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:

5 Questions You Want To Ask Yourself (And Your Vendor) Before Purchasing A Professional Phone System For Your Business May 18, 2018

There are many options available to you when purchasing a professional telephone system.

And there are many companies out there that want you to purchase your professional phone solutions from them.

So – how do you make sure you are getting the best phone system for your business AND make sure that you are working with a company that puts your interests first?

We’ve put together a list of 5 of the top questions you should ask yourself when it comes to a professional telephone system and the telephone service providers that install them for your business.

5 Questions You Want To Ask Yourself  Before Purchasing A Professional Telephone System

1. What are your 5 year total costs for the system?

This is an important question that is often overlooked when purchasing a professional telephone system. There are many factors that impact total cost but typically there are two different types of systems that you are taking into consideration.

• Hosted VoIP Telephone Systems
• On Premises PBX Telephone Systems

Within those two options there are different options and models but the key difference is where the majority of the hardware exists.

In a hosted or cloud based phone system, you don’t have equipment in the office. Instead it is ‘hosted’ in the cloud. You simply have phones that you plug into the network.

With an on premises solution, your professional telephone system and equipment exist in your office. Most of the time this is in a ‘box’ mounted in your IT closet.

The reason the distinction between these two is important is because they have different costs associated with them.

With hosted VoIP you are essentially paying every month for service to the phones and the software that allows inbound and outbound calls to your network.

With an on premises system, you buy the hardware up front and you pay for telephone lines (POTS lines) to give you connectivity.

To look at costs for each type of system you’ll want to consider recurring monthly service charges, hardware costs and service/maintenance costs.

NOTE: when considering a hosted VoIP phone system, make sure that you find out what your taxes will be each month. Many times, these rates are not included in quotes and can add on hundreds of dollars to your monthly costs.

2. Who owns the equipment?

When it comes to any hardware you are using at the office, it is important to figure out who actually owns the equipment.

With an on premises option, you buy the hardware up front and install it. You own it. Simple as that.

If you choose to go with a hosted solution, you want to look into who actually owns the equipment. Many times, you are renting the phones you use from your service provider. Even if you are only paying $25.00 per phone per month, multiply that out over a year and look at how much you’ve paid to rent out phones you don’t own.

On top of that, if you ever want to switch providers or decide you want to purchase an on premises system, you have to give the phones back and start from scratch. All that money spent on renting equipment is out the door with nothing to show for it.

3. Who is going to help you service your telephone equipment?

Things break – unfortunate but true. So when you are having issues with your phone system, who will you call to come out and service it? How long will it take for technicians to get to your issues? Do you have a dedicated team or is it just whoever is available? Do they offer emergency service?

These are all questions you’ll want to ask anyone proposing their phone solution to you. All too often, business owners are sold on phone solutions that have no local service providers for technical issues.

Different technology vendors work with specific types of systems and you want to make sure you are buying a system that you can get serviced professionally and promptly.

4. Will the telephone solution grow with your business?

Each telephone system has its own list of features and compatibilities. But each one also has specific capabilities when it comes to scaling.

There are specific hardware components in phone systems that limit the number of telephones, calls or mailboxes you can set up at any one time.

If you are purchasing a system today but plan to add a call center next year, you want to make sure that you talk to your vendor about that before you purchase. That way, you can make sure that your solution is capable of that type of growth.

Not only that, depending on your business model and needs, you’ll also want to make sure that you choose a telephone system that best suits your day to day practices which brings us to our fifth question.

5. Does this phone system offer all of the features and functions you need?

Every business has its own needs when it comes to phones. Some are very simple and others are more complex. If you use your phones the way many small to midsized business do, all you’re looking for is a connection, some basic functionality (receptionist phone, easily transfer calls, put people on hold, maybe a conference phone for conference calls etc.).

At the same time, you may have a sales team that is constantly on the road which means you’d like the ability to transfer calls to your cell phone, voicemail-email set up, voicemail to text set up. You may want direct extensions or maybe when an inbound sales call comes in you want every sales person’s phone to ring until someone picks up.

The list of features goes on and on. And that doesn’t even include third party applications that integrate security, presence management and more.

Make sure you are working with a vendor that can help guide you and manage the different functions and features on the market.

Request a Consultation

A Professional Telephone System can be complex but it definitely doesn’t have to be.

If you’re in the right hands with a vendor who makes it a priority to get to know your business and your needs, most of these questions can be answered without an issue.

If you’re thinking about adding to your phone system, switching to a different type of system or you know you need something new but don’t know where to start, our account managers are ready and more than willing to help guide you through the process.

Take the first step and give us a call at the office (815) 836-0030 or fill out the form below and request a phone call with our team.

The post 5 Questions You Want To Ask Yourself (And Your Vendor) Before Purchasing A Professional Phone System For Your Business appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

Key Signals Your Professional Phone System is ‘Failing’ or Nearing End of Life Jul 27, 2018

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.

Password Policies Getting Update From Microsoft May 16, 2019

Industry experts have been predicting the death of the humble password for decades.� To date, those predictions have amounted to nothing.

Passwords are still with us, and still serve as the cornerstone of security, even as other measures have arisen alongside them to help better secure your all-important data.

�

Even though passwords aren't gone, the security landscape is changing. Recently, Microsoft has announced another step down that path of change.� They're doing away with the notion of forced password changes.

The logic is hard to argue with.� The policy of forced password changes really doesn't offer all that much in the way of protection. It often creates as many headaches and problems as it solves, because users tend to make small, virtually meaningless and easy to predict changes to their passwords. Or, they often forget their new ones anyway.

While Microsoft is no longer forcing password changes at periodic intervals, they are leaving the option available for Enterprise users to establish their own forced password change thresholds if they choose to do so.� In tandem with the coming change, they're also recommending that security professionals perform a periodic review of passwords to ensure that the passwords in use aren't on the list of the UK National Cyber Security Centre's list of the 100,000 worst passwords.

One important thing to note is the fact that the company isn't making any changes to its requirements for minimum password length, complexity, or history. That is essential in terms of keeping users from simply recycling the same two or three passwords, switching endlessly back and forth between them.

It's also worth mentioning that these changes could benefit companies that are currently under audit. That is if the auditing agency is using Microsoft's security baseline as a guideline. That makes this seem like a small , but it is more significant than it may first appear.

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