By Chris Jones, #TurnOnVPN

In the age of relentless internet surveillance, using a VPN has become mandatory for anyone who values their online privacy. Between your internet service provider storing your entire browsing history and third parties planting “cookies” (data trackers) all over the websites you visit, you leave a considerable digital footprint whenever you surf the web. This intimate data is then sold to advertisers so they can better target online ads.

These growing privacy concerns made VPN incredibly popular. VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your network, making it impossible for third parties to access and collect your browsing data. Widely available and often free, VPN seems to be the perfect solution to guarding your internet privacy.

But as Kenneth White, an internet security expert, revealed to CNN Business, "there is a long history of 'free' VPNs that prey on innocent consumers' concerns about security and cynically make them less safe.” Here are the three main dangers related to using a free VPN service: 

Note from TeleDynamics: Allison Smith will be at our booth (#1472) at Channel Partners in Las Vegas on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 from 4-7 p.m. to answer your questions about IVR best practices and about how to offer professionally voiced greetings to your customers. Also, get a free, professionally voiced opening IVR greeting for every IP PBX you buy from TeleDynamics through June 30, 2019. See details below.

By Allison Smith, The IVR Voice.com

When clients send me IVR trees to voice, the scripts are already written, usually very methodically crafted, and debated over – even hotly contested among groups of decision makers within companies. In extreme cases, the script has even made its way through the legal department for final approval.

It’s a rare thing when prospective clients approach me before the script is written. When they do, I implore them to be clear on a few things before they write the first word of their phone tree.

Three reasons your customer should not be recording their own IVR greetings

Introducing an exclusive offer for TeleDynamics dealers - see details below!

By Allison Smith, The IVR Voice.com

You’re an installer. You’re on the front lines of ensuring that companies – large or small – have their telecommunications systems installed, scaled to the appropriate size, and working seamlessly. You’re part engineer, part salesperson, and a huge part problem-solver in the installing and maintaining of telephony systems.

You’re actually putting together an intricate puzzle. But most installers don’t realize that a significant piece of that puzzle is missing.

By Brian Van Meter, Community Marketing Specialist, Grandstream Networks* 

Voice over IP delivers major improvements to traditional communication networks, and as a result legacy analog phone systems are on their way out. Ten years ago, 80% of homes had landlines, but today that number is down to 43%— and businesses are following this trend, as well. However much VoIP is becoming the go-to technology for communications, it is important to acknowledge that certain markets cannot fully convert to a total VoIP solution. Not recognizing this could lead to loss in potential sales against competitors. In these situations, a hybrid VoIP network can help deliver the flexibility and power of an IP solution while catering to the restraints of your customer. Below are some of the most common situations and their solutions.

By Phil Bowers, Senior Marketing Manager, Grandstream

A new trend is beginning to develop within the business communications industry. Being driven largely by enterprises looking to streamline internal networks by eliminating wiring, voice over Wi-Fi (VoWi-Fi) could be the next major advancement within the VoIP industry. It features the same exact backend hosted, cloud, or SIP trunk services as any wired voice-over-IP (VoIP) network, but with the connections being extended to endpoints through an immersive Wi-Fi network rather than an endless maze of Ethernet cabling.

Here at Grandstream, we are leading the Wi-Fi voice trend through a variety of initiatives and solutions designed to allow businesses to build powerful VoWi-Fi networks that increase productivity, streamline installation and management, and offer eco-friendly benefits. This article will introduce the Wi-Fi voice trend, cover the reasons many businesses are adopting Wi-Fi voice networks, combat a major Wi-Fi voice concern, and highlight the Wi-Fi voice solutions we offer at Grandstream.

Article contributed by Yeastar*

Thought you knew Yeastar's Cloud PBX well? We are sure there are some useful features you have yet to discover. Below are 10 sweet features of the Yeastar Cloud PBX that might not be on your radar. Learn more about Yeastar's Cloud PBX (and stay for lunch) next July 24 in Austin, Texas. Dealers who attend are eligible for three months of Free Yeastar Cloud PBX! Click here to register. 

By Dorothy Murach, Marketing Manager at Grandstream Networks*

The on-premise vs. hosted IP PBX battle continues. Which to choose? Each IP PBX option comes with its own characteristics and benefits, and the key is to determine which works best for your business’s unique needs. While it may seem that everything is moving to the cloud, hosted IP PBX options are not right for everyone. I’ll help you navigate through the details of each to see which IP PBX is the right choice for you.

By Leo D’Alessandro, Product Marketing Manager, Sangoma Technologies

If you are looking for a cloud-based phone service for your business, you may find it confusing to decide between the many options available. The low cost of the internet infrastructure is allowing more companies to offer their own cloud-based phone solutions. Since many of them are already bundling local & long-distance calling, caller ID and voicemail into their monthly service, how do you know which option makes the most sense for your business?

Below are some of the top criteria to keep in mind when choosing your cloud-based service.

Find the conferencing solution that's made for you. Presenting the GVC3200 series.

By Dorothy Murach, Marketing Manager at Grandstream Networks

We all know that no two businesses are exactly alike, so why settle for conventional business communications solutions? Instead of accepting the idea that devices “just work that way,” we should be asking for products that “work OUR way.” With this in mind, Grandstream set out to create a line of videoconferencing systems that are flexible, powerful and affordable — allowing businesses of all kinds to create a videoconferencing solution that works the way they operate, not the other way around.  

The GVC3200 series of videoconferencing (VC) systems offers options that cover the diverse needs of businesses big, small and in-between. The series consists of three models: the GVC3200, GVC3202 and GVC3210. In this article we’ll explore each device in the GVC family and help you understand the flexibility and customization provided by each one — guiding you to choose a device that works the way your business does.

New Eastern Management Group study reflects input from more than 3,500 IT managers surveyed worldwide.