 |
|
Welcome to Accent Information Systems
Greetings!
As we all know, making large purchases requires some real consideration. The impact of these types of decisions is typically long term, having an impact on us for years. That's why it's important to put aside appearances alone and other social pressures, and look deeper at the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and the Total Return on Investment (ROI).
When purchasing a home for instance, we must consider location, resale value, interest rates, maintenance, and utility costs. And with travel costs in the range of $.50 per mile, accessibility to work and other places frequented must be considered as well. Driving an extra 25 miles each day can cost an extra $4,560 per year. Vehicle purchases require similar considerations - interest rates, cost to service, resale value, and the ability of a vehicle to meet your transportation needs.
A business' technology purchases will have long term impacts on the profitability of that business for years to come. Hard costs can be calculated, including such things as long distance costs (or savings), network implementation, electricity consumption, system management, moves and changes, support services, training, and capital costs for system upgrades.
However, to get the TRUE cost, one must consider those factors that affect the TCO which are not as easily calculated, but are just as important. How does the purchase improve the business' ability to serve its customers? What efficiencies does the technology bring to the business? Can the technology reduce travel expenses? How does it improve productivity? Can we provide more with less? How much will it cost the business if I don't have the ability to support my cvustomer? What does 1 hour of down time cost? So if you're cosidering an upgrade of your business' telecommunication system, be sure to consider the TRUE cost of such a purchase. Only then will the TCO be accurately calculated, and the benefits of the purchase be realized. Contact us to help you with TCO calculations to get you on your way to figuring your TRUE costs. With kindest regards,
Frank L. Goode, President |
|
ShoreTel Awarded "Best IP Telephony Provider" for Seventh Year in a Row
Independent research firm Nemertes awarded ShoreTel the highest ratings for IP telephony products for the seventh year in a row. Nemertes received ratings for 37 IP telephony vendors and determined the award solely on the views and experiences of more than 2,000 actual users of IP telephony systems. Customers rated their providers on a scale of 1 to 5 in technology, customer service, and value, and ShoreTel beat out its competitors in all three categories. "We are honored to earn this highly prestigious award for the seventh year running...ShoreTel's all-in-one UC system was designed to eliminate complexity by offering a brilliantly simple solution to help our customers align business communications with business goals, improving efficiency, reducing costs and increasing prductivity", said John W. Combs, then CEO of ShoreTel.  According to Robin Gareiss, Nemertes' executive vice president and senior founding partner, "ShoreTel is the only vendor in any technology category to have received the highest scores since Nemertes started tracking IT decision-maker ratings seven years ago. ShoreTel's customers continually rate its customer service, technology and value ahead of all of its competitors."
Accent is proud to be a partner of ShoreTel. Let us show you how ShoreTel can help your business. |
Employees' Use of Personal Cell Phones Can Save Your Business Money
Once people have had a taste of their smartphones, they usually start pressuring their employers to use them in the workplace. Personally-owned phones in the office can bring quantifiable benefits for both the employee and the employer.
Workers are happier if they don't have to carry both a company-owned phone and a personal phone. Smartphones increase their productivity since they have access to apps not available on employer-issued phones. Responsiveness to customers can be immediate, whether in the office or in the field. And cost savings can be significant for the employer, since the cost of purchasing and upgrading the phone is typically carried by the individual, not by the company.
But before you work out a deal with your employees to reimburse them for their smartphone use, be sure to check with your tax advisor. The IRS may consider such reimbursements "travel expenses", making them taxable unless they are considered an "Accountable plan".
If you're interested in more about this topic, be sure to look at our Winter 2011 Newsletter, due out in January. We'll be highlighting what ShoreTel has done to integrate their systems with smartphones. |
|
Steve Hearst Rides in Pelotonia
On August 20 and 21, Steve Hearst, Accent's VP of Sales, did his part in the fight against cancer by riding in Pelotonia, a grass roots effort to chase down cancer and defeat it.
 One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Reaserch Institute. The James is a national leader in creating and testing new therapies based on scientific research, many of which are offered nowhere else in the world. Over 4,000 riders took part in this year's event. Like last year, Steve was successful in riding the entire 100 miles! "Once again, the experience was unbelievable," said Steve. "Especially inspiring were the riders, volunteers, and spectators with 'Survivor' on their shirts. It made me feel that what I was doing could actually help someone else fight the battle and win. We have all been touched by cancer in some way, and this was my way to make a difference."
Steve is still short of his goal, but it's not too late. If you would like to help him out, click here to donate to this very worthy cause.
We at Accent are so proud of Steve!
|
Technology Tip of the Quarter: Consider the iPad
Apple's latest consumer tech innovation is the iPad, and just like its predecessors, the iPod and iPhone, people are clamoring to find a use for the iPad in the business world. Chris Cameron, Sales Engineer for Accent, purchased an iPad in May of this year, and has found that this primarily consumer-based device can effectively transition into the business world.
It's sleek, smart design makes it an excellent tool for the user on the go. Lighter and easier to transport than a laptop and much more funtional than a PDA, the iPad offeres a user-friendly interface with a fully interactive touch screen keyboard for data entry. Users can e-mail, web browse, keep a calendar, and take meeting notes - everything the on-the-go pro needs to conduct business on a daily basis. Chris found that he effectively replaced 90% of his need for a mobile laptop.
Apple's App Store and Developer Community are rich with content ripe for the business user. If you need something accomplished, odds are "there's an app for that". With most apps between $10 and $20, finding an affordable way to get things done is often quick and easy.
Cloud computing is another way the iPad can make your business more efficient. Pushing and storing data in "the cloud" allows the iPad to access stored information from anywhere the device has Internet access.
If your organization is interested in learning how to incorporate the iPad and other mobile devices into your business, contact us. Our business consultants can help your organization extend itself beyond the walls of the office and into the 21st century. To read more about the iPad, visit our blog. |
|
|
|
|
"Accent At A Glance"
Information technology isn't just phone systems. See our new "Accent At A Glance" brochure. From the structured cabling backbone to the exchange of information via "the cloud" and everything in between, this portfolio of our services shows how it all works together. Take a glance. You might just find something that would make your office more productive, help you focus on your customers, grow your core business and maintain more of your bottom line. |
. |
|
Accent is
proud to work with
these "partners":
|
|
Click here to visit our website and check out all of our services!
| |
