewell work?

First, Sourcewell issues competitive bid RFPs nationally on a wide range of products and services that benefit their members. Following a rigorous competitive evaluation process, they then award the contract to the selected vendor. Sourcewell sets up the legal authority between vendor and member. The member organizations then have access to the vendor’s services at Sourcewell-negotiated rates.

“Sourcewell contracts have streamlined our purchasing process, saving our district thousands of dollars.”  — School District Member

What Mitel products does Sourcewell cover? 

Working with TCI as your local technology partner, Sourcewell members can purchase Mitel telecom solutions without issuing an RFP.  Mitel is a preferred provider of telecommunications equipment based on its record of innovation, product quality, customer service, pricing, and overall market leadership. The Sourcewell contract extends the decade-long relationship with Mitel for 4 years and spans the full range of Mitel’s product portfolio, including:

  • Unified Communications On Premises
  • UCaaS (Cloud Services)
  • Contact centers
  • Collaboration tools
  • Phones and accessories
  • Mass notification
  • Professional services

Who qualifies for Sourcewell membership?

  • All Educational institutions, both public and private – including K thru 12, special education districts, charter schools, and higher education/universities
  • Non-profits – including hospitals and nursing homes, rural power cooperatives, housing authorities, member associations and groups
  • State and local government agencies – including cities, counties, water districts, and tribal nations

The organization’s 50,000 members currently purchase more than $3.5 billion annually through awarded contracts – an indication of Sourcewell’s success in simplifying the procurement process to save members time and money.

Simplified procurement and savings… More reasons to go with TCI and Mitel. Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

Top 7 Reasons Our Clients are Moving Voice & Collaboration to the Cloud

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Business leaders move their communications to the cloud for better mobility, quality, simplicity and reliability. They find it easier to add offices, users and features so they can grow, and they appreciate being able to customize how they connect with customers.

Decision makers are also motivated by their bottom line – they get more and spend less with the latest technology.

Here are 7 practical business reasons to make the switch to TCI’s popular, all-in-one Cloud Voice services.

1. Easy migration

Cloud communications isn’t an all-or-nothing endeavor. There are several deployment models available – Public, Private and Hybrid – and you can migrate your people to the cloud over time or as your business needs change.

2. No hardware, no headaches

Say goodbye to capital expenses, maintenance and service fees with hosted business communications. You get great call quality, industry-leading reliability and an easy-to-manage system with no upfront costs – everything you need for one low monthly price.

3. Free up IT resources

Don’t waste valuable IT resources on aging telecom hardware – we manage the hardware hassles and put your IT people to work on the projects that matter most. With Cloud Voice, you enjoy new features faster, you can add or remove lines in minutes, and you always stay up to date with the newest upgrades automatically.

4. Pay as you grow

With premises-based systems, you pay the price for less-than-perfect call capacity planning by having too little or paying for too much. With Cloud services, you always have just the right amount of call connections to ensure you’re paying for what you need and not a penny more.

5. Enable teamwork and collaboration

Bring all of your team meeting tools into one application – Your people can easily manage video calls and conferences, screen sharing and messaging to connect with in-house teams, partner and customers.

6. Get more done – from anywhere

Your staff can access the same powerful phone and collaboration features from their office phones or seamlessly move with their mobile devices to meet at your clients or work from home offices.

7. Keep your business running

TCI’s cloud-based hosting platform delivers ultra-high reliability and seamless disaster recovery, so you always stay connected to colleagues and customers.

Give your business a competitive Advantage… Get the tools your people need to serve customers better and save some money while you do it. Contact us now to schedule your TCI Cloud Services demo: (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

We’re All Human… Why Your Employees are the Greatest Risk to Your IT Security

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The greatest threat to the security of any organization is often traced to employees who inadvertently allow confidential data to be accessed and stolen. The latest estimates indicate that more than 90% of cyber attacks can be attributed to human error.

Social engineering attacks such as phishing and spoofing continue to grow in frequency and sophistication at alarming rates. With people’s interests publicly available on social media, hackers often use this information to manipulate an unsuspecting target into handing over or revealing sensitive data.

As attackers constantly employ new and innovative methods, companies are hard pressed to stop them. This is because even with excellent security tools and knowledgeable security teams in place, the weakest link is often a user within the company who has unknowingly fallen victim to an attacker.

The best security intervention is to raise the awareness of staff. 

When your employees understand the mechanisms of spam, phishing, spear phishing, malware, ransomware and social engineering, they can apply this knowledge in their day-to-day job.

Even when you raise cyber security awareness among your employees, they can still make mistakes. We’re all human.

TCI offers expert assessments, mitigation recommendations and innovative IT security solutions to help you better protect your organization. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

Emergency & Crisis Management… Keeping Your Employees Safe, Informed and Connected

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Disruptive events – man-made or natural – unfold quickly, so fast response time is essential for safeguarding people and property. Regardless of the type of disruption, fast response is facilitated by a robust mass notification solution that allows you to communicate with all your employees at once wherever their location.

For example, employees may have to be notified of severe weather conditions, fires, hazardous material spills, IT outages, suspicious people, or an active shooter incident.

To ensure your mass notification system is up to par, make sure all the following functions are present and accounted for…

  • Anywhere, any device, any mode – A robust mass notification solution can notify staff and visitors via SMS, email, voice, landlines, mobile devices, desktops, digital screens in the lobby or cafeteria or overhead public address speakers.
  • Multiple channels – The system needs to integrate with your internal contact database. That way, you can reach employees through multiple channels simultaneously. In critical situations redundancy is a good thing.
  • Different messages, different people – Your system should be able to target different audiences by geography, function and position. For example, one message can go to executives while others are sent to staff, facility personnel, remote workers and others.
  • Confirmation – The system should also ask recipients to confirm they received the notification. In this way, real-time reporting can inform company responders of everyone’s location during an emergency.
  • Collaboration between security personnel – A mass notification solution powered by unified communications (UC) enables your security people to cut through the “wires” and connect to colleagues quickly.
  • Pre-event readiness – A good mass notification solution gives you the option of identifying numerous scenarios and preparing detailed messages and announcements – as well as automatic procedures like notifying first responders – ahead of time.

Getting urgent messages to your employees doesn’t have to be complicated. With a UC-based mass notification system, you can reach your people no matter where they are and get them to safety.

Let’s talk about how a mass notification system can protect your people and property. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.