Do you really want the frequent flyer miles that badly?

In today''s current global economy, we are asked to do less with more, but do it quicker, better and in a way that is easy to replicate. Companies are trying to stretch their budgets, but often follow the same procedures and try to "trim the fat" from the same operations. I''ve always been a big believer in changing process if you want results, and one of the greatest areas to boost productivity, cut costs, and work smarter, is by more effectively utilizing the telecommunications services available to help today''s corporate user. One of the key areas that can be improved is the "mandatory face-to-face meeting", as there are several factors that should be considered when assessing business travel and the need for really meeting "face to face". The first thing to consider is, "What is the importance of this meeting relative to the time it is taking away from my staff?" The second consideration would be "How does this time away from their reports/duties possibly affect the over all well-being of our organization?" Finally, I would assess the total hard dollar travel cost and determine if it''s imperative to bring key personnel to meet on-site. Recently a friend of mine (let''s call him Tom) told me a story that typifies the need for more time-effective, cost-efficient, and productivity-enhancing organizational communication. Tom heads the national sales of North America for a European company. At the end of their most recent sales quarter, Tom was summoned unexpectedly to Europe with a 3-day notice to go over sales projections. In the meantime, Tom had several important sales meetings scheduled with his team that needed to close in order to hit those projections. Clearly, Tom could not be in both places at once. His initial thought was to schedule a conference call with the principals in Europe to review the sales projections, but he regrettably did not do so. Tom took the meeting in Europe, met his superiors, and his sales organization missed thei r numbers for the first time in his tenure of several years with the company. Tom learned that his first priority is to deliver numbers, as that is what he is ultimately measured on. A simple conference call set up between the parties, even globally, would have resulted in thousands of immediate dollars in cost-savings just from the travel alone. When you factor in the lost deals that needed Tom''s guidance, and the fact that the company missed its sales projections, it negatively affected the numbers of the company when it was reported to the investment community. The financial performance caused the stock to drop 5% over the news, negatively affecting the shareholder value, in addition to questions from the investment community as the strength of the organization. In today''s global economy, it is paramount to do things in the most efficient way possible. Like the BlackBerry''s that proliferate corporate culture today, effectively using an audio conferencing service can tr uly help in making a difference between your organization succeeding or failing.

Remote backup:-Best Service at Venom IT

In today''s fast moving commercial environment, we all know how dependent we are on computer systems, and more importantly the information contained within them. It is hard to think of the old days, no mobile phones, fax machines, or internet. Manual paper based systems have long since been replaced and the format changed to digital. With these changes, in real terms hardware costs have reduced dramatically, data storage costs have came down massively - all fuelling the additional use and reliance on our IT systems. Remote backup services are increasingly gaining a lot of importance these days. You can save your computer data by manually backing it up from your system. But this process is time consuming and tedious job as you can''t just sit in front of your computer for long hours to download the important information from your system to some external device. However, remote backup service is ideal for you as this software works opposite to traditional methods for saving you r data. Recently, online remote backup has become all the rage because almost all types of businesses have turned to online remote backup, entrusting their data to be stored in a remote location. The reason for this can be due to terrorist threat or improvements in encryption and security. But basically there are three reasons for the sudden popping up of online remote backup.

Online backup sometimes referred to as remote backup or offsite data backup is a simple and safe way to back up all your important stuffs and store them in a secure, remote location of safekeeping, in case files become lost or damaged, your data still can be recovered. It can backup all your files and overwrite your existing ones or only those modified. It allows users to safely access or restores any lost files by using any computer over existing Internet bandwidth. By backing up data as frequently as needed on a r emote hard drive, the risk of date loss will be practically. It''s based on client server architecture, meaning that there is a server process which runs on the server and its main task is to store your files on the server. The client will then upload files to the server. It can backup all your files and overwrite your existing ones or only those modified. It''s based on client server architecture, meaning that there is a server process which runs on the server and its main task is to store your files on the server. The client will then upload files to the server. Online backup services are usually priced as a function of the following things:

1. The total amount of data being backed up. 2. The number of workstations or servers connecting to the backup service. 3. The maximum number of versions of each file that are kept. 4. The level of support the Remote Backup Service provides the clie nt If you want to backup your data, one of the best ways to do it is by using a remote offsite backup service from Venom IT. To know more details please go through our website http://www.venomit.co.uk/

Virus Filtering:-Best Service at Venom IT

To help protect yourself from a virus attack, it will be necessary to understand exactly what a virus is. A virus is essentially a software program designed with malicious intentions, to copy itself and spread from one computer to another. A virus, once installed on your computer, can easily corrupt or delete data from your computer. This can be anything from your latest Word document to the irreplaceable pictures of your loved ones. We will get into exactly what a virus can do later in this article. Now that you have an idea of what a virus is and what it can do to your computer, lets discuss how your computer gets infected

Internetters has a new filtering system which checks all emails received at the recipient''s domain name and removes all known viruses and highlights spam messages. To protect your computer from these threats it is vital that you have an anti virus program installed and up to date. I have seen many times in the field computers that have anti virus prog rams but still are infected with a virus. Let me point out that not all anti virus programs are equal. I will not discuss in this article which anti virus program you should or should not use however email me and I will be happy to help you in that aspect. Your anti virus program will do you little good if you do not keep your definitions up to date. New virus are being identified all the time so it is vital to keep your anti virus program up to date on the latest threats. Another proven method is to use a firewall.

A firewall is essentially software or hardware that is designed to filter out information that is being sent to or from your computer. Think of a firewall as a Guard at the end of your driveway, before anyone enters your home they must first pass a set of rules or security checks you have given before they are allowed to enter your home. Some of the software-b ased firewalls include Norton Internet Security, Zone Alarm and Trend Micro. You may be using a hardware firewall and not even know it. If you have a LAN (Local area network) then chances are you have a router of some kind. Most routers come built in with a firewall, which is very effective at protecting your computer from viruses. Another technique used to help prevent viruses is to keep your computer up to date. If you are using a windows based PC, check Windows Update often for any security patches that are released.

Luckily, the advancement of antivirus software has kept pace with current virus threats. Antivirus software is essential to a computer''s ability to fend off viruses and other malicious programs. These products are designed to protect against the ability of a virus to enter a computer through email, web browsers, file servers and desktops. Additionally, th ese programs offer a centralized control feature that handle deployment, configuration and updating. To know more details please go through our website http://www.venomit.co.uk/

How to Reduce Motor Vehicle Accidents in Your Company

Motor vehicle accidents are always a serious concern. Apart from the insurance hassles you have to go through, there is no denying the bad PR that each accident results in. Most of these accidents in the US are a result of distracted driving. The good news is that there are simple things you can do to bring down the number and severity of these accidents.

Did you know that there is a death every 20 seconds due to dangerous driving? Most of these accidents occur during the day, while others are commuting to work. You, as an employer, bear the cost of injuries both on and off the job. Motor vehicle accidents cause employers around $60 billion each year. The costs relate to legal expenses, medical care, loss of productivity and damages to property. They also drive up the costs of workers compensation, disability insurance and social security. An average motor vehicle crash costs an employer around $16500.If your worker is injured during the crash, your costs could go up to $7 4000. If there is a fatality involved, these costs can go up to $500000 also.

The real tragedy behind these costs is that they are entirely preventable. Realizing this, more and more employers are taking up simple measures that ensure the safety of their drivers. Whether you are in charge of a number of vehicles or use them as part of your business, it is important for you to encourage your drivers to drive safely .

The latest danger in the arena of distracted driving is the practice of texting while driving. Even hands free cell phones are not proof against this dangerous practice. Motor vehicle crashes due to dangerous driving not only cause death and injuries; they also have psychological and financial repercussions on the employees. More and more drivers are falling prey to this dangerous driving practice. As a concerned employer, it is important for you take up measures that bring down these accidents. They will not only redu ce your costs, they will also save you a lot of bad publicity.

The best way to deal with the problem is of course to have an employee safety program in place. Driver safety programs are especially relevant in this context. Not only do they make good business sense, they also encourage employees to drive safe.

If you want an immediate and more long lasting solution to distracted driving in your business, go for drivesafe.ly. This is an amazing mobile application that lets you listen to text messages and respond in a pre determined manner. It also lets you listen to your email in a hands free manner. The blackberry application lets you eliminate the dangers of texting while driving .The best part about this application is that you do not need extra gadgets or software to use it. This is the best way in which you can save lives and reduce costs on motor vehicle accidents.

Public Transportation Safety and Texting While Driving

Probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear about texting while driving is that it is a stupid thing to do. Would you believe that around 87% of drivers through the country are engaged in a similar practice? The worst part about this is that not only do you risk you own life; you also risk the lives of everyone who is travelling on the road. For this reason, public transportation companies across the country are taking up new measures to actively discourage drivers from texting while driving. Texting while driving has become the leading cause for deaths and injuries in car crashes. In fact, the numbers are more than those from drunken driving! Federal estimates show that around 30%of car crashes are due to distracted driving. This dangerous driving practice has gone far enough for states to be mandating legislation banning it altogether. There are legislations banning texting while driving in 6 states and it is expected that more are to follow. Public trans port officials across the nation are throwing their weight behind legislation that would ban texting while driving. Officials are meeting lawmakers and safety advocates to discuss the dangers associated with TWD. More and more drivers who are part of the public transportation system are being encouraged to drive safely. Educative programs for these drivers are being organized all over the country. Though most officials agree that legislation is necessary to control this practice, they also believe that mere lawmaking is not enough to curb drivers. Officials are increasingly feeling the need to educate drivers about the dangers of TWD. Groups like the Governor''s Highway Safety Association feel that a federal ban is too stringent. Most people agree that a permanent solution to the problem can come about only through awareness amongst people. Public transportation companies are taking a look at the other options available. For instance, the dangers of texting while driving can be minimized with the use of a mobile application that reads your text messages and emails aloud. It ensures that you are driving safely while you are listening to your emails or your text messages. This mobile application lets you operate your messages on a totally hand free basis. It can even send an automated response to the sender informing him that you are busy and will call back later. Drivesafe.ly is the best way to ensure that the drivers are safe on the road. It also ensures that people on the road and those who avail of the public transportation system are not subject to this dangerous driving practice. Texting while driving is a serious concern among all people who avail of the public transport system. If you are into this practice, you should know that you risking the lives of many people every moment you are texting on the road.

VoIP installation:-Best Service at Venom IT

Voice-over-Internet Protocol or more simply VoIP is a term used in telephony for a set of facilities for managing the delivery of voice information using the Internet Protocol (IP). It is a technique that allows voice traffic to be transported across an IP-based data network or the Internet instead of on the traditional circuit-switched network. The voice signal is sampled, compressed and encapsulated into data packets to allow it to be switched, routed and bridged along with all other data packets across the Local and Wide area network. Benefit of a VOIP service which gives you even more flexibility over your phone lines is that you are able to add extra phone lines without having to have another line installed. This can happen as VOIP uses the internet to make calls so the only requirement is the bandwidth, so it is wise to have a fast internet connection as this will make using the VOIP service even easier

Is VOIP difficult to install? Not at all. Part of the rollout of VOIP has been the easy to install nature of it. You can have a VOIP connection running in under a half hour, even if you''re not technically inclined. Sure, it''s more complicated than an analog phone, but it can do a lot more too! Installation Process: When installing a VoIP system, businesses will have a telephone system already installed. It is important to ask the VoIP provider if they can integrate the VoIP system with the old system so there will not be any interruptions in daily operations. You should ask if there will be any hardware that you have to buy. VoIP Quality: Businesses rely on a reliable and high quality phone system. Your provider should be able provide a system that delivers dependable and continuous service. The quality of voice should be clear and audible. You may need additional connections and switches to ensure high quality. Security: A VoIP provider should be able to tell you about their security features. If you need additional security, they should be able to tell you what to buy and where to buy it. Training: The VoIP provider should provide training to your employees. If they do not provide training, you should find another provider. Maintenance: Find out if the provider has to perform maintenance on-site or if they can they do it remotely. You should also inquire about vendor uptime and how they resolve power outages. Customer Support: Find out about the provider''s customer service response. Can your reach them by phone 24 hours a day or do you have to contact them by email? Because VoIP saves money, increases productivity, and boosts profitability, more businesses are switching to VoIP for their communication needs. One of the main reasons why businesses switch to VoIP is to cave money on phone calls. Traditional phone services tend to be quite high compared to VoIP. With so many business VoIP providers available, it can often be difficult to find the best provider for your business. If you want a best VOIP provider then one of the best ways to do it is by using a VOIP service from Venom IT.

To know more details please go through our website http://www.venomit.co.uk/

6 Steps to Successful Telecommuting

Advances in telecommunication and IP technologies has enabled millions of Americans to free themselves from the office environment and become what is now commonly known as "telecommuters".

The 1990s saw a rise in the popularity of telecommuting and there seems to be no end in sight. The International Telework Association and Council predicts that a full one third of the workforce- up to 50 million workers-will telecommute full or part-time by the end of 2006.

The obvious benefits of increased flexibility and less travel time for workers makes telecommuting an attractive choice for many. But employees are not the only ones to benefit from full or part-time telecommuting. By allowing their staff the convenience of working from home, business owners experience lower overhead, an increase in employee productivity, and a higher level of employee satisfaction.

Is telecommuting right for you?

Unfortunately for some, many jobs are simply not prime candidates for telecommu ting. Careers that require physical labor, or require facilities such as a lab, hospital, etc. are obvious non-telecommuting scenarios. Employees or management executives who spend much of their time attending meetings or who need to interact with employees face-to-face probably will find the need to spend much of their time on-site.

But for those that spend the majority of their day in front of a computer, on the phone or for those that simply do not need to be physically in the office five days a week, telecommuting can be the perfect fit.

Confronting the telecommuting issues

Once the decision has been made to allow for the option of telecommuting, both employee and employer need to agree on a number of basic issues. The following points can serve as a checklist and step-by-step process for successfully implementing a seamless telecommuting solution that works for everyone.

1. Decide on which employees will be allowed to telecommute. Before implementing any tec hnological aspects of telecommuting, the first step is to determine which employees or specific job positions can benefit the most from a telecommuting scenario. Individual work habits of employees should be considered as a basis for identifying possible telecommuting candidates. Working from home carries with it distractions that are not present in the office environment. Personal phone calls, a crying baby, friendly neighbors, television, and a variety of other distractions can be counterproductive to those who do not have the discipline it takes to be a telecommuter. In the beginning, allow just a few workers telecommuting privileges so that all the "bugs" can be worked out.

2. Decide on a PC. Virtually all employees will probably already own a home based PC. The first step for successful telecommuting is to decide on whose PC to use. If the decision is made to use the already existing home PC, the machine will need to be updated with e-mail profiles, VPN and firewall software, and the appropriate applications needed to do the job. It is also a good idea to partition hard drive space to be used for work only and also to implement a reliable means for data storage and backup. Most importantly, the home PC will require current and up-to-date virus software to be installed at all times.

A better choice is to have the employer provide a laptop PC that can easily be transported between home and office. With this option, all of the appropriate software can be installed by the company''s IT department. The convenience of a portable laptop also makes for easy maintenance, repair or replacement if necessary.

3. Decide on the Internet connection. The essence of telecommuting involves the transfer of information from one location to another. Since telecommuting requires transfer of both data and voice, a high-speed Internet connection in the home is required - a dial-up connection simply won''t cut it. Not only is dial-up painfully slow for ev en the most simple tasks, it will never be able to handle voice and data due to the low bandwidth and high latency. Implement the fastest Internet connection possible-you won''t regret it.

4. Decide on telephony endpoints in the home. Once the broadband connection is in place, you''ll need to decide on just how the telecommuter will make and receive phone calls. For purposes of reliability and ease in which others can reach the telecommuter, it is best to have a variety of telephony endpoints in the home. Certainly you will need to decide on an IP-based telephone. It is also a good idea to equip the telecommuter with a IP headset to enable hands-free communication. In addition, having a cell phone in place provides for one additional access point.

The IP-based phone eliminates the need for the telecommuter to use their home phone number for business, as well as the need to have two separate business phone numbers. The IP phone can be set up to provide one number access from both home and office. Since the phone uses the same data connection as the employee''s e-mail and file access, it provides seamless access to voicemail and other features used most often within the office environment.

Although the IP phone is the best choice, a more economical option is to connect an analog phone to a one-port gateway in the home. The disadvantage of this option is that it does not provide all the features of an IP-based phone such as caller ID, message waiting, etc.

5. Set up VPN access and firewalls. Undoubtedly the telecommuter will need access to files located on the corporate file servers. The next step is to set up VPN access and firewalls so that the user can safely and easily access corporate files over the Internet. The necessity for VPN access is also another good reason to use a company owned laptop.

6. Configure existing PBX with a gateway extension. To provide remote workers with the full benefits of PBX functionality-i.e. complet e voicemail features, access to calling plan discounts, access to corporate directories, call transfer capabilities, auto attendant, etc. it is advisable to implement a PBX extension or gateway to the existing PBX.

With the PBX-IP gateway, callers can reach the telecommuter by simply dialing the telecommuters normal office number. If the telecommuter is unable to answer, the call will automatically be forwarded to their office voicemail box. The telecommuter connects to the corporate gateway and eventually to the corporate PBX using their IP phone, their IP headset or their analog phone connected to their one-port home gateway.

The rise in popularity of telecommuting makes sense mainly because it benefits both employee and employer. In response to changing market demands and resources, many companies are now turning to telecommuting solutions to not only reduce expenses, but to offer their employees a more flexible and satisfying work environment.