ATS Phones

Moved

2009-01-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

This blog has now moved to http://www.atsphones.com/blog1

Callpod Phoenix

2008-08-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

Callpod are finally shipping the Phoenix mobile conferencing unit.

The unit connects up to five (5) Bluetooth headsets and one (1) PC simultaneously. When you make a call, all five participants will be speaking in full duplex with the party on the other end, creating a true mobile conference with any Bluetooth-enabled headset and mobile phone.

When used with our Dragon ® headset, users can communicate with each other in full duplex over a 300,000 sq ft area. Phoenix is a perfect communication solution in a small office, warehouse, retail, outdoor area or restaurant setting. Phoenix is completely mobile with an internal lithium ion battery for up to 10 hours of talk time.

New DSX 2-Port/8-Hour IntraMail

2008-07-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

NEC Unified Solutions, Inc.has announce the availability of thier new DSX 2-Port/8-Hour IntraMail, which provides all of the same features that are offered in the standard 4 and 8-port DSX IntraMail versions.

This is good news for the smaller SOHO business as the DSX 2-Port IntraMail is designed for residential and home office applications. Although still having all the same features as its bigger brothers, the reduction in ports reduces the cost significantly.

Special price on the Panasonic BB-HCE481A

2008-07-24T05:13:00.000-07:00

Special
Promotion
Announcement

Special price on the Panasonic BB-HCE481A
Network Camera plus FREE PoE Injector with every camera!

An overall total saving of more than $270

PoE Audio Two-way Type Indoor Network Camera
Convenient Control and Communication
Panasonic’s BB-HCE481a Network Camera offers pan/tilt/zoom capabilities for optimal viewing and control from a PC or wireless device. It provides a panning range of -175 to +175 and a tilting range or -120 to +90.

Set the camera on alarm or timer and receive images when action occurs. Expanded preset functionality allows you to log in a total of 20 presets - plus two alarm settings.

A built-in microphone even allows two-way voice communication between the camera and monitoring device.

Speed, Security and Versatility
The image refresh speed has been increased to 30 images per second. With the Color Night Mode - you can even capture images in low light. And the BB-HCE481A also has a Secure Digital interface, along with Ethernet 10Base-T/100 Base-TX and composite, for true versatility.

BB-HCE481a Brochure

Nextel Direct Connect Expansion to CDMA

2008-06-29T07:53:00.001-07:00

How does this effect "Push
to Talk" service???

What does the new Sprint CDMA Push to Talk offer you?

Team DC-talk to up to 35 direct connect users at once
Send adress books to your users over the air
Sync your phone with your Outlook or Lotus Notes
Sprints largest voice calling area
Sprint blazing data speeds & streaming video abilities
Simplicity of same number options for cell and PTT
Includes new online contact management tool
New features exclusive to sprint NDC devices.

Introducing: TeleNav GPS Navigator

2008-06-29T07:01:00.001-07:00

Voice and onscreen driving instructions that reroute you instantly if you make a wrong turn.
Real-time traffic alerts and automatic rerouting around jams.
Preview your route and get continuously updated total distance and estimated travel time.
Full color, 3-D maps—updated automatically
Quickly locate and navigate to restaurants, Wi-Fi hotspots, from over 10 million business listings
Always have
driving directions available on your mobile phone — by voice and
onscreen.TeleNav has the benefits of an expensive, in-car navigation
system, and more convenience than other handheld GPS systems

For your Business Needs:

Increase productivity

Locate and dispatch wirelessly. Automate timecards and paperwork with seamless back- office integration.

Reduce operational costs

Reduce unauthorized miles, fuel and overtime costs and streamline operations with GPS tracking, wireless forms and timecards.

Improve customer service

Improve service response time with GPS location and wireless dispatch. Provide accurate ETA and more accurate billing.

Transform your BlackBerry or smartphone into a sophisticated GPS

Call ATS Phones for more information on this great new tool !

1-888-588-1956

Summer Power Outages

2008-06-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

It's summer in Central Florida, which means that with the thunderstorms, we have power outages. Although the power outages don't cause the same problems as lightning, they can still cause problems for older phone systems.

Power outages can cause problems with older phone systems because when the power goes out, older phone systems can lose their programming. This is because the on-board battery, which keeps the phone system programming safe, over time,will start to fail.

The battery failure is not normally detected until the power goes. The good news is that although the system will need reprogramming, there is normally no permanent damage to the system and the on-board battery can be replaced.

If you have an older phone system and have questions, call ATS Phones 321-207-0084, for assistance and advice. We keep you connected to your customers.

Oil, Gas, Prices & Time

2008-06-28T12:30:00.001-07:00

Products from ATS Phones to help you manage skyrocketing costs; TeleNav GPS Navigator and Conference Calling Apps. Let ATS Phones review and audit your communications services and tools, we will show you how to reduce your costs without commitment.

Just lately, it seem that every conversation is about oil, gas and rising prices. The one sure thing is; the more we talk about them, the faster they climb, or it seems that way.

Rising costs have a significant impact on Travel, which affects businesses in many ways. It's costing more to visit customers and customers are more reluctant to visit you, and, if you run a delivery or service company, the pain is even greater. This has prompted business, especially small business, to rethink how they do business.

When these issues have risen in the past, the promise of technology to over come them, never really met expectations. Today, that may have changed. Most people carry more technology on their person than what took man to the moon. The technology can tell us where we have been, where we are going, and talk or communicate with everyone and anyone instantly, any where in the world.

Special Promotion Announcement

2008-06-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Panasonic have announced a special promotion for the BB-HCE481A Network Camera. While stocks last, Panasonic are reducing the price by $170.00.

In addition to to the price reduction, ATS Phones is offering a FREE PoE Injector with every camera!

Call 1-888-588-1965. Or Email sales@ATSphones.com with your requirements

Multi-Camera View for remote network cameras

2008-06-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

If you need to view multiple remote network cameras on your PC, one of the best solutions is to use a Yahoo Widget. One of the best is by John Hinds.

Summer Lightning

2008-06-12T13:04:00.000-07:00

With this weeks weather, hot steamy days and late afternoon thunderstorms, it seems summer has arrived in Central Florida. It's that time of year when we get busy. Not just a heavy work load, the majority of calls are emergencies, due to lightning taking out the phone system. The lightning doesn't even need to be that close, a lightning strike over three miles away can still cause damage if the system is not adequately protected.

There are three things you should have to make sure you have the highest level of protections for your phone system. First, make sure you use a surge protector with battery backup (UPS); secondly, make sure the UPS and the phone system is well grounded; and thirdly, adding surge protection fuses on the incoming telephone lines adds an extra line of defense.

Take a look on our web site www.atsphones.com or give us a call, 321-207-0084

VoIP installation and service

2008-06-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

Would you want a Butcher to do a Bakers' job? When it comes to IT networks and PC's, the IT guys are the best. If you enjoy messing around with networks and PC's then great, but if you need it to work and stay working, call the IT guys. That said, why do the IT guys try to install phone systems?

Yes, the IP in VoIP is a network protocol and, yes, the IT guys need to know and have a say in what runs and how it runs over the network, but the phone system is still very much the domain of the telephone guy.

In the last few years I've taken out more VoIP system, that were installed by IT guys, than I've installed myself. There was nothing wrong with the systems, in fact, they had considerable more functionality than the digital systems we replaced them with. It comes down to customer expectations and experience.

With VoIP, the expectation seems to be cost savings, although it is not the only expectation. The customer will expect the system to do all the things their old system did and more. Telecom experience will be needed to ensure expectations are met.

Say goodbye to the conference room

2008-05-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

I've been looking forward to the Callpod Phoenix being available but it looks like I'll have to keep looking forward as there has been no sign of shipments yet. The web site is showing that the product is scheduled to ship in May but that now looks unlikely as today is May 31st. Lets hope the wait won't be to long.

The Dragon Headset, that connects to the Phoenix, has mixed reviews on newegg.com. This may be just some early manufacturing bugs and changes needed to the user installation instructions. Lets hope they are listening to the reviews and make the changes that most of their customers are asking.

The product will be a must for small groups, when is finally available.

Vertical Search Engine for Phone, Internet, TV, Utilities

2008-05-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Moving or just want to find the best price for your home services? Try WhiteFence.com

ATS is always searching for partners and affiliations that complement and expand the services ATS can offer, especial if it cuts down on time spent searching for service.

I recently came across an article posted by Kevin Heisler, May 20, 2008 12:47 PM at http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/080520-124718 The article outlined a new search engine which helped find and select residential services. Take a look or go to our web site to try it out. You may not need it now but I guaranty you will in the future.

Business information for WEB Site Building

2008-04-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

Although this blog was setup to talk about phones, I often come across tools and information that support some other aspect of the business at ATS.

For the past few years we have been building and promoting our web site, www.atsphones.com and although it's been fun, it has been difficult to find business information rather than techinical information on building web sites. I now think my search is over.

I came across a site www.searchenginewatch.com which although stating that it does not have the answer to make your web site #1, it has plenty to help you understand what is happing. Now you can make informed decisions on building and changing your site.

New Product - Network Cameras

2008-03-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

It's always fun to try new products although every now and then you get one that is more fun than others. We decided recently to try and add new products that would complement our current product lines.

Talking to our suppliers and looking at what was making lots of noise at some of the trade shows, we decided to look at the Panasonic line of IP Network Cameras. Who knew you could do so much and have so many applications for such a simple product.

First thing to do was purchase some models to test and train on. We found out that purchasing was the easy part. Due to the fact that these products can do some much, they are quite complex. Having said that, it was fun trying and learning the abilities of these products.

We have now completed our training and have been certified by Panasonic to sell, install and service IP Network Cameras. The product brochures have been printed so it's now time to go see how well we can sell.

You can get our office cam from our web site www.atsphones.com

Don't just phone, communicate

2008-02-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

Don't just think phones when looking for a new phone system.

Depending on the size of your business, the cost of a phone system works out about the same price as a high end PC for every 4 users, which works out about the price of a low end PC for every employee. The cost per head starts to drop significantly the more employees you have.

Not a bad investment considering that most of your customers or vendors contact your via the phone and, unlike PC's that are almost obsolete within 3-4 years, a new phone system will give you good service for 10 plus years.

With a phone system, unlike PC's, it has the ability to use new technologies with simple additions. Take VoIP, if there is a real cost benefit for you to use it, like saving on long distance charges, a simple bridge will connect yon to the service. You can even bridge you office phone system to your cell phone provider, enabling you to call the office or have calls transferred to you without using your call minutes. Call a customer through the cell bridge and the customer will see your office number, not your cell phone number.

The phone system will probably be the main entrance to your company. Adding third party products to your system can enhance your companies professional image and user efficiencies. Products like Music-on-Hold can promote your company, Call Analyst products can provide valuable information for marketing campaigns.

Deadlines

2008-02-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

At any given time, we at ATS have to meet all kinds of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and even annual deadlines.

High priority deadlines are mostly for service on failed systems. It's almost impossible to predict although here in Florida, we know that system failures will be higher in the summer, due to the weather. Thunderstorms can zap electronic equipment with ease. Even with power and CO protection, which we highly recommend, a close strike can kill a system instantly.

The scheduling and management of high priority deadlines is done with lots of experience and by providing the customer with options and plans. If the system is old, it may be time to install a new one rather than replace damaged parts.

The requested deadlines, upgrades, moves, new system etc, although normally with longer time spans, still need to follow project management guidelines.

There are three things that can help you avoid the little problems that lead to project delays.

Create a plan and agree schedule.
Define resources, product equipment and people
limit and document changes

Take more time before a project begins to outline every aspect of the project. It will always be difficult to predict the unpredictable, however, by mindful of these three things, will help keep your project on track.

Dave Port - Profile

2008-01-31T16:14:00.000-08:00

My early years were spent as a apprentice/trainee for a small telecommunications equipment manufacturer. Since the end of the 70's, I've spent most of my time working for computer/IT corporations and a number of small companies producing computer graphics and low powered wireless equipment. Along the employment road I've had a number of positions, starting with Lab Technician and on through Project Manager, Production Manager, Projects Group Manager.

After many years of working for the big boys, the challenges started to become less motivating. It was time for a real challenge, be my own boss.

I enjoyed the time spent working in the big corporations and with the many good and talented people within those organizations although being your own boss and managing your own company can't be beat. Every day is a new challenge and the motivation to succeed and provide the best service for your customers is unmeasurable