By Barry Gerhardt
original source
Special to the Worcester Business Journal

Consider the technology upgrade if your current phone system is causing you to lose business and efficiency

It's a rare business owner who wakes up one morning and decides that legacy migration to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the best possible use of company assets.

Maybe it should happen more often, though, since replacing a "legacy" telephone system with VoIP can improve quality and save money.

So, how can you tell whether your company is ready for VoIP? Here are six signs:

1. You think VoIP has something to do with "very important persons." What is VoIP? VoIP turns voice information and data into digital information that's transmitted in the same format as information that passes over the Internet (VoIP includes other packet-switched networks besides the Internet). It has become a standard technology for large companies and is increasingly becoming one for small businesses.

2. Company voice mail says, "Your call is very important to us," yet it's impossible to reach a real person. How much business can you lose when a potential customer calls and gets lost in an endless loop of voice-mail options? ("Press 1 if you're sick of wasting time and want to reach an honest-to-God human being.") With VoIP, key contacts can be literally a call away, no matter where they are.

3. You think "unified communications" means everyone is talking at the same time. VoIP can provide unified communications (UC), integrating voice (landline and mobile), email, instant messages and conferencing. Having all communication over one network is more efficient and eliminates duplication of wiring and switching equipment. By combining voice and data, you can also allocate bandwidth based on varying traffic requirements, which can improve productivity and lower costs. In addition, users can access all voice messages in one place.

4. Every facility your company owns has its own system. How ironic is it that some phone systems won't talk to each other? Different systems result in high maintenance and management costs, and low functionality. Compatible technology is as important for telephones as it is for computers. If your company has multiple locations, VoIP enables them to all be on the same system easily. Your phone system will be scalable and can grow with your business.

5. The only function your phones have is a busy signal. VoIP is feature-rich and user-friendly. Users can access all features using a PC-based application. In addition, system administration can be handled through a standard browser. There's no complicated programming, so trained technicians are not needed.

6. Your PBX lease is up for renewal. Why invest more in old technology? You'll likely find it increasingly difficult to purchase parts for your system and maintain it, and your monthly usage charges are probably higher than they should be. Your outdated PBX system will have to be replaced sooner or later, so why not replace it now?

You can wait for your phone system to crash and burn. Or you can take advantage of the new technology that's available today and create a competitive advantage for your company. It's your choice.

PriorityOne can help you upgrade your phone system quickly and easily. Call us today for a free telecommunications analysis. We will work with you to find the best solution for your business and save you anywhere from 30-50% monthly. 866-578-5355.

By Riva Richmond
original source

Your business has been hacked. It's bad news, but it doesn't have to cripple your operation.

Cyber-crooks increasingly are targeting small businesses to steal information such as passwords that lead to bank account balances and credit lines, customer data and sensitive product details. Hackers also may try to virtually hijack company computers or websites and use them to attack others online. They know most small businesses lack the security expertise, data protections and response tools that large companies have at their disposal.

Falling victim to a hack can be costly. Malicious or criminal data breaches on average cost victim companies $318 per compromised record in 2010, according to Traverse City, Mich.- based research firm Ponemon Institute.

But having a security recovery plan can make the process smoother and less expensive. Here are six critical steps to take if your business has been hacked:

1. Find out what happened.

To respond effectively, get a full picture of what happened, including how the hackers got in, which computers and accounts were compromised, which data was accessed or stolen and whether any other parties -- such as customers or business partners -- were affected.

This can be a difficult process involving costly security consultants, but you may be able to get less expensive help from companies you do business with, including your Internet service provider, security software company or website hosting firm. But the best route may be to contact your local, county or state police computer crimes unit and the FBI, which can do forensic analyses and provide valuable guidance.

2. Seek legal advice.

If you don't have a special cyber-insurance policy that will provide an experienced attorney, you may need to hire one to navigate the legal issues. For instance, when hackers gain access to the personal information of customers or employees, you likely have a legal obligation to notify them, says Todd B. Ruback, a Warren, N.J.-based privacy attorney who specializes in data breach response.

You may also be required to alert state authorities. Because there isn't a federal data-breach notification rule, companies that do business nationally may have to comply with as many as 46 different state laws. You also could face liability lawsuits from affected parties.

3. Communicate early and often.

Quick and honest communication with affected employees, customers and partners -- about what happened, what you're doing about the problem and what they need to do -- is often more than just a legal requirement. It may be necessary to salvage your business.

"A data breach can be fatal for a small business" if monetary losses, the cost of rebuilding or reputation damage is high, says Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, a public-private partnership based in Washington, D.C. "Maintaining trust in a crisis is the best way to hold onto your customers."

4. Eliminate the problem.

To limit the damage, you may need to take disruptive and costly steps, such as removing infected computers and shutting down your website while you clean up. Consider reformatting hacked computers and restoring data with clean backups, or simply buy new computers.

If hackers exploited a software flaw, apply a "patch" from the software maker that fixes the problem or implement a recommended workaround. If they stole passwords, secure your accounts and set new, complex passwords that will be hard to crack.

5. Rebuild.

Put in place the technology and policies to help fend off future attacks. Make sure your computer operating system and other software are current and, if possible, receiving automatic updates to fix bugs. Consider designating one computer for online banking only, meaning no Web surfing and no email that might expose you to malware designed for financial fraud.

6. Revisit your security plan.

Make sure your security defenses are running properly and that data is being backed up securely. Your IT manager should consider setting up activity "logging," or tracking, on all devices on your network so any future problems can be investigated more easily, says Brian Honan, principal consultant at Dublin, Ireland-based security firm BH Consulting.

Check with customers, partners and vendors to see what they're doing to protect your data. Consider buying a cyber-insurance policy if you don't already have one. Also, create a disaster recovery plan and train employees so everyone can respond quickly and calmly if faced with a hack or other crisis again.

If your employeer uses PriorityOne's phone service this is your chance to win a $100 VISA Gift Card!

>> Download pdf with details on how to win <<   or visit this page

Send a referral to PriorityOne, a small to medium sized business owner, who has the need for our services, which includes hosted phone systems and high-speed internet. When your referral signs on for service from PriorityOne – you will receive a $100 VISA gift card, perfect for holiday shopping!*

Who is a good referral for PriorityOne?

• A business owner looking to save money on their costly or outdated phone system. 
•  A business owner who wants more control over features their phone system can provide.  
•  A business owner who can get in touch with support right away and not wait on hold 
• A business owner who wants a reliable phone system supported by the internet. 
•  A business owner who has multiple business locations and needs a more seamless phone system to connect these locations. 
•  A business owner who has mobile workers and needs them to stay connected like those in the office.

Not sure how to describe what we do? Here are some ideas…

•  PriorityOne provides hosted phone systems, also known as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Voice data is sent through the internet and is more cost effective and easy to manage than a traditional phone system. You are using our phone system right now!
•  In addition to internet phone systems, we provide high-speed, affordable internet service for businesses. 
•  We help businesses implement reliable phone systems that are easy to manage, flexible and affordable.

Where do you send your referral once you have one?

• Send the name, company and phone number of your referral to: Kaitlin, Marketing  Coordinator, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and someone from PriorityOne will follow up with that person. 
•  Give the referral our phone number and have them call 518-533-4480

Questions? Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Visit www.priorityonenet.com for more information about PriorityOne

*Limit one gift card per person. Referral must sign up for PriorityOne’s VoIP or Internet Service and sale must be considered closed for participant to receive gift card. Business that is referred must have between 3-50 employees.