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DIALED IN: Stay Connected with Techmode
Ocotober 2015
In This Issue
Meet Matthew Look, President at Techmode
Q: When you are not at Techmode, what do you like to do?
A: My favorite things to do are spend time with my family and travel.  Ironically, I don't like to travel with my family. That is just too much work!
  
Q: You can eat just one food for the rest of your life. What is it?
A: One food for the rest of my life??  That is a hard question. My gut is telling me to say ice cream because you can mix anything in ice cream. If I'm feeling like a PB&J, I can have PB& J ice cream. Then again I'm not so sure how good hamburger ice cream would be... 

Q: What's your favorite drink?
A: My favorite drink is ALWAYS tequila!  I will drink it in a house, I will drink it with a mouse, I will drink it in a box, I will drink it with a fox. My secret to tequila not killing me is 1 tequila shot or drink to 1 water. If you follow that rule, I promise you will live to see the next day.

Q: Who inspires you?
A: I don't know that any one person inspires me. Everyone I know has a quality I aspire to have. For the past few years I've really tried to enjoy each day and not wish for the next weekend or that next vacation. As I'm getting older I realize how precious time really is. I've really had a hard time learning to enjoy each day for what it is. This is something I am consistently working on. Someday I'll get there.

Q: What's your favorite tech device?
A: I love my new Surface 3 with LTE. The email integration is superb.  Anyone who knows me knows my hatred of Apple and with my new Surface I'm completely off Apple!
 
Q: What do you like most about yourself?
A: I'm not a quitter and can pretty much figure out how to do anything I put my mind to.

Q: What's your favorite movie quote?
A: This is a hard question. I always have movie/TV quotes and song lyrics going through my head. If you want to screw with my head while having a conversation, just drop an unintentional song lyric and watch my mind spin off in its own direction.
  
Q: If you could trade places with any other person for a week who would it be?
A: I know everyone is thinking I'm going to say Justin Timberlake, but I think it would be one of my kids. I would like to see the world through their eyes to get an idea of what it's like to be my child. What am I good at, what important life lesson have/haven't I taught them. I think it would make me a better parent and help me better prepare them for the rest of their life. I know... pretty mushy right? 

Q: Mary-Kate or Ashley? Please explain.
A: I would like to think I'm more of an Uncle Jesse type, but we all know that isn't true. I'm closer to a Danny Tanner than any of them.
TV Talk With the Techs
Q: What television show are you most looking forward to watching this Fall?

Cathy Poynter 
A: Blindspot

Denise Domanik
A: The Mysteries of Laura

Jack Burns
A: Blindspot and Heroes Reborn

Matt Look
A: Game of Thrones and Homeland

Rick Bogoevski
A: Monday Night Football

Ryan Fisher
A: The Leftovers and Homeland
Stay Connected
Techmode
1091 Centre Road, Suite 230
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
888-397-MODE
www.techmode.com
Best Buy Gift Card

Your satisfaction is our priority! Each Ticket Closure Survey we receive from now until November 30th will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Best Buy gift card. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to hearing from you. The winner will be announced in December. Good luck!
 
Sincerely,
Matthew Look
President
Techmode

Hosted or On-Premise? That Is the Question.
Learn the Pros and Cons to Determine Which System Works for You

Techmode offers both Hosted and On-premise phone system solutions through Avaya and Mitel. Many customers ask which type of system would be best for their company. We've put together an explanation of each type of system, as well as, a list of pros and cons for you to weigh your options.
 
What is Hosted PBX?
Hosted PBX or hosted VoIP, otherwise known as an Internet phone system, is one where the provider is responsible for housing the PBX as well as handling the technology required to provide the services to the phone system. The desk sets will plug into a router and the calls, signaling, and features are handled through an PBX server at the provider's offsite location. The provider of the hosted PBX charges a monthly fee that is generally inclusive of phone lines, software, and maintenance and sometimes the actual phones. Advanced features like cellphone, email integration or call center features usually come with additional cost.
 
What is On-premise PBX?
An on-premise PBX can be IP based or a traditional digital phone system. The type of on-premise PBX solution generally depends on your wiring infrastructure.  A traditional PBX system resides at your location usually in a computer equipment room or phone closet.  Calls can go through a traditional phone company as well as voice over Internet (VoIP) using SIP trunking. Gateway cards are used to connect the system to the traditional phone company provider. The provider can be the one that already provides service.

Pros and Cons to Consider
Your satisfaction is our priority. When choosing between Hosted or On-premise PBX, we want to be sure that the system will satisfy all of your requirements and stay within your budget.  Pros and cons for each are laid out below.
 
Pros: Hosted PBX
  • Moving a phone system is easy. IP phone is plugged into a broadband connection.
  • Patches and upgrades of the PBX are handled by the provider.
  • Web based management allows you to edit user extensions, manage features, view call logs.
  • Employees in remote locations can easily be connected to the system by simply plugging in VoIP phones.
  • Easy to add extra lines or additional stations. 
  • Lower initial equipment cost and set-up cost. Only VoIP phones and installation services are required to be purchased upfront by the customer.
  • No additional maintenance costs (since the maintenance of the software is included in the monthly fee), but all on-premise and remote phones and network devices are the responsibility of the customer.
  • Software upgrades are generally included.
Cons: Hosted PBX
  • Connections and voice quality are only as good as the Internet connection.
  • Loss of Internet results in loss of phone service, as all calls are routed through your Internet connection.
  • Limited flexibility to integrate the phone system with other software applications.
  • Features are limited to what your provider offers with little room for customization.
  • Fees can increase as the number of extensions grows and cancellation fees can be charged.
  • Additional cost may apply to advanced features that can be added with the software updates.
  • Stability of provider may vary.
  • Staff training is the responsibility of the customer. It is typically done remotely and at an additional cost.
  • Higher monthly service cost.
  Pros: On-premise PBX
  • Current carrier does not have to be changed.
  • VoIP trunks can be added to save on calling costs.
  • Flexibility to add VoIP lines or SIP trunks from multiple VoIP providers to enhance redundancy.
  • Ability to have your own disaster recovery plan.
  • Having on-premise PBX gives user control to create, adjust and delete users as desired.
  • More in-depth management controls allow you more authority over features and functionality you can offer to users.
  • Professional on-site training of staff on new PBX system is handled by the provider and typically included in the cost.
  • With SIP trunking, loss of Internet or catastrophic event has reduced effect on operations because calls can be sent to another number or a mobile phone.
  • Lower monthly cost after system is completely paid for.
  • On-premise PBX provider will qualify network.
  • On-premise PBX provider will install and program PBX.
  • On-premise PBX provider will train staff on feature use and best practices.
  Cons: On-premise PBX
  • Expansions may result in complicated projects depending upon the provider.
  • Technician may need to be called for upgrades and patches on software and costs can be incurred.
  • Loss of power or PBX failure will result in callers not being able to get through, which stops business operations.
  • Higher initial cost and set-up cost.
  • System must be maintained and supported either by staff or an outsourced vendor, resulting in possible higher long-term maintenance costs.
  • Upgrades, such as adding capacity or features, often requires purchasing extra licenses or hardware.
Recommendation
Generally, Hosted Phone Systems are recommended for small businesses, start-ups and any business that may have a distributed workforce such as; teleworkers, mobile sales people, independent affiliates or consultants, several small branches, etc. On-premise Phone Systems are recommended for any business that wants the flexibility to customize and control the system themselves, integrate it with other business applications or set up on-site line or system redundancy. At Techmode, our fully certified sales team can help determine the solution that is right for you. Our solutions are customizable and tailored to your specific needs. For more information, call 888-397-MODE or visit www.techmode.com .
Thank you for your continued business and support. If you know a colleague who would benefit from our products or services, please share our newsletter.

Sincerely,
Diane Sweet
Marketing Director
Techmode