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Imagine this: You buy a car, but you can't drive it until you go to another company to get it turned on. And whenever there's a problem with your car, it could just as easily be the car itself—in which case you'd have to take it to a mechanic—or a problem with that second company that activated it. That's kind of what it's like to have phone service through a traditional phone company. The company provides the service itself, but the phones and any other related equipment are your problem. 

Doesn't it make sense to have your phone service provider be the same person who provides your phones and all the other related equipment? No more buying and maintaining bulky and expensive private branch exchanges (PBXs), and no more calling the phone company only to be told that the problem must be with your system, or vice versa. 

With hosted VoIP from sipVine, your phone service provider is also your phone provider! And there's no need for private branch exchanges or other bulky equipment. All that is handled in the cloud, meaning that all you need to invest in are hosted VoIP phones, which are completely supported by the same friendly and knowledgeable customer service staff who provide you with personalized assistance with your hosted VoIP phone service. That means no PBXs, no phone cabling, none of the hassle and expense that comes with installing and maintaining your own in-house phone system. 

Maybe best of all, it means that if something goes wrong, or if you have a question, or if you want to upgrade or make a change, there's only one number you call. Whether you're dealing with your phone system or your phone service, you'll always call the friendly folks at sipVine. And because sipVine specializes in providing hosted VoIP phone services to businesses just like yours, we know the importance of good communication. That's why you'll always talk to someone who knows the needs of your business. At sipVine, you won't be just another customer number, you'll be part of the sipVine family. 

Hosted VoIP offers businesses like yours unparalleled service, scalability, ease of administration, cost savings, and crystal-clear call clarity, not to mention all the features and options that you demand. Plus, it just feels right to get your phone service from the same place that you get your phone system. Tying the two together is just good business, keeping them separate just doesn't make sense. That's why there's no better time than today to leave the old phone company behind and follow your phone service to hosted VoIP. 

No matter what your company's needs, hosted VoIP from sipVine can deliver, so give us a call today, and let us show you what hosted VoIP can do for your business!

About the author: Mark Greim is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at sipVine, a provider of hosted VoIP phone systems and services. Mark has extensive experience working for start-up or entrepreneurial organizations and has a passion for affordable, reliable, and purposeful technology solutions in those environments.

Here at sipVine, we're obviously big believers in hosted VoIP. We know that hosting your business telecommunications service in the cloud is one of the fastest growing trends in the industry because hosted VoIP phone service gives you options, amenities, and service that other providers just can't match. But we also know that switching your phone service is a big decision, and, like with any business decision, timing can be everything. So here are 5 ways to tell if your business is ready to make the switch to hosted VoIP:

1. Your current phone system is out-of-date. Maybe you've got phones that are falling apart, the numbers are wearing off the keypads, wires are fraying, or maybe your phone system itself is getting old and failing, and parts or replacement phones are no longer available. And when you do place a service call, you get hit with a fee. Maybe your current system simply isn't delivering the call quality or range of features that your business demands.

Whatever the problems with your current system, hosted VoIP can solve them, not just today, but down the road. With hosted VoIP, it's incumbent on your provider—rather than you—to keep the system and the handset line-up current. You'll never have to worry about obsolescence again. If your phone goes bad, you just replace it with a current model supported by your VoIP provider, rather than having to replace all the phones, or a whole system.

2. People get excited when they hear you can get caller ID. Difficult as it is to imagine, there are still plenty of phone systems in play that don't deliver caller ID to the phone! In this world of smartphones and mobile devices, that kind of feature seems so basic, but many people are over the moon when they hear that it's available from hosted VoIP. Imagine their excitement when they hear about the other enterprise level features you can get with your VoIP service, such as on-phone corporate directories, automated attendant features, customized on-hold music or messages, voicemail notification to cellphone, and many more!

3. You're ready to replace your on-site system. If it's time to replace your current phone system, you may find price-checking on-site systems to be a daunting prospect. You can pay more for an on-site phone system than you've probably spent on infrastructure for your whole office in the past two years. Not only that, but you'll have to dedicate internal resources to programming and maintaining the system. With hosted VoIP, all you buy are the handsets. Everything else, your dedicated VoIP provider brings to the table, and maintains for the long haul!

4. Your business is relocating. If you're moving your business anyway, there's no better time to leave behind that bulky private branch exchange system and make the transition to hosted VoIP. Try pricing out what it'll cost to move your old phone system—it's probably more than you can sell it for on Craig's List. Instead, try selling it to reseller, or leaving it as an incentive for the next client.

5. You've called your current phone company and had to endure the voice recognition routing process. Everybody's experienced it, and everybody hates it. Calling up, wading through a sea of ever-changing menus that never quite offer what you need. You never talk to the same person twice, and whoever you talk to certainly doesn't know you, your business, or how your phone system is programmed. Luckily for you, hosted VoIP from sipVine is different. Because we combine the phone service and the phone system under one umbrella, we can diagnose and treat any problem you may have in the same call.  Additionally,because we put our service to our customers first, when you call us, you'll always be talking to someone who knows you, knows your business, and knows the ins and outs of your VoIP phone system.

Whatever your reasons, if it's time to switch your phone service, then it's time to give hosted VoIP from sipVine a try. We know that once you do, you'll never go back. In fact, we're so confident of it, there are no long-term contracts to sign. We believe that our superior features, service, and call quality will be enough to keep you as a loyal sipVine customer, without having to wave contracts or cancellation fees over your head.

About the author: Mark Greim is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at sipVine, a provider of hosted VoIP phone systems and services. Mark has extensive experience working for start-up or entrepreneurial organizations and has a passion for affordable, reliable, and purposeful technology solutions in those environments.

Moving is one of the toughest and most complicated things that your business will ever have to do, but at the same time, chances are just about every business will do it at some point or another. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 40 million people move every year, and while there's no similar statistic for businesses, there are a lot of reasons why businesses might consider heading to greener pastures. The five biggest reasons that businesses decide to relocate are the need for upgraded or expanded facilities, labor and workforce issues, new market opportunities, an attempt to lower costs or increase cash flow, and quality of life considerations.

Whatever the reasons, when it comes time to make a move, there's a lot to consider, and a lot to keep track of. As with any move, there's changing addresses, finalizing the deed or lease for the new place, selling or renting out your old location, managing the changeover, and, of course, moving all your stuff. But businesses face even more obstacles than homeowners when it comes time to move, and a business move can cost a lot if it isn't handled smoothly, not only in upfront costs but also in lost revenue.

After all, a homeowner just has to get all their stuff from point A to point B, unpack the boxes, get the phones and cable and whatever else all hooked up, and so on. A business move requires you to do all that—and more—while still keeping your doors open as much as possible, not to mention changing signage, letterhead, marketing materials, websites, etc. Nobody wants to lose income—or even customers—due to a lengthy and complicated move.

One of the biggest challenges businesses face when moving is staying in touch with their customers and business partners. You want your telecommunications access to be as uninterrupted as possible during the move, so that you don't miss any opportunities. That's part of why many businesses choose to leave their old phone system behind when they make the move to a new location.

There are a lot of good reasons to leave your old phone system behind when the time comes to make a move. For one, contrary to what you might think, it'll probably save you money. Moving a private branch exchange (PBX) is expensive and complicated, and leaving it behind means that you can use it as a selling point for future tenants or sell it to a reseller to get some cash-in-hand. Meanwhile, you also won't be worrying about the down time that comes with trying to haul your old phone system to your new location and get it set up. Instead, try a hosted VoIP phone service, which can provide you with all the telephony services that you've come to expect, along with the crystal clear call quality that you demand, all at a significant cost savings, both up front and in the long run.

Plus, if you're building out a new suite for your new location, you won't need to invest in phone cabling, as your hosted VoIP phones will share an Ethernet connection with your computers. Basically, all you'll need to buy are your phones, and the savings generated in the cable plant and not relocating your old system will often more than offset those modest upfront costs.

Businesses all over the country are switching to hosted VoIP for its scalability, ease of administration, cost savings, and unparalleled service. And if you're looking at a business move in your future, there's no better time to make the switch to hosted VoIP phone service, and leave your outdated phone system behind forever.

About the author: Mark Greim is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at sipVine, a provider of hosted VoIP phone systems and services. Mark has extensive experience working for start-up or entrepreneurial organizations and has a passion for affordable, reliable, and purposeful technology solutions in those environments.

In this highly technical age we live in, many businesses find themselves struggling to keep up with constantly changing technology. Staying on the cutting edge can appear impossible, and running to keep up can feel necessary, but exhausting. So it's nice when a technology comes along that businesses are happy to adopt. Hosted VoIP phone service is one of those.

There are a lot of reasons why businesses feel good about making the switch to hosted VoIP technology. Hosted VoIP is rapidly becoming the industry standard for business telecommunications systems because it's simple, reliable, and affordable, while still providing the kinds of custom options and crystal-clear call quality that businesses have come to rely on. Communication is the key to doing business, after all, and companies that switch to hosted VoIP services find that as their communications get clearer, their business gets better.

While still offering a host of customization options that let you tailor your phone system to the needs of your business, hosted VoIP can also simplify and decentralize your telecommunications system. Because it's hosted in the cloud—and not on-site at your office—hosted VoIP gives you added security and stability, while also eliminating the need for expensive on-site private branch exchange (PBX) systems and other high-maintenance equipment. Fully redundant servers protect your system, and ensure that, in the event of a loss of service, access is restored as quickly as possible.

So hosted VoIP is cost-effective, secure, reliable, and provides top-notch service, but maybe the biggest reason that you'll be happy switching your business over to hosted VoIP from sipVine is that you'll be dealing with a business like your own. Let's face it, most traditional telecommunications companies and even large national VoIP providers aren't like your business. We're talking about massive companies with thousands of employees. Chances are, in all the time you do business with them, you'll never talk to the same person twice. To them you'll never be more than a customer reference number, and they'll never be more than a voice on the phone.

As a business owner yourself, you know how good it feels—and how important it can be—to do business with like-minded companies, with someone you can connect with in a real and meaningful way. All too often, our interactions with the companies that provide our necessary goods and services are limited to an automated phone system, or the click of a button. With sipVine, you can count on a hosted VoIP provider that knows your business, and knows where you're coming from. More than just a voice on the phone or an anonymous email, sipVine wants to be your partner in better telecommunications service.

At sipVine, we're passionate about hosted VoIP, and we're excited to share it with other companies, and learn more about how they work, and how hosted VoIP can help them with what they're excited about. So give us a call today, and let us see how our business can help your business!

About the author: Mark Greim is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at sipVine, a provider of VoIP business phone services. Mark has extensive experience working for start-up or entrepreneurial organizations and has a passion for affordable, reliable, and purposeful technology solutions in those environments.

New phone service options haven’t necessarily been on the top of the investment list for many small to medium sized businesses in recent years.  Funds have been reserved for business sustainability and growth, and not infrastructure.  However, some businesses have found that choosing a Hosted VoIP phone alternative has had a positive return on investment while improving their communications with customers and associates.  Such an option is surprisingly affordable and can lower their monthly phone service and administrative costs.

Low Up Front Investment – The beauty of a hosted phone service is that the business does not need to invest in the core phone system.  The only investment required is for the purchase of the phones and some minor network equipment.  The cost of VoIP phones can range dramatically depending upon make and model, but a very good phone can be secured for $150 or less.

Service Rates – The pricing approach taken by VoIP providers for monthly service also can vary.  Some have all inclusive plans, some bundle features, and some have some minute bundles with a per minute charge above a threshold.  At sipVine, our pricing approach is an all-inclusive rate for all features and all-distance calls, with volume discounts based upon the number of users.  However, what most providers have in common is that they are able to deliver a monthly rate that is less expensive than traditional analog service.  As you evaluate different options, also determine if the provider applies the surcharges that you see with traditional providers.  Some, like sipVine, absorb all surcharges in their rates, which only adds to the savings opportunity.

Administrative Costs – This is another hidden cost of your phone operation expense.  If you are currently paying a vendor to make changes to your phone system, there may be another savings opportunity by shifting to a hosted service.  Some providers, like sipVine, do not charge for routine change requests.

So, if a phone system hasn’t necessarily been at the top of your business’s investment list, it may be time to at least evaluate a Hosted VoIP phone service.  If you can generate a return on investment and improve your communication functionality, such an evaluation may be well worth the time!   Want to learn more? Our small business phone service representatives are here to answer any questions you have!

In today’s increasingly mobile and highly accessible work environment, many commercial realtors have found a great number of advantages by switching to a Hosted VoIP phone service.  Not only have they improved their office communications, but they have provided their clients with a means to help make their moves easier by suggesting a change to hosted service as well.

First, for the commercial realtors themselves, they have found the following attributes of a VoIP phone service to be advantageous to their office communications:

1. Mobile Workforce – With their agents showing properties or even working remotely, certain hosted VoIP providers can configure a soft phone app on the agent’s cell phone.  This allows then to take and make phone calls from their office phone number. Or, agents can choose to forward their office phones to their cell phones when they are out of the office.  This type of accessibility is ideal for this industry.
2. Unified Communications – Voicemails left on office phones and faxes can be delivered electronically to email.  Again, for a mobile workforce, receiving notification of a voice mail to a smart cell phone allows for greater efficiency and responsiveness to clients.
3. Multiple Branch Optimization – If an agency operates multiple branches, reception services can be either centralized or automated, allowing for cost savings and efficient routing of incoming calls.  An automated attendant can be put in place even at a single location to drive savings or route calls effectively.

Commercial realtors have also benefitted by recommending hosted phone service for their prospective clients.  If they are working with a VoIP provider that can deliver service over any brand of high speed internet, they can help their clients by making their moves easier.  Many clients are also making a phone service and equipment decision at the time of their move.  The recommendation is to install their hosted phone service at their previous location so that the porting of numbers and other considerations are completely taken care of prior to moving.  That way they are not worried about any out of service time frames or trying to “time” their move with their phone number ports.  On moving day, they simply move the equipment and plug into their network and they are immediately operational.

Is it time for a new office phone system? Make every interaction with customers count with the help of sipVine's complete business communication solution! sipVine provides Hosted VoIP services to businesses across the United States. A better phone system for your small business with advanced features to match your unique business needs! Make your company's business communications better by engaging better customer experiences at every touchpoint. To understand more advantages and learn more of the details of how this can work, contact sipVine under no obligation and we’ll gladly consult with you.

There are several reasons why professional service companies have gravitated to sipVine’s Hosted VoIP Phone Service.  sipVine proudly serves many law firms, accounting/finance firms, marketing/public relations companies, and business consulting firms.  sipVine excels in many areas, driving specific benefit to the communication needs of professional service firms:

Full Featured Phone Services - sipVine delivers a robust feature set that is compelling to a professional services office setting.  We customize the call flow with ring groups or queues and set up an auto attendant to fit exactly how these firms would like to do business. Direct dial numbers, call recording options, call detail records, voicemail to email, and many other features drive benefits to the companies  sipVine serves.

Virtual & Highly Mobile Employee Options - One of the beauties of Hosted VoIP is the fact that it can be delivered anywhere and at any time people need to be reached.  Businesses can deploy a remote or flexible staff model as they can have a VoIP phone wherever they are located.  This phone can be a desk phone or a soft phone on their desktop or mobile device.  High contact employees who are on the go can turn on their mobile soft phone when they want to receive or make calls just as if they were at their phone in the office! 

High Quality VoIP Phones - sipVine only certifies top-end VoIP phone manufacturers on our network.  We currently work with Yealink, Polycom and Cisco phones.  We have found that these manufactures have the best phone features and are easy to use.  The quality is demonstrated time and time again for their longevity in service and very few issues resulting in replacement.  

Phone System Support - This is the hallmark of sipVine's service.  We do not outsource or off-shore our support personnel.  Most times, callers into our support department are pleased with the fact that we actually KNOW them!  sipVine handles all phone administration or system program changes for our customers at no additional charge.  Unlike the well-marketed national VoIP providers, we do not expect our customers to navigate a self-service support portal to make changes.  This resonates well with our professional services firm customers, as they don't have the time to develop the expertise required to make these changes or program call flows and auto attendants as needs evolve.  They simply call sipVine by dialing 7HELP from their sipVine phone and they will directly reach a member of our support team, or they can email or submit a ticket.  

The technology deployed in sipVine’s VoIP Phone Solution delivers high quality voice calls and disaster recovery advantages.  All of the functionality and more great features are delivered in a reliable and purposeful solution that allows for the easy addition of users as the firm grows.

Whether you are a professional service firm or a general business, sipVine’s Hosted VoIP Phone Service can be customized to how you do business.  Contact us today to learn how!

Moving is stressful enough on your business, and you can quit worrying about whether your phone service will be up and running in time by going with Hosted VoIP phone service!  sipVine has helped many new customers ease this tension by implementing Hosted VoIP service prior to their move date.

The previous plan for these prospective customers was to attempt to time their switch over to the new facility with their current carrier.  This involved provisioning their new lines and coordinating their cut over with the provider.  Depending upon the reliability and timeliness of the provider’s service department and the efficiency of moving their existing phone equipment, the business was potentially facing a period where they would be out of service for a period of time.

By choosing sipVine, we counseled these new customers to implement their new Hosted VoIP phone service prior to their move.  The porting of the phone numbers is taken care of in advance of the move and everyone is well trained on all the new features and benefits they receive from the Hosted VoIP phone service.  The new location is provisioned with an internet connection and it is all ready for the move.  On moving day, they simply plug their new VoIP phones into their Ethernet connection, connect the internet to the router, and they’re making and receiving phone calls!

Of course, timing out your business move to coincide with the installation of your new VoIP phones is also a possibility.  There are numerous considerations and sipVine is prepared to assist you in your planning and implement accordingly.

Additionally, these customers are able to save money on their wiring, as they only need to wire for Cat5 or Cat6 Ethernet.  They can also choose to deploy Power over Ethernet switches for their VoIP phones and conserve on the number of outlets in offices they need to wire.

If your business is preparing for a move, consider it to be a time to enhance your phone system’s capabilities and lessen your move anxiety at the same time!  So, why not reach out and experience the sipVine difference. Make every interaction with your customers count with the help of sipVine's complete business communication solution! A better phone system for your small business with advanced features to match your unique business needs! Make your company's business communications better by engaging better customer experiences at every touchpoint. Want to learn more? Our small business phone service representatives are here to answer any questions you have!  Call us!