The importance of cost-effective and
functional telecommunications for
small businesses cannot be overestimated. As a customer of Curry IP, a
Pittsburgh-based telecommunications provider, Paul Furiga, ABC, president of
WordWrite Communications LLC, knows
firsthand the value of efficient communications.
Smart Business discussed with Furiga
his experience with VoIP (Voice over
Internet Protocol) solutions and its impact
on his business.
How has the use of VoIP compared to traditional analog telecommunications systems?
We particularly appreciate the electronic
archiving of messages and our ability to
receive and forward them via e-mail. Voice
over Internet Protocol enables us to work
from anywhere in the world and still have
access to our phone system, which is fantastic.
Can you cite how your telecommunications
provider has had or will have a direct impact
on your ability to communicate more effectively?
Local service is a huge benefit for us —
most of the best-known VoIP companies
(including the one we just left) spend a lot
on advertising but are lacking in personal
service. We have experienced a huge difference working directly with someone
who can tweak our phone system and
bring it to ultimate performance.
Please describe the phone system you are
currently using and its most important features and capabilities.
Right now we are transitioning to a
portable small business system that includes IP phones. The functionality of the
IP phones is fantastic. They are almost like
self-contained computers and they boast
features that plain old analog telephones
can’t match.
Why did you choose Curry IP for system
implementation?
I don’t care what any ad claims — messing with your phone service is not ‘plug and
play.’ When your telecom needs include the
merging of broadband service, local phone
company number portability and various
other elements of technology, things can
get complicated. Once it’s integrated, your
phone system should optimize performance of the whole system together. We
needed a trusted navigator to help us steer
through those rocks without crashing.
What considerations would you point out for
other businesses who might be considering a
switch from an analog telephone system?
You should make an informed decision
by consulting an expert who will provide
you a fair, balanced analysis. Voice over
Internet Protocol may not be right for everyone, but it works for us and can for many
businesses.
Do you believe that VoIP is revolutionizing
the way your business communicates? How
so?
Phone service used to be about geography. It depended on where your business
was located. You were usually stuck with
whatever company had the geographic
right to provide the service, no matter what
they charged or how poor their services
might be. In addition, their features or rates
could be expensive. Voice over Internet
Protocol provides the choice to break free
of those restrictions and take control of
one of your most important communications asset: your phone service.
Why did you choose this system?
Flexibility. We are a fast-growing company (better than 20 percent a year) and
when we need to grow our staff and offices, it needs to happen fast and without a
hitch.
Does your VoIP system enable your company
to be more competitive and responsive?
Absolutely. Even as a small company, we
now have tools that match the flexibility
and breadth of much larger competitors,
without paying for the additional infrastructure and support.
What kind of cost savings have you realized
with VoIP?
All of our long distance is covered in our
low monthly base cost. We make calls all
over the country to major national media
and we don’t have to worry about costs. In
addition, we have added an inbound 800
number for the media to use in calling us.
This service has been very easy to do and it
is also very cost-effective.
JOHN CURRY of Curry IP Solutions has been providing
telecommunications expertise to businesses and individuals for
more than 30 years. Reach him at (412) 307-3600, ext. 9007, or
[email protected]. PAUL FURIGA, ABC, can be reached at
WordWrite Communications LLC in Wexford, Pa., at (412) 894-8766 or [email protected].