Voice & Data Systems Helps Companies Take Advantage of Significant Tax-Breaks for New Technology

Voice & Data Systems Educates Customers on Powerful Stimulus Plan

OMAHA, NE AND COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA — DATE — Voice & Data Systems, a leading provider in unified communications, announced today that the company is helping customers take advantage of a large tax-break for small to mid-sized businesses with Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 179. The tax benefit targets businesses who are contemplating large equipment purchases, such as technology, and significantly reduces the cost of purchasing such equipment. Section 179 allows business owners to write-off the entire cost, up to $500,000, on new equipment purchases made by December 31^st, 2011.

Many Americans were left wondering how the Stimulus Package would have an impact on their lives and Section 179 has answered that question for many business owners. Creating significant savings on major purchases of equipment, software or phone systems, the federal government has left has enacted this bill in an effort to spurr business-to-business spending. Right now businesses can expense the entire purchase price of qualifying equipment/software/phone systems in the first year up to $500,000 (to be reduced to $125,000 at the end of the 2011 tax year). Also slated to expire at the end of the 2011 tax year is the 100% Bonus Depreciation, which will drop down to 50 percent. For example, assuming you’re in a 35% tax bracket, a $45,000 purchase would drop dramatically, and would cost approximately $29,250 after Section 179 has been applied to the transaction. In a transaction like this, Section 179 would yield a total savings of $15,750. While every transaction is different and tax professionals should be consulted on specific situations, the potential rewards of this government program has persuaded many business owners to seriously consider investing in new equipment before year-end.

The one caveat associated with this powerful program is that the new equipment must be in use by December 31, 2011 in order to qualify for the massive savings. This year, Section 179 also extends to cover software purchases in addition to traditional equipment. Many business owners have installed new business phone systems as a result of this addition to the tax code, because recent breakthroughs in telecommunications are enabling businesses to collaborate better, faster and more efficiently with one another.

“We were stunned to find out that so many of our customers had not yet heard of Section 179,” commented Steve Sawtell, President of Voice & Data Systems. “We may specialize in delivering technology solutions to our customers, but we treat our customers like partners. If we find something as powerful as this we have always considered it to be our duty to communicate this information to our customers. Our goal is to introduce our customers to technology that increases their productivity, but more importantly increases their profitability . When an opportunity like this comes along, we’re thrilled to skip discussions regarding technology, and go straight to the part where our customers get to enjoy increased profitability. That’s why we’re different and we plan on continuing to treat our customers like gold.”

ABOUT VOICE & DATA SYSTEMS

Voice & Data Systems provides state-of-the-art communications technology to businesses in the  Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and surrounding communities. The company creates customized, turnkey solutions specific to their customer's business for telephone systems, data networks and converged networking applications. Voice & Data Systems  friendly, manufacturer-certified technicians are available 24/7 to serve business needs for communication systems as well as voice, data, fiber optic and video cabling, testing and troubleshooting. Their mission is to provide technology solutions that increase their customers' profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace.

For more information, please call (402) 571-9049 or visit www.voicendata.net.

Voice & Data Systems Delivers Desktop-to-Desktop Videoconferencing Solutions

OMAHA, NE AND COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA- DATE – Voice & Data Systems, an industry leader in unified communications, announced today that they have extended their product offering to include desktop-to-desktop videoconferencing solutions. These solutions will add a vital component to the breadth and depth of Voice & Data Systems’ product mix, and will give their customers tremendous flexibility when collaborating.

            Desktop-to-desktop video conferencing solutions enable users to conduct face-to-face meetings without leaving their desk. Multiple parties can collaborate with one another on various projects, increasing office productivity. Essentially, this dynamic technology elevates our expectations of basic web and audio conferencing tools.Users simply log-in to their video conferencing provider’s software, turn on their webcam and are then able to view one another and interact as if everyone were sitting in the same room. Videoconferencing has gained traction due to its ability to show non-verbal communication and increase the “human feel” of meetings. Additionally, Voice & Data Systems’ customers are experiencing huge savings in travel related expenses and have eliminated unnecessary travel time.

            “We’re thrilled to bring another critical solution to our loyal customer base,” commented Steve Sawtell. “This technology has been available for years but it has finally matured and reached the desktop. We are seeing many of our customers utilizing this  to leave their competitors in the dust. Our philosophy has been, and always will be, to create a long-term relationship with our customers by providing them with technology that either increases their profitability or provides them with a competitive advantage,” added Sawtell. “Desktop-to-desktop videoconferencing is poised to revolutionize the way small to mid-sized businesses communicate and compete with large corporations.”

ABOUT VOICE & DATA SYSTEMS

Voice & Data Systems provides state-of-the-art communications technology to businesses in the  Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and surrounding communities. The company creates customized, turnkey solutions specific to their customer's business for telephone systems, data networks and converged networking applications. Voice & Data Systems  friendly, manufacturer-certified technicians are available 24/7 to serve business needs for communication systems as well as voice, data, fiber optic and video cabling, testing and troubleshooting. Their mission is to provide technology solutions that increase their customers' profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace.

For more information, please call (402) 571-9049 or visit www.voicendata.net.

The Risks and Rewards of Virtualization in the Cloud

SMBs Leverage Solutions Designed to Enhance Productivity and Profits

        OMAHA, NE AND COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - DATE – Over the recent few years, virtualization has been gaining ground among small to mid-sized businesses. Essentially, it involves the creation of a virtual version of something, such as a hardware platform, operating system, storage device or network resource. The overarching goal of virtualization is to improve an organization’s scalability and increase their capacity to handle heavy workloads.  In a fast-paced business world, many business owners have been quick to take advantage of this opportunity but we are finally beginning to see some of the potential downsides. While adoption rates continue to grow, business owners must continue to ask themselves, “Do the rewards of virtualization really outweigh the risks?”

          In examining this question, we must have a firm grasp of the main risks that businesses face when they make the decision to virtualize their assets. Firstly, a business must decide whether to handle the transition internally or externally. Often times existing IT staff lack the expertise necessary to mange the transition. New technologies require new skill sets and many IT professionals have not had sufficient experience to handle such a complex transition.

Another risk that business owners face is whether or not they’re selecting the right software platforms to utilize in transitioning each part of their business to the cloud. Each platform has different core functions, strengths and weaknesses and this needs to be considered when making a buying decision. Most businesses prefer to bring in third parties to leverage their technical expertise to make sure the new technology is tailor-fit to satisfy each SMBs individual needs. Additionally, third party technology providers, alleviate concerns regarding the challenge of how to gather sensitive information from IT personnel without endangering the business.

It’s important to note that while these challenges are very real for business owners, the trend is still in favor of virtualization. The primary way that business owners are overcoming these obstacles is by partnering with a reputable technology provider to handle the transition and mitigate these risks. By bringing  in a partner that is on the leading edge of technology, business owners can be rest assured that implementation will be handled professionally by experienced personnel.

New virtual systems are run remotely at high-security, often military-grade, facilities which offer far greater protection for sensitive corporate information. Additionally, these facilities are monitored by experts who continuously search for the latest technology to better protect vital business systems. Virtualization may have its downsides but as long as we are aware of the potential risks beforehand,  the transition yields very significant rewards.

      Voice & Data Systems provides state-of-the-art communications technology to businesses in the  Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and surrounding communities. The company creates customized, turnkey solutions specific to their customer's business for telephone systems, data networks and converged networking applications. Voice & Data Systems  friendly, manufacturer-certified technicians are available 24/7 to serve business needs for communication systems as well as voice, data, fiber optic and video cabling, testing and troubleshooting. Their mission is to provide technology solutions that increase their customers' profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace.

        For more information, please call (402) 571-9049 or visit www.voicendata.net 

Voice & Data Systems Helps Customers Combat Recession With Advanced Technology

SMBs Leverage Solutions Designed to Enhance Productivity and Profits

           OMAHA, NE AND COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - March 28, 2011 - Voice & Data Systems, a leading unified communications provider, announced today that the company is proactively protecting its customers from antiquated technology and providing them with a competitive advantage in their marketplace. By providing extensive technical training to the staff, Voice & Data Systems has been able to leverage the superior knowledge of its workforce to detect and protect its customers from aging technology, all the while increasing their profitability and providing their customers with a competitive advantage.

           The latest technology that Voice & Data Systems has introduced to its customers is Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The advent of SIP has expanded the limits of traditional telephony and has enabled many business owners to experience the benefits of sophisticated IP Telephony. The driving factor behind SIP is that the technology cuts many redundant costs associated with traditional telephony systems. Additionally, businesses are also attracted to SIP because of the ease in which it expands an organization's overall capabilities. For example, SIP Trunking provides significant improvements in call quality for IP based telephony by dedicating a separate "channel" to handle the traffic. SIP Trunking also supports multiple forms of communication including video and instant messaging so businesses can reach out to customers through a myriad of mediums.  Voice & Data Systems' salespeople are technological experts who consistently research developing technologies, like SIP, and bring them to customers in order to enhance their profitability and increase their competitive advantage.

           "By transitioning a number of our telecommunications customers from antiquated TDM, PBX and Key Systems to more refined IP Telephony systems we've chopped many of our customers phone bills in half," states Steve Sawtell, President of Voice & Data Systems. "We viewed this program as an investment in our customers' future. Basically, the bet we made was that if our staff was constantly examining and testing out new technology, eventually we'd find something that we could bring to our customers before their competitors even knew what was on the horizon. Nothing makes us happier than to see our customers utilizing our technology to leave their competitors in the dust."

           Voice & Data Systems is also associated with Technology Assurance Group (TAG) which is an international organization that collectively represents approximately $350 million in products and services in the unified communications industry. Dale Stein, Partner of TAG, comments "Voice & Data Systems has always been an innovator. We're thrilled to hear that their new program has been a success and we're pleased to be associated with a thought-leader in their prestigious business community."

           Voice & Data Systems provides state-of-the-art communications technology to businesses in the  Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and surrounding communities. The company creates customized, turnkey solutions specific to their customer's business for telephone systems, data networks and converged networking applications. Voice & Data Systems  friendly, manufacturer-certified technicians are available 24/7 to serve business needs for communication systems as well as voice, data, fiber optic and video cabling, testing and troubleshooting. Their mission is to provide technology solutions that increase their customers' profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace. 

For more information, please call (402) 571-9049 or visit www.voicendata.net.

Voice & Data Systems Offers Customers Virtual Hosted Office Systems

Leading Unified Communications Provider Helps Customers Take Advantage of Cloud Based Technologies to Advance Their Business

OMAHA, NE AND COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - DATE – Voice & Data Systems, an industry leader in unified communications, announced today that the company is providing its customers with Virtual Hosted Office systems designed to help small to mid-sized businesses take advantage of the latest in cloud-based technologies. 

Cloud-based technologies are not only part of the future of technology, they have become an integral part of the present. Virtual Hosted Office systems provide secured access to company data and applications from anywhere in the world and small to mid-sized businesses are deploying this technology in order to remain competitive in today’s economic environment. The driving forces behind this growth are increased profitability and enhanced IT infrastructure security.

            “Many small to mid-sized businesses have absolutely no need for on-site servers, and they can just as easily be hosted in the cloud for a fraction of the cost. Additionally, Virtual Hosted Office systems are continuously updated which provides dramatic cost savings over purchasing and repurchasing servers, comments Steve Sawtell, President of Voice & Data Systems. “Furthermore, these systems provide all hardware and operating system upgrades necessary for proper server upkeep, which translates into reduced costs for business owners.”

            Virtual Hosted Office systems also bring an element of enhanced IT security to SMBs. Since systems are hosted off-site in multiple, excessively secure, “disaster-proof”, 24x7x365 monitored, “bunker-style” facilities, companies are able to operate with much greater levels of security. In fact, Virtual Hosted Office Solutions are compliant with all HIPPA regulations, Sarbanes-Oxley and other security regulation laws as well.

            Cloud-based technologies have revolutionized the way today’s businesses function, and companies like Voice & Data Systems are adding value to their customers by introducing advanced technologies like Virtual Hosted Office systems.

  ABOUT VOICE & DATA SYSTEMS 

          Voice & Data Systems provides state-of-the-art communications technology to businesses in the  Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and surrounding communities. The company creates customized, turnkey solutions specific to their customer's business for telephone systems, data networks and converged networking applications.

          Voice & Data Systems  friendly, manufacturer-certified technicians are available 24/7 to serve business needs for communication systems as well as voice, data, fiber optic and video cabling, testing and troubleshooting. Their mission is to provide technology solutions that increase their customers' profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace. 

For more information, please call (402) 571-9049 or visit www.voicendata.net.

Voice & Data Systems Stops Their Customers’ Networks from Being Attacked

Region’s Leading Unified Communications Provider Protects Their Customers’ Valuable Information with Robust Solutions Designed to Safeguard Data Networks

OMAHA, NE AND COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA — DATE— Attacks on an organization’s data network occur on a frequent basis.  This may come in the form of viruses, spyware or phishing.  Many small to mid-sized businesses are missing the necessary technology to properly defend their critical information.  As a result, Voice & Data Systems is delivering robust solutions such as email security, web defense and off site data backup applications that create a solid fortress to combat everyday threats.

            “One of the easiest avenues to penetrate a company’s network is through email,” commented Steve Sawtell, President of Voice & Data Systems.  “Unwanted email continues to rise every year and as this occurs the threat to the network dramatically increases.  The negative effect includes decreased employee productivity and downtime as well as the monetary costs associated with fixing the network if it’s penetrated.  Therefore, we have introduced to our customers a fully managed email defense software that provides perimeter-based security.”

The intuitive solution offers a variety of benefits including spam blocking, virus and worm scanning, and email attack and fraud protection.  The software also presents the network administrator with a number user friendly reports designed to aide in making the necessary changes to effectively deal with new threats.  This must have business application manages, monitors and protects an organization’s email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Additionally, Voice & Data Systems offers a web defense solution that proactively zeros in on spyware, viruses and phishing attacks.  Web defense safeguards the entire network including remote users and adapts to the latest threats that occur.  Companies benefit immediately after its implementation.  For example, web defense reduces unproductive web surfing, network congestion, and employee downtime.  It protects against vicious attacks and potential fraud, lowers the risk of confidential information leaks, identifies spyware-infected computers, and increases web visibility because it determines how end users spend their time on the web.  However, the most important benefit is that it eliminates the time spent by IT professionals on threat management and enables them to focus on achieving strategic business objectives. 

According to a survey conducted by Continuity Insights magazine, KPMG Risk Advisory Services, and The Hartford’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness, more than 25% of all businesses experience a significant crisis in any given year – of those that do not have a data recovery plan, 43% will not re-open.  The practice of storing information, the heart and lifeblood of any organization, onto data tapes locally and having someone take them home for safekeeping is an outdated and dangerous practice. 

Voice & Data Systems provides an off site data backup solution in the event the network goes down.  This tool automatically and securely backs up all of an organization’s data directly to the onsite appliance while simultaneously backing up a copy to the offsite storage application.  This solution eliminates the need to store and manage data tapes, reduces the expensive hardware needed to maintain those tapes, and increases the recovery speed of lost data.

“Advances in threat protection have come to a point where it’s extremely cost effective for any business to secure their most critical asset.  As our customers’ trusted technology advisor we strongly encourage all organizations to take advantage of these solutions because it gives every business owner the peace of mind that their network and information are secure,” commented Mr. Sawtell.

ABOUT VOICE & DATA SYSTEMS

Voice & Data Systems provides state-of-the-art communications technology to businesses in the  Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and surrounding communities. The company creates customized, turnkey solutions specific to their customer's business for telephone systems, data networks and converged networking applications. Voice & Data Systems  friendly, manufacturer-certified technicians are available 24/7 to serve business needs for communication systems as well as voice, data, fiber optic and video cabling, testing and troubleshooting. Their mission is to provide technology solutions that increase their customers' profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace. 

 
For more information, please call (402) 571-9049 or visit www.voicendata.net.

Voice & Data Systems Offers Innovative Data Backup Solutions to Protect

UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SET TO EXPLODE IN 2011

Steve Sawtell of Voice & Data Systems Shares Insights on Technology’s Rapid Growth Among SMBs With International Organization.

OMAHA, NE AND COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA — April 28, 2011 — Voice & Data Systems, a leading unified communications provider, announced expectations of heavy industry growth for the coming year during an interview with Technology Assurance Group (TAG), an international organization of unified communications companies spread throughout the United States and Canada.  The TAG organization monitors sales, financial performance and other economic indicators among technology providers.  “It’s exciting to see that small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are ramping up acquisition of the latest technology across the country and that even some of the toughest pockets of the nation are beginning to show signs of strong growth,” stated Steve Sawtell, President of Voice & Data Systems.

Several factors are contributing to the turnaround and technology is driving the next bull market.  Historically, technology has proven itself to be one of the first sectors to pull the economy out of a recessionary period and business owners are investing heavily in disruptive technologies that cut costs and improve employee productivity.

One of the most influential and recent technological breakthroughs in business communications is Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).  In simple terms, SIP supports any form of real-time communication regardless of whether the content is voice, video, instant messaging, or a collaboration application.  Additionally, SIP enables users to inform others of their status, their availability, and how they can be contacted before a communication is even initiated. “SIP is reinventing the way we communicate and our customers now have an upper hand on their competition,” commented Sawtell.

Another powerful technology making its way into is the SMB marketplace is Hosted Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).  Hosted VoIP serves the needs of entrepreneurs and enterprises alike, by delivering powerful features such as improved call quality, valuable disaster recovery tools, and applications designed specifically for telecommuters and remote workers.  Included in the system are advanced features such as unified messaging, automatic call distribution, auto attendant, call recording, call flow reporting as well as traditional telephony features.

A growing trend among business owners is to outsource the management of their IT networks with managed IT services.  Consequently, this is stimulating the economy since these services are designed specifically to assist companies in maintaining and supporting their network and IT infrastructure.  Types of services may include remote network monitoring and reporting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, firewall monitoring, intrusion detection, patch assessment and vulnerability scanning, preventative tasks, disaster recovery, data backup and regular performance analysis.

“Today’s marketplace demands excellence from all areas of a business and several of the products and services we provide are enabling our customers to increase their profitability and gain a competitive advantage,” stated Mr. Sawtell.  Competition may be fierce, but we rest easy knowing that our customers can react more quickly and with greater efficiency than their competitors.”

Steve Sawtell was interviewed by TAG regarding his views on the future of technology because he is well-known in the industry, possesses substantial technical expertise and has built a strong reputation in his/her community.  Dale Johnson, President of TAG added, “Steve» has always been able to peer around the corner and see what’s coming so he can help his customers take advantage on what’s on the horizon.  His organization expends a tremendous amount of effort to reside on the leading edge of technology but he does it simply because it is the right thing to do.  We are proud to be associated with a technology futurist like Steve.”

ABOUT VOICE & DATA SYSTEMS

Voice & Data Systems provides state-of-the-art communications technology to businesses in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and surrounding communities.  The company creates customized, turnkey solutions specific to their customer's business for telephone systems, data networks and converged networking applications.  Voice & Data Systems friendly, manufacturer-certified technicians are available 24/7 to serve business needs for communication systems as well as voice, data, fiber optic and video cabling, testing and troubleshooting.  Their mission is to provide technology solutions that increase their customers' profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace.

For more information, please call (402) 571-9049 or visit www.voicendata.net.

ABOUT TECHNOLOGY ASSURANCE GROUP (TAG)

Technology Assurance Group, LLC (TAG) is a national organization of leading independently owned telecommunications companies.  TAG provides its members with the competitive advantages necessary to achieve a dominant position in their marketplace.  Members benefit from programs including strategic partnerships with communication solution providers, best business and management practices, and advanced sales training programs.  TAG’s mission is to leverage it members’ combined economic power, to increase their sales and profit margins, and to bring advanced technology to the marketplace.

For more information on TAG, please call 858-673-5800 or visit www.tagnational.com 

Region’s Leading Technology Provider Helps Businesses Do More with Less

OMAHA, NE AND COUNCI BLUFFS, IA – February 28, 2011 –Voice & Data Systems, an industry leader in unified communications, announced today that the company is relentlessly educating its customers on the latest technologies designed to increase their profitability and enhance employee productivity, particularly in these tough economic times. The technologies that Voice & Data Systems is focusing on helping companies do more with less.

While the economic whiplash has sent many companies back to the starting block, others are capitalizing on these types of advancements to better position themselves for recovery. The financial gurus may try to convince business owners that a dreaded double-dip is imminent, but for the technologically adept, an uptrend is more likely.  Voice & Data Systems, is paving the way by introducing businesses to leading edge technologies that drive profitability, now. 

“We understand that the economy has mounted tremendous pressure on our customers to be more productive, with fewer resources at their disposal. We believe that it is our responsibility to proactively search and deploy solutions that drive our customers’ profitability and provide them with a competitive advantage. It’s up to us to make sure that our customers have technology that enables them to do more with less,” stated President, Steve Sawtell.

One of the ways that Voice & Data Systems is boosting customer profitability is through an application called presence management.  This application eliminates the guessing game of knowing where people are and what they’re doing, and allows individuals to indicate their status (in a meeting, “back at 2pm,” at lunch, “send calls to my cell”, etc.) and promises “you’ll never miss a call again.” By increasing the speed of communication, more opportunities can be seized; more current customers can be satisfied, and more profits can make it to the bottom line.

Similarly, Voice & Data Systems is utilizing call recording technology in order to help organizations increase employee productivity. According to Dr. Jon Anton from Purdue University, “On average, employees answer the phone 19% faster, spend 29% less time on the phone and do after-call work three times faster when they know they’re being recorded.” Remarkably, many business owners have not adopted call recording technologies. Voice & Data Systems is looking to “bridge the gap” by educating their customers on solutions aimed to help small to mid-sized businesses come out on top.

Voice & Data Systems provides state-of-the-art communications technology to businesses in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and surrounding communities. The company creates customized, turnkey solutions specific to their customer's business for telephone systems, data networks and converged networking applications. Voice & Data Systems friendly, manufacturer-certified technicians are available 24/7 to serve business needs for communication systems as well as voice, data, fiber optic and video cabling, testing and troubleshooting. Their mission is to provide technology solutions that increase their customers' profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace.