- News Section: Datasharp Telecom (Chiltern)

	COMMS NEWS SUMMER 2009
Lots of great ways to boost your business. In this issue we will be covering a number of topics that might be key to your business, which could save you money or improve efficiency. 1. Don�t let hackers run you up a large telephone bill. 2. New costs on 0870 numbers. 3. Use a headset regularly? Get better comfort and audio quality. 4. Get higher quality from Datasharp�s new broadband services. 5. What�s happening on Next Generation Networks and what are the benefits? 6. Save on your telephone bills without reducing quality for free. 7. Customer news. For more details on any of these articles, just give us a call to discuss how you could benefit. Mark Wilson Managing Director
	1. Don�t let Hackers run you up a Large Telephone Bill Fraudsters are still hacking into companies� phone systems and running up bills of several thousand pounds over as short a period as a weekend. Hackers often make use of some of the features of many voicemail systems to perpetrate this fraud. It is often made easy for them as users do not change their password from the default 1234. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimise your business becoming a victim: Get all voicemail users to change their password. Avoid easily guessed passwords. Datasharp Network Services and Swains customers can set up �e-alert� so that you get notified quickly on spurious call traffic. Have call barring implemented on 09 numbers and restrict international dialling. Have system facilities disabled that you are not using e.g. the �substitute� function or �through dialling�. We can help avoid problems with specific actions. Call us. » back to top
	2. New Costs on 0870 numbers First the good news: From August 1st when you ring an 0870 number you will be charged the same as you normally pay for a national call. Now the bad news: If your business has 0870 numbers to receive calls you will now pay to receive every call � typically 1.75 pence per min. Businesses in the last category could choose to move to 0845 or 0844 numbers if this is going to be a problem. Please get in contact if you would like to receive further information on these changes and to discuss your options. » back to top
	3. Use a Headset Regularly? Get Better Comfort and Audio Quality with the new Jabra BIZ 2400 We have been trialling this new premium corded headset from Jabra and are very impressed with the overall improvements which are detailed below. Well worth considering for anyone who uses a headset all the time. Better audio - The Jabra BIZ 2400 headsets are configured for business and contact centre professionals using standard desk phones operating in the 300-3,400 Hz frequency range. Hand-made Neodymium speakers provide maximum frequency response within this range, resulting in greater call clarity, fewer misunderstandings and better customer service. Better build - The Jabra BIZ 2400 Series is designed to ensure maximum service life and minimum maintenance costs. Key details are made of surgical steel and the cord is reinforced with Kevlar. Better comfort - Jabra BIZ 2400 headsets are available with mono or duo speaker configuration. All mono versions offer a choice of 3 wearing styles - ear hook, neckband or headband, with features that ensure easy adjustment for use on either left or right ear. The headband features a T-bar specially designed to prevent it from getting tangled in your hair. » back to top
	4. Get Higher Quality from Datasharp�s New Broadband Services Datasharp has recently announced the start of its new low cost un-contended broadband packages known as EB SA (Engineered Broadband Symmetric Assured). This is the latest in broadband services guaranteeing symmetric, 1:1 contended bandwidth, end-to-end, allowing end users to plan usage for high priority applications such as voice and video. Latency, packet loss and jitter are all guaranteed to remain above a minimum limit giving assured levels of service quality. EB SA will eventually replace SDSL. Also available are ADSL2+ and Annex M with bandwidth as high as 16Mb downstream and 2.5Mb upstream, depending on the distance from the exchange. These new services may mean you require a new router. Where quality of service is important to your business then you may find one of these services well worth the extra cost. These new services are currently available to 55% of business users. Give us the telephone number of your broadband circuit and we can tell you whether you are in a suitable telephone exchange area. » back to top
	5. What�s happening on Next Generation Networks and what are the benefits? Next Generation Networking (NGN) is a broad term to describe some key architectural evolutions in telecommunication core and access networks that will be deployed over the next 5�10 years. The general idea behind NGN is that one network transports all information and services (voice, data, and all sorts of media such as video) by encapsulating these into packets, like it is on the Internet. An example of an NGN benefit is Datasharp�s new EB SA and ADSL2+ broadband services. In the UK another popular acronym was introduced by BT (British Telecom) as 21CN (21st Century Networks, sometimes mistakenly quoted as C21N) -- this is another loose term for NGN and denotes BT's initiative to deploy and operate NGN switches and networks. » back to top
	6. Save on your Telephone Bills without reducing quality for free "How can I reduce my telephone bill?" By transferring your line rentals and calls to Datasharp Network Services you can usually reduce your costs and get the same call quality as if you were directly with BT Retail. Do you provide a 1st class quality service? We partner directly with BT Openreach so calls are carried end-to-end over the BT network, thus providing a quality service without any 3rd party carrier problems. How can you cut down my call charges? Our buying power with BT Openreach, coupled with our lower overheads, means we can pass on significant savings in call costs and line rentals. Are there any minimum specifications you require on my telephone system? NO! As long as you have BT installed lines we can route the calls for you. AND your BT numbers will be retained. How long does it take for connection? After we receive your signed agreement and Direct Debit mandate, it takes about 10-15 working days for your lines to go live. You will receive a letter from BT stating the switch-over date. How much does it cost me to sign up for this service? NOTHING!! It�s totally FREE to sign up with Datasharp Network Services so call us today. » back to top
	7. Customer News Gordons Solicitors LLP in Marlow has a new Siemens HiPath 3550 system giving all staff voicemail with e-mail notification and the ability to manage it themselves. www.gordons-law.co.uk CCTV Center, distributors of Panasonic CCTV products, has replaced their Samsung system with the latest Siemens OpenOffice IP system in order to have remote access. www.cctvcenter.com » back to top
Historical News Items October 2008 - Datasharp Channel Distribution is launched at a new state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Redruth, Cornwall with Siemens as its tentpole manufacturing partner. December 2007 - Datasharp becomes one of Siemens test sites for the new HiPath OpenOffice system March 2007 - Datasharp wins Nortels top SMB Achiever award for the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). April 2006 - Datasharp launch 'Hosted IP Services'. All you need is an IP phone, or softphone on your laptop, and a Broadband connection to operate anywhere in the world. March 2006 - Datasharp Group win Siemens 'Customer Care' award for the fouth time September 2005 - Datasharp gain Gold Solutions Partner accreditation with Nortel Networks for SME IP Telephony with the BCM range. That makes Datasharp one of only two such companies in Europe; the other being BT. March 2005 - Datasharp Group win Siemens 'Customer Care' award for the third time September 2004 - Datasharp become the first organisation to sign an agreement with BT Indirect Channels for the promotion of BT products and services, including line provision and end to end routing of calls over the BT network. June 2004 - Datsharp win the Siemens 'Dealer of the Year' award May 2004 - Datasharp customer Trials Latest Siemens IP Cards & Phones KPOS Computer Systems acted as trial site for the new HG1500 version 3 IP cards and new OptiPoint 410 IP phones. Also taking the IP phones were BMW UK and Deutsche Bank. February 2004 - What to Buy for Business awards Siemens 'Best Buy 2004' Siemens have won 'Best Buy for Business 2004' with their HiPath 540, HiPath 3500, 3550, 3700 and 3750 systems November 2003 - Siemens launch 'OpenScape' Developed in conjunction with Microsoft, it is real time communication software designed to boost personal and workgroup productivity. It can help eliminate telephone tag, manage availability, eliminate e-mail trails and provide workgroup collaboration by controlling the various means of communication under a portal with a single virtual contact number. August 2003 - 192 Directory Enquiry Service ends. BT's monopoly on directory enquiries has ended. Several companies have been licenced to provide competing services under 118 numbers. For a full list of providers go to www.newdirectoryenquiries.com Further information is also provided in our Autumn newsletter. July 2003 - Samsung launch their IP enabled business phone systems called OfficeServ. This is designed not only for companies with multi-sites but also for those wanting to provide IP down to the desk. December 2002 - Datasharp have supplied three videoconferencing systems to Apollo Fire Detectors in Havant, Hampshire to enable them to have 'visual' links with their offices in Germany and USA. November 2002 - Datasharp awarded Siemens 'Customer Care' award for the second year running. This prestigious award recognises the high level of care and support we provide our customers.