Phone System Services -Chicago, IL 

Whether you need a legacy phone system maintained, or an entirely new communications system for multiple offices, Andromeda Technology Solutions is the answer you have been looking for. As our expertise also includes complete data network solutions, you can rest assured that we can fully integrate a communications system that will best leverage your existing or future IT infrastructure.

In many cases, your telephone system is the first thing people will experience when dealing with your business.

• Does it show your company in a good light?
• Is it set up so your clients have a good experience?
• Does it help maximize employee productivity?

Let us show you how a phone system should be set up!

Experience the simplicity of having an experienced company to handle all aspects of your communication systems, letting you focus on running your business.

Contact us or fill out the Request form on this page now to ask us to contact you!

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Hybrid PBX and IP-based Phone Systems

We support a host of major phone systems—from Avaya, NEC, Panasonic to Toshiba— and are a certified Panasonic dealer for both a traditional PBX system, as well as a true IP-based VoIP system. The beauty of these systems lies in their very extensive feature set (over 800 features) and their mix-and-match capabilities. Each system can mix analog, digital and IP phone sets to match almost any application. Also, each system has extensive functionality built-in for incorporating branch offices, work-at-home employees and other remote workers.

We spend a great deal of time understanding all your requirements, so we can select the system and functions that are exactly what you need.

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The Phones Become the Network

If you are considering an IP-based telephone system, it is important to understand these systems are more data systems than phone systems. Unlike a traditional PBX system, a VoIP system puts a significant burden on your data network, and requires specific equipment and configuration to ensure everything is running properly.

Many traditional telephone service companies lack the skills to properly install and maintain a VoIP system. Andromeda Technology Solutions excels in all aspects of voice and data, and will ensure you get the system that is right for you.

Whether Cloud-based, Hosted/virtual PBX, or completely on-premises, we have the knowledge AND experience to guide you and implement your voice communication system to perfection.

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Replacement of Legacy Phone Systems

We have many years of experience upgrading/replacing legacy phones systems from: ComDial, Nortel, Toshiba/Mitel, and Samsung just to name a few. If you would like to experience service from a truly customer-focused organization, call us when you are ready to replace and upgrade your existing legacy telephone system.

			KX-TA KX-NCP KX-TDA KS-TDE
			IP Office Definity Magix Legend Partner
			Aspire Elite IPK I-Series DS/DSX

AndroPedia Tech Library

As part of our service, it is important to keep our client-partners well informed on Telephone system developments, news, and best practices. Here is just a sampling of typical items from our AndroPedia^SM library archive:

When we discuss security at your office and safety, often times that points to a discussion about professional access control, security camera systems, burglar alarms and integrated security solutions. But, your professional telephone system plays a very important role in the safety of your office and your employees. Accidents and incidents happen and one of the first things any person says or does in an emergency is call 9-1-1.

There are important functions and settings within your telephone system for emergencies and some of these settings are now mandated by federal law.

In February of 2018, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R. 582 (commonly referred to as Kari’s Law), which requires that all multi-line phone systems allow for a direct dial of 9-1-1.

This means that instead of dialing an 8 or a 9 first like your system may require for typical outbound calls, an employee or guest at your business must be able to pick up a phone, dial 9-1-1 and be connected.

Additionally, your phone system “must be configured to notify a designated central point of contact when someone initiates a call to 9-1-1 using the system”. So, your system must notify a specific person with the location of the call when a 9-1-1 call is made. This way your designated contact can communicate with emergency responders and let them know where help is needed at your building, campus or complex.

The law has certain implications for the VoIP market, as many cloud based or hosted VoIP phone systems haven’t been approved for 9-1-1 dialing to begin with because some VoIP solutions aren’t capable of alerting emergency dispatchers to the location of the caller.

Kari’s Law will make the sale, lease and/or installation of phone systems without required functionality illegal after February 16, 2020 so you can anticipate manufacturers and telecom professionals to adapt their solutions accordingly.

So . . . what does this mean for your business and your existing system?

What do you need to do to make sure you are compliant with Kari’s Law?

First, check with the company who services your system. Ask them if the solution at your business is configured to dial 9-1-1 without requiring a prefix.

Second, make sure that you have your system configured to alert a designated contact in the event of an emergency. It may make sense for that contact to be your reception staff but if that is not the case, be sure to discuss this internally and let your telecom vendor know who you’d like to be alerted. Then, make sure your system is configured to do so.

Additionally, this is a great opportunity to review your company emergency response protocols. Do all of your employees know what to do in the event of an emergency? A building evacuation? A lock down?

Andromeda is here to assist you with set up and configuration of your phone system. We should also mention that our VoIP solutions are compliant with this new law and offer all required functionality.

So – if you have any questions, give our team a call at (815) 836 – 0030 or send us an email at Contact@WeNetwork.com and we will get them answered. If you’re looking into a phone system, please make sure to ask potential vendors if their solution is compliant as well.

For Reference:

• https://www.commlawblog.com/2018/04/articles/cellular/multi-line-telephone-systems-and-enterprise-communications-systems-karis-law-and-other-911-related-developments/
• https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr582/summary

The post 2018 Telecom Law: Kari’s Law and What It Means For Your Business appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

Email, text messaging and chat applications may help you stay connected with coworkers and colleagues, but the traditional telephone and phone call remain a staple of business communication.

In fact, a phone call remains the #1 method for initial contact above any other method including contact forms and email.

Your prospects are picking up the phone all day – and it’s pretty safe to say you are too. Think about it. How many times a day are you picking up the phone on average?

• Calling coworkers
• Calling customers
• Calling vendors
• Sales calls
• Conference calls

You get the idea . . .

So imagine coming in to work for the day and finding out that your phone system is ‘down’.

No calls in – no calls out.

Think about what that might mean for your business: lost productivity, upset customers, missed opportunities. It adds up quick.

Our professional phone systems are important but often overlooked when it comes to service and maintenance. There comes a point when a professional phone system is going to reach end of life. It isn’t pleasant, but it’s a fact.

With that in mind, here are a few signs it’s time to think about and prepare for a new professional phone system.

4 Key Signs Your Professional Phone System is Failing

1. Your Phone System is 10+ Years Old

Many times, Andromeda helps businesses work on and maintain phone solutions and systems that are over 10 years old. They work just fine, serve their purpose, and ‘you don’t need to fix what isn’t broken’, right?

Once a professional phone system or an on-premises digital PBX system passes 10 years of age, it is a good time to assess your options. While the system may be working just fine, there is no guarantee it won’t crash due to several different factors.

Sometimes you can get by with replacing parts or service visits but there comes a time when nothing can be done and the system is done for.

Once your professional phone system hits its 10^th birthday you should probably sit down with your telecom service provider and discuss your options.

2. Connection Issues (Static, Dropped Calls)

While there may be other reasons for connection issues, legacy phone solutions and systems close to end of life tend to see an increase in connectivity problems.

If your phone calls start sounding static filled, or if phone calls are regularly dropping for no reason, you should reach out to your telephone service company and schedule a service call.

They will be able to determine what might be going on. Depending on the answer, it might be time to consider your options and prep for a new system.

3. Voicemail/Programming Issues

A common indicator of a failing phone system is an increase in programming malfunctions or issues.

Some regular programming issues are:

• Loss of programming records
• Incorrect time/date
• Calls getting mixed up or going to incorrect extensions
• Voicemails disappearing
• Display malfunctions (lighting or wording)

These issues are more than annoying: they can lead to miscommunications and frustrated clients/coworkers.

4. Overheating Systems

Most older professional phone systems don’t have the best built-in cooling elements. Over time, as the system ages, this can put stress on it and lead to overheating issues. Some businesses temporarily cope by placing a fan near the head of the unit or the PBX, but this is only a quick fix and won’t help long term.

A system with temperature issues is giving you a clear signal that it is nearing the end of its usability.

Recognizing the Signs

There can be other signals that a professional phone system is in need of attention or replacement, but these four are all a good indicator that its time to start exploring your options.

In our next article we will explore the steps you can take to prepare for phone system emergency and replacement.

If any of the above issues sound familiar or you believe that your professional phone system is nearing the end of life, please reach out to our team. We can help guide you towards a new and professional phone solution that fits your needs, your business, and your budget.

Give us a call at (815) 836-0030 or send us an email with your inquiry at Contact@WeNetwork.com.

The post Key Signals Your Professional Phone System is ‘Failing’ or Nearing End of Life appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

Researchers at Kaspersky Lab have been tracking a disturbing new trend.

In the first quarter of 2019, the company has noted a massive 58 percent increase in modifications of various banking Trojan families that have been used in attacks against more than a quarter of a million users around the world.

This increase is troubling in that it paints a picture of hackers taking much more interest in and developing tools that are specifically designed to target users who access banking services from mobile devices, which is a target rich environment indeed.

The company had this to say about their findings:

"As is customary, first place in the Top 20 for Q1 went to the DangerousObject.Multi.Generic verdict (54.26 percent) which we use for malware detected using cloud technologies.

Cloud technologies are deployed when the antivirus databases lack data for detecting a piece of malware, but the company's cloud already contains information about the object.� This is basically how the latest malicious programs are detected.

The rapid rise of mobile financial malware is a troubling sign, especially since we see how criminals are perfecting their distribution mechanisms.� For example, a recent tendency is to hide the banking Trojan in a dropper - the shell that is supposed to fly to the device under the security radar, releasing the malicious part only upon arrival."

The bottom line is that if you use your mobile device to access banking services of any kind, be aware that you are increasingly seen as a target.� In fact, given the latest findings, you're rapidly becoming the preferred target of a growing body of hackers.

As ever, your best defense is vigilance.� Don't install apps from untrustworthy sources. Before adding any new app to your phone, do some due diligence to minimize your risk of inadvertently installing something not just unwanted, but incredibly dangerous.

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