CAPSTONE VOICE & DATA, INC.
........ ....."The High Point in Communications"
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What kind of Business Phone system do I need?
- What type of wiring do I need in my office?
- How many phone lines should I get?
- How about my network cabling requirements?
- Why should I get a service contract?
- Is leasing available with Capstone?
- Do you sell or repair old / hard-to-find / refurbished equipment?
- What does it mean, that Capstone is a "Nortel Partner"™ ?
- Should I buy my phone system on line?
What kind of Business Phone system do I need?
A Business Phone System is much more than a group of phones in an office:
Business Phone Systems allow a group of people to share incoming phone lines, saving money, and to share or transfer calls as needed, to save client's time, efforts, and business. As such, your business phone system makes use of a control unit (also known as a PBX) to send calls to different users, or extensions, and even to put your caller on "Hold" while you get answers to his or her questions or requests. And, with special equipment, your Phone System can have voicemail for each extension, automated answering and information services, music-on-hold, advertising on hold, public announcement services, etc.If your are running your business with a simple phone, please consider if this might be costing you clients and sales (or calls).... then, after making this decision, you can consider whether you prefer a digital or an analog system.
Digital technology is the latest development in telecommunications. A digital telephone system converts all telephone signals to a digital signal either at the telephone handset or at the telephone control unit, resulting in a clearer and more precise transmission.
Digital telephone systems usually require less wiring compared to the standard Analog telephone system. The standard Analog telephone system requires as many as 4 pairs of wires to work correctly.
Digital telephone systems also can be connected to a computer for voicemail, call accounting, automated attendant, and other special features. Analog systems basically can only record and transmit messages. Ask the Capstone Voice & Data representative to help you determine what you need when you plan your phone system.
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What type of wiring do I require in my office?
Most modern offices require both phone and data cabling to get their communications networks working at optimum levels. In general, telephone systems now employ a "Star" wiring configuration, meaning that a separate wire is run from the central control unit to each work area requiring a telephone and or a computer. This way, if a cable is damaged, it only affects that workstation, and can be easily replaced.
Many voice and data systems are also re-cabled every 5-10 years in order to reduce maintenance costs and install new technology.
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How many phone lines should I get for my office?
You, the business owner, must evaluate your present or anticipated use per employee. The industry average of 2.5 employees per phone line can help you calculate your initial requirements, (yet remember that 50 trial lawyers tend to use the phone more that 50 assembly line workers).
In all cases, please try to plan for future company growth, too. With all modern systems, you can always expand your capacity, but as ever, it is a lot cheaper to install what you need when the system is first put in.
Capstone Voice & Data always tries to assure that you get precisely what you need when you install your phone systems.
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What about network cabling?
The best time to address computer network cabling needs is when a phone system is being installed. The reason is very simple: we can install your telephone cable and your network cable at the same time. By having a single vendor you save money and eliminate potential problems and cable damage.
One word of advice: never let a telephone cable installer install network cable utilizing voice grade cable. Make sure the installation company provides the specifications for the cable installed for your network. At Capstone Voice & Data it is our policy to use top quality cable for voice and data (network) applications.
Network cabling is done with special cable: telephone cable is a high quality specially designed for telephone systems. Data cable, on the other hand, requires a completely different specification. Data cable is twisted in pairs to reduce electrical interference from lights and office machines. Data cable is tested at higher data speeds 10Mbs to 100Mbs compared to voice grade cable.
State of the art technology indicates that planned, organized network cabling with is a wise investment in all offices, and one that can help you establish proper data security processes.
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Why I need a service contract?
You need a service contract for your business in order to save money: just as you insure your house or car, a service contract is a type of insurance policy that provides for the prompt repair of your telephone system should it fail. The cost to have a service technician troubleshoot and repair could cost many times what a annual service agreement costs.
Also, service contract clients always receive priority service in case of an emergency, and you will find that Capstone Voice & Data will also act as the interface with your service provider . to ensure prompt repairs when it is a phone company problem that has affected your service.
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Is leasing available with Capstone?
Yes, leasing is available for Capstone clients, with a number of recognized financial firms. Our sales force is ready to help you with this process.
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Do you sell or repair old/hard-to-find/refurbished equipment?
Yes. Besides regularly working with refurbished equipment, and having over 20 years of experience with major brand PBX's, Capstone Voice & Data has a the support of a large business network that that helps us search for hard to find replacement parts. Additionally, all of our work and equipment is guaranteed to satisfy your needs.
If you are one of those clients who requires a low-cost yet sturdy and reliable system, please take a look at our refurbished systems: we are sure you will be pleasantly surprised.
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What does it mean, that Capstone is a "Nortel Partner"™?
Established more than a century ago, Nortel Networks™ has participated in major developments in the evolution of communications networks technology in more than 150 countries. Capstone Voice & Data is proud to have been included as a reseller in the "Nortel Partner"™ network, allowing us to offer our clients the best technical support, pricing, and maintenance for Nortel and Norstar systems that Nortel itself can offer.
This "Nortel Partner"™ label is your assurance that we have Norstar™ and Nortel™ backing and support for any of your needs.
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Should I buy my phone system on line?
Buying a phone system on-line can seem more inexpensive because you do not pay installation nor cabling fees. Yet, purchasing a phone system requires more than good prices: we suggest you consider both your needs and installation of the equipment. If you are a telecommunications person, of course, buying on-line is simply. If you are not, please consider the following:
Clients often do not have full knowledge of the different alternatives they have for filling their voice communication needs. In some cases they may even buy a system that does not cover all of their requirements and growth expectations. Our experience shows us that a personal interview and inspection of the offices often results in savings and greater satisfaction for the client.
Second, incorrect-installation by untrained persons is risky, since short circuits or other accidental damage may ruin your system, or limit the features it may include. In addition, programming PBX's and voicemail can be confusing for those who have not done it before.
Besides having over 20 years of experience with major brand PBX's and regularly working with refurbished and legacy equipment, Capstone Voice & Data has a policy ensuring proper installation of the systems it sells, and proper training for users.
We suggest the business owner or professional who is searching for a phone system use the various telephone e-commerce sites for information, and once a low-cost yet sturdy and reliable system is identified, please do call a local interconnect service company (in the Tri-State Metro NYC area you could call us): the time you invest will probably save you a lot of money down the road.
If you feel you can do your own installation and programming (or are buying a wireless system), you can also check with your local interconnect service just to verify that the price they ask for the system and warranty-related support isn't out of line: you might just be surprised, and decide to use their services.
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Phone: (212) 563-1433, FAX: (212) 563-0014
Copyright 2008,Capstone Voice & Data Inc.
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