The Diminished Value of I.T. ?

The rules and technology changed! Many are saying all I.T. and communications companies are the same. Seen one … seen them all. Is that true today? Given the choice between Provider A and Provider B, there is no differentiating value? Are you about to make an I.T. commitment to a new server, a new phone system, or cloud computing? And you think all of these choices provide about the same value? 

Not knowing your true costs in this economy could lead to lost opportunities!

With thousands of VoIP, Hosting, and I.T. companies in North America, getting a tech business started is easier than ever!  Numerous reseller programs exists that require no training.  Direct Mail Campaigns, prepared by equipment manufacturers, could be headed to thousands of potential customers today - all with your new logo on them.

True story: I received the same postcard from six different companies last week.

If I.T. and Next Generation Communications present little or no strategic value to your business, I would agree that all companies and vendors are equal.  The real answer, of course, is that many I.T.  and Next Generation Communication Companies put in the hard work, time, and effort to provide your business with useful evaluations and information based upon years of experience and education.  Your business can then, in turn, continuously improve decision making related to processes, communications, and productivity knowing the underlying knowledge was created from a credible source.

Is your trusted adviser sufficiently motivated to find the right solution for your business?

A talented and experienced technology company will be able to help business owners and decision makers choose the best solutions for the needs of the organization.  If your technology adviser lacks experience, training, financial stability, and accountability – what does the conversation sound like when you are faced with a capital expense solution of $120,000 versus an operating expense solution of $1,200 per month?  Shared versus Dedicated?  Premise versus Hosted?  What kind of financial impact exists over the next three to six years? 

In most organizations, capital investment is limited.  All companies want to direct their limited  investment opportunities towards revenue generating projects.  A wrong move leads to lost opportunity.  (Be prepared – shameless plug coming up)  Since 1995,  Georgia Business Net has been advising and providing trusted solutions to organizations large and small throughout nine states in the southeast.  We want to work with you and your partners with a goal of being your LAST technology solution provider.

What You Need to Know: VoIP Lesson 1

VoIP's quality can be great! With proper planning, a needs assessment, and a network designed specifically for your business, VoIP's quality will always be superb. Without proper planning, your voice service quality could be diminished and tarnish your business's image. If your business is considering changing its telephone service, it is critical for the decision makers to understand the different classifications of VoIP.

Classification #1: Voice over the Internet

Voice over the Internet is often the cheapest product available, and it is advertised the most. Why? This type of service lacks the infrastructure to provide proper security or the quality of service business class customers have come to expect. A lack of infrastructure translates into the absence of expensive equipment that ensures quality service. There is a time and a place for the cheapest product available; I want your business to buy the product that meets your expectations and your budget. In some cases, that product turns out to be the lowest priced. If you can tolerate a few dropped calls and diminished quality during peak traffic hours, Voice over the Internet will be a good choice for you and your budget.

Classification #2: Business Class VoIP

Depending on how the service is designed, I've also heard this called Private Line VoIP. A low price is not paramount when a vendor designs this service. However, that does not mean this will be the highest priced product either. Typically this service has circuits (or private lines) dedicated to voice usage. Dedicated is the key design feature. When I dedicate resources to a single task, I typically get better results than if I were to share resources with multiple tasks. The same is true with VoIP. Another key design feature in some offerings is private transmission lines or "private lines." Dedicated and private can be interchanged in the telecommunications industry from time to time. Both words are clues to features that you should consider when choosing a VoIP service that offers quality and security. You will not find those words in the marketing literature of a Voice over the Internet provider. Why not? Your voice shares the Internet with a lot of other people and applications.

Thank you for reading our blog! Our ongoing mission is to keep you informed on technology and avoid any unforeseen difficulties.

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