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TalkSwitch Tidies Up Communications for MaidPro Franchise
 Frank LaGreca and John Cahill from MaidPro of Cape Cod had a problem: their outdated and inefficient phone system was dropping calls and slowing them down. Worst of all, it was costing them customers.
Luckily, they found TalkSwitch.
Click here to read the new TalkSwitch/MaidPro case study to find out how TalkSwitch helped take their communications to the next level.
Category: Business News
Posted by: Michael Doyon on Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Comments: 0
Where is SMB Telecom Heading in 2008
2007 was an interesting year for telephony in the SMB space. We saw the ongoing marriage of Voice over IP services with customer premises equipment, which I attribute to reliability and quality having finally passed a tipping point. Small Business owners are always looking to reduce costs, and are often willing to take risks on new technology faster than their larger brethren. We all know that VoIP still isn’t a completely mature technology, but the ROI is so compelling that it is hard to resist deploying it in some capacity.
The tipping point is best represented by one solution – the hybrid.
Hybrid analog/VoIP PBXs are in demand. Why? Because not everyone is ready to give up their connections to the traditional telephone system. For some businesses, VoIP doesn’t offer a significant enough cost saving to make it worth the risk to completely switch. Others see it as complex and don’t feel confident in their ability to use this new technology. A hybrid solution lets those businesses experiment with VoIP, while keeping a traditional phone network safety net.
VoIP is about more than just transporting voice. We’re seeing the natural evolution that involves the integration of voice with applications. Social networking, conference collaboration, presence and routing applications, voice networking while gaming and click-to-dial from a web page are all examples of applications that make effective use of VoIP.
As we move further into 2008, I, and many others, expect analog trunking will continue to decline. Most of this can be attributed to the incumbent phone companies not offering any new “bang for your buck” features in their existing service packages. New competitors are entering the market every day with very competitive long distance and local service packages that come with all the necessary features included. Eventually, the incumbent providers are going to reach a point where they have to drop prices in order to compete and survive. When that happens, it will be interesting to see how that ripples across the industry. Will it lead to the demise of some of the newer VoIP service providers, or will it simply put the two technologies on a level playing field when it comes to price? I expect the answer to that question to reveal itself as this year rolls on.
I believe we’ll see a continued evolution as 2008 rolls along, one that will see both traditional and VoIP service providers strive to meet the changing demands of the market. I also believe that it is the hybrid systems, especially those that are designed to be owner-friendly enough that a small business-person can set up and maintain them, that are best suited to take advantage of this evolution. They provide maximum flexibility, and give businesses the ability to take advantage of all the benefits inherent in each technology.
Category: Industry Watch
Posted by: Eric Ramsden on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Comments: 0
TalkSwitch Announces Power of Voice Contest Winner
Congratulations to Richard Cameron of Cameron Recruiting Group for winning the TalkSwitch Power of Voice Contest! We wanted to know when customers preferred the power of voice over written communication for doing business. For his winning submission, Richard receives a Polycom SoundStation2 conference phone, valued at $599.
Congratulations Richard and thanks to everybody who participated. Be sure to check out past contest winners and their submissions by clicking here. Stay tuned for more contests from TalkSwitch!
Category: Business News
Posted by: Michael Doyon on Monday, April 14, 2008
Comments: 0
Reinventing the Telephone to Stay Ahead
 The Ottawa Citizen recently profiled TalkSwitch, looking at the company’s origins, and how its ability to innovate and stay ahead of the curve has positioned the company for long-term success. You can read the profile here.
Category: Business News
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Thursday, April 03, 2008
Comments: 0
TalkSwitch wins VON Magazine Innovator Award
TalkSwitch has won VON Magazine’s 2008 Innovator Award, the most prestigious recognition in the IP communications industry! Awarded to only 65 companies worldwide, the Innovator Awards are handed out to those companies having the most significant impact on the communications industry. 
“The VON Magazine Innovator Awards recognize the Internet Communications industry’s best and brightest companies…TalkSwitch stood out among the large field of companies that participated in the nomination process, and was a unanimous choice of the selection committee,” says Bill Sell, Publisher of the VON Media Group.
For a full description of the awards, and a list of all the winners, click here.
Category: Industry Watch
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Comments: 0
Smart Office News puts TalkSwitch to the test
 Smart Office News, an influential Australian business journal recently took an in-depth look at the TalkSwitch 248vs system and the TS-9133i IP phone. Its conclusion? TalkSwitch is a good all-around phone system for small and medium businesses, and is very effective in helping them communicate more efficiently.
To read the full review, click here.
Category: Industry Watch
Posted by: Michael Doyon on Thursday, March 13, 2008
Comments: 0
TalkSwitch vs Response Point
Blogger Kevin Selkowitz recently took an in-depth look at Microsoft’s Response Point system and compared it to TalkSwitch in the areas of features, price, future potential, and service/support. His conclusion? TalkSwitch is a better choice for small business.
You can read Kevin’s full review here.
Category: Industry Watch
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Monday, March 03, 2008
Comments: 1
Introducing Radio TalkSwitch
Radio TalkSwitch is on the air! 
In our first episode, Senior Product Manager Eric Ramsden sits down to talk about some of the cool new features available in configuration software 6.0.
Click here to listen to Eric's comments!
Category: Business News
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Comments: 0
TalkSwitch and Junior Achievement
Did you know that 8 out of 10 high school students say they are taught little or nothing in school about how business actually works? Yet more than 30% of those same students expressed interest in starting their own business once they graduate? (Source: www.jaeo.org)
TalkSwitch takes that entrepreneurial spirit seriously, and for the past few years members of the TalkSwitch team have been helping fill that knowledge gap by lending their time and energy to a local organization called Junior Achievement, a program that helps students achieve their full potential by gaining leadership, business and workforce readiness skills.
Involved in many different activities with the organization, TalkSwitch regularly sends members of its executive team to speak to diverse groups of students, and has provided sponsorship support for the organization’s annual awards gala. This year, a group of students mentored by TalkSwitch Channel Marketing Manager Valérie Albert took part in the Junior Achievement Company Program. As part of the program, students create a company and then develop, market and sell a product of their own design. At the recent awards gala, Valérie’s group took home the awards for Best Company, Best Product, Top Director and Entrepreneur of the Year.
Beyond the volunteer work, Junior Achievement is a happy TalkSwitch customer, relying on the TalkSwitch system installed in its Eastern Ontario office to provide it with the professional call handling capabilities it needs.
TalkSwitch is extremely proud of its association with Junior Achievement, and extends its congratulations, and thanks, to all the participants, volunteers and organizers that help make it such an important incubator for the business leaders of tomorrow.
Category: Business News
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Friday, February 22, 2008
Comments: 0
TalkSwitch on Facebook
 TalkSwitch, the industry's most owner-friendly™ phone system is now on Facebook, the Internet's top social networking site. We invite you to join our new Facebook group to meet other small business owners, hear from TalkSwitch insiders and save on TalkSwitch products.
Category: Business News
Posted by: Michael Doyon on Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Comments: 0
TalkSwitch Announces Holiday Contest Winner
Last month, we had our biggest contest ever! We wanted to know the 5 most important things you look for in a phone system. The lucky winner, Kent Prentice of Nordic Windpower, received a 244vs phone system, a TS-200 analog phone, and a TS-9133i IP phone! To view his winning submission, click here.
Congratulations Kent and thanks to everyone who participated! Be sure to check out past contest winners and their submissions by clicking here. Stay tuned for more contests from TalkSwitch.
Category: Business News
Posted by: Michael Doyon on Monday, February 04, 2008
Comments: 0
Hot New Valentunes from TalkSwitch!
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, TalkSwitch has some great tunes that will keep your customers feeling the love, even while they are on hold. We’ve got six favorites for you to choose from, and they can all be downloaded for free from our website. Click here to check them out!
Category: TalkSwitch Features
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Friday, February 01, 2008
Comments: 0
What Should You Look For In A New Phone System?
For small businesses looking to purchase a new phone system, the sheer volume of information out there can be overwhelming. Frankly, it can be tough to even know where to start. Do you need VoIP, what kind of phones do you want to use, and who’s going to install and maintain it, are the questions that can leave small business owners scratching their heads. But it doesn’t have to be so difficult! If you know the right questions to ask prospective vendors, it can make the decision-making process a much easier and more enjoyable one. That’s why we’ve created this handy downloadable checklist of issues to take into consideration when looking for that perfect system. If a vendor can’t - or won’t - give you a straight answer to these questions, stay away!
You can download the checklist by clicking here.
Category: Tips and Tricks
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Comments: 0
TalkSwitch wins Small Business Computing Excellence in Technology Award
 TalkSwitch is proud to announce that it has been recognized by the readers of Small Business Computing Magazine as the top small business VoIP product of 2008!
Unlike many other industry awards - which require companies to pay for inclusion - the Small Business Computing Excellence in Technology Awards are decided entirely by reader votes. Data has been collected over the last two months, and the results published today.
You can read about TalkSwitch and all the other award winners here.
Category: Industry Watch
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Comments: 0
TalkSwitch at Internet Telephony
 TalkSwitch will be heating up South Beach later this month at the Internet Telephony Conference and Expo. We’ll be exhibiting and showing off all the great TalkSwitch gear that so many small businesses trust and rely on. And we’d love for you to join us, we’ll even give you a free pass to the exhibit floor! Just click here to get yours now.
We’ll be exhibiting in the Ontario pavilion, booth number 511. Hope to see you there!
Category: Business News
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Comments: 0
PodSqod's TalkSwitch Review
 As part of their Holiday Product Roundup, PodSqod features TalkSwitch and how it has exceeded their expectations. Podcast host Mark Jensen provides quality insight into what his TalkSwitch system has done for his business. Listen to the review here. Enjoy!
Category: Business News
Posted by: Michael Doyon on Monday, January 14, 2008
Comments: 0
What About Softphones?
In the last few years, softphones – essentially virtual telephones that reside on your PC - have become very popular with the road warrior set. Using a softphone means those workers don’t need to pack extra equipment when they travel, and because they work over the Internet, it can help save a lot of money on the long distance charges that traveling employees often incur.
There are cons of course. In order to receive calls your PC needs to be powered on, and in the event of a system crash your softphone won’t function. There is also the issue of network traffic that can degrade call quality. For those, and other reasons, a physical phone handset is still the best option in an office setting. If you do a lot of traveling or remote working though, a softphone is a nice option.
We get a lot of questions from customers asking about which softphone they should use with their TalkSwitch system, and we’re always happy to point them in the direction of the Counterpath Eyebeam v1.5. It’s an easy to use product that integrates nicely with the TalkSwitch feature set.
You can find more information on the Counterpath Eyebeam by visiting the website at: http://www.counterpath.com/eyebeam-overview.html
Category: Tips and Tricks
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Friday, January 11, 2008
Comments: 3
Special Price on the 24-CA!
While quantities last, we’re offering a great deal on the TalkSwitch 24-CA, the perfect starter system for a very small or home-based business. Originally priced at $695, we’re making the remaining stock available for only $499! But it’s only available directly from TalkSwitch.
For more information, or to place your order, please click here
Category: Business News
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Monday, January 07, 2008
Comments: 0
TalkSwitch Holiday Hours
The TalkSwitch sales and support groups will be open over the holiday season, but will be operating on a somewhat reduced schedule. Hours of operation for those departments are as follows:
Sales:
December 24th – regular hours
December 25th – closed
December 26th-28th – reduced staff, regular hours
December 31st – reduced staff, regular hours
January 1st – closed
Support
December 24th – regular hours
December 25th – closed
December 26th – reduced staff, 9-6 EST
December 27th-28th – 9-6 EST
December 31st – 9-6 EST
January 1st -closed
We’ll be back to regular hours starting January 2nd. Happy Holidays, and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year from all of us at TalkSwitch!
Category: Business News
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Monday, December 24, 2007
Comments: 0
Holiday Hold Music from TalkSwitch!
Just in time for the holidays, TalkSwitch has some great festive tunes that will keep your customers in the holiday spirit even while they are on hold. We’ve got a mix of six holiday favorites for you to choose from, all of which are available as a free download from our website. Whether you prefer traditional, or something a little more modern, TalkSwitch has got you covered. Click here to get yours today!
Category: TalkSwitch Features
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Comments: 0
Analog or IP Phones - How Do You Decide?
  You bought a phone system to help improve the way you communicate. Now you have to decide what devices you want to plug into it. You’ve got lots of choices, but how do you decide if a standard analog handset or a new IP model is the best fit for you and your business? And what’s the difference between the two?
Analog phones tend to be less expensive than IP phones and are true plug and play devices. Everybody has used an analog phone; in fact you’ve probably got one hanging on the wall in your kitchen at home. There’s nothing complicated about them, and if all you need is a dial tone and a way to make and receive calls you’ve got it - even in a power outage. But there’s no intelligence built into the phone, so that’s really all you’ll ever be able to do with it. And that’s more than enough for many businesses.
On the other hand, an IP phone gives you some additional capabilities beyond just simple calling. You still make and receive calls the same way, but because an IP phone has its own Internet address, you can plug that phone into any LAN connection and instantly be accessible to anyone calling your regular phone number or extension. A real benefit if you do a lot of business traveling or if you like to be able to telecommute. An IP phone will also allow you to take advantage of things like line appearance and other applications.
The most important thing is that whether you use an analog or an IP phone, you’ll be able to speak to customers and clients all over the world. It’s what you need beyond that basic function that will determine which type of handset is the best fit for you.
Category: Tips and Tricks
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Comments: 1
TalkSwitch Call Reporting
TalkSwitch Call Reporting has been a great success with our customers. The ability to quickly create reports on system activity, call volumes and much more has quickly become an invaluable business tool, and now through the end of the year, we’re giving you $100 off the price of both versions of this very popular software application. You can take advantage of this special offer by contacting your participating TalkSwitch reseller directly, or by visiting this page.
Category: TalkSwitch Features
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Thursday, December 06, 2007
Comments: 0
Vote for TalkSwitch Today!
TalkSwitch has been nominated by SmallBusinessComputing.com as a finalist for the magazine’s prestigious Excellence in Technology Awards.
These annual awards recognize the best products and services released in the past year, the ones that have had the strongest impact on the way small businesses work.
The winners are determined by a reader vote and the polls are open now. Click here to cast your vote for TalkSwitch today!
Category: Business News
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Friday, November 30, 2007
Comments: 1
New Contest from TalkSwitch!
Don’t miss the latest and greatest contest from TalkSwitch, just in time for the holidays!
We’re giving away one of our new 244vs telephone systems, a TS-200 analog telephone handset and one of our just-released TS-9133i IP telephones. That’s a prize package worth more than $1,300USD!
Entering couldn’t be simpler; just head over to www.talkswitch.com/contest/ to get all the details and to submit your entry today.
Category: Business News
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Comments: 2
Introducing BlogSwitch
Welcome to the brand new TalkSwitch blog! Your source for the latest information on all things TalkSwitch and small business.
We’ll be providing you with tips and tricks on ways to get the most out of your phone system, and general advice on what small businesses can do to cut costs and increase efficiency. Our product management, design and executive teams will drop by to give you their insights, and we’ll even give you our perspective on the industry trends and developments that will impact the way you do business everyday.
The blog is a way for us to give you regular updates on what’s happening in our world, and to give you sense of where we’re going in the future.
We want this to be a valuable resource for you, so if there are topics and issues you’d like to learn more about, drop us a line and let us know.
We’ll be updating the content on this page frequently, so check in regularly!
Category: Business News
Posted by: Chris Brennan on Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Comments: 0
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