When it comes to the health of your business — both now and in the future — it’s impossible to understate the role of technology. From internal meetings to reaching your customers, great IT is crucial. But just how good of a handle do you have on your business’s IT needs? Are you aware of all of the IT problems you’re facing? Let’s discuss how to problem-solve with IT solutions in Knoxville.

Curious about managed IT services?

Here’s a scenario: you’re passionate about your business — that’s great, we are too! However, you’re not so passionate about navigating your business’s IT issues, or, perhaps, you just don’t have the time. This is where Net3’s managed IT services come in.

Managed IT Services are exactly what they sound like — the IT services you need for your business to run smoothly are managed by an outside expert. Your managed services provider (MSP) becomes responsible for your IT service and equipment. Net3 is proud to provide IT solutions in Knoxville as a leading MSP. In fact, we take care of all the following services:

  • Firewalls
  • Servers
  • Workstation services
  • End user services
  • VoIP (Voice over IP) phone services
  • Telecom & Internet services
  • Cabling
  • Backup monitoring and administration

If you’re still on the fence, it’s important to consider the main reason to choose a managed IT provider. Choosing a dedicated expert to tackle your IT issues as they arise can allow you to focus on making your business thrive.

What is VoIP, and how can it help you?

Another common question when it comes to IT services is regarding VoIP — what exactly is it, and how can it help you problem-solve for your business? Voice-over IP or VoIP services allow users to make phone calls over an internet connection instead of a traditional phone line.

With VoIP solutions in Knoxville from Net3, you and your team can call anyone who has a telephone number — local, long-distance, mobile, or international. Some services can even connect your traditional phone to a VoIP adapter, allowing you to use Voice-over IP services from anywhere. VoIP services allow you to truly connect to anyone from anywhere with ease, making any shifts to remote work seamless.

Some specifics about our implementation solutions

If you’re unsure what “implementation solutions” entails, let’s dive into this a bit. If they sound non-specific, that’s because they are. What’s great about implementation solutions is that they will likely vary from business to business. In brief, implementation solutions from Net3 can solve whatever additional IT obstacles your business has — from equipment to bandwidth or logistics. Just a few examples of implementations solutions Net3 is happy to provide include:

  • Email migration to Office 365
  • Application and data migration from on-site servers or workstations to cloud-based environments (private cloud, public cloud, and SaaS)
  • Local server storage to Storage Area Networks(SANs), Network Attached Storage (NAS) and cloud storage solutions (AWS & Azure)
  • Network assessments

These are just a few examples of implementation solutions. We’re more than happy to discuss your business’s unique challenges and needs at any time.

What are the benefits of strategic IT planning?

Strategic IT planning is another crucial aspect of problem-solving for the entirety of your business’s IT infrastructure. Strategic IT planning is defining your organization’s goals and documenting how your current infrastructure and capabilities can work to meet those objectives. If you anticipate growth, downsizing, major transitions, or any high-risk projects for your business, a strategic IT plan can provide valuable guidance on overcoming those hurdles with as little interruption to your operations as possible.

To learn more about the benefits of strategic IT planning and more, check out the Top 10 Benefits of Outsourcing Your IT.

contact net3 it

Your business phone systems are what connect your company with clients and potential customers. They are the life-force of your business — but are they really offering you as much as they could be?

If you’re still relying on traditional phone systems then the answer is simple: No! Net3 IT can provide mobility, responsiveness, resources, and features to take your company to the next level!

Here’s what you get when you switch to our business phone systems.

Mobility

What happens if your business loses power or your phone line goes out? Are you at risk of missing out on important business opportunities and client calls? Not with Net3 IT’s hosted PBX business phone systems!

Because the system is hosted in the cloud it can automatically reroute any incoming call to an offsite extension or even your cellphone, so you’re never at risk of missing out on opportunities.

Additionally, Net3 IT’s PBX system has a free mobile app called Reach UC that allows you to make and receive calls and send and receive business text messages all from your cell phone. The app ensures that the calls and texts use your business phone number so that your personal privacy is protected while allowing you the freedom of connecting with clients anywhere you are.

Quick Responses & Vast Resources

When you need a new phone and line or have system problems, you could spend hours waiting on your traditional phone provider or trying to troubleshoot the problem on your own. But with Net3 IT’s business phone system, that’s never an issue!

If you need a new phone and line to accommodate a new employee or business growth, Net3 IT will not only provide you with the equipment but also set it up for you if needed. Not that you need much help considering that unlike traditional phone systems that require tons of equipment, our VoIP phones are made to be plugged in, turned on, and used! Easy set-up designed for a busy lifestyle.

Also, if you ever run into trouble with your business phone system, you need only call Net3 IT’s dedicated, knowledgeable team to receive immediate assistance and resources. With our experience, partnering with Net3 IT is like having your own in-house IT team but without all the hassle! We keep up with industry trends and technology for you, keeping expert tools and resources right at your fingertips.

Extensive Features

With a traditional phone system, your business already has access to standard features like call forwarding and secure voicemail, but wouldn’t your team be more efficient with bonus features like call recording, voicemail transcription, and text messaging services? Of course, they would be! And with Net3 IT’s business phone systems you get all that and so much more. Enjoy features such as:

  • Voicemail-to-email — Too busy to listen to countless voicemail messages? Read them via email or on the web instead!
  • Advanced auto-attendant — Ensure that your callers are directed to the right person with a virtual assistant or voice recorded operator.
  • Customizable hold music — Keep your callers entertained while on hold with music and messages customized to your business needs.
  • Business SMS — Meet your clients where they are — on their mobile devices! With business SMS services, you can text clients easily from your business number.

Save Time & Money with Net3 IT’s Business Phone Systems

Are you ready to start experiencing the mobility, benefits, and features of a VoIP phone system? Contact us today and learn how our systems can provide your business with an affordable solution that saves your team time, allow you to be more effective at your own jobs, and provide vast resources and assistance to keep your IT services running smoothly!

As technology continues to evolve and mobile phones become more prevalent, the benefits of business SMS for every industry become more and more obvious.

The number of people who own and use mobile phones just continues to rise every day all around the world. And people are more and more often expecting companies to communicate with them via text/SMS the way they communicate with each other. It makes sense to use text messages to reach out to your customers because that’s what they already use!

More importantly, business SMS services are perfect for small and mid-sized businesses. Why? Because they offer the efficiency, speed, and features that will keep your business up-to-date and flourishing in the modern environment.

Business SMS Features

With a business text/SMS service, your business can communicate valuable marketing information to your customers quickly and efficiently. You’ll be able to send mobile coupons, take orders, make sales — all from the touch of a few buttons!

Additionally, with a service like Net3 IT’s, you don’t have to install any extra apps because the service works just like regular text messaging. Also, you’ll be able to keep track of information better by having it all in one place and maintain your anonymity by using your business line and not handing out your personal cellphone number!

Some of the most valuable features of business SMS include the ability to:

  • Send and receive messages to and from extensions or 10-digit local or long-distance numbers
  • Message colleagues, clients, and departments with a business identity — even from personal devices
  • Reply to an incoming message from a mobile app, desktop app, or by email
  • Text seamlessly across devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers
  • Collaborate more effectively by communicating in a single text thread
  • Send and receive images, videos, and files

The Benefits of Business SMS

In addition to the features listed above, using text messaging to communicate with your customers allows you to send notifications about new events or sales, appointment reminders, confirmations, account changes — basically, anything you can do through your desktop systems!

Furthermore, using text/SMS services streamlines your internal communication because you’ll be able to quickly notify your team about important company information, safety issues, closings, etc. with minimal effort on your part.

When you switch to business SMS, here are a few of the benefits you can expect:

  • Communicate with clients, coworkers, and internal departments
  • Use your main business number to send SMS and reinforce your brand
  • Text and reply across smartphones, tablets, computers, and mobile apps
  • Use AI to respond automatically to common questions
  • Send messages to multiple numbers at once
  • Customer messages and communications are no longer stuck on personal devices

No matter what industry you are in, the benefits of business SMS services are clear. They allow you to streamline communications with clients team members, send out important messages quickly and efficiently, use your business line and maintain your personal anonymity, and secure client messages all in one place. Want to know how business SMS services from Net3 IT can help your company? Request a consultation with our experts today!

 

 

Whether you sometimes work remotely, travel often for your job, or just want the freedom of mobility, Net3 IT’s Reach UC app is perfect for keeping you productive on-the-go!

With a variety of helpful, tested, flexible features and an easy-to-use interface, the Reach UC app is the perfect way to improve your communication, streamline all your business processes, and facilitate growth and success for your company.

So what is Reach UC? It is an app that runs on any device and provides you with all the best features of Net3 IT’s cloud PBX system anywhere you may be! With Reach UC you can continue working seamlessly straight from any modern web browser or smartphone — a portable solution to help your productivity soar!

How It Works

Using the app is incredibly easy — when someone calls your desk phone, the call also rings the app on your smartphone. See? How easy is that?

You can make calls over your cellular data or connected Wi-Fi signal. Either way, you get perfect reception anywhere you are. And you don’t have to give out your personal cell phone number. The called party will simply see your business line on the caller ID.

Even when signal strength is less-than-perfect, your calls consistently go through because the Reach UC app will let you choose to use a cellular data signal or Wi-Fi.

Reach UC Features

Flawless phone reception anywhere you need it and the freedom of mobility isn’t all Reach UC has to offer. This powerful app was built to be endlessly scalable, flexible, and reliable so that it can grow and change over time, just like your business and needs!

With Reach UC’s wide range of features and capabilities, your communication solution will always remain relevant and competitive. Our powerful app includes:

  • Easy setup and login via your cloud PBX credentials
  • Simple call transferring from your desk phone to your smartphone with one click
  • A searchable directory of your contacts with availability status icons
  • Changeable call handling rules to activate call screening or forward calls
  • The option to record calls and save the file right to your smartphone
  • Clear conference calls and video calls
  • Access to your cloud PBX voicemail
  • The ability to send and receive text messages and pictures using your business line
  • And much more!

The app can also be integrated with your other productivity apps. That way you have easy access to everything you need right when you need it.

Best of all, when you use the Reach UC app from Net3 IT, you get our most powerful solution — us! Our customer support is second to none and our experienced, responsive team will be available all day, every day to enable your business to grow, succeed, and thrive — and sound great while you do it!

Are you ready to start streamlining your communication and upgrading your productivity and mobility? Download the Reach UC app from Net3 IT today!

 

Long gone are the days when businesses required an onsite phone system with expensive, dedicated circuits — now VoIP business features allow you to send and receive calls over your existing network. And, by leveraging your existing equipment and Internet connection, your costs stay low — a necessity for small businesses!

With Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems you have all the benefits of an old-school, onsite system, and more, including calling anyone with a telephone number, long-distance, local, mobile, or even international. Some options even allow you to connect a traditional phone to a VoIP adapter so that you can use your VoIP services anywhere.

While there are many advantages of VoIP business systems, such as lower calling cost, greater manageability, and enhanced mobility, there are a few features absolutely essential to any small or medium business.

The Top 5 Must-Have VoIP Business Features

Extensions

Firstly, your phone system must have multiple extensions. Having the ability to receive multiple calls and route them to other people or message systems is vital for any company. Virtual extensions allow a single phone number to receive multiple calls which can be answered by a “live” person or by system auto-attendant and then properly routed to the desired department or staff member regardless of whether they are in the same building or physical location. These are a wonderful bonus to companies like non-profits and medical centers that field many daily calls. And, when you use a provider like Net3IT with managed services offerings and support, you receive added integrations with some of the newest technologies. For example, Microsoft Teams is a collaborative secure environment for shared files, screen shares, notes, chats, and information logs integrated into Net3IT’s cloud phone solutions.

IVR or Attendant

The Interactive Voice Response (IVR) or system auto attendant feature can eliminate the need for a receptionist and make even the smallest business big. The IVR acts as a virtual assistant to answer incoming calls with a custom greeting. From there, callers can select departments, extensions, or pre-recorded messages. Depending on how you customize your IVR, clients could use a dial-by-name or dial-by-extension option.

Find me/Follow me

Find me or Follow me refers to a list of preset numbers the system will try to reach you through. When you are away from your desk or on the road, you no longer have to worry about missing calls. If you miss a call to your desk phone, the system will push the call through to the next number on your list. If you’re still unavailable the call is routed to your voicemail, automatically and can be emailed directly to you for convenient listening. With this feature, you’ll never miss out on an important call again.

Call Recording

Next, your phone system should have the ability to record your calls. Whether the message contains vital details you may need later or is used for training, recording is a vital asset. With VoIP services, recording can be accomplished with the click of a mouse. You won’t even have to have set up something prior to the need. And, once recorded, the message can be stored and easily retrieved later. This gives you the ability to check the quality of your work and make sure it always stays high.

Conference Calling

Finally, conference calling is an obvious necessity. With built-in conference features, you’ll be able to organize calls and access them inside or outside your company through the conference line. You can access conference calls at any time simply by entering a password. This is just an added layer of security for you and your clients. Additionally, you can easily connect to your remote offices or add an unlimited number of participants to your calls.

While these are the top VoIP business features your business needs, there are many others that you take your company to the next level. Other VoIP features to look for are:

  • Application Integration (MS-Outlook, Salesforce, URL based, Click-to-Dial)
  • Voicemail
  • Call forwarding
  • Caller ID
  • Intercom/Paging
  • Free domestic long-distance calls
  • International calls
  • System management

At Net3IT, we’ve installed VoIP for businesses of all sizes, across a range of industries. Of our existing clients, all have made the switch from traditional to VoIP because of its features. The best VoIP business features include cost-savings, scalability, robust feature set, and ease of use. Contact us to learn more about what VoIP phone services can add to your business!

As businesses grow, conference calls become more and more important. Remote team members, busy clients, and scheduling conflicts can make setting up in-person meetings difficult. Getting everyone together on a single call is often the most convenient option.

As the technology for conference calls evolves and the complexities of business communication grow along with it, it’s important to maintain a system that can keep up with this growth. That’s where using VoIP for conference calls comes in.

Why VoIP for Conference Calls?

As you may already know, VoIP (Voice-Over Internet Protocol) services allow you to make calls from anywhere that you can connect to the internet. You can make calls right from your computer, a VoIP phone, or a phone with a VoIP adapter.

In addition to this convenience, here are some of the reasons VoIP is a great choice for conference calls.

First, VoIP improves the sound quality of conference calls over traditional calls. Because VoIP uses the Internet to transmit signals, it doesn’t matter how many people are on the call. With a good Internet connection, conference calls are crisp and clear – even with 20 people on the call.

Second, the setup and configuration of conference calling are simpler with VoIP – and it offers more options. A normal call can become a conference call and vice versa simply and quickly. In addition, video can be a part of the conference call thanks to VoIP. Those without access to a camera can still join the audio call and view presentation material, making meetings run more smoothly, even when participants aren’t in the office.

VoIP makes it simple for users to mute their end of the call and drop in and out of meetings as needed without interrupting the call. Overall, the simplicity of the system in addition to these conveniences make VoIP the superior choice for conference calls.

Finally, high-quality VoIP conference calls can save your company money. Because the call quality is well-defined and video functionality allows presenters to showcase their material clearly, meetings that previously would have required a business trip can now be held from the comfort of your conference room. Save those travel expenses to grow your business in other ways!

As a modern business, you need access to conference calls to keep your company running smoothly. The benefits of VoIP for conference calls make VoIP the best choice to keep your office operating at its best.

 

For your business, you need practical, no-nonsense solutions that keep your team productive without further complicating important processes. But when do you know it’s time to leave behind trusted, though somewhat dated, technology for something newer and more powerful? If you’re debating VoIP vs landline for business, you’ll want to compare the pros and cons for both.

About VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) converts voice or analog calls into data packets that are then sent over the internet. VoIP services allow you to call landlines and mobile phones as easily as you would with a traditional telephone. Today, VoIP is a popular, widespread, and dependable technology. You only need a high-speed internet connection to make calls from anywhere, whether it’s at the office, at home, on the road, or at a client site.

VoIP vs. Landline for Business

Compared to an extensive landline system, VoIP is generally cheaper, both in setup and in monthly/yearly fees. VoIP is a great alternative to landlines for SMBs because it can help to free up much-needed budget for other projects. It’s also easy to scale up or down, depending on the needs of your business, and offers a range of features to optimize the experience.

VoIP calls are crystal clear and indistinguishable from landline phone calls, with 99.9% uptime. It does, however, require a high-speed connection. Therefore, if your office is located in a rural area without stable internet or is prone to power outages, it may not be as effective a solution for you. If your team regularly has to work from home or take calls while on the road or on-site with a client, the accessibility and mobility of VoIP make it more convenient.

Switching to VoIP

Once you’ve decided to move on from a traditional landline system, it’s easy to set up your office for a VoIP phone system. And with the help of a trusted and experienced managed services provider, it’s even simpler. An MSP like Net3 IT can work with you every step of the way, from decision-making to installation and training.

Equipment
VoIP doesn’t require a lot of hardware. You can make calls from your computer, VoIP phone, or mobile device. Some traditional telephones can even be set up with a specialized adapter.

Setup
Your MSP can ensure that VoIP is working once the new phones or adapters are installed. They’ll also provide instruction on making calls, navigating menu options, and using VoIP via mobile.

Support
In the event you need an upgrade or help with a technical issue, your MSP can provide the necessary troubleshooting and implementation assistance.

When it comes to VoIP vs landline phones, the pros for VoIP are obvious. VoIP systems are more reliable, accessible, and convenient, as well as affordable!

If you still have questions about VoIP vs landline for business, Net3 IT can help. We’ve been one of the most trusted tech companies in Knoxville, TN for years and understand the challenges local businesses face. Contact us to set up a consultation.

 

The technology you use can change the way you do business. Now there are better, more advanced solutions to older systems — ones that offer more convenience, functionality, and efficiency. For example, you’ve probably heard about VOIP before, and know that it’s an alternative to traditional telephone service. Though today it’s a very common solution for businesses of all sizes, you may still not understand why. How does VOIP work? Is it right for your company? Keep reading to learn more.

What is VOIP?

“VOIP” is a fun word to say and once you learn about how it’s better for your business, you’ll enjoy saying it even more. An acronym for Voice Over IP, VOIP is essentially a service that allows you to make calls over the internet. Since it works digitally, separate from any telephone lines, you only need an ISP and high-speed connection.

How Does VOIP Work?

VOIP works by converting phone calls into data packets – similar to other types of data, like email or chat messages – and transmitting that data over the internet. You can make calls directly from your computer, a VOIP phone, or a regular phone that’s been fitted with a specialized adapter. A managed IT services provider can help to set up the equipment you’ll need, and make sure you have the resources and training to start using VOIP.

VOIP Benefits for Business

VOIP services can be a practical, high quality, cost-saving solution for organizations at any size. A trusted and reliable MSP, like Net3 IT, can make VOIP set up for your office quick and pain-free, so your team can begin enjoying the benefits right away.

Scalability
Whether you have plans for your business to grow in the future or your company has undergone an unexpected round of layoffs or employee turnover, VOIP is adaptable for any team size.

Mobility
Unlike a landline, you can use VOIP anywhere. Mobile app integration means that your team can take calls on their own (or company-provided) smartphones, giving them the freedom to work more effectively at home, during a trip, or at a client site.

Reliability
If you’re worried about dropped calls or poor quality, don’t be. The issues that plagued VOIP in its early days have been vastly improved since. With high-speed internet, you’ll usually have over 99% connection uptime.

Savings
VOIP can be a considerably cheaper option than a large-scale telephone network, especially for small-to-midsize businesses. You aren’t paying for landlines or the usual expenses, so your monthly bill is lower and more predictable. Even long-distance and international calls are easier, especially if calling from a US-based extension. This allows coworkers in different offices across the globe to collaborate as easily as if they were in the same room.

Make work easier for your team so that you can focus on being more productive. Learn more about VOIP services in Knoxville and other managed IT solutions. Contact Net3 IT for a consultation today.