Phone System Services -Lombard, IL 60148

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:

There is a whole lot of hype and buzz around VoIP Phone Systems (Voice over Internet Protocol). This solution differs from its main competition (digital on-premises PBX) in a few ways but the main difference is the source of service.

While digital systems pass information over traditional analog or POTS lines, an IP or VoIP system uses your internet to transmit data and make phone calls.

When it comes to VoIP there are both on-premises options and cloud based options. On-premises VoIP solutions are often hybrids that offer the advantages of IP solutions and digital solutions in one.

Hosted or Cloud based VoIP systems have no “head end” hardware in your office. That hardware is hosted in the cloud along with all of the programming and interface for your system. You simply have handsets in your office that plug into computers and use the magic of the internet/the cloud to make and receive calls.

Many business owners and decision makers are attracted to the versatility, hardware cost and high tech features of hosted VoIP options.

With that in mind, implementing hosted VoIP sounds like a no brainer but it is important to consider certain requirements and factors before making the switch.

5 Things You Must Consider Before Installing a Hosted VoIP Phone System At Your Office

1.  Is your internet steady enough and robust enough to handle the added demand of a phone system?

An internet outage is one of the most frustrating things isn’t it? Unless you have a failover it slows down productivity, prevents you from using certain programs and if you are in the cloud you can’t do anything at all.

Cloud based solutions require an internet connection to operate. That is true for cloud based software and it’s also true for a hosted VoIP solution. The issue doesn’t stop at a complete outage though. Any disruption of service will impact the quality of your phone calls. You may experience poor reception or you might drop calls completely if your internet connection isn’t steady and strong.

So, what do you do about that? For starters you can implement a failover. This failover service will take over if your main provider goes down allowing you to keep moving in the event of an outage.

Additionally, you should consult with your internet service provider to ensure that your bandwidth can handle your typical call volume. If you don’t have proper bandwidth, your internet won’t be able to keep up with your system and you won’t be happy with the quality of your service.

2. Is your network infrastructure compatible with a VoIP solution?

Every business has their own specific requirements when it comes to network infrastructure and a hosted VoIP solution but there are some standards you can look for right away.

In regards to your cabling – industry standards now recommend at least Cat6 wiring. Andromeda suggest a minimum of Cat6e cable to support all IP solutions.

You will also want to connect your IT partner with your VoIP provider to make sure any other requirements are met.

Some of those might include:

• Quality of Service Routers/Switches
• Optimized Network
• Backup Power Source
• Redundant POE Switching
• Gigabyte Network Support

As mentioned before, hosted VoIP can be a much more cost efficient choice when it comes to the actual system hardware (basically just the phones), but there are many instances where the infrastructure updates needed are just too hefty.

3. Do you own the equipment? If not, who does?

It is important to look into who actually owns the equipment when you purchase a hosted VoIP solution. Many times, your purchase is part of a leasing program where you pay a small fee every month to ‘rent’ the phones.

This is most common with hosted solutions and far less common with on-premises solutions.

It may not look like a lot of money at first but over time it adds up.

For example – in a typical three year contract, your handset costs might start at approximately $15.00 per month (this is just the cost of the equipment – not service). If your office has 20 handsets that means you are spending $3600 annually and almost $11,000 across the lifetime of your contract on equipment you don’t even own. Not to mention the monthly service charges and taxes involved.

These costs only increase when you add in higher quality phones and special features.

4. Have you looked into the tax rates applied to VoIP services in your area?

“Taxes, surcharges and fees apply” – Cryptic right?

Statements like this are used often when VoIP vendors pitch their solutions and too often, business owners aren’t made aware of the taxes required for their VoIP solution on top of the basic equipment and service fees.

Each state and region has their own tax codes and it is not unheard of for these taxes, surcharges and fees to reach hundreds and hundreds of dollars a month.

All of a sudden that cost savings you were anticipating is chewed up and spit out by these hidden fees.

The worst part is many national VoIP providers don’t even give you the hard numbers when they deliver their proposal. Imagine opening your first bill, expecting to see a $600 total and finding that you owe $900! Now multiply that out over the course of your contract and you get the picture.

For Illinois specifically you can learn more about VoIP specific taxes here.

5. Have you looked into who will support your phone system if there are programming or equipment issues?

With a hosted solution, you don’t have the head end equipment in your office. There isn’t a box or piece of hardware that a technician can come work on when things go wrong. Instead, there is cloud hosted software that connects to the handsets plugged into your computers.

If there is an issue and you can’t seem to get things resolved, it is highly unlikely that your VoIP provider has technicians available to come visit your office. At that point, you are stuck calling around and googling to try and find a company to come work on your phones.

It is not safe to assume that the same people who handle your IT will know how to help you with your hosted solution. They may not be trained on the software and they may also have no knowledge of the phones themselves.

Hosted VoIP enters into a gray area where there are IT and Telecom pieces at play.

Before you sign up and install a hosted solution, you should figure out who will be able to service you in a pinch.

Your phone system is one of the most important communication tools you’ve got. There are many different options out there and hopefully this list of questions will better prepare you for a hosted VoIP system if that is the solution you choose.

Andromeda helps businesses select professional phone systems in many varieties every day. Give us a call and let us help you determine which solution is right for your needs.

The post 5 Things You Must Consider Before Installing a Hosted VoIP Phone System At Your Office appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

Whether you are considering purchasing a hosted VoIP Phone System or you’ve already made the switch there are some important things you’ll want to consider to make sure that you have in place.

Hosted VoIP phone solutions are a great option for small business. They offer many special functions and programming options to businesses via cloud technology and network capabilities.

These systems are easily portable – sometimes referred to as ‘plug and play’ solutions. As long as your office has proper cabling and network infrastructure, you can move phones easily across the office in minutes without having to call a technician or service company.

Hosted VoIP Phone solutions are scalable, offer many bells and whistles, make remote workforces easier to manage, offer detailed reporting options and a wide range of other business functions.

It should be mentioned that many if not all of these functions and programming options are available on digital solutions and IP hybrid solutions. Do not believe any phone vendor that tells you otherwise.

If you decide that hosted or cloud VoIP phone systems are the solution for your office, you’ll want to take a few steps to make sure that you are setting yourself up for a smooth and secure transition:

1. Consult an IT Vendor with Network Security experience

Whether you are planning a transition to hosted VoIP Phone Solutions or you already have them, it is important that you understand the implications this has on your network and your network infrastructure.

You want to make sure that you know how much bandwidth you currently have available and whether you’ll need to increase this. Making and receiving phone calls over the internet can eat up your available bandwidth and if you don’t account for this demand increase, you may suffer from dropped calls, low call quality and other issues. So make sure you have strong enough service from your internet provider.

Adding your phones to the network adds other requirements as well. You’ll want to have a network audit done to check up on your infrastructure and your network security. You may need to add equipment and/or update infrastructure for your VoIP phone solution to work.

Hosted VoIP systems without proper network security and infrastructure are vulnerable to data theft, DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks and other cybersecurity issues. Just like any other extension on the network, you’ll need to make sure that connections are secure and you are proactively protecting your business.

2. Make sure you have a plan for emergency numbers

While hosted VoIP phone systems can be great for your business, they do create some issues for emergency calls to local law enforcement, medical help etc.

Because your calls are made over the internet there is no geographic location associated with your phones and this poses a problem for first responders. Essentially, your phones cannot figure out which emergency call center to direct the call to.

Because of this, most companies with a cloud phone solution like hosted VoIP need to have a backup plan for emergency calls. This may mean that you maintain one digital or POTS line for emergencies.

If you have a burglar system or security system you might already have this set up because these solutions run into the same issues with VoIP service.

3. Find a vendor who can support your solution

There are hundreds of options available to you for your hosted VoIP Phone system. Between all of your hardware options and service provider options things can get a bit confusing.

A great first step when you are looking into VoIP is to engage your IT company and see if there is a solution they provide/work with.

All too often we get calls from companies with hosted phones looking for support and we have to turn them away because they have hardware Andromeda isn’t able to support.

When choosing your hardware and service provider you want to ask the following:

• How long has the company been around (they pop up and disappear far more often than you’d think)?
• Who is going to provide service to the hardware?

You definitely don’t want to find out once it is too late and your phones are having problems that you don’t have anyone to help you out.

Your phone system may change or be replaced but the need for a secure and reliable phone system remains the same. Additionally, your need for a technology or telecom vendor that understands your solution remains paramount. If moving to hosted VoIP Phone Solutions or cloud phone system is something on your mind, make sure to give us a call and we can work to make sure your transition is as smooth and secure as possible.

The post Hosted VoIP Phone Solutions: 3 Essential Steps You’ll Want To Take To Protect Yourself And Your Business appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

Cisco's Talos Security Team has identified a new threat, and it's a nasty one impacting more than half a million consumer-grade routers in the US.� According to the Talos Team's report, the new malware is impacting a broad cross-section of routers made by TP-Link, QNAP, Netgear, Mikrotik, and Linksys.

Known as "VPNFilter," the malware currently infecting routers appears to be the first stage in a multi-phase attack, with the first segment allowing the hackers to collect a wide range of communications data and slave the device to launch attacks on others.� The code also contains a kill command that allows the hackers to destroy the device at will.

As of now, the FBI has already taken swift action and has seized a domain used by the hackers as a means to deliver the later stages of the attack. They report that the primary and secondary means of further infection have been dismantled.� They also report, however, that the hackers still have a fallback method of infection, which relies on sending "poisoned" data packets to each infected device.

Based on an evaluation of the code and the presence of redundant mechanisms for delivering the later stages of the infection, the code has been traced to a Russian hacking group with deep ties to the Russian government.� The group is known by a variety of names, including Fancy Bear, Sofacy, APT 28, and Pawn Storm.

On the heels of seizing the domain, the FBI released a statement that includes:

"The FBI recommends any owner of small office and home office routers reboot the devices to temporarily disrupt the malware and aid the potential identification of infected devices.� Owners are advised to consider disabling remote management settings on devices and secure with strong passwords and encryption when enabled.� Network devices should be upgraded to the latest available versions of firmware."

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