When people began discovering the concept of making a VOIP call it was a bit of a novelty that was mainly utilized by “computer geeks” in the comfort of their own homes and in those early days business owners had a lot of very valid reasons to be more than a little leery about the concept of switching their traditional telephone system for a VOIP based one. Read more
Did you know that no matter what your business – hospitality, service or administrative – if you serve customers or consumers in any way on your premises having television available for their use can significantly boost sales and lead to higher customer satisfaction? Read more
If you are like most Americans, you gave up your landline phone at home a long time ago. And, as so many people, even kids, spend so much time on their cellphone – to the point where it never leaves their hand – doing so really only makes sense. It eliminates a monthly expense from the household budget, and who doesn’t love that? Read more
As it turns one year old by now, as long as their computer meets the basic specs, most PC users have been tempted into – and in some cases pushed into – upgrading to Windows 10. And despite some of the grumbling about automatic updates and potential privacy concerns, it is actually a pretty good build and does, as many users have discovered, offer a number of rather neat features over its predecessors. Read more
Offering consumers free Wi-Fi access can be a boon for almost any customer oriented business. If you operate a restaurant or cafe, customers are far more likely to stay longer, purchase more and return again, all because they know that a good Wi-Fi connection is available. Read more
With numerous companies offering network and cable installation services, it is difficult to distinguish one from the next. In terms of services that are in line with current technologies, Data Installers Inc. is a provider that specializes in fiber optic cabling systems. Read more
Surveillance cameras are sometimes called IP cameras or CCTV cameras. Whether it is wired or wireless, a visible surveillance camera can act as a deterrent to potential intruders and you can use it to keep an eye on events occurring in your home. You can also record footage from your camera and save it for viewing at a later point. Read more
The decision to choose the type of cabling system to use is often a daunting one, and requires balancing your today’s technological needs and those of the future. You have to decide whether you want to remain relevant with today’s LAN technology or to invest in something that will see you through the future and encompass the future’s LAN technology—without the need to re-cable. Read more
Fiber-optics is one of those things that sounds high tech. Most people, in fact, would likely agree it sounds a little too high tech for something as relatively simple as a home data or cable television connection. Read more
Many who are not familiar with the basic difference between digital and analog electronics might be confused by comparing closed circuit television or CCTV systems that employ one or the other. The basics of the two technologies are relatively easy to understand. Read more
Windows 10 was released on August 1 of 2015 with Microsoft offering free upgrades to existing users as a means of encouraging adoption. Aside from the fact that it is the latest iteration of the operating system on which most businesses run, there are many reasons for businesses to switch. In fact, Windows 10 Enterprise includes numerous features for the specific purpose of motivating businesses to upgrade. Small businesses in particular stand to benefit as the new operating system offers them flexibility across all their devices. Read more
What to Look for in Business Telephones
Telephone is one of the most important pieces of office equipment. Business operations, communications and workflow take place more effectively and efficiently because of business phone systems. So as a business owner, you must be able to invest on quality and reliable telephone systems. Here’s a list of the features that you should look for:
Basic Features:
Here are some of the more common features of business telephones. Note though that each brand is different so it’s better to ask for a complete list of options.
- Auto attendant – This takes the place of a receptionist as it presents callers with a list of options to route their call. In also allows the callers to just directly dial the party’s extension number.
- Conferencing Features – This is useful for business meetings and discussions. This feature allows two or more extensions to connect together and share in a particular conversation. Ask the brand salesperson for more specific offerings of this feature.
- Automated Directory- This feature allows callers to look up an employee’s extension by just entering the name’s first few letters.
- Voice Mail– Messages are left for employees who are currently unavailable through this feature. allows messages to be left for employees that are unavailable or on the phone already. Some business phone systems further allow separate third-party voice mail equipment to interface with their equipment.
- Call Hold– This is a very basic feature which puts the caller on hold while the user is attending to some other matter
- Call Forwarding- Another basic feature which allows the user to forward certain calls to another extension or to voice mail.
- Speed Dial- Enables the quick dialling of frequently called numbers
- Redial- A very basic feature which allows the redialling of the last number called.
- Paging- Through this feature, the user can speak over a public address system to give announcements or locate an employee
- Music on Hold – This feature gives callers something to listen to while they are on hold
- Back–Up Power– In case of power outage, this feature provides an alternate source of electricity for 10 to 60 minutes.
Advanced Features
The following business telephone features will entail additional costs; however, these can be offset by the added customer service and time-saving ability that these would bring:
- Remote Location – This feature allows simple connections to employees who are currently offsite, or to small remote offices.
- Find Me / Follow Me- This enables users to forward their phone on demand to another phone, cell phone, assistant, home phone, etc.
- Computer Telephone Integration- Through this feature, the phone system will be able to interact with a computer system. For instance, the user can click on a phone number on the computer screen, which will trigger the phone system to automatically dial the number.
There you have it—a list of business phone system features that you should look for. If you need more assistance, or if you have related concerns, do not hesitate to contact us today. We will be more than happy to help you.
Brief History on CCTV
The earliest usage of closed circuit television (CCTV) dates back to 1942 when the military in Germany used remote cameras to observe the launch of V2 rockets. Since then it has become common in non-government and military sites.
The banks used them as added security in the 1970’s. Video technology became cheaper in the 1980’s so many different establishments could avail of them. Many retailers such as convenience stores, and gas stations began to use them to prevent and record any possible crime.
Nowadays, CCTV’s are very common in the home, schools and airports; installed as an added security feature to prevent burglars from breaking in or to record any suspicious activities.
Then the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center happened…
And Now…
Demand for CCTV has been on the rise in the recent years due to increased fear over terrorism and the rising crime rates.
The introduction of police-run cameras was prompted by what happened on 9/11 (World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001) that killed nearly 3,000 people. Because of that, New York City has created an impressive system that is designed to identify and catch criminals in the act.
In the past, Americans have been resistant to such measures but according to a recent CBS News/New York Times survey, some 78% of people in the US said that having more surveillance was a “good idea”. These responses came after a private CCTV footage from a nearby shop helped the FBI identify the Boston Marathon bombing suspects.
From hundreds of hours of footage, the Boston Marathon two bombing suspects were singled out from the vast marathon spectators. That’s the crucial role that CCTV and other surveillance tools played on this crime. The suspects’ movements were followed before and after they allegedly planted the two bombs — bombs that killed three people and wounded 200.
The mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, said soon after that the bombings were “a terrible reminder” of why investing in “camera technology” could be necessary to prevent future attacks.
Ray Kelly, the current New York City Police Commissioner, has been outspoken in his support of surveillance cameras. He said on MSNBC television, “The people who complain about it, I would say, are a relatively small number of folks, because the genie is out of the bottle. People realize that everywhere you go now, your picture is taken.”
In the Future…
According to RNCOS’ latest report, by the end of 2014 the global CCTV market will attain around US$23.5 billion, expanding at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of around 20.5% since 2012.
These surveillance tools have changed over the years. Back then they used to be large white boxes that could not even zoom in or out or follow objects closely. Nowadays they can be a lot smaller and hidden so as to not be noticed. There have also been advanced features such as higher definition and being able to detect and follow motion everywhere.
On RNCOS’ report, analog CCTV cameras are currently leading the global CCTV market but will change by the end of 2014 with network IP becoming the leading technology. As such, IP SAN (IP Storage Area Network) is being chosen over DVR/NVR (network video recorders) for storage since it offers improved storage capacity, scalability, and retention.
According to RNCOS’ report, the United States is the world’s largest market for security products and services. Increased use of CCTV in the different business or personal sectors, and technological innovations will encourage US-CCTV market growth. The CCTV market will grow at an impressive compound annual rate in the coming few years.
Your mailbox is as equally important as your home and property when it comes to security. Your mailbox houses a lot of personal information which must be protected at all times. Your credit card bills and other mails/ documents which contain confidential and sensitive information are usually delivered in mailbox. Aside from burglary, identity theft is actually one of the big concerns in our society nowadays so you must take the necessary steps in ensuring that your mailbox is safe and secured.
In the United States, there are lots of mailbox designs available but most of these are out dated when it comes to security. The mailboxes are capable of receiving and housing mails, but no protection is offered against identity theft. The usual traditional mailboxes are easily damaged and opened, giving way to lost mails and worse, identity theft.
To protect yourself from these, you must include your mailbox in your plans for home security. Don’t hesitate to get rid of your traditional mailbox and replace it with something that’s made of solid steel, which is nearly impossible to break into. The top portion of your mailbox should be readily accessible to the mailman, but the bottom side should only be opened by a key. Mailboxes with this design are safer and more secured since thieves won’t have easy access to your mail.
Secure mailboxes can be found in online and brick-and-mortar stores. Invest on these types of mailboxes since these can go a long way in protecting you from identity theft.
And if you want to go the extra mile, you can also invest on security surveillance products such as CCTV cameras. You can place one outside your house and near your mailbox, so as to be able to monitor and record things. If you want to know more about the benefits that security cameras entail, just click here. And if you want to know more how we can be of help with regards to your security needs, do not hesitate to contact us today.
The importance of reliable surveillance and security measures in businesses could never be discounted. It must always be ensured that business assets and valuables are monitored and protected so that operations could run as smoothly and honestly as possible. Not only do security cameras deter crimes, these solutions also record/capture footages which will prove valuable whenever accidents, theft and other crimes happen.
The places within the business premises where security cameras could be placed seem limitless. However, one of the most overlooked areas is the supply room. This room houses various things which cost the business money, that’s why it is important that this is regularly and consistently monitored.
Good thing, in our modern world, we are no longer stuck with the old, blurry cameras. We now have security cameras which could monitor in the dark, to record on motion and have facial recognition capabilities. With this technology, business owners will be assured that their assets and valuables are being protected, and that whenever theft in the supply room happens, the person at fault will be duly identified.
We, at Data Installers, can provide you with the latest surveillance technologies which will protect your business assets. We take pride in our ability to provide solutions that suit your needs and budget. So if you haven’t placed a camera in your supply room, why don’t you try putting up one today—with our help? Just contact us and we’ll be more than happy to assist.