The IT Experts

How Does VoIP Work?

VoIP isn’t your average phone solution, and we’ll tell you why.

Traditionally, phone companies have been the go-to resource for any business telephone communications. However, these solutions can get expensive and come riddled with additional fees and costs associated with features you don’t want or need. Additionally, you’ll find yourself limited by the existing telephone infrastructure in your office, and it may be challenging to make changes, even if they are for the better.

VoIP uses the Internet to deliver the same solutions at a fraction of the cost, making it perfect for any kind of business, small, large, or anywhere in between.

The Benefits of VoIP

Aside from the clear cost savings (ranging up to 80 percent–yes, we’re serious), there are many benefits SMBs can expect from a VoIP solution, including:

Scalable and Affordable to Meet Your Needs

Changing your phone infrastructure can be a hassle, and it may (or may not) involve breaking down walls, running new wires, and installing new terminals or switches.

With VoIP, you avoid all of this, as you only need an Internet connection, connected devices, and accounts to take full advantage of your phone system. You can add new users, install new handsets, and set up accounts and extensions for your team, all without worrying if your infrastructure can handle it. Your VoIP system can accommodate any changes you throw at it as long as your bandwidth can support the activity (and it likely can).

And when change is easily accounted for, you get a solution that can grow alongside your business, which is valuable in and of itself.

Access Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Device

With your typical office phone system, you might find yourself tethered to your office desk.

With VoIP, however, you have access to a cloud-based telephone system available through any of your connected devices. You can log into your phone system on a laptop or desktop, download an app to your smartphone, or access it through a web browser. Naturally, this opens up a ton of opportunities for remote work, and it empowers your employees to access their work phones on the devices they are most comfortable with, creating more productivity in the process.

You’ll also find that your team is more accessible and responsive than ever before, which greatly benefits both your in-house team and your customers.

Power-Packed Features

VoIP takes advantage of its connectivity technology to offer even more features than your traditional phone system, in addition to all the features you already expect.

Here’s a short, non-exhaustive list of them:

• Call forwarding
• Conference calling
• Voicemail management
• Monitor, record, or sit in on calls
• Text messages and instant messaging
• Video conferencing and internal chat for your team
• Integration with your Customer Relationship Management tool

This barely scratches the surface of what’s possible with VoIP.

Get Started with VoIP Today

The new year is an excellent opportunity to improve your current practices and infrastructure, so don’t wait to take advantage of serious cost savings. Get started today by calling us at (954) 834-2800.

Virtual Servers

Think of a server as a super-powered computer that stores and shares your files. But buying one can cost a lot. Plus, experts say the prices might go up 30 percent next year!

Instead of buying servers, businesses can use virtual servers in the cloud. These servers live online and can be controlled through easy-to-use dashboards. They’re also great for running older software that might need special setups, which is super handy.

Apps in the Cloud

What if your computer doesn’t have enough power to run all your work apps? No problem!

Cloud providers can host your apps online. This means you can use your important tools and programs on any device that’s connected to the internet. Imagine logging into your work setup from your couch or even a coffee shop—it’s that easy!

Cloud Services

Servers don’t just cost a lot to buy—they’re also expensive to maintain. But here’s the good news: you don’t always need your own servers.

Many businesses use cloud-based services instead. These services let you do things like email, messaging, video calls, and phone systems—all without needing extra hardware. All you need is your favorite device and an internet connection.

Switching to the cloud can save businesses a ton of money while keeping everything running smoothly. Want to know how your business can use the cloud? Give KB Technologies a call at (954) 834-2800 to learn more. We’re here to help.

Why This Matters

Imagine getting a cool tech gift during the holidays. Now, what if that gift became the way someone hacked into your Wi-Fi? What if your pet camera was used by someone else to spy on you instead of you checking in on your dog? Or what if your new gaming console led to someone stealing your credit card info?

These risks come from one major problem: smart devices rely on software manufacturers to keep updated and supported. If they don’t:

• The device won’t stay secure.
• It might stop working as promised.

That’s what the FTC is trying to fix.

What the FTC Found

The FTC looked into 184 smart devices to see how long manufacturers support their products. The results weren’t great:

• 89% of manufacturers didn’t say how long their devices would be supported.
• When companies did share this info, it was often hidden or unclear.
• Many devices didn’t even list their release date, making it impossible to tell if they should still get updates.

Even searching on Google wasn’t much help. For example, one product claimed to have “lifetime support,” but further investigation revealed that updates would end in 2028. Another said the same thing but stopped receiving updates in 2021.

Is This Legal?

The FTC thinks hiding this information might break a law called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This law says companies have to be clear about what they’re promising in their warranties. For smart devices, that means clearly explaining how long updates will last.

When companies don’t provide updates, even though they’ve promised things like “lifetime support,” it can be misleading and hurt consumers.

This isn’t just a problem for people at home. Businesses also use lots of smart devices, and employees often bring their own to work. Without clear information about updates and security, individuals and businesses could make bad decisions about what devices to buy.

If the FTC gets its way, companies will need to be upfront about updates and support, which will make it easier for people to choose secure, reliable devices.

Stay Secure

Of course, staying informed about your devices is still up to you. That’s where working with an IT team like KB Technologies helps. We can monitor your tech, update your devices, and ensure your business stays secure.

Want to know more? Call us at (954) 834-2800 for an IT check-up and better peace of mind.