FAQ

•	Data Systems
•	Telephone Systems
•	Video Conferencing

Telephone Systems

Q: What is VoIP? A: VoIP or voice-over-internet-protocol is simply a different way of transmitting voice traffic versus traditional telephone systems. VoIP uses data transmission protocols and, as a result, makes it possible for voice traffic to be run over the same network as data traffic.   Q: What is the advantage of using VoIP? A: Some of the rush to VoIP is the result of the "everybody is doing it" effect. In truth, VoIP has a couple of different manifestations, and depending on your environment, it may or may not have advantages. VoIP can be an Ethernet phone using TCP/IP on a local area network. VoIP can be two digital switches using TCP/IP across a high order backbone such as a T1 or the Internet. Depending on your situation, VoIP may save you money in public switched telephone costs. VoIP may also reduce wiring costs because a single Cat. 5e wire can carry both your telephone and computer traffic. VoIP can also reduce administrative costs by simplifying the process required to move your phones on your local network. It is important to note, however, that VoIP has disadvantages as well. The very fact that your telephone network is sharing your data network exposes your telephone network to all the problems that you have with your data network (worms, Trojans, viruses, performance irregularities . . .). In summary, there can be operational advantages as well as cost advantages. It is not clear that every telephony customer is best served by a VoIP solution.   Q: Does VoIP allow me to make free telephone calls? A: Yes and No! Yes, if you have the TCP/IP address of the party, office or system that you are attempting to contact. For example, if your company has multiple offices and each office has an Internet connection, you could use a VoIP system to connect those facilities at no metered charge. There are many issues with using the Internet for free calling. The two most important concerns are the quality of the phone call and the security of allowing VoIP traffic through your firewall and security system. No, VoIP does not eliminate the need for the public switched network. Calling for free, from anywhere to anywhere, will more than likely never occur. In today’s world, it is not technically possible, and in the future, the carriers will develop methods for generating income from voice traffic flowing over the public IP networks.   Q: How do I reset the time on my telephone system? A: Samsung iDCS 100 or 500 Enter the SYSEM ADMINISTRATION ACCESS Press TXFR enter 505 Enter new time and date using the following format W (day of week): Enter 0 for Sunday  and 6 for Saturday MM (month): Enter 01 for January and 12 for December DD (day of the month): Enter a number in the range of 01-31 HH (hours): Enter the 24-hour clock and enter a number in the range of 00-24 MM(minutes): Enter the number if the range of 00-59 System returns to step 2 Verify the time and date and re-enter them if necessary Press TXFR to store and exit programming or press SPKR to store and advance to the next program Tadiran (excluding Emerald Ice systems) From the attendant console: Leave the handset in the cradle Dial #188 Enter 4-digit time (HHMM) Enter 2 for AM for 7 for PM Enter #11 and listen for confirmation tone Tadiran Emerald Ice Using a Deluxe Telephone, login to the programming access feature by pressing PGM then # then * Input your password (default is ########) Then press the key beneath the display under the word  [show] Enter 08-14 then press [save] Press [next] until you see “System Time” displayed Press [show] Press [next] until you see “Hour” displayed Press [chg] Enter the 2-digit hour then press [save] Press the speaker button twice to hang-up Note the above procedure is most frequently used to change the hour for daylight savings time but may also be used if a date or minute adjustment is desired. Panasonic DBS From the main attendant’s console: Press ON/OFF key Press PROG key Press # key twice Press FF1 key (first line key, lower left hand corner) Press 1 Press # key Press 1 Press # key Enter month (two digits 01-12) Enter day (two digits 01-31) Enter year (two digits) Press # key Enter hour (two digits 00-24) Enter minutes (two digits 00-59) Press # key Press ON/OFF key Note: Your system will automatically go into night mode when you follow these steps.  You will need to put the system back into day mode. Panasonic SDBS From the main attendant’s console: Press ON/OFF key Press PROG key Press # key Press 3 Enter time as HHMM (two-digit hour and two-digit minutes) Press HOLD key Press ON/OFF key Ask us a question       Back to top

Data Systems

Q: What should I be doing to be certain my network is secure? A: Network security can best be described as a moving target with malicious individuals continuously conceiving new ways to penetrate and circumvent controls. Digicorp has developed a standard security model. Our recommendation is that every network has a certified firewall, virus software, e-mail filtering, web filtering, spyware filtering and an intrusion prevention system as a minimum. Security also entails operating system patch management, system back-ups and reporting on systems and their vulnerabilities. To be effective, security needs to be an ongoing discipline. Ask us a question       Back to top

Video Conferencing

Q: I recognize the benefits that video conferencing could provide, but the cost is prohibitive. What alternatives do I have? A: It’s not clear how recently you investigated video conferencing, but the advancements in the technology have made it a VERY cost effective technology. Video conferencing comes in many “flavors” from very low cost desktop units that integrate with the PC to elaborate rooms with large built-in facilities, multiple large format screens, etc. (It is the latter that people often associate with the high cost of video conferencing.) In between these extremes, are a number of options that bring video conferencing within the reach of most companies. Among the advancements are improved algorithms that enable users to conduct very effective conferences over the Internet, thereby eliminating the high operating costs. When comparing video conferencing to the time and expense of long distance travel, users have often found the payback is less than 12 months. Ask us a question       Back to top