Top Small Business Telecom/VoIP News Stories of 2020 (part 1)

No matter how you slice it, 2020 has been a remarkable year—one full of twists, turns, setbacks, and in many cases, pain. The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused many Orange County small businesses to think on their feet, coming up with creative ways to survive during what is now likely to be repeat shutdowns. Indeed, the impacts of coronavirus on business have dominated news headlines this past year, and one of the critical factors is the role of IT and VoIP technologies. Let’s take a look back at some of the key news stories of 2020 related to small business telecom.

IT Solutions for Businesses during Coronavirus Reopening and Reclosing (part 2)

With COVID-19 on the rise again in all 50 states as winter approaches, many Orange County businesses are facing the possibility of new restrictive measures and lockdowns just as they have begun moving from remote work back into their offices. We’ve established that the back-and-forth can cause a whole slew of IT issues, including inconsistent quality, security concerns, and even disrupted customer experiences. Let’s not discuss some solutions that can help businesses navigate more easily between in-office and remote work with less disruption.

IT Solutions for Businesses during Coronavirus Reopening and Reclosing (part 1)

As we continue to weather this unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, it’s becoming more apparent that a return to “normal” (whatever that is) will happen in fits and starts. After relatively low infection rates in some areas (including Southern California) over the summer, the fall has brought a resurgence of the virus. Now, just when some Orange County businesses had returned to their offices, we face the threat of more restrictions and lockdowns.

Troubleshooting the Most Common Small Business VoIP Issues (part 2)

When they work correctly, VoIP systems can greatly enhance your Orange County small business’s productivity and communication. But when they start producing inconsistent quality calls or simply don’t work right, they can be downright distracting. Most of the common VoIP issues can be easily remedied, though. Let’s continue discussing some of the typical VoIP problems you may encounter and how to troubleshoot them.

Troubleshooting the Most Common Small Business VoIP Issues (part 1)

VoIP phone service is a marvel of modern technology that allows small businesses to enjoy a wide scope of features and connectivity that only large companies could once afford. That said, VoIP is not a “perfect” technology (if there ever was such a thing), and sometimes things go wrong. Fortunately, most of these problems are fairly easy to troubleshoot and fix on your own. Let’s take a look at some of the most common VoIP issues faced by Orange County small businesses and discuss some steps to address them.

Working Remotely: Best Practices for Orange County Small Businesses (part 2)

As companies continue to incorporate working from home during the ongoing pandemic—and with renewed stay-at-home orders a definite possibility in the event of a “second wave” of COVID-19—now is an excellent time for Orange County small business owners to optimize their work-from-home configurations and processes. Let’s discuss a few more “best practices” for businesses seeking to establish a safe and productive system for helping employees work remotely.

Working Remotely: Best Practices for Orange County Small Businesses (part 1)

In response to the lockdowns and stay-home orders earlier this year, many Orange County small businesses scrambled to get their employees working remotely from home to remain functional during the pandemic. In the aftermath, once business owners realized that working from home actually works, many have either continued working from home or instituted a “hybrid model,” blending working in the office and working from home to maintain social distancing guidelines.

The Increased Demand for Managed VoIP Services for Working Remotely

As more and more businesses are operating remotely in the wake of the pandemic, the demand for VoIP services has arguably never been greater. The ability to conduct business from anywhere and maintain constant communication with teammates and clients has all but rescued many companies from bankruptcy during these uncertain times. That said, there’s also been an increased demand for managed VoIP services—having your business’ VoIP system administered and maintained by a reliable third-party IT company. Let’s talk about this trend and what it may mean for your Orange County business.

How VoIP Can Protect Small Business Security While Working Remotely

The good news is you’ve figured out how to keep your Orange County business functional during the international COVID crisis by having your team work remotely from home. The bad news is that working remotely can present a wide range of security headaches. Having everyone use their own home Internet and/or VoIP services to conduct business creates a logistical nightmare with security because at best, the safety protocols are different for each system, and at worst, some people may be working on completely vulnerable networks. All it takes is one vulnerability to wreak havoc across your whole business.

VoIP Features That Can Enhance Your Productivity (Even During Lockdowns)

As an Orange County small business owner, you might feel like your company is staying in a place of limbo as America continues to struggle with the ongoing Coronavirus crisis. Will your business be allowed to reopen (or stay open)? Will there be more lockdowns? VoIP technology has enabled many businesses like yours to stay functional remotely during this time, but VoIP has many features that many businesses don’t use or don’t know about—features that can enable growth and productivity during these times. Let’s explore a few little-known VoIP features that could help your business be more successful during these uncertain times.