Have We All Risen to Our Levels of Incompetence?

I just read an article in the local paper this morning about a young lady who went on a trip to the Philippines and used her cell phone while she was away. She was shocked when she got home and realized that her $800.00 phone bill cost more than her airfare.

My first question to her would be - did you really need to talk on your cell phone that badly? I mean, don't we go away to get away?

We are in such an instant gratification world today. Now, maybe I am dating myself here; but since when did we need to be in such constant contact? How did I ever survive this long without talking and texting and twittering all day long? Has technology created so many choices that even the very simplest of tasks becomes a promotion to one's level of incompetence?

Remember the Peter Principle? Maybe this is what's happening in business today? It seems to me that everyone is so busy multi-tasking that they can't focus on the task at hand.

A business acquaintance and I were talking the other day about how incompetent so many people seem to be today. He has been a consultant with a couple very large clients for a number of years. Lately, all of his invoices have been getting messed up. He calls to get things corrected, and can't talk to anyone because it's voice mails responding. Push this button; push that button and heaven forbid if the problem you have is not one of their choices. When he does finally get through, he receives quite a rude response and no apology for the errors.

So, you may ask, what is the connection between the cell phone bill and people reaching their levels of incompetence?

It's merely an illustration of how connected we all feel we have to be and possibly an explanation of why there are so many people making the errors they do on a daily basis. I think there are some very brilliant minds out there but we're doing too many things and constantly feeling pressured to do more. Having to talk on a cell phone while away on a trip is an example of that pressure.

Mistakes have always been made - invoices lost - calls dropped - mix up of an order - but I have never seen the levels of incompetence and complete disregard for service that there appears to be now. I am a business person myself. I am shocked at some of the service I've received from fellow business folks. They really don't seem to care. Service is non-existent or poor at best.

I had a problem with a product I purchased and when I initially made the purchase, I was told I could receive help 24/7. I first noted a problem in May - to this day - the issue has never been resolved even after numerous attempts at getting through to the provider. In fact, the issue wasn't even responded to. What happened to the 24/7 service I was promised?

Levels of employee engagement are the lowest they have ever been in history. Email and social media is impossible to keep up with. Businesses are going bankrupt on a daily basis. Part time jobs appear to be all that can be found. It's becoming increasingly more difficult to get a smile when I go shopping now. Try to make small talk or be friendly and you're taking a risk that the salesperson thinks you've lost your marbles. What is going on?

In my opinion, we need to slow things down. We need to do one thing at a time... do it exceedingly well and then move on to the next thing. We need to think things through instead of having an instant knee-jerk reaction. When you're on a trip - put the cell phone away - save some money!

Address Stamps Add A Touch Of Class To Your Letters

Even though sending cards and letters has become old hat, thanks to instant messages, email and cell phones, people do send them from time to time. While people usually send more greeting cards around the Christmas season, businesses send letters much more often than that. Address stamps totally changes how your cards and letters appear instead of sending plain envelopes with handwritten addresses.

With a great assortment of address stamps and with a great selection of colors, address stamps are an inexpensive way to make your correspondence look great. Because these stamps are ink based instead of stickers, you'll be able to use them thousands of times before having to add more ink and that means, for those who send a lot of letters like a business, you'll be able to save money and still have a great looking envelope.

Address stamps are available in the standard rectangular shape that goes in the upper left corner just like Easter Seal labels, but you're not limited to a plain name and address unless you want to. There are other shapes and sizes available like a square with the name and address around the edges of the square with several different designs for the inside available. There are also square designs with a great border around the name and address as well. There's even one that has Snoopy on it for a fun alternative to the regular stamps.

For round designs, you've got selections for monograms that look totally awesome. You've got choices where you can have a single letter or a three letter monogram surrounded by a cool border and the name and address. Some round address stamps also have hearts or Christmas themes on them so you can use those for season's greetings and for other occasions too. Since the designs are round, it makes for a totally different looking return address stamp which catches the eye and looks totally cool.

Regardless of whether you go for a round design, a square design or standard rectangle address stamps available in multiple colors, you'll definitely be sending out cards and letters that people will take notice of. There's no reason you can't have a cool letter going out that you like and that your recipient will find cool. With all the great choices available for address labels and stamps, there's no reason in the world you can't find one that suits your style and may even encourage you to use the U.S. Mail more often. You know the USPS will definitely appreciate it.

Using address stamps on your correspondence is a great way to add a special touch and make them take notice. Current Catalog has a large variety of personalized and custom address labels so you can show of your style.

Effective Phone and Voice Solutions for Branch Offices

From the perspective of an Information Technology (IT) consultant, it is hard to imagine anything more challenging than connecting 15 offices around the country with the corporate headquarters. This kind of project would cost tens of thousands of dollars in hardware alone, and it usually involved months of setting up multiple T1 lines, Private Branch Exchange (PBX) servers and other hardware just to call Boston from Seattle. If a new office were opened, the whole system would require adaptation from the ground up with new extension and networking schematics and data sharing solutions. Thankfully, modern and more innovative voice technology solutions have made this process outdated.

The Branch Exchange

Using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and open SIP however, modern voice technology not only replaced much of the cost of connecting multiple locations, but it also improved the service, capabilities, and functionality for a business to operate while simultaneously reducing maintenance and operating costs. Sending an employee to the San Diego office for three months used to be a major cost and burden to a business, but with this new generation of Unified Communication technology, employees can travel from office to office with the same ease as moving a desk.

Seamless integration means that while your company has branch offices throughout the nation, it is connected by a single unified voice technology that is easily managed. The reliability of this voice technology helps to eliminate points of failure and creates a scalable system for the end user. Utilizing such voice technology, adding a new branch or satellite office can be done with ease and in a more timely and cost efficient manner.

Distributed Central Control

By implementing a system that is scalable, low-cost, highly integrated and expandable, a companies voice communication system transitions from being a rigid, costly necessity into a flexible, affordable medium that centralizes the flow of work and operations in a distributed network. Call routing across branches, interoffice collaboration and conferencing happens on the fly and facilitates increased production. The cost of all technology tends to reduce over time, which means that the streamlining of costs for Unified Communication and telecommunication networking has allowed more small and medium sized businesses to adopt such voice technology for themselves. Additionally, there are green voice systems which utilize far less power and energy than their counterparts, offering increased savings from a business operating costs and positively impacting their bottom line.

Zultys is the premiere provider of green voice technology, innovative unified communication and enterprise SIP solutions, bringing steep cost savings to businesses with a reduced carbon footprint and healthier environment. Zultys MX250 Enterprise-Class IP PBX offers a feature-rich enterprise-class business IP telephone system supporting VoIP and unified communication services for up to 250 users.

MPLS And VPLS Networks Working Together

MPLS and VPLS networks work together to provide services to homes or businesses. VPLS is an Ethernet provider who offers Virtual Private LAN Service over pseudo-wires. MPLS is Multiprotocol Label Switching which is part of the mechanics of having phone service through an internet connection. The part of the service has developed a way of carrying two different types of service through one wire. This process works by stacking labels which allows for more than one type of service.

VPLS is the type of voice services that local companies offer through an internet connection. There are several companies who offer this service it will depend on where a person or business is located as to who the provider may be. This type of phone service is known to usually be less expensive than the prices that regular phone companies offer.

MPLS is the label stacking part of the program that allows this process to work through one cable. There is an inner and outer part of the program which allows different types of technology to travel and produce internet and phone service at the same time. The label stacking that is part of this process allows more information to travel at a better speed making sure that one or the other of the services does not lack in data processing capabilities.

The VPLS requires a wired connection to the provider box or computer. Some of the instruments used connects to the computer and uses the internet connection to provide phone service. There does have to be a constant connection or the phone service will not function. The price of this type of instrument is rather inexpensive as well as the monthly cost being cheaper.

With MPLS there are certain advantages which circle the knowledge to carry several service models. This part of the service also has the ability to execute traffic management. Going on the far side of simple protection areas this program also has a recovery structure.

Each of the VPLS MPLS packets contain a 2 label batch. The outside label is used for normal transmission in the service suppliers network. If LDP is used, the inward label is a realistic circuit ID appointed by LDP when it first accepted a interaction between the involved PEs. Every PE keeps evidence of the nominated inner label, and associates with the virtual private LAN service example.

Due to the availability of these services in today's market, phone service at a bargain price is available. There is no need for a special device due to the type of circuitry that is included in the connective device. Just like the regular phone services there will be a distinct number assigned to each customer.

MPLS and VPLS networks working together to create a better financial savings for citizens or businesses is a great invention. The combination of these two network capabilities has come a long way over a little more than the last decade. Technology seems to be surpassing the older and more expensive versions in a way that makes every day life or business operations a little easier.

Are you looking for more information on MPLS and VPLS Networks? If you are considering to get MPLS and VPLS Networks for your needs, review the information to find out more.

Utilizing A T3 Line In The Modern Workplace

Good internet connectivity is important for the majority of modern workplaces. The convenience of having an array of informational websites available at the touch of a button and increased efficiency in communication help a company's staff to more effectively perform their roles. Additionally, the sales that can be made through the effective use of a website and online marketing strategy is something that no company can afford to ignore. There are hundreds of companies that offer internet connections to businesses. These range from simple ADSL lines to cable connections or even 'metro-WiFi'. However, for a company that has significantly high bandwidth needs, a leased connection, such as a T3 line, is often the best option.

A leased line is a specially installed internet connection, which connects a company directly to their ISP. Unlike traditional broadband, the connection is not shared by any other company or individual. With residential internet lines, the connection is always shared between the subscriber and a number of other people in their local area.

This means that there is a maximum amount of bandwidth available. During peak times the speed will often slow below the 10 Mb/s headline speed (or the speed of the package to which they have subscribed).

This is not the case with a leased solution. As the connection is sold specifically to one company, they will be able to utilize however much bandwidth they are paying for all day, every day. A T3 connection is a specific type of leased line. It is made by connecting 28 separate T1 lines together, which have one end at the company's office and the other at the ISP's regional site.

The company will be provided with routing equipment, which will make the fact that there are actually 28 lines bundled together invisible to the users - it will automatically route all of the necessary data through individual lines to get the packets of data to their destination in the shortest possible time.

These types of connections are available in both copper and fiber optic varieties. Fiber optic is a more modern technology and it is being utilized more commonly by internet providers. However, whichever technology the ISP chooses to use, the bandwidth allowances will remain the same (which will be limited by the package the client subscribes to). As a limit, a T3 can provide a maximum of just under 45 Mb/s. However, if the client requires more bandwidth, it is common to provide several of these lines bundled together.

Prices vary from supplier to supplier. As a leased solution has to be specially fitted when a client places their order, the price is very much dependent on how far away their premises is from the ISP's local site. The further away the building is, the more cable will have to be laid, and the more expensive the initial 'start up' costs will be.

A resilient and reliable internet connection is an essential purchase for any business. Whilst there are a number of other types of technology to choose from, a T3 line is one that has been utilized by companies for several years, and the technology has proven its worth to millions of businesses around the world.

Finding T3 Line service provider is not hard when you know where to look for the reliable ones. If you are considering to get T3 Line connections, review the information available here to find out more.

Communication Gadgets

Communication is one of the main things we cannot live without. Exactly how should we express ourselves, send information, or even talk to somebody without speaking? Due to its importance, our ways of connection has been increased by specialists and inventors. These types of frequent platforms are the types that people use everyday so that you can communicate with each other and indeed, we can't ever picture existence with out these. Below are a few with the common mediums that people use when communicating to one another.

The Web - This is the newest and best method regarding conversation nowadays. Utilizing the computer, individuals are able to hook up to other individuals around the world. In addition you will get almost everything that you seek for through the internet.Telephones - Though this tool is kind of old already, it is still being used today. Telephones had been actually among the most ancient means of connection. Nonetheless, because the technology is growing, the particular telephones nowadays perform better compared to those of the early times.Radio - These types of gadgets had been utilized through the early occasions. This gadget however, can only perform quick communications in just a certain range. Nowadays, radios are still being used by certain people and even used by children for fun.Mobile phones - The actual physical appearance of the mobile phone is in fact related to the telephone. Nonetheless, this doesn't have any cord and you may bring it wherever you go.Cell Mobile phones - Inspired from the mobile phone, another high-technological gadget was invented. The very first sets of cell phones had been actually quite simple combined both the characteristics of the pager and a mobile phone. By using the cell phone, you can deliver messages which are what we call text messaging. You may also call individuals with this gadget provided that you've got sufficient cellular phone load balance. Nevertheless, individuals were not really that happy by these functions which directed specialists and inventors to add more and more applications into it. Nowadays, a complex cell phone already features a front and back digital camera, camcorder, games as well as other engaging apps, sound recorder, iPod, TV, radio, and internet access.

Experts and also specialists continue to be searching for alternative ideas to make our ways of connection wider. Nevertheless, we could additionally discuss the thoughts and concepts in relation to this particular topic. For this reason, there are plenty of community forums nowadays where we could exactly take part in. Some of these are composed of cell phone forums, phone forums, and all sorts of other discussion boards with regards to communication.

James G. Grant is a popular author for blogs and articles. Read his latest articles about cell phone forums and telephone forums today!

Enterprise Class Technology Solutions in a High Demand Environment

Business of all sizes are adopting voice and data technologies including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Open Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Unified Communications (UC) for their enterprise class needs. Enterprise class technology is large enough to allow the cost savings and increased productivity to show much more clearly in a company's performance. This means that while a small company may save say $120 per year for each server that is consolidated, a larger enterprise operation could be saving that number times a hundred, potentially saving as much as $12,000 per year in electricity costs alone.

The most valuable part of this revolution is that such enterprise technology solutions are the most reliable. There was a time when SIP open standards technology was not taken seriously and as a result, major corporations would not adopt it. Once that changed, SIP open standards technology became the next revolution for small and large businesses alike.

Unified Information

Unified communication conveyed the idea of having email, fax and telephone available in one interface for users. VoIP is the backbone technology that is allowing major corporations to realize the UC system, but when coupled with green technology, mobility and interactive collaboration, something new is created and it is called unified information.

Unified information is the concept of interconnecting a company's phone log with its web page analytics to learn when that company's customers are most likely to access both the site and contact customer service. For larger corporations, using this kind of information could allow businesses to reduce dependency on customer service representatives and subsequently reduce their response time by providing web-based information while customers are waiting for a call center representative. This goes beyond the idea of reducing long distance expenses and it is hard to imagine anyone paying a long distance bill these days.

Utilizing Green Power

Utilizing anything green is "the new green," as the new saying goes. In fact, utilizing anything "green" is how companies are starting to realize increases in their operations' profit potential; however, green is also how companies realize the value of social consciousness and ensure their future position. It just makes sense to invest in the benefits of green energy while streamlining the cost of doing business. It is the same with Unified Communications, information and mobility integration. This is how business is going to be done now and in the future, so now is the time to benefit from such synergy.

Zultys is the premiere provider of green voice technology, innovative unified communication and enterprise SIP solutions, bringing steep cost savings to businesses with a reduced carbon footprint and healthier environment. Zultys MX250 Enterprise-Class IP PBX offers a feature-rich enterprise-class business IP telephone system supporting VoIP and unified communication services for up to 250 users.