Top 10 Reasons to Setup a Client-Server Network

Small businesses can significantly benefit from a networked  infrastructure. Networks enable small businesses to enhance their collaboration  and share resources such as file and print services.

There are two types of networks: peer-to-peer and client-server. A  peer-to-peer network consists of interconnected client computers, such as  laptops or desktops, able to access each other’s resources such as applications  or files. A client-server network is a centralized network where one or more  computers (aka servers) act as dedicated resource providers to a pool of client  computers. These servers “serve up” 24x7 services to the client computers such  as file, print, email, and backup.

Peer to Peer Network	Client-Server    Network

There are advantages and disadvantages to both peer-to-peer and  client-server networks; however, in general, small businesses benefit more from  a client-server network designed to maximize your employees’ productivity  through enhanced  security, reliability, and  accessibility features. And client-server networks built with an Intel®  Xeon®-based server are the ideal choice for small businesses.

If you’re unsure about whether a client-server network is the way  to go, here are the

Top 10 Reasons  to Setup a Client-Server Network with an Intel Xeon-based Server:

1.	24x7 Accessibility: With a  peer-to-peer network, if a user needs to access a file residing on another  computer, that computer needs to be powered on. This is not practical with  client devices that are generally powered off when not in use. With a  client-server network, the server is always-on, always available, so files and  applications can be accessed at anytime.
2.	Improved  Collaboration: The server in a client-server network can act as a centralized  hub for storing and sharing files. This configuration allows multiple users to  access files and makes changes to a single centralized copy. This also helps  minimize version control issues that often arise from managing multiple  versions of the same file.
3.	Centralized, Client Backups: Servers can be configured to automatically  backup client computers and also restore data based on those backup images, in  the case of a client hard drive failure.
4.	Remote  Access: Servers support remote access which  enables employees, partners, and customers, to access data on the server  without physically being in front of the system.
5.	Server  Backups: Intel Xeon-based servers support Intel® Rapid  Storage Technology, which enables the server to seamlessly store  multiple copies of its data on additional internal hard drives, so if one of  its hard drives fails, it can quickly recover the data with minimal system  downtime.
6.	Enhanced  Security: Servers can be configured to control access to the server’s data  and other resources on a per-user basis. This ensures that only individuals  with proper permissions access specific data and applications residing on the  server. And with Intel Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (Intel AES-NI),  data passing between the server and clients is encrypted to prevent data from  being compromised in transit.
7.	Better  Client Performance: In a peer-to-peer network, clients also have  to act as servers, “serving up” services to other clients on the network. This  can negatively impact performance of those clients. This computational burden  is lifted by having a high performance, Intel Xeon-based server, dedicated to  supporting the clients.
8.	Shared,  System-Wide Services: Servers provide shared, centralized services  for clients to access such as file, print, email, database, and web hosting.
9.	Enhanced  Reliability: Intel Xeon-based servers support Error Correcting Code (ECC)  memory which helps protect your business-critical data and prevent system  errors by automatically detecting and correcting memory errors.
10.	Business  Growth: Peer-to-peer networks are limited in terms of the number of  users. A client-server network built with an Intel Xeon-based server is  scalable for your needs, allowing room for growth as you business grows.

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Business VoIP Providers - Compare and Choose a Business VoIP Provider

Quality business VoIP providers today offer a wide variety of feature packages, services and prices. Selecting the ideal provider and service options will depend on your type and size of business, features needed and projected volume of usage. Even when working with top-tier providers, your basic monthly service charges per line may begin at rates as low as $20. Before choosing your VoIP provider, it is essential to first determine your company's precise telecommunications needs to enable timely and cost-efficient initiation of your service. By consulting your chosen Voice over IP service team and seeking their expert advice in advance, you can be prepared to take the following steps to facilitate the smooth, productive startup of your services:

• Evaluate Your Internet Connection. - Determine the strength and capacity of your Internet connection and bandwidth. You need to ensure that your system has adequate speed to best accommodate your new VoIP installation for top quality service.
• Assess Your Company Budget and Needs. - With knowledge of your company's current budget and VoIP needs, you can more easily select the service provider and feature options that meet your requirements.
• Determine Your Equipment Needs. - Evaluate your current and near future VoIP equipment needs. Phones can be purchased from around $50 to $500 or more. Once you decide which feature options are immediate requirements and which ones can be added later as needed, you are ready to choose your service provider.
• Compare VoIP Providers. - By comparing VoIP company service options, advanced features and equipment along with user and industry reviews, you can best make a wise decision, selecting the ideal VoIP provider for your enterprise.

Important Information to Request from Any Potential VoIP Provider

Before signing a service contract with any business VoIP provider, be sure to request basic service information and practices in writing. You need to be certain of such details as startup costs and monthly fees, any limitations and costs on portable phone numbers and exactly which features are included in the service package you select. You also need to know if international calling is included, charges for adding extra features and the extent of customer care and technical services provided. Also important are such issues as whether your provider offers a money back guarantee and if there are any cancellation fees. It is also helpful to determine prior to signing up for VoIP services if there are any hidden fees assessed by your chosen provider.

Take Full Control and Advantage of Your VoIP System

Once your new business VoIP system and service are in place, you and your staff members will have full-control capabilities for use of your business communications system. Your service provider will ensure connection with your online portal for customizing your telecomm options. These modern digital portals are user-friendly, enabling feature changes and additions to be made for immediate availability. You and your staff can make decisions and changes in real-time that work for you right in the moment.

You can manage your call settings remotely, directing calls to voicemail or having them transferred to another number or extension. You can also make exceptions to any chosen setting in your phone system. For example, if you are expecting an important business call and want to take that call, but hold all other calls for a few hours, you can set your phone to direct only the designated call to ring on your extension. This system allows and encourages you to take complete control of your telecommunications systems and settings so that the service works for your best interests and immediate needs at all times.

Major Business Benefits and Advantages of Installing VoIP

With an excellent quality VoIP system installed and running well in your company offices to provide remote access for you and your employees, you can work much more efficiently, achieving more in less time. You will enjoy the many benefits of knowing that you can leave the responsibility of your advanced office telecommunications system operations to your VoIP provider while you handle other important business matters. Other major benefits and advantages of your new business VoIP system enable you to accomplish the following:

• Schedule Your Own Business Hours. - With the aid of your comprehensive VoIP installation, you can virtually work whatever hours you choose, from any location. With one designated telephone extension, clients can reach you wherever you are by calling one number. This number can be programmed to ring through to all your phones at once—cell phone, home number, or any other number you direct calls to, including voicemail. The virtual extension can also handle your outgoing calls, whether you are in the office, at home, using your cell phone from the airport or at a hotel in another city. Also, the phone of your call's recipient will register your number on caller ID, no matter what phone or digital device you place the call from.
• Telecommute with Style and Ease. - With use of hosted PBX from the cloud, your advanced communications system can quickly connect you with another office or with everyone in your company, even if you have both national and international office locations. With the expert technology of hosted PBX, by dialing a single extension, you can be in touch with Pittsburgh or Paris.
• Use Diverse Messaging Features. - Gain benefits from such messaging options as Voicemail Transcription so you can read textual messages while in meetings or other places where listening to messages is inappropriate or not possible. After receiving transcriptions, you can fax or email documents and carry on business quietly, all by using a few simple functions on your phone. You can also forward these transcribed messages to other business associates or staff members silently, without disturbing anyone around you. Even when you are in transit from your office to another location, many commuter trains and buses now enforce quiet policies and limit cellular phone use by passengers. However, this is never a problem when you have sophisticated Voicemail Transcription service as a feature of your company's VoIP plan.
• Request Multiple Phone Numbers. - VoIP providers often supply additional phone numbers to service subscribers, free of charge or for a nominal fee. Some providers offer virtual extensions, virtual faxing options and toll-free numbers. Your VoIP service may also include unlimited calling, directory assistance and Internet 911 connection. To gain ultimate competitive business advantages, consult your VoIP provider team to ensure that you understand all the features and functions available to you according to your advanced telecomm service plan. Let your VoIP system work fully for you to best customize and optimize your total business communications experience.

Premium VoIP Features for Advanced Business Calling

Along with the many standardized options available for use with your VoIP business system, you also have use of premium options. Some features may be unique offerings of one service provider, while others are frequently included by most providers. Advanced features and options you are likely to have access to include the following:

• Auto Attendant. - This convenient feature provides you with use of a virtual receptionist. Automated and on-duty 24/7/365, this assistant can answer your phone calls, speaking politely to callers and transferring them to extensions of the appropriate staff members or departments via menu options.
• Auto-Call Distribution (ACD). - As an advanced model of the call-search feature, this option can actually locate and connect the correct office and employee to handle each incoming call.
• Business SMS. - With this valuable function, you can direct text messages to your clients, business associates or departmental divisions through your business phone number from your mobile phone.
• Call Barge-In. - This valuable option enables the user to place a call as a conferencing barge. This forced barge-in results in a three-way call along with a listen in or call monitoring capability. Company officials have the option of using a warning tone to announce the barge-in to call participants on the line.
• Call Me Now. - This helpful feature enables clients to enter their telephone numbers on your business website to reach your company directly.
• Call Recording. - This sophisticated feature supports employee recording, playback, downloading and deletion of all calls, both inbound and outbound. Usually offered as an extension option, users can program this function for use on selected extensions or over their complete systems.
• Conference Bridge. - With this useful function, companies can host their own conference calls. With most VoIP service plans, the average number of participating callers is about 15 to 25 for a reasonable flat monthly charge.

www.arnserver.com

What is the Difference Between Hosted VoIP and a Traditional PBX?

A hosted VoIP solution will help you save money on hardware costs and maintenance upgrades.

Thanks to the Internet (which many people now like to reference as "the cloud"), many technologies at different locations can be accessed and shared across the web. Traditionally, businesses required a PBX  that was large, required lots of power, and was expensive to maintain. Traditional PBXs also required physical copper phone lines and phone trunks, which were prone to noise and almost impossible to reroute during emergencies or outages. Therefore, a majority of businesses have started to make the switch to a hosted VoIP solution for a more upgraded, tech-forward system that is feature-packed.

By using their existing Internet connections, businesses can now connect with VoIP providers that operate very large state of the art PBXs and rent extensions to businesses for affordable rates.

Switching to Hosted VoIP allows businesses to throw away their old internal PBX and save both space and power; but more importantly, businesses will now have access to all of the enterprise level, state of the art features not available in their legacy PBX. And the best part is that any business of any size can no matter the size of their business. Maintenance costs for software upgrades, adds, moves and changes are also eliminated, saving you hundreds or thousands a month for telephone service.

How Can Hosted VoIP Benefit Me?

A Hosted VoIP solution will help you save on monthly maintenance costs and costly hardware upgrades.

Choosing a hosted VoIP system for your business has big benefits. Hosted VoIP can help you and your business in the following ways:

1.      Eliminates maintenance costs for software upgrades, adds, moves and changes

2.      Provides state of the art enterprise level features (and oftentimes for free)

3.      Provides higher quality voice connections and is more fault tolerant

4.      Ease of use for staff and administrators via user and admin portals

5.      Integration with state of the art CMS and CRS systems like Salesforce, Quickbooks, and other software

6.      The price! Because with VoIP you can save thousands compared to a traditional PBX

These are just a few of the ways in which a hosted VoIP system can help take your business to the next level. If you want to get yourself a Hosted VoIP, you need to know a little more in order to make the most out of your investment.

What should I expect from my Hosted VoIP provider?

Hosted VoIP solutions provide customers with enterprise-grade features and extensive functionality.

All VoIP providers are not created equal, and like most service-oriented businesses, each VoIP provider will target a group or segment that best suit their capabilities. Shopping for a VoIP provider can be simple and quick if you take a few minutes to gather your thoughts and create a list of your absolute needs as well as your wish list. Some things that we think you should consider when evaluating VoIP providers is if they provide the following free services:

·   Keep my existing phone number (local number portability )

·   Auto Attendant

·   Conference Calling

·   Enhanced Voicemail

·   Call Recording 

·   CMS and CRS integration

·   Fully automated data backups and software upgrades

·   Call Forwarding 

·   Provide and easy to use web-based user interface to manage your users/extensions

All VoIP providers will connect your calls to traditional landlines and mobile networks, and vice-versa. You place your calls just like you would on your traditional PSTN network. Most providers (but not all) also offer a toll-free service on 800 and 8XX, and give charge per number and per month for toll-free numbers (in addition to per-minute charges). So if you need a toll-free number, check and compare prices with providers before you commit.

One the biggest differentiators between business VoIP providers will be their customer service. Read the reviews pertaining to each provider on this site, and use our innovative plot graph to see all reviews across our featured providers. You will see some that some providers rate better with small to very small businesses while other providers like RingCentral are better at catering towards mid-sized and enterprise businesses. Read our user reviews in order to get a better look at each business VoIP provider.

OK I’ve Made My Decision to Switch To VoIP. What's Next?

Switching to VoIP will help reduce your overall spending, provide you with enterprise-grade features, and boost your business' productivity.

Beyond the time-saving and free features, the benefits of a Hosted VoIP system are pretty clear:

Reduced spending: There’s really no denying that building up your own private phone network can put a lot more at stake than just how much you’re going to spend on it. Aside from just the extra hardware, there’s labor involved. In more drastic cases, you might even have to remodel an office, when in reality you could’ve just made a few clicks and few calls to your VoIP provider. Cut spending on upkeep and maintenance, and you’re free to invest in other areas of your business.

Different strategies: It is important to remember the flexibility offered by a Hosted VoIP service lets you execute bigger strategies than ever before. Bigger strategies are usually the result of having more room to combine various tactics. It hardly matters what kind of hierarchy or chain-of-command your business follows. As long as communications become seamless and easy, there’s a lot more you can get done. It gives you the freedom to focus your business on what really works.

Availability for everyone: Different connections provided by a your own Hosted VoIP still go both ways. They can make it easier for you to contact somebody, and vice-versa. Connectivity is simple yet effective, no matter the distance.

With Hosted VoIP PBX you get the benefits of a big-business-style phone system without the expensive equipment cost of an IP PBX phone system. Each of the hosted VoIP providers above offer Hosted VoIP PBX at reasonable rates.

Wholesale VoIP Market:

There is no doubt today that VoIP is taking over the telecom market, and every month increases penetration into services and industries. Competitive carriers are looking at the numerous ways to make money from this exploding technology, but there's a lingering question as to whether it is profitable to deliver VoIP in a wholesale model? Their customers, typically Service Providers, are looking for their ‘competitive advantage' into this ‘lowest price' race, leveraging within three key alternatives for packet telephony : “build” , “buy” or “rent”. Business aspect, there’s no need to invest tens of millions of dollars in wholesale VoIP to join in. Many Telecom Companies have done the work for you. They offer a complete, turnkey VoIP business service and equipment. Now you can start wholesale VoIP business with virtually no investment and yet reap great dividends.

Wholesale VoIP Resellers:

In today’s world, Service providers seeking to deliver VoIP to as wide a customer base as possible may find that becoming a wholesale VoIP reseller is the way to go. Wholesale VoIP may be sold to both other service providers and to enterprises or residential customers.

Reselling IP telephony as a wholesale VoIP company is becoming an increasingly popular business model. For many companies, becoming a wholesale VoIP provider hits the sweet spot between profit and market control. Any firm with a well-established customer base is a good candidate for reselling wholesale VoIP.
Becoming a wholesale VoIP reseller is not a decision that should be taken lightly. It does, however, offer the potential of being very lucrative if done right.

Wholesale Consumer Demand:

An important characteristic of the industry is the complex segmentation of consumer demand and rapid change in the characteristics that are being demanded, both at the end customer and in the intermediate ones (wholesale customers).
Demand coming from ‘packed customers'? will be significantly different of the conventional telecommunications one, were telephony was the unique service to provide and differentiation was based on tariff-distance paradigm, being today's service offerings closer to data applications rather than telephony. Voice communication (and not old POT telephony) becomes the common feature into several communications applications and devices, but not the unique one.
Messaging, conference, collaboration, web contact centres, etc … requires a common communication format between parties, which is voice, implemented through VoIP technologies. Heterogeneous and rapidly changing customer demands and products are important dynamic influences on the evolving structure of the telecom industry, resulting into a new value-chain.
Telecommunication markets evolution will be driven by ‘packed customers' demand rather than networks, technology or finance, changing many decades rules into this industry.

Finance in Telecommunication Industry:

Finance institutions had been influencing Telecomm Industry since the beginning, due the business itself was characterized by huge investments, big market shares and bigger capitalization, influencing in many cases top management, who addressed their strategy towards ‘stock' opportunities rather long term and solid business models. WorldCom crash has been an example of this ‘financial market' pressure and wrong business management.
Today, the networks has been deployed. New scenario in Telecoms enable new players to deploy services over broadband without proprietary network and this new generation business will not be anymore capital intensive, let's say these will be innovation intensive.

U.S. VoIP Market:

The US market for VoIP advanced dramatically in 2006-2007, adding 3.8 million VoIP households in 2006, reports In-Stat: As a result, wholesale VoIP revenues grows quickly, as MSOs, Skype, and a myriad of new entrants most lacking network facilities enter the market and drive demand for telephony features and applications, the high-tech market research firm says.
As retail VoIP expands, wholesale VoIP will accelerate quickly, says Bryan Van Dussen, In-Stat analyst. The largest segment remains international VoIP, but we expect the market for local services to surge from 12% of all revenues to 27% by 2010.
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Consumer VoIP adoption will drive wholesale VoIP revenues to $3.8 billion by 2010 from $1.1 billion in 2006.
• In-Stat finds small businesses are driving the growth of hosted services in the U.S. Hosted VoIP seats in the U.S. are expected to grow from 373,000 to 3 million by 2010. Revenues are projected to reach $2 billion.
• International wholesale VoIP termination/origination revenues is experiencing declining growth rates.
• Long-haul wholesale VoIP will experience significant migration of TDM services throughout the forecast period, and become a majority of the international market by 2009.
• Recent In-Stat research, In-Depth Analysis: Wholesale VoIP Forecast: Consumer VoIP Accelerates Demand (#IN0603371TX), covers the market for wholesale Voice Over Internet Protocol services. It provides a market forecast of US VoIP households and wholesale VoIP revenues segmented by main product categories. Analysis of the wholesale market is presented, including market drivers and barriers and three key trends: peering, bundling, and QoS.

VOS3000 SoftSwitch

VOS3000 is carrier grade softswitch . In addition to providing Account Management, ExchangeRate Management, Rate Management, Package Management, Cards Management, Gateway Management, Phone Management, Softswitch Management, System Management, User Management, Data Query and Web Self-Service System, the system also integrates add-on modules like the Global Card Business System (support 10 million cards) and Extreme Media Proxy, for you to build a stable , reliable and High-Performance operating system. VOS3000 softswitch supports SIP/H323/SIP-H323, with capacity up to 10,000 concurrent calls. After rigorous testing, the VOS3000 softswitch proves to be a stable and reliable high-performance carrier-class system.

We have available version VOS3000 2.1.1.5 , VOS3000 2.1.2.0 , VOS3000 2.1.2.4 & VOS3000 2.1.3.2.

System Performance

Single server: >= 10,000 concurrent calls
Media forwarding capability: >=4,000 concurrent calls
Call per second: >= 1200CPS (4,320,000BHCA)
Protocol: SIP,H323,HTTP,TCP/UDP

System Features

·         For VoIP operators

·         Routing by ASR, LCR(least cost routing)

·         Gateway group, preset profit rate

·         Voice codec priority setting

·         Softswitch platform Control

·         Efficient media access transponder modules, media forwarding up to 4000 concurrent calls

·         Excellent compatibility

·         Connect analysis, interruption analysis

·         Real-time monitoring for Call Performance

·         Package features,providing daily, monthly, annual rent and other methods

·         Add the phone area code automatically

·         Carrier-class VoIP Softswitch

·         Millions of global cards business system

·         Call Center , Auto Dialer & Broadcost services platform

VOS3000 is carrier grade softswitch . In addition to providing Account Management, ExchangeRate Management, Rate Management, Package Management, Cards Management, Gateway Management, Phone Management, Softswitch Management, System Management, User Management, Data Query and Web Self-Service System, the system also integrates add-on modules like the Global Card Business System (support 10 million cards) and Extreme Media Proxy, for you to build a stable , reliable and High-Performance operating system. VOS3000 softswitch supports SIP/H323/SIP-H323, with capacity up to 10,000 concurrent calls. After rigorous testing, the VOS3000 softswitch proves to be a stable and reliable high-performance carrier-class system.

We have available version VOS3000 2.1.1.5 , VOS3000 2.1.2.0 , VOS3000 2.1.2.4 & VOS3000 2.1.3.2.

System Performance

Single server: >= 10,000 concurrent calls
Media forwarding capability: >=4,000 concurrent calls
Call per second: >= 1200CPS (4,320,000BHCA)
Protocol: SIP,H323,HTTP,TCP/UDP

System Features

·         For VoIP operators

·         Routing by ASR, LCR(least cost routing)

·         Gateway group, preset profit rate

·         Voice codec priority setting

·         Softswitch platform Control

·         Efficient media access transponder modules, media forwarding up to 4000 concurrent calls

·         Excellent compatibility

·         Connect analysis, interruption analysis

·         Real-time monitoring for Call Performance

·         Package features,providing daily, monthly, annual rent and other methods

·         Add the phone area code automatically

·         Carrier-class VoIP Softswitch

·         Millions of global cards business system

·         Call Center , Auto Dialer & Broadcost services platform