Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category

Roger Scott of Emergent Discusses a New Method of Purchasing That Eliminates the Two Greatest Risks Associated with Technology

ORLANDO, FL – November 15, 2007 – There are a few things in life that will remain constant till the end of time. They include death, taxes, and the ever-changing world of technology. As soon as we make a technological purchase today it unfortunately becomes outdated tomorrow. Ignoring your company for a moment just think about the last time you bought a car. The moment it was driven off the lot the value dropped instantly by a few thousand dollars. This same scenario occurs in every technological purchase made by a company. As a result, more and more owners and chief financial officers are being slapped in the face with a basic business 101 concept – why buy a depreciating asset.

The method of buying technology on a lease agreement is not new or even earth shattering. Historically, both business communications providers and equipment manufacturers have offered leasing options. However, within the last year or so, subtle changes by a select group of providers across the country have made leasing versus buying the right decision for any business. These changes have eliminated technology’s two greatest risks – obsolescence and price (also known as outright ownership).

Voice and data communications is the heart and lifeblood of every company and having the latest technology has a major impact on an organization’s efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness. As a result, Emergent launched the Current Technology Assurance Plan (C-TAP) with the assistance of Technology Assurance Group (TAG), an organization of independently owned North American business communications providers with combined revenue of over $400 million in voice and data products and applications.

C-TAP ensures that the communications environments are refreshed with the latest advancements and value added solutions, thereby eliminating technology’s obsolescence. For instance, updates (also known as refresh) to a company’s voice and data system can occur anytime after 24 months with no change in their monthly payment. Additionally, both labor charges and software upgrades are waived. If a product was purchased the old fashioned way from say Cisco or Avaya the business owner would get hit with thousands of dollars in software upgrade expenses. A program like C-TAP prevents this type of situation.

Here’s a simple example that illustrates how C-TAP works. Companies are losing significant amounts of money on a daily basis because they don’t have sufficient technology to effectively manage their organizations. For example, many businesses do not have data back up, message on hold, or unified messaging while others are utilizing antiquated desktop PCs. Under C-TAP, companies that could not afford this technology before can now simply add it with no change in their monthly commitment.

Furthermore, C-TAP focuses on the cost of technology rather than its price, thus eliminating the second risk. This is a mind set change for owners and many business communications providers not engaged in a program of this sort. Because of C-TAP, companies are able to transfer technology costs from a capital expense to a fixed monthly expense absorbed by an organization’s operating budget. This enhances the financial health from both tax and budgeting standpoints.

Programs like C-TAP have changed the way technology is purchased now and forever. It has successfully eliminated the traditional risks associated with technology - obsolescence and price. By taking control of the purchase process in this manner, the owner is finally experiencing a true win for their business because they now have the means that will increase profitability, while giving them a competitive advantage in their marketplace.

ABOUT EMERGENT
Emergent, formerly Telecommunication Professionals, Inc., founded in 1988, is a network services, business telephone and data communications company that specializes in technology solutions that give clients a competitive advantage and increased profitability. The company implements technology plans by providing products that fit the client’s needs. Emergent’s mission is to provide cost justification and investment protection.
The company maintains a full staff of factory-trained, certified technicians, sales associates and customer advocates that believe the dimensions of service quality are time and timeliness of the delivery of the service, completeness of the service, courtesy of those giving the service, consistency of the service, accessibility & convenience of obtaining the service, accuracy of the service, and responsiveness to emergencies.
For more information on Emergent call (407) 834-2700 or visit www.askemergent.com.

Small to Mid-Sized Companies to Benefit from Telecommunication Industry’s Most Innovative Program to Ensure Implementation of Latest Technology

ORLANDO, FL — October 15, 2007 — Emergent, an industry leader in telecommunications, announced today that the company launched its new Current Technology Assurance Plan (C-TAP). C-TAP has emerged as the telecommunication industry’s most innovative program. The program ensures that the telecom and information systems of small to mid-sized companies remain current and incorporate the latest in value added solutions. Technology Assurance Group (TAG), a national organization of independently owned telecommunication companies, spearheaded the development of C-TAP in strategic partnership with Great America Leasing Company (GALC), a privately held lease financing firm.

As a premier member of TAG, Emergent will be the only telecommunications provider in the region to offer businesses the TAG/GALC supported C-TAP program.

“C-TAP is revolutionizing the manner in which telecom equipment, convergent applications such as VoIP, and connectivity infrastructure is deployed in the marketplace,” said Roger Scott, CEO of Emergent. “As a result of C-TAP, Emergent can now proactively manage customer telecom and information system needs in partnership with those customers. When companies participate in C-TAP it assures them that they will always be at the forefront of new innovations in technology.”

C-TAP gives companies the unique ability to refresh or renew their phone equipment any time after 24 months with no change in payment. New equipment and applications are installed without labor charges. Technology can be added as required within a fixed cost that can be absorbed by an organization’s operating budget. Essentially, C-TAP allows the continued implementation of new technology within a set budget.

“Let’s take Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) to illustrate how C-TAP works,” stated Mr. Scott. “ACD allows companies to route incoming calls to the appropriate representative, which increases both internal efficiency and customer satisfaction. The price of ACD technology has dropped over the years and under C-TAP companies that could not afford it before can now add it with no change in their monthly commitment. This is just one example where the adoption of new technology will increase an organization’s competitive advantage and increase their profitability.”

Emergent customers on the C-TAP program will receive numerous benefits. These benefits include 5 hours of national teleconferencing annually, call accounting analysis which detects employee misuse of phone calls, storage system and backup, remote database backup, records and training updates for the equipment administrator, and an annual audit of connectivity charges. C-TAP also provides businesses with special customer service provisions including priority queuing for adds, moves, changes, and dispatch of service calls, a guarantee of inventory on hand, preferred maintenance, periodic replacement of handset and station cords, and annual preventative maintenance visits.

“We’re thrilled about C-TAP and announcing it to our valuable customers,” added Mr. Scott. “Adopting this program illustrates our continued commitment to our customers. Their organizations can both grow and adapt in the changing information marketplace within a budget fixed at the inception of the C-TAP program.”

ABOUT EMERGENT

Emergent, formerly Telecommunication Professionals, Inc., founded in 1988, is a network services, business telephone and data communications company that specializes in technology solutions that give clients a competitive advantage and increased profitability. The company implements technology plans by providing products that fit the client’s needs. Emergent’s mission is to provide cost justification and investment protection.

The company maintains a full staff of factory-trained, certified technicians, sales associates and customer advocates that believe the dimensions of service quality are time and timeliness of the delivery of the service, completeness of the service, courtesy of those giving the service, consistency of the service, accessibility & convenience of obtaining the service, accuracy of the service, and responsiveness to emergencies.

For more information on Emergent call (407) 834-2700 or visit www.askemergent.com.

ABOUT GREAT AMERICA LEASING CORPORATION

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, GreatAmerica continues to grow and adapt in an ever changing market. As an independent institution with over $600 million in assets, it has the flexibility to provide customized financial solutions and selected business services for its customers who are distributors in the office equipment, telecommunications, healthcare, and retail markets. With superior industry knowledge and experience, they develop solutions that help their customers be more successful.

Visit GreatAmerica at www.greatamerica.com

How Do You Know if You Have a Problem?

Roger Scott of EMERGENT Explains the Benefits
of Conducting a Telecom Service Inventory

Orlando, FL - September 18, 2007 - An underlying theme in any business is keeping costs at a minimum in order to spur growth and increase the bottom line. As companies attempt to streamline their costs, an area that frequently gets overlooked is telecommunications. This critical function of an organization is often times plagued with errors and inefficiencies, especially if it has not been given the proper attention. Problems include not knowing what services you have, who is providing the service, how much you’re paying, and is it too much. Recognizing whether or not you have a problem is a difficult task. However, there is a unique tool that companies can take advantage of so they can fully understand their current telecommunications environment.

Just as a retail store takes an inventory of what products are on their store shelves, companies need to do an inventory of their telecommunication services. Conducting what is called a Telecom Service Inventory enables you to proactively manage your telecom environment so you know where every penny is going and the value you’re receiving in return. It’s very easy for unnecessary services to creep into your telecommunications mix, which in most instances go unused or provide little value. A Telecom Service Inventory gives you a 360 degree view so you can accurately gauge your current situation, determine whether service changes need to be made, and if it’s feasible to reduce costs.

What does a Telecom Service Inventory entail? Well, it is essentially an analysis of where a company’s telecommunications infrastructure is today and what modifications can be made to improve the organization tomorrow. There are a number of items that should be covered in a Telecom Service Inventory by a leading telecommunications provider to uncover errors or inefficiencies. Below are a few key components.

• Location Inventory: an analysis of voice, data, and video services by location
• Line Inventory: a complete inventory of all voice lines
• Cost Distribution by Service Type: cost breakdown by voice, wireless, and data services
• Vendor Distribution: cost breakdown by telecommunications vendor or carrier
• Rate Plan Report: identification of each rate plan by usage per user
• Contract Plan: an inventory of service pricing versus invoice pricing to determine accuracy
• Wireless Report: a breakdown of wireless users by number

The end result of gathering this information is to help those individuals responsible for their company’s telecom environment make educated decisions about what they actually need. Additionally, the data enables them to more effectively manage adds, moves, or changes to equipment and services as their company expands. It basically puts users in control of their services, which properly managed can reduce costs and save significant amounts of money.

Worrying about whether you’re being billed correctly or utilizing your system to full capacity will go away once a company engages a telecommunications provider that can perform a Telecom Service Inventory. Once completed, you will know what services you’re paying for, their true costs, and the value they’re delivering to your organization. In order to survive in today’s business environment, you must find ways to increase profitability, improve productivity, and obtain a competitive advantage. A Telecom Service Inventory provides you with some additional help to achieve this objective.

ABOUT EMERGENT
Emergent, formerly Telecommunication Professionals, Inc., is a business telephone and data communications company that has been serving Central Florida since 1988. The company understands that they play a major role in the successful communication between you and your customers. Emergent is serious about their responsibility as your communication partner. To assure the success of this business partnership, trust is an essential component. Trust is the essential component built into every product and service the company offers.

The company maintains a full staff of factory-trained, certified technicians, sales associates and customer advocates. Emergent believes the dimensions of service quality are time and timeliness of the delivery of the service, completeness of the service, courtesy of those giving the service, consistency of the service, accessibility and convenience of obtaining the service, accuracy of the service, and responsiveness to emergencies.

For more information on Emergent call (407) 834-2700 or visit www.askemergent.com

“In Florida, especially during the storm season, keeping track of where my technicians are located is critical to our company mission,” says EMERGENT Operations Manager Jason Isaacs. “Cell phones are great, if they have a signal or if the tech didn’t leave it at the last job site. When a customer’s network is struck by lightning, they need service fast.”

Network Car™ lets Jason know exactly which technician is nearest to the emergency, without exception.

“I can see exactly where all of my technicians are located at any time by logging on to our Network Car™ web site,” says Jason. “Not only do we get exact location but also information on stops, idling, speed and mileage.”

Network Car™ merges GPS technology with affordable wireless coverage. The operations side of your business can make your fleet run more smoothly by accessing GPS location information. Only Network Car™ offers the powerful combination of advanced vehicle location plus remote diagnostics. Your dispatchers can know where a vehicle is while your mechanics monitor when the vehicle will need service.

Carolyn Scott, EMERGENT Comptroller, also uses Network Car™. “If a customer calls me about an invoice and says the technician was not on site for two hours I can down load a report that shows our truck sitting in their parking lot for 2 hours, 9 minutes and 43 seconds. After I e-mail the report to them they are completely satisfied. What a great tool!”

Not all GPS solutions are the same. Network Car™ is the only solution on the market that provides both GPS tracking and diagnostic benefits for your fleet and it is one of the most affordable. Network Car’s GPS tracking technology provides an immediate Return on Investment (ROI) for the operations side of your business by increasing efficiency, reducing overtime costs and increasing revenue. In addition, your fleet manager can benefit from Network Car’s remote diagnostic capabilities by achieving reductions in fuel costs and overall mileage.

For a FLASH product demo please click here.

ABOUT EMERGENT. Emergent is a business telephone and data communications company that has been serving Central Florida since 1988. The Company maintains a full staff of factory-trained, certified technicians, sales associates and customer advocates. TeleCommunication Professionals is serious about their responsibility as your communication partner. To assure the success of this business partnership, trust is an essential component. Trust is the essential component built into every product and service the company offers. TeleCommunication Professionals believes the dimensions of service quality are time and timeliness of the delivery of the service, completeness of the service, courtesy of those giving the service, consistency of the service, accessibility & convenience of obtaining the service, accuracy of the service, and responsiveness to emergencies. For more information on Emergent., call (407) 834-2700 or visit www.askEMERGENT.com.

The South’s Elite Business Communications Providers Discuss Issues Impacting Small to Mid-Sized Companies

ORLANDO, FL – July 24, 2007 – Emergent, the region’s leader in business communications, announced today that the company’s CEO, Roger Scott, spoke at Technology Assurance Group’s Southern Regional Meeting held recently in Atlanta. Technology Assurance Group (TAG) is an organization of independently owned business communications companies representing over $385 million in products and services in both the United States and Canada. Mr. Scott shared his expertise and valuable insight on a number of issues impacting the South’s elite providers and their customers.

Mr. Scott discussed such topics as the impact of the latest technology like VoIP, how to enhance employee performance, how to exceed customer expectations by increasing their profitability and giving them a competitive advantage, and utilizing marketing to effectively communicate to the target audience. Mr. Scott is an expert in each one of these subject areas and was able to share specific examples from his own business experiences.

“Mr. Scott was a natural fit to participate in this valuable meeting. His reputation far exceeds those of his competitors and this is directly attributable to the better business practices he has implemented over the years,” commented Dale Johnson, CEO of TAG. “Roger is dedicated to exceeding customer expectations and has built a team of knowledgeable professionals committed to this philosophy.”

“It was a privilege to share our experiences and offer advice to our colleagues,” stated Mr. Scott. “We are proud at what we’ve accomplished over the years serving the area’s businesses and speaking engagements like this is one way we can help others learn from the manner in which we conduct business.”

ABOUT EMERGENT
Emergent, formerly Telecommunication Professionals, Inc., founded in 1988, is a network services, business telephone and data communications company that specializes in technology solutions that give clients a competitive advantage and increased profitability. The company implements technology plans by providing products that fit the client’s needs. Emergent’s mission is to provide cost justification and investment protection.

The company maintains a full staff of factory-trained, certified technicians, sales associates and customer advocates that believe the dimensions of service quality are time and timeliness of the delivery of the service, completeness of the service, courtesy of those giving the service, consistency of the service, accessibility & convenience of obtaining the service, accuracy of the service, and responsiveness to emergencies.

By Roger Scott, CEO, Emergent

ORLANDO, FL — June 28, 2007 — Today’s business environment has never been more competitive. Companies in virtually every industry are working overtime to increase profits and outperform the competition. To aid them in their efforts, they are looking at a variety of ways to enable their employees to increase customer service. One such way is to take advantage of the quantum leaps in technology being offered by today’s telecommunications systems.

Ignoring your company’s rapidly becoming obsolete telecommunications system can mean lost revenue and wasted time for your staff and employers. It is imperative that your company make every effort to control costs and increase productivity. And a state-of-the-art telecommunications system, over the long-term, can pay for itself.

One thing to remember — a telecommunications system is a major investment that should be able to grow with the company. Furthermore, your system should be purchased from a reputable provider who will consult with you to select the right system for your company, install the system, provide training and long-term assistance with any problems and install future system upgrades.
The following is a list of considerations to take to heart when selecting a telecommunications systems provider:

• Manufacturer Authorized or Accredited. Is the telecommunications provider authorized or accredited by the system’s manufacturer? Beware of providers that say they are authorized by the manufacturer, and are not. The firm may be able to install the system, but will not be able to provide the ongoing support, including upgrades to the system and correcting any software problems. Because the provider does not have access to the manufacturer for the resolution of these problems, it places you, the customer, at a high risk. To determine if the provider is authorized or accredited, start by asking for a comfort letter from the manufacturer or call to the manufacturer’s regional office for a provider reference. It is also a good idea to visit the vendor’s office to take a look at the inventory, facility and day-to-day business operations.
• Voice and Data Experience. In today’s rapidly evolving telecommunications marketplace, you will need to select a provider that has a significant amount of both voice and data experience. This is critically important, because the convergence of voice and data has happened. Your company needs to work with a provider that has the technical expertise in computer telephony integration (CTI).
• Full-Service Telecom Provider. The company should provide a single point of contact for consultation, design, installation, implementation, training and maintenance of voice, data and video communications cabling and equipment. A wide range of top-quality, reasonably priced products and services should also be available to you. Is the provider simply going to sell you a piece of equipment, or provide your company with a solution with an application orientation to it?
• Provider Reputation. The provider’s reputation is as significant as the product you buy. In addition to checking with other business associates about the companies and systems they selected, check with the Better Business Bureau for references. You should ask the provider for a least five customer referrals. Then call each one of those referrals. Ask how long have you had the system? How is the providers’ ongoing support? Has the company demonstrated an ability to resolve any problems as they arose?
• Understanding Of Your Business. Does the company have an understanding of your business? Are they able to translate that understanding into adapting the technology to most benefit your company? For example, a mortgage banking firm is going to have a different system application from a manufacturing company. You need to select a provider that has a full-scope of business knowledge and understanding.
• Entrepreneurial Approach. In today’s business environment you need to select a provider that brings an entrepreneurial approach to conducting business. The most significant aspect of a telecommunications system purchase decision is that a dynamic partnership will be formed between your company and the provider. Therefore, it is vital that the two understand each other and that the provider be responsive, flexible and competent to effectively handle your needs. Many large telecom providers have not adapted quickly to technology changes in the marketplace, and have limited local support if you have a problem with the your system. In addition, entrepreneurial providers empower their customers with new systems and features needed today, ahead of expectations, then show them how these can be applied in their business.
• Purchase Options. Does the provider offer you options of leasing, financing or buying the new system? Even with the demise of the investment tax credit, there are still plenty of good reasons to lease equipment. The financial records related to your current system can be used as a reference point. You will need to factor in the initial cost of the system, potential enhancements and repair costs.
• System Warranty. What type of warranty does the company offer? It is critical that you understand your warranty options and determine whether they cover parts and labor which provides large and small businesses with a combination of security, comfort, value, dependability and peace of mind.
• Remote System Access. Make sure you are given the option for remote system access. Remote access enables your provider to make adds, moves or changes to your telecom system from off-site. This feature can reduce costs over the long-term.
• Local Support and Service. Does the telecom system provider have a local technical assistance center staffed by highly-trained, certified technicians? Will the company come back to your business after time has passed, assess what has changed, and make recommendations to improve your system? Your previous telecom provider may have recommended a technology that was great for your business five years ago, but the environment has changed, there are better solutions today, and there will be tomorrow.
• Customer Employee Certification. To some providers the less the customer knows, the better. Reality is the more you know about your system, the better off you will be over the long-term. Will your telecom provider send your designated employees to a certification school for training on the system? Once they have been trained, they can have access to your system switch to do add, moves and changes. This will enable you to control service costs and enhance flexibility. In addition, a trained employee will be able to “talk the talk” with a certified technician if a problem ever arises.

Remember that you are shopping for a solution, not a product. Many companies make the mistake of simply buying the equipment rather than solving their telecom problems. It is important that the provider you select performs an audit of your existing system and either design a totally new system or integrate more efficient equipment into the current system.

The technology must, first of all, increase your profitability and, secondly, give your company a competitive advantage. The bottom line is to save money with cost-effective ways to improve the communications capabilities of your company.

ABOUT EMERGENT. Emergent is a business telephone and data communications company that has been serving Central Florida since 1988. The Company maintains a full staff of factory-trained, certified technicians, sales associates and customer advocates. Emergent is serious about their responsibility as your communication partner. To assure the success of this business partnership, trust is an essential component. Trust is the essential component built into every product and service the company offers. Emergent believes the dimensions of service quality are time and timeliness of the delivery of the service, completeness of the service, courtesy of those giving the service, consistency of the service, accessibility & convenience of obtaining the service, accuracy of the service, and responsiveness to emergencies. For more information on Emergent., call (407) 834-2700 or visit www.askEMERGENT.com.

Leading Business Communications Provider Changes Name to Reflect Its Vast Products and Applications Offering

ORLANDO, FL — May 29, 2007 — Telecommunication Professionals, Inc., Orlando’s leading business communications provider, announced today that it is conducting business as Emergent. The name change reflects the company’s vast array of products and applications that help their customers increase profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace.

“By changing our name to Emergent, our company is preparing for the next twenty years of growth and expansion in the Orlando region and beyond,” said Roger Scott, CEO of Emergent. “Based on our state-of-the-art product and application mix as well as competing in a rapidly changing industry, we believe the time is right to re-brand the company and enhance our image. Emergent’s tag line, “Managing Your Network Services”, succinctly describes our company’s unique ability and competitive differentiator to manage the voice, data networking, and convergence (VoIP) of their customer’s highly valued infrastructure.”

Emergent has recently become a premier member of Technology Assurance Group (TAG), an association of independently owned business communications providers representing over $380 million in annual sales. Since joining TAG, Emergent has implemented a number of better business practices that will elevate the company and their customers to new heights in profitability and efficiency. In addition to this relationship, Emergent has formed a number of strategic partnerships enabling the company to offer a wider mix of advanced solutions. A few examples of these include GPS vehicle tracking systems, call accounting/recording, network assessment tools, web conferencing, and video surveillance.

“We’re in a position to quickly grow our team of very talented individuals,” added Mr. Scott. “We pride ourselves in training our employees to remain at the forefront of technology so our customers only work with the most knowledgeable, experienced, and industry certified professionals. This is an exciting time in the history of our company and we’re looking forward to increasing the awareness of the Emergent brand.”

ABOUT EMERGENT

Emergent, formerly Telecommunication Professionals, Inc., founded in 1988, is a network services, business telephone and data communications company that specializes in technology solutions that give clients a competitive advantage and increased profitability. The company implements technology plans by providing products that fit the client’s needs. Emergent’s mission is to provide cost justification and investment protection.

The company maintains a full staff of factory-trained, certified technicians, sales associates and customer advocates that believe the dimensions of service quality are time and timeliness of the delivery of the service, completeness of the service, courtesy of those giving the service, consistency of the service, accessibility & convenience of obtaining the service, accuracy of the service, and responsiveness to emergencies.

ORLANDO, FL — May 1, 2007 — Emergent, an industry leader in telecommunications, announced today that the company has developed a new department to provide current and prospective customers with an even higher level of service and satisfaction. The Customer Advocate Department will help businesses of all sizes take advantage of leading communications technology to increase profitability, enhance productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace.

“We conducted a thorough needs analysis of our vast customer base and found that companies were interested in learning more about the latest developments in communications, find creative ways to reduce costs, and obtain a better understanding of how to efficiently utilize technology to grow their organizations. However, these same companies didn’t have the means, resources, or expertise to stay at the forefront of advancements in technology,” said Roger Scott, CEO of Emergent. “This attitude is very different than recent years when executives were only concerned with plugging in the equipment and letting them run on their own. Technology is changing so rapidly that in order to remain competitive one has to adapt and maximize it to the fullest extent or they may not be around tomorrow.”

The mission of Emergent’s Customer Advocate Department is to engage the telecommunication company’s customers and proactively make them aware of technologies that they haven’t currently adopted which could greatly benefit their business. Some examples of these technologies include Voice over Internet (VoIP), call accounting, web and audio conferencing, GPS tracking systems for company vehicles, voice recognition, and digital surveillance systems. Through its strategic partnerships with leading industry providers like Forval International, BandTel, Ultimate Software, IPx Connect, Network Car and MG Security Systems, Emergent can easily coordinate and implement numerous solutions, which in most cases will have an immediate impact on the performance of any company. Each Customer Advocate will communicate critical information via online technology seminars, ongoing email newsletters, and one-to-one communication.

“We strongly believe that our Customer Advocate Department will keep our customers educated on an ever changing technological environment and enhance the performance of their business,” added Mr. Scott. “Our objective is to assist our customers in bridging the gap to technology and design a game plan to successfully implement it within their companies. Our success depends on those businesses we serve and I feel it is Emergent’s duty, as their strategic telecommunications partner, to provide an avenue that will help them experience significant success.”

ABOUT EMERGENT
Emergent, formerly Telecommunication Professionals, Inc., is a business telephone and data communications company that has been serving Central Florida since 1988. The company understands that they play a major role in the successful communication between you and your customers. Emergent is serious about their responsibility as your communication partner. To assure the success of this business partnership, trust is an essential component. Trust is the essential component built into every product and service the company offers.

The company maintains a full staff of factory-trained, certified technicians, sales associates and customer advocates. Emergent believes the dimensions of service quality are time and timeliness of the delivery of the service, completeness of the service, courtesy of those giving the service, consistency of the service, accessibility and convenience of obtaining the service, accuracy of the service, and responsiveness to emergencies.

For more information on Emergent call (407) 834-2700 or visit www.askemergent.com

Roger Scott of Telecommunication Professionals, Inc. Illustrates How Companies Can Take Advantage of VoIP Networks

ORLANDO, FL — April 26, 2007 — Disruptive technologies are those that dramatically change the way we live and the way we conduct business. Recent examples include the Internet, wireless communications, handheld devices, and GPS tracking systems. Now, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is on the verge of having a similar impact in the business world. VoIP is sweeping through the telecommunications industry at an astonishing rate and in order for companies to prepare for the future it’s critical for them to take a hard look at this technology today.

Unlike regular phone service, VoIP conversations are transformed into digital information and sent over a broadband data network. For example, VoIP calls connect to a server where voice information is truncated into packets and sent across the Internet bypassing the long distance carrier altogether. This essentially means that VoIP callers do not use traditional phone lines and can avoid expensive long-distance charges.

In addition to substantial cost savings, VoIP networks provide companies with extensive flexibility. Traditional phone service simply doesn’t match the advanced features offered by VoIP. Unlike early versions of the technology, today’s VoIP service offers much greater voice clarity and advanced features such as conferencing, dialing the phone from a PC, and video chat. Furthermore, employees who use VoIP are more productive regardless if they’re at home or on the road. They can place and answer calls from any location using a VoIP handset. Features such as follow-me messaging enable employees to forward messages to several numbers, and it’s easy to access e-mail and voicemail from their PCs.

Growth expectations are extremely positive for VoIP. According to the Telecommunications Industry Association and Wilkofsky Gruen and Associates, VoIP access in the US will rise from 6.5 million lines this year to 19.2 million by the end of 2007.

The crucial decision in making the move to VoIP is selecting the right network. It’s an extremely difficult task for IT departments to purchase equipment and simply plug into the Internet. Just because one can turn voice into data and connect to the Internet does not mean the call will be a success. In order to communicate using VoIP from any location whether in the US or overseas, companies have to use a private network to ensure proper connection. A provider’s coverage is of particular importance. For example, if coverage is not available in specific areas employees may not be able to make calls to customers and vice versa.

Small to mid sized companies have a couple of options. For instance, they can directly tap into leading network providers such as Vancouver, Washington-based New Edge Networks with broadband coverage that spans the entire US or they can approach telecommunications consulting firms like San Diego’s Carrier Support Group. Their role is to analyze a company’s needs and identify the right provider to match those needs.

VoIP is here and companies are tackling this important decision today to ensure their communications tomorrow. This disruptive technology has the awesome capability of increasing profitability and giving companies a competitive advantage in their marketplace. Soon, operating a business without VoIP will be like trying to market without a web site. The time is now and the future is VoIP.

IF NOT, YOUR VOICE & DATA SYSTEM COULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE

Emergent Explains Why
ORLANDO, FL — April 3, 2007 — Telecommunications is a very dynamic industry that is constantly being enhanced by new technology. The technology is changing so rapidly that it’s vital for companies to ensure that their telecommunications provider stays on top of it. Unfortunately, too many businesses today continue to overlook this topic and do not ask a simple yet crucial question, “Is my telecommunication technician certified?” If the answer is a resounding yes, then you can probably put your mind at ease. However, if the answer is no, your company’s vital voice and data system could be in for a very painful surprise.

Would you let a mechanic that wasn’t’t properly trained work on your car? Probably not. So why not treat your voice and data system with the same care. It is just as important to make sure that your provider’s technicians understand the details behind their technology so they can properly install, service, and maintain your system to ensure its future reliability.
All too often businesses experience damaging affects by providers who don’t understand the technology they sell. The most common include:

• Lost revenue due to system downtime
• Increased costs from making repairs
• Permanent damage to system components
• Inability to effectively run the business

In order to combat these types of problems, leading telecommunications providers such as Orlando’s Telecommunication Professionals, Inc. incur substantial costs to guarantee that highly certified industry technicians are tending their clients’ voice and data systems. Telecommunication Professionals, Inc. requires hours of rigorous educational training for sales people, management and most importantly technicians, so they can fully understand today’s state-of-the-art voice and data systems.

Telecommunication Professionals, Inc. believes certification is an extremely valuable investment for both their employees as well as each one of their clients. Roger Scott, CEO of Telecommunication Professionals, Inc., said that its service technicians are comprised of professionals who enjoy being in the forefront of new emerging technologies. Their dedication, combined with the body of knowledge acquired from certified training, ensures Telecommunication Professionals, Inc.’s customers that their voice and data system will be serviced quicker, faster and better, all in a cost-effective manner. “Telecommunication Professionals, Inc. understands that it takes a high level of commitment and dedication to provide our technicians with the latest education and certification on convergent technologies,” said Mr. Scott. “Our customers can rest assured that when one of our technicians comes to their place of business to service or repair a voice and data system, that they will be able to diagnose the problem quickly and provide unsurpassed service in a timely and cost-effective manner.” Mr. Scott said service technician training and certification benefits the end-user. “Today, when our clients require service assistance they can expect less downtime for their telecom system, which translates into greater revenue for their business.” So if you don’t know the answer regarding your technician’s level of certification it may be time to ask. It’s much easier to prevent problems from occurring than take your chances with technicians who are less than knowledgeable about their technology.

ABOUT EMERGENT. Emergent is a business telephone and data communications company that has been serving Central Florida since 1988. The Company maintains a full staff of factory-trained, certified technicians, sales associates and customer advocates. TeleCommunication Professionals is serious about their responsibility as your communication partner. To assure the success of this business partnership, trust is an essential component. Trust is the essential component built into every product and service the company offers. TeleCommunication Professionals believes the dimensions of service quality are time and timeliness of the delivery of the service, completeness of the service, courtesy of those giving the service, consistency of the service, accessibility & convenience of obtaining the service, accuracy of the service, and responsiveness to emergencies. For more information on Telecommunication Professionals, Inc., call (407) 834-2700 or visit www.askEmergent.com.