Voice over IP (VoIP) is a new technology that is enabling converged voice and data solutions amongst early adopters and reducing long distance transport costs for service providers. Yet as we speak, resellers are replacing tired TDM equipment at enterprise customers with new TDM equipment, albeit with some form of data integration. However, VoIP is not irrelevant to the bulk of the enterprise market and resellers ignore at their peril today’s new upsell potential and the opportunity to gain a strategic foothold in tomorrow’s converged market space.

If you believe what you see on the television, it will not be long before your enterprise customer’s are running their accounting software on their telephones. While the power of such a proposition is debateable, the fact is that since the dawn of the information technology revolution, people have become used to making phone calls on one device and recording and processing information with another. We have been doing it this way for the past 40 years and while there is some momentum behind fully converged solutions among early adopters, it will be some time before the bulk of the market makes the move.

Having developed its VoIP gateway technology with service providers, VegaStream is now offering enterprise channels the ability to provide their customers with an opportunity to move into the VoIP world, at a sensible cost level, that enables the customer to retain its existing telephone infrastructure, and, indeed, to improve its ROI beyond the original business case.

VegaStream gateways can greatly reduce, and in some circumstances completely eliminate, intra-company call costs including line rental on multi-site, digital or analog enterprise networks. With the Internet as bearer of intra-site calls, the company’s sites can be round the corner or across the globe yet the costs and quality are no different.

The proposition is that simple and that powerful. The customer need not trash existing valuable infrastructure and re-invest. The customer does not need to change telephone numbers or current service provider. The customer does not need to retrain its users. Emergency service and geographic information services are not compromised, and if for any reason the IP network fails, the voice traffic reverts automatically to the TDM system using VegaStream’s unique pass through features.

As the customer becomes more comfortable with VoIP, there are opportunities to sell connectivity to one of the new breed of Internet telephony services and to open up the potential for sales of hosted applications and other managed services.

The greatest challenge to the reseller channel is finding new ways to up sell into its existing customers, and equally importantly, to secure new customers. The VegaStream gateway proposition is easily communicated and readily understood. The successful reseller can even avoid talking about VoIP altogether, and offer the customer simply the ability to save money for a modest capital outlay and zero disruption to existing operations. In a recent implementation, a VegaStream customer identified a 100% ROI within twelve months!

VegaStream has made a strategic commitment to building and educating a strong reseller community. The company offers a low risk, low cost entry into the VoIP space for reseller and customer alike. This entry point comes with a powerful, proven argument to reduce the TCO of voice communications today.

For more information please visit www.vegastream.com

Formed in 1998, VegaStream is one of the most experienced players in the industrial VoIP market. The company supplies gateway CPE to both traditional telecommunications carriers and the new generation of Internet telephony service providers. VegaStream also serves the enterprise market through a global network of distributors and resellers supported by regional offices in the UK, USA and Australia. VegaStream is a non-listed UK company. Investors include the management team, Pace Micro Technology PLC and MTI Partners. http://www.vegastream.com

In this day and age most of us are in need of a cellular phone to make our life easier so here are some good pointers that best suits our needs.

When you shop around for a cell phone deal that is best for you, the experience can be as daunting as looking for a new car or house. After all this is a service that locks you in a deal that takes up two, three or even longer periods of your life and therefore you have to make sure that it fits in your comfort zone. To get to there, there are ways to avoid the headaches and stomach ulcers. All you have to do is to follow these simple pointers and that way you will for sure a plan that suits you down to a tee avoiding any painful repercussions.

The first tip is simple. Just ask someone who you know that uses or even depends on their cellular phone. If you are like me you will definitely know someone whose life is spent checking that little box for text messages or playing a game on it while waiting for either the next text or a ring from someone they know. Ask them what plans they use, and the service they use for that particular plan. Even coworkers, neighbors, and other people who don’t know you so well will be open about their cell phones usually. It could be that one of the plans that attracted you when you read an ad could be confirmed as the best deal or on the other hand you might hear it is not worth the time or money in taking it up. Therefore carefully gauging their reaction will give you a very good idea about what is a good plan or service, and what isn’t.

By doing the above, you will come away with a list of different providers and their good points and bad. Now you will need to create a short list of this list (if it is a long one) to find the best cellular phone deal. This might involve some research of your own. Service plans and offers change monthly, if not daily, so even if the week before you thought you got a good deal, it might no longer be available at the good price it had. It sometimes depends on where you live, as some areas are allocated different deals to others, depending on the demand and other factors. For this you best check with the provider by calling them to make sure you can have that deal that you want.

The even more convenient way to make these checks is by going online. All you would then need to is type your address or zip code and you will instantly be presented with a list of all the cell phone providers in your area, as well as their offers, rates and phones. So by taking a few minutes to talk to friends and family, and spending a few minutes on the Internet, you could find yourself with a cellular phone service deal that best suits you.

I trust the above will help you in your quest to find a cellular phone deal that is best for you. Or at least given you a good pointer in the right direction.

James Benjamin is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Cellular-Phone-Peview.info There you can find more cellular phone reviews, cellular phone news, and cellular phone buying information and cellular phones latest products that you can peruse any time you wish.

In an emergency you’ll need to provide and receive help, and after it’s over, you’ll have to return, repair, and rebuild. Central to this is communication and documentation. Our society loves red tape, especially after disasters. Below are 50 ways the camera phone can be used in an emergency to document, record, and relay important information.

Any camera could be used for some of these things, but the phonecam carries a distinct advantage. It can immediately transmit your pictures. If you don’t have a phonecam, go with what you have, or what you can afford. Disposable cameras and digital cameras are acceptable. However, the phonecam rules, so let’s look at ways yours can be used in an emergency. These are excerpts from “Disaster Prep 101″ at http://www.disasterprep101.com.

1. Last minute child ID. Whenever the family might be separated, take last-minute pictures of all family members, especially the kids, and pets.

2. Send a map. To send or receive directions to or from a location when voice directions aren’t working, draw a map on paper, take a picture, and send.

3. Injury photos to the doctor. Suppose help isn’t available, and someone’s sick or injured. If there are visible signs or symptoms, relay pictures to medical personnel who can walk you through whatever treatment is possible where you are.

4. Damage documentation. In catastrophes, it’ll be days before insurance adjusters get there to file claims. Photo all damage in case some of it gets repaired or cleaned up before agents arrive.

5. Report suspicious activity. If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, upload pictures of suspects and the situation to the Police immediately.

6. “Here’s the landmark.” Gathering the family is critical. If you don’t have a fixed meeting place, send pictures of where and what you’re near so others can find you. This also works well if you’re lost in the wilderness and need to relay pictures of landmarks.

7. “Meet us here.” If you have a fixed rendezvous point, send a pic you already have on file, so others will know where to meet. Take these photos while compiling your family emergency plan.

8. Photo shopping list. When stocking up in anticipation of an emergency, take a picture of your pantry as a quick shopping list.

9. Driving directions. If you’re trying to tell others where a certain location is, send a picture by picture set of directions. Create this file while assembling your family reaction plan.

10. “Meet this person.” If your family evacuates, and they know where to go, but haven’t met the family contact person, send them a picture of the person they’re to meet, or send that person pictures of the people heading their way.

11. Last minute property inventory. If you’re evacuating, snap quick shots of your property to include purchases not on your last home inventory, and the current condition of your property.

12. “Adventure” journal. Take pictures to record what you do, where you go, and people you meet during an evacuation, etc.

13. Situational severity. In a large-scale emergency, first responders will be overworked. They might not be available for a “minor situation.” However, the situation might be worse than they understand, and you might need serious help. Send a picture of how bad things are.

14. Quick text messaging. You might not have time to type a message, and the lines might not be open long enough for a conversation. Write a note on paper, take a picture, and send that.

15. Minor traffic mishap. In a minor fender-bender, with no injuries or disabled vehicles, most jurisdictions will tell you to “swap info and move along.” If that’s the case (always call 911 to make sure), photo the vehicular damage, people involved, witnesses at the scene (and their car tag numbers), and of others involved in the accident to show their injuries (or lack thereof).

16. Wallet backup. Take pictures of your wallet’s contents (or important documents) to record numbers, and show that cards are or were in your possession. Be careful with this info as it’s very sensitive and can be used for identity theft!

17. Inclement weather reporting. If you’re the first to see the funnel cloud, hail, or a river overflowing, send a picture to the weather service or authorities as rapid proof an emergency is developing.

18. First Responder intel. The more first responders know about a collapsed house, an auto accident, a fire in progress, or any other emergency, the more rapid and appropriate a reaction they can make.

19. Missing persons. Send picture of picture. In addition to last minute family photos, send a picture of a photograph in your purse or wallet of a missing family member.

20. Relay property damage to or from neighbors. After a disaster, whoever goes home first, either you or your neighbors, could photograph area damage and relay info to the other.

21. Help insurance adjusters find your property. After a devastating incident, street signs will be gone, house numbers won’t be visible, etc. Take current pictures of landmarks or unique damage near or at your property to make it easier to find you.

22. Copy bulletin boards. If you’re in an emergency shelter, and there’s an info bulletin board, you’ll need the info but might not be able to write it down. Take a picture!

23. Bus, subway, or city map. If you’re anywhere you’re not familiar with and there’s a posted map, take a picture of it for later reference if you get lost.

24. Document your route. When traveling to a new area, and you want to find your way back, take pictures along the way of landmarks at turns you make, forks in the road, etc.

25. Record medicines or food brands. To relay information about medications, or if you have special dietary needs and are sending information regarding certain brands to someone, a picture really is worth a thousand words.

26. Parking spot locations. Don’t trust your memory, trust a picture. Take a pic of where you left your vehicle either in a lot or in a parking deck.

27. Engine repairs. Should you break down and your vehicle shows outward signs of problems such as steam shooting from a hose, or liquids dripping from the engine, send a pic to a mechanic who may talk you through a quick fix.

28. Business or service function and hours. Copy posted business hours or listed service functions (and pricing) for later review and recall. This is also a good way to report price gouging.

29. Child custodian. If you can’t get to your kids at school or other function, relay a picture of the person who is coming to pick them up. Send this picture to the school or function, and to your child (if they have a phonecam).

30. Info on injured or hospitalized people. You might be in a position to send pictures to people looking for loved ones or vice-versa.

31. Hotel room number. Whenever you get a hotel room, take a picture to find your way back. Photo the room number on the door, and the name of the motel and adjacent buildings.

32. ID your evac gear. As with all belongings, take a picture to prove ownership. This might come in handy with theft in emergency shelters. It’s a rare occurrence, but be ready to prove things are yours.

33. Photo scavenger hunt. You’ll need something to entertain the kids. Give them a short list of things they should take a picture of. First one to take all the pictures wins!

34. Identify the close-up. Another idea is to take a really close up picture of something while the kids aren’t looking, and have them figure out what it is.

35. Document your whereabouts. Let’s say looting or rioting is occurring. You can help Police by secretively taking pictures of the perpetrators (not really recommended for safety reasons), or take pictures as you’re leaving to document the fact you weren’t involved.

36. ID the rescuer. If a rescuer is picking up your child or pet, photo the rescuer (and the child or pet) and the vehicle they used. Photograph their name tag as well as registration numbers on helicopters, vehicle tag numbers, or names of boats.

37. Document your cleanup. It may be a while before your insurance adjuster can arrive. Take pictures of the damage as you found it, and steps you took during cleanup. Regarding insurance, NOTHING beats documentation!

38. Document expenditures. If you buy goods or supplies, rent equipment, or hire a service, in addition to receipts, photograph the goods acquired, equipment being used, services being performed, and the people involved.

39. Property pics for retrieval companies. Some scenarios will see you unable to return home. Some companies are trained and equipped to go into these areas to gather people’s belongings. Property photos will allow you to identify specific items you’d like retrieved.

40. Evacuee status. Authorities will want to know who is injured, dead, or missing, and who is okay and where they are. Taking pictures of those you meet along with way, or at your emergency shelter, will help ID the living and well.

41. Language barriers. Ever try to find the restroom in a foreign country and you didn’t know the phrase? Imagine how guests in our country feel in emergency situations. Pictures make communication easier, whether you’re trying to understand their needs, or relay yours.

42. Transmit road conditions. Let’s say after a hurricane, you’re one of the first families returning home, and you’re taking back roads. Authorities (or others following) might not have checked every avenue of return. If damage needs to be reported, or there’s no damage (report that too), sending a picture can relay tons of information.

43. Relay traffic conditions. If family members are separated, or heading different directions, pass along traffic conditions or info from traffic warning signs.

44. Crime scene evidence. People have returned to a home undamaged by a disaster, but later looted. Since Police might not be able to show up right away, take “crime scene” photos (for both Police and insurance).

45. Too much on the screen? Should the TV flash pertinent information and you don’t have time to write, or there’s a lot of text on a computer and you can’t print it, take a picture of the screen for later review.

46. ID for doctors or pharmacies. Medical needs are a real probability during an emergency. Since you can’t get to your doctor, and they might phone in a prescription to a pharmacy that doesn’t know either of you, use your phone to verify your identity to your doctor, and your doctor can relay the picture to the pharmacy.

47. Emergency supply information. Suppose a developing emergency finds you low on goods and you send different people to different supply locations. If supplies are low, these folks can send a picture of the types or brands of items available so you can make educated purchase decisions.

48. “Last Minute List” items and shutdown. Though everyone should keep a “bugout kit” packed and ready, there will be items which cannot be packed in advance. In addition to a written list, create a photo file showing items you need to take (and their location) and steps to secure the house before leaving.

49. Evac atlas. Create a “travel atlas” of emergency assets available along evacuation routes. Include lodging, ATM locations, emergency rooms, etc. Travel the routes and take photos, or draw maps and shoot those.

50. Reaction plan for the reading disabled. If a family member suffers from any reading disability, using photos is a must. Create a photo file that will relay your entire emergency plan without using text.

Copyright 2005, Paul Purcell. About the author: Paul Purcell is a security analyst and preparedness consultant with over twenty years risk management and preparedness experience. He’s also the author of “Disaster Prep 101.” More information can be found at http://www.disasterprep101.com.

Indeed corporate accounts are often constrained against adopting a new voice platform by large, long-term investments in a legacy PBX. Meanwhile the SME is being offered low risk, low disruption, high-value propositions from service providers such as Skype, Devil7 and Evoxus. Furthermore, recent advances in the IP-PBX and gateway space promise huge opportunity for the reseller focused on the SME market.

VegaStream’s Vega 50 6×4 is the ultimate configurable gateway targeted at the SME market. This product lets the reseller deliver a wide range of IP/TDM gateway options supporting analog exchange lines and end points as well as Basic Rate ISDN in a single, compact form factor. Driven by VegaStream’s award winning configuration and dial planner software, this gateway provides a simple, one stop solution to migrate and integrate the typical amalgam of lines acquired by the growing SME to a converged VoIP solution.

In an associated move, VegaStream has also become corporate sponsor of SIPFoundry, the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the development of open source software for SIP-based communications on industry standard platforms. SIPFoundry is following the Linux/Red Hat model with Pingtel adopting the role of Red Hat as the company to bring SIPFoundry output to market as fully supported and commercialised product. Pingtel’s current IP-PBX offering comes to market up at up to 70% less cost than equivalent solutions from traditional telecoms hardware vendors. They look on track to meet their goal “to bring PC economics to the VoIP industry.”

For once, it looks like the SME may have an edge over the corporates!

For more information please visit www.vegastream.com

Formed in 1998, VegaStream is one of the most experienced players in the industrial VoIP market. The company supplies gateway CPE to both traditional telecommunications carriers and the new generation of Internet telephony service providers. VegaStream also serves the enterprise market through a global network of distributors and resellers supported by regional offices in the UK, USA and Australia. VegaStream is a non-listed UK company. Investors include the management team, Pace Micro Technology PLC and MTI Partners. http://www.vegastream.com

In the world today, if you don’t have a cell phone you’re out of touch. How do you pick the right phone, the right plan or the right company?
There are many factors to that should be taken into consideration.

If you have a large family, one of the many family plans could be the ticket. Some family plans share a pool of minutes. This can be a good

or bad thing depending on how good your family is at sharing. If you have teenagers who tend to talk quite a bit on the cell phones (and most do these days),

this may not be the best way to go although buying a separate plan for each teen could be very expensive. One idea is the “pay-as-you go” plan. These plans use

minutes from a pre-paid bank of a set duration. At least this way you have control over how much you spend each month. Another type of family plan lets family members
pay for their own calling, but if family members sign up, everybody gets a better price then if they had signed up individually. Some plans also give you a break on the price of the cell phones themselves. Be sure to check out these types of plans carefully.

If you are just shopping for yourself; carefully evaluate what you think your cell phones usage will be. If it’s just for emergencies or occasional use the afore mentioned pay-as-you go plans may be sufficient. You could also buy the cheapest plan available. Some are as low as $20 a month. Most people however, use their cellphones a lot and need many minutes. If this is the case, pay-as-you-go plans can get very expensive and it makes more sense to buy a plan that gives you several hundred minutes worth of time each month.

Another thing to consider is the options. Does the plan come with roaming, long-distance, text-messaging, etc. included? Are these extras important to you? If they are then be sure to total up the costs of each plan. Some include extras in the plan cost, some don’t. Don’t sign up for a plan only to find out that you have to pay additional costs for the features you want that another plan included free or for the same price.

Lastly, do the cell phones available for the plan come with the features you want or need. Cameras, games, two-way radio functions are just some of the many new functions being added to today’s phones.

About the author: Jon Wilder is the owner of http://www.cellvelocity.com
This article may be reprinted on condition that the source box is included and the article is unedited.