BYOD; The Good, The Bad, and The Divided

Almost as dramatic as the 1966 Clint Eastwood western (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly) is the talk and opinions about the BYOD (Bring your own device) revolution. I think the lesson learned, as in the western, is to be ahead of the game… at least 10 steps ahead. As a business leader (perhaps CIO, entrepreneur, and otherwise), certainly knowing the benefits and risks of BYOD is key. For Telecom Agents, being knowledgeable is always profitable.

With the Smartphone/ iPhones, tablets, and laptops, people can do business any time, from anywhere. In fact tablets outsold PC’s or desktops last year. Website visits are coming from mobile users.

Similar to the Cloud, a business really needs to have a strategy in place before adopting BYOD practices, evaluating the pros and cons to determine (and deal with) security risks. Basically, the benefits must outweigh the risks.

The debates continue:

  • Employee
    chooses device versus controlling the types of devices and uses.
  • Going mobile versus chained to a desk.
  • More productive versus more risk.
  • Effectiveness versus costs of networks and other cost for usage.
  • Employee empowerment and choices versus lack of IT support

How to decide:

  1. First question is…’Is it doable?” Find out from a Telecom Agent at NW MAP if BYOD is manageable and appropriate for your business (type of business and/or size).
  2. Employee surveys- finding out who would use them and what they think about it. Some research has shown employees would accept a lower paying job if able to use their own devices.

How to do it:

  1. Talk to your Telecom Broker or Agent.
  2. The current thought and what many businesses are allowing is BYOD but with limited support. Issues with this is of course security but also employee satisfaction with limited support. Allowed with full IT support is optimal, but your choices are not allowing it, allowing with minimal support, allowing with full support, and allowing with no support.
  3. Check and evaluate network capacity. Most people using BYOD have 2-3 devices.
  4. Money! Realize BYOD will not eliminate costs, but rather place them in areas of support functions rather than devices.

With BYOD, it seems employee satisfaction varies – employees either love it or hate it. Truth is, companies want, no need, their employees to be connected, especially to what is
happening now…information and communication at the speed of light. Employers are equally on the fence as about 40% of companies allow it.

Contact a NW MAP Telecom Agent: https://nwmap.com/contact-us

 

With BYOD, it seems employee satisfaction varies – employees either love it or hate it. Truth is, companies want, no need, their employees to be connected, especially to what is
happening now…information and communication at the speed of light. We’ll see how it all unfolds.

Business Goals for 2012

Happy 2012! With 2012 making it’s entrance, change is in the air. Many people are realizing the economy is staying the way it is for a while so now they’re asking, ‘How do we make the best of this?’ ‘How do we change in a stagnant economy?’ Whether you’re a small, medium, or large business, many of your concerns involve the future and moving forward instead of back or behind and you’re wondering; “How can we make our money stretch further or get more and better for less?’

At NWMAP we know a lot about how to get more for your money. This is what we do for people and their business. We only succeed because what we did for you is working, and paying off. In other words, our business succeeds if, and only if, you do. How do we do this?

We provide free quotes, reviews and advice about solutions to your existing communication systems concerns or queries. We identify whether you are paying too much or paying for a service that does nothing for you. We show you how to make that dollar stretch and we can give you peace of mind that our solutions for you will pay off, now or long-term. By doing this we are helping you identify and fulfill your 2012 business goals. Where can you save money? Let us show you. What can you do to get your small or large business into 2012 and beyond? We can also show you how.

Telecom is one area in which you can move your business forward and get more for your money while saving money. Whatever your 2012 business goals are, we can help steer you in the right direction by addressing at least one major aspect of your business; how you communicate.  

More FREE information: https://nwmap.com/contact-us/request-quote. Contact us about your 2012 business goals, concerns, questions, etc.

The Future of your Company

Are you stuck in a rut or  moving forward? Many companies are not evaluating or investing in the future of their company because they are stuck in the present situation, which is an economic downturn. So you think you have stay the way you are and not rock the boat?

Investing in technology isn’t as expensive as you think, updating your company’s technology is an investment and will give you immediate and/or long-term return on your investment. More on updating telecom technology: https://nwmap.com/updating-your-telecommunications-system-and-saving-money

How to tell if you’re stuck in a rut:

  1. Cautious Culture: Not accepting of change; perhaps never have been and it has become the company culture. Change is a threat to them and equals higher costs, but that’s not actually the reality.
  2. Lack Long-term: Afraid to do anything different from what is done today and yesterday- they never move forward, but believe that not moving backward is at least progress. They lack a long-term plan or follow through with current goals. They will never move forward and eventually will fall behind.
  3. Empty Employees: Retaining employees that offer nothing to the company. Businesses house a few or several employees that lack initiative and can bring down entire departments. They are the root of a rut. Owners are hesitant to establish new systems, procedures, and technology because of these employees who will not embrace it.

One doable solution if you are unsure about the future of your company and it’s competitive edge, check into getting a free quote from a Telecom provider that offers free reviews of your current Telecom technology, your plans, and your current costs. You would be surprised how you can update your technology, improve company communications, and restore your competitive edge while saving money. Don’t be afraid to check it out because it’s free.

NWMAP Telecom Brokers are in the business of providing you solutions first, solutions specific to your company’s needs, and choices of over 40 carriers. Get a quote: https://nwmap.com/contact-us/request-quote

Something New! NWMAP Video

Perhaps you’ve noticed something new on the home page of NWMAP- There is a video! Lennie Green and John Ludwig of NW Master Agent Program put together a short, but outstanding and informational video about NWMAP- its services, products, and of course what makes them stand out above other Telecom brokers and agencies.

I was there for the making of this video and taking some notes of my own. I have to say I did not know that NWMAP serves not only the NW area, but across the country, across continents as well. You’d also be surprised by everything they don’t charge for- they don’t charge to take a look at a clients’ existing system and make recommendations. They don’t charge percentages to find the perfect carrier, to review bills, to manage services. This is about the client getting the best of everything; lower costs and perfect fit technology for their needs.  

Overall, the mood that came across during the production of this video was absolutely sincere. It truly shows that NWMAP has their clients’ best interest in mind 100%. Please feel free to check out this video and tell us what you think- leave a comment here, leave a comment on our facebook page @Nwmap Telecom Brokers.

https://nwmap.com/ (NWMAP Video)

Selecting a Hosted VoIP Provider

For businesses considering Hosted VoIP service, a few things must be done prior to selecting one. You’ll need to do some research, but we’ve provided a quick guide to assist you and make this initial step easier.
  • When doing your research, find service providers who have ample experience- 10+ years is sufficient.
  • Find out what is important to the provider/ Agents. If you go directly through a provider/carrier, then everything will be biased, often the sales agents don’t have much experience, and they are out to sell you (mostly what is good for them). A Telecom Broker/Agency such as NWMAP believes customer service is most important.
  • Access and network: Does your Agent or provider have access to multiple Hosted VoIP providers? And networks? This will enable them to have an unbiased professional opinion about the best Telecom technology for your business. This is a huge advantage that a single carrier can not provide.
  • What kind of support does the Agent have from the providers or extend to end-users? Obviously the benefit of Hosted VoIP is to not pay a phone repair guy $100/ hour. You want great support, from installation to training to solutions.
  •  Look for guarantees, disaster recovery, QoS (quality of service) and auto-failover protection. 

If you have additional questions that need to be answered, contact us: https://nwmap.com/contact-us

If you missed the first 2 parts of this informational multi-part blogs series on Hosted VoIP, click here:  https://nwmap.com/how-hosted-voip-works (part1) and https://nwmap.com/selling-hosted-voip (part 2)

More info on selecting VoIP: http://www.voipforbusiness.biz/business-voip-articles/office-telephone-systems-help-picking-out-the-ideal-system-to-your-requirements.html