RAM is excited to introduce a PBX product that takes technology and economy to new levels in small business. Allworx is designed to reduce your expenditures and increase your competitive edge. Part of its secret is in its IP technology. The other key ingredient is its packaging.  

 

This new system is easy to acquire - there's no Cap X money needed. Allworx is easy to manage from your desktop computer and it's offered in a complete package of voice, internet and phones. This system can really connect your business to the world for less.  This all-in-one solution will lower your implementation time, service costs and reduce dependence on tech support.

 

We are all aware that the phone system impacts you and your employees every day. It must be flexible, easy-to-use and productive.  ALLWORX provides all of these benefits and more:

 

VoIP that travels:

Remote Access - with an Allworx IP phone and an Ethernet connection you can:

-       Become a virtual "extension" of the office.

-    Manage your voice mail from your e-mail.

-       Change your personal settings from any location.

 

Multi-site calling:

With Allworx phones and an Allworx system in each of your office locations, you can:

-       Create an inter-office calling system with 3-digit dialing.

-       Merge multiple sites with one system.  

-    Manage all your phone systems from one desk-top.    

 

Transfer calls between sites - the caller will never notice.

-       View BLF activity and company directory across multiple sites.

-       Manage calls for all sites with one receptionist.

 

Presence Management - Follow-me calling at your fingertips.

You can change your call routing "presence" instantly, using:

-       Your phone

-       Your voicemail

-       Your PC

-       Your smartphone

 

The Allworx Package helps your business:

-       put equipment and services in 1 package

-       eliminate the need for CAP X money

-       lower monthly operating costs 

-       drive more business

-       save money that can be used in other areas 

-       unify messaging between phones, cellular and email

 

For more details on the Allworx system call RAM today at 847-358-0917.

Yes, fax transmissions are still an acceptable and common form of telecommunications. A problem can usually occur in one of two ways, either the providing carrier is having a problem or the actual device is somehow malfunctioning. It's not easy to determine where the fault lies.

 

 

If a carrier(phone company) problem is suspected, there are a couple of options to try.  

 

1.    Call the number from a land line or cell. If you receive a glaring screeching sound, you've connected to the device. If there is a carrier problem, you'd probably hear a message indicting that your call cannot be completed.

2.    Unplug the line cord from the fax machine and plug it into a telephone hand set.  Many business users have a Telephone System with handsets that are incompatible with the "analog" fax machine. If you keep a spare "analog" set available you can test the fax line properly. If possible unplug the fax and plug the line cord into the "analog" phone. Attempt to make an outbound call. Try calling the number from another phone set. If connections are made then you know there isn't a problem with the carrier.

3.    If either of these first two tests fail then a service call to the appropriate carrier is needed.

 

A more difficult situation is determining a problem with the fax device.  If you've performed the first two tests and the line is working properly, then it is very possible the fax is experiencing a problem. It may be out of paper, the buffer holding the transmissions may be full or there just may be a mechanical failure. If this is the case, then a call to an appropriate fax / business machine servicer is necessary.

 

In any scenario described above, RAM Communications can assist with your FAX Troubleshooting. Please call 847-358-0917 Option 1 during our business hours, as we will work with you in attempting to identify and resolve the problem. A test fax can always be transmitted to RAM at the following fax number of 847-358-1340 to verify your connectivity.

For almost twenty years, engineers have worked on wireless technology that could offer speed and reliability as part of the bargain. In the Chicago Area, those efforts may finally be realized by a company    called    Business    Only Broadband. BOB Networks, as they are known, is based in suburban Westmont.

Their founders are pioneers in fiber and wireless network technology with over 80 years of experience. In the past few years, BOB Networks has developed a wireless service that can provide 1 MB to 100 MB Internet speeds. What is important to note is that this technology uses a high-tech radio dish that can withstand rain and snow and deliver a clean signal. The technology is so effective that BOB Networks provides a Service Level Agreement for performance and uptime.

If your business is seeking true redundancy, this product must be considered.  Wireless    service doesn't touch the phone or cable wiring in the ground.    Therefore,  BOB Networks  isn't affected when a line is cut. For more information, please contact RAM today.

• Business Only Broadband provides TRUE redundancy for telecommunications

• Provides wireless Internet coverage throughout all of the Chicagoland Area for business

• Applications include IP voice, Internet and redundancy services

• Speeds from 1.5 MB to 100 MB

• Service Level Agreement provides performance and reliability guarantees

I'm not an expert in macro economics so I won't waste your time with my financial predictions. We all have access to all sorts of opinions about the economic landscape. What I will do is pose a question for you to consider: what business elements are in your control?

I know I control my own personal activities. With this in mind, I've always made a commitment to concentrate on the business items I can affect. By the same token, I try not concern myself with mysteries like banking and government. One of my longtime associates reminds me, "stick to what you know and do it well". Telecommunications is the path I have chosen and we like to think we do it well. So how do you build business?

How do you attract new clients?
For most of my career, personal networking has been my secret to business success. How? I know that by meeting people, I will eventually meet the right people. We've met business owners and managers like you with whom we've been able to forge business relationships. RAM Communications now has several hundred clients. While this hasn't happened over night, virtually all of it is a direct result of business networking. Networking works. It does take time and effort. The results of networking can be long term and more profitable then any other tool I've found. 85% of our business is, in fact, a direct result of networking.
So, if I may be so bold, take a look at your local business chambers, or associations within your industry. If people do business with those they trust, now is as good a time as any to use networking as a tool in your business plan for 2009. Finally, if RAM can help introduce your business to potential clients or colleagues please let me know. We all benefit when your business is successful. Have a great Holiday Season and a prosperous 2009.

Regards,
Rob McCoy
RAM Communications

North American Numbering Plan The central body charged with assigning phone number plans to the United States and 24 other countries and territories.

Numbering Plan Area A telephony practice of assigning an area code to a specific area. As numbers run out for that NPA, new area codes are added to the same region to provide more numbers for the same population

In telephony, especially in North America, an overlay plan is the practice of introducing a new area code by applying it onto a geographic area that is already occupied by one or more existing area codes. The result is two (or more) area codes serve the same area.

Trends

Increasingly, our staff is spending more time researching and correcting bad information and fixing ill-thought implementations for new clients. Now, more than ever, we subscribe to the KISS method.  In these economic times, businesses need reliable and 'user-friendly' technologies more than ever before.

Some Statistics

According to one trade magazine, Phone Plus, the average small business only utilizes 10% of the technology available in their phone system solution.  Perhaps this percentage is higher in tech-savvy organizations.  Still, that's an alarmingly low rate of adoption.  Perhaps, as an industry, telecommunications professionals need to spend more time training their customers? Or, maybe, the technology is too overwhelming for most users? Another statistic cites VoIP services are being deployed  50% less than forecasted in 2008.  The economy plays a role in this down trend but there's something more basic at work here. Many phone reps push features. Many don't talk about and deliver benefits businesses can use.

Here's one example. SIP phone technology allows cell phone users the ability to automatically transfer their phone call onto their phone system once they arrive in the office. Sounds neat but what's the real benefit to the business?  What is the productivity gain of having this feature? The cell phone is already portable and available. This transfer feature is marketed constantly without any regard for creating practical advantage for the customer.

Look for Real Benefits

Can the latest IP solution save your business money? Enable your staff to be more productive? If so, the solution would be providing benefits. Business owners realize that a big part of a benefit is saving workers time.  Time they can use to produce revenue.  Our most successful, profitable clients have something in common.  They stretch they're current technology as far as possible while still keeping their people productive.

RAM will continue to provide its clients and new prospects practical benefits. One of the principle benefits we pledge to deliver you is simpler, user-friendly solutions. That is why we continue to recommend a mix of the old with the new.  If , for example, your staff is productive and profitable using an older telecom solution, why change it?  Changes require new capital and retraining. 

Here's some other recommendations:

1. Contact RAM to reassess your systems. The cost and time is minimal and the benefit is finding operational and efficiency savings.
2. Look for low-cost, easy-to-use upgrades
3. A beneficial technology can provide a lower operating cost but shouldn't do so at the expense of productivity.
4. Find a system with tangible improvements for your organization. If one is not readily available, stick with your current system.

Rob McCoy
RAM Communications Inc.
847-358-0917 x200
rob@ramcomminc.com

Ethernet is the best long-term bandwidth solution. Fast Ethernet
resolves most of the speed, reliability and equipment issues that plague other
services. Ethernet provides flexibility. Why purchase multiple T1 circuits when you
can subscribe to speeds from 10mb to 100mb on the same fiber-based connection?



If your business is planning to purchase more T1 circuits, MPLS or migrate to
VoIP, please contact RAM today at 847-358-0917. Ethernet is worth your time and
consideration. As always, RAM provides expert analysis, ordering and project
management. The end result? We we'll lower your costs and provide superior
service.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode.

A high bandwidth controlled-delay, fixed-size packet switching and transmission system. This protocol uses fixed-size packets, also known as "cells." ATM is often referred to as "cell relay." ATM has been a broadband standard for more than 10 years. This is the same technology that allows bank cash machines quick and secure cash transfers to you.