The Bottom Line: What is VoIP Good For?

More and more businesses are adapting a cloud VoIP or hosted pabx system to cater their company’s communication needs. VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, is also commonly known as internet calling. It is one alternative into making phone calls that can be very cheap in comparison with using the traditional telephone lines. At times, the calls can even be completely free.

VoIP reigns as the most successful technology developed over the past decade. As of the moment, the current VoIP technology most of us enjoy is being deployed in a rapid pace across many places around the globe, and there are still a lot of VoIP components that are in the process of development. The latter is undoubtedly something to look forward to.

Having a pbx phone system, which is powered by VoIP, allows smooth communication between personnel and external parties alike. This is highly convenient for companies which outsource staff from various parts of the globe. Implementing the system is also one means to reduce operating costs. With that, VoIP remains as a famous option for many business owners in Singapore because of increased revenues running on decreased costs.

Another reason why a lot of people prefer VoIP is because of its competent and up-to-date services. Current VoIP technology can be viewed as a hybrid, since it integrates functions and features from a number of existing services. Some conventional features of your old telephone service are joined with handy features found in modern data network services.

How does VoIP work?

Once a cloud VoIP phone call is made, a communication channel or line is established between both the caller and the called party over internet protocol. The call is transmitted over data networks. VoIP conversations are simultaneously converted into binary data packets as it is streamed in real time, leaving no room for dead air or a waiting period.

VoIP by a good provider like www.crystalvoice.com.sg in SIngapore makes communication possible regardless of where you are in the world through converting binary data and transferring actual human voice. When the designated packets arrive at their destination, they are converted once again into standard telephone conversation. Thanks to the many technological advancements in our time, the process of this voice conversion into data and vice versa only takes less than a few milliseconds. This allows real time conversation to take place from one caller to the other.

What is it good for?

Reduced costs

As was previously mentioned in this article, more and more people are availing the services of VoIP technology because it remarkably cuts down communication costs. We all know how regular telephone costs can get pricey — especially if conversations last for a couple of minutes and if you’re calling overseas. Thanks to VoIP, adapting an IP PBX telephone system can effectively cater to your company’s communication needs minus the additional expense.

Efficient features

VoIP can be customized according to your business’ needs. With that, you can add more features to improve the interaction between your personnel and also with customers. A lot of companies in Singapore favor this because by so doing, you can render the system more efficient and improve its quality. Not only did VoIP revolutionized voice calling across continents, but it also made communication through various platforms and devices competent.

People use VoIP for free

Most people use VoIP for free. As long as you have access to a computer with working speakers and microphone, together with a stable internet connection, you can make calls using a hosted pabx or cloud VoIP for free. This can also be done with your smartphone or even your home phone. The system transfers the call’s data through standard internet infrastructure using IP protocol, thus you don’t have to pay more.

Cheaper than standard phone calls

While VoIP is free, the service comes with a price when it is used to replace the traditional PSTN system completely. It’s still relatively cheaper in comparison with standard phone calls, though. This is beneficial especially when taking international calls into account. Some companies adapting a pbx phone system, which is powered by VoIP, effectively cut down their communication costs by 90% thanks to the magic of the system.

A growing trend

While this technology is still relatively new, the implementation of an IP PBX telephone system and other communication systems powered by VoIP has received wide acceptance and use. This can be observed in countries like Singapore where only a few businesses remained and stuck with the plain old telephone system. Admittedly, there is still a lot to improve about the new technology, but it is also expected to contribute further technological advances in the many years to come.

Regularly updated

Of course, just like any other communication systems, VoIP also has some drawbacks regardless of the many benefits it brings. Poor voice quality and weak transmission of calls due to unstable internet connection are only some of the few. Although issues arise from time to time, the VoIP technology is being regularly updated to address concerns and improve its whole system. Its worldwide use has also prompted the need for new considerations on its guidelines and security.

The widespread use of VoIP technology has undoubtedly made our lives convenient. While relatively new and with a number of issues and concerns rising from time to time, the system has revolutionized voice calls. Gone were the days we all worried over the total amount of our telephone bills especially when we’ve made overseas contact. Thanks to the wonders of VoIP, we can now make calls anytime and anywhere which is cheaper than your traditional phone — if not entirely free!

Audio-Visual Tips for Conferences and Meetings

The basic audio-visual requirements of any meeting and conference are pretty simple: a quality sound system and display equipment appropriate for the size of the audience and the venue. Your sound system rental company should be able to suggest suitable AV equipment choices that meet these needs.

Other than the sound system and projection gears, there are a few more things to consider. If your boss puts you in-charge for your next company product launching or event meeting, here are some tips on how to make it a remarkable and effective event.

1. Set the Stage Appropriately

The first thing to consider is the appearance of your stage. For meetings and company events, the stage doesn’t have to be big and overly decorated. Simply elevating the presenter a few inches above the ground level is enough to make them visible to the audience and gives the gathering a focal point. If you have found good audio visual equipment for rent it will be important to provide a good setting for it.

For an event that calls for audience involvement, a creative setting that allows everyone to comfortably move and socialize should be considered. Custom-made backdrops may look fancy, but simply blocking unnecessary background with a drape creates a minimalist and straightforward stage for your event.

2. Choose the Right Podium

Do not make the mistake of putting the presenter—or worse your boss—behind a hideous podium. Before the equipment is delivered, ask to see the podium included in your AV equipment rental to ensure that it’s appropriate for the affair.

A clear acrylic podium is a professional choice for company events and gives a friendlier look since the speaker isn’t visually separated from the audience. If the speaker is shorter than average, raise the podium or ask for a step for the presenter to use. The presenter should look and feel confident when on stage, and a few additional measurements will avoid awkward situations when the speaker steps up to deliver his speech.

3. Use Confidence Monitors

The presenter should be connecting with the audience, but this can be hard if the speaker needs to constantly look sideways on a screen rather than to the audience. One common solution many of us do is to bring the presentation laptop on the podium. However, the laptop blocks the presenter and requires him to constantly look down at the presentation rather than out to the audience.

The professional solution for this is to add two large confidence monitors at the edge of the stage, play the presentation from these monitors and have it remotely controlled by the speaker with a handheld clicker. This way, it’s easier for the speaker to see the presentation as he looks up into the crowd.

4. Know Your AV Technicians

If you will be working with more than one AV technician, know what each technician will be in charge of during the event. Since your event calls for a PA system rental, your AV technicians will likely include the following staff:

• Monitor Engineer – this staff controls what the presenters see and hear via the monitor system and usually works at the backstage.
• Audio Assistants – for smaller events, one audio assistant is enough. For larger ones, three to four assistant may be necessary. They are the people responsible for setting up and breaking down of AV equipment, as well as plug connect cables and replace components when needed.
• Front of House (FOH) Engineer – they control the audio for the audience, and are typically stationed behind the audience or in front of the stage.

5. Communicate With the Speakers

Ask the speakers about their specific audio-visual needs to ensure that their presentation works as they planned it to be. Also, make sure that the sound system rental company in Singapore is able to provide the speakers’ needs. Vocalize the needs of your event early on during the planning process. You and your PA system rental provider can refer to the following reminders during the installation of equipment:

• Are there wireless microphones in case of hands-free demos?
• Is there microphone stand set-up on the floor to allow attendees to speak or ask questions after every presentation?
• Does the sound system feature a mono or stereo sound?
• Are there VGA and HDMI connections available for presenters who may need them?
• How many audio sources can the event use? How many power outlets can be used and where are they located?
• Is there connection for different devices, such as Macbook, iPad and PC?
• Are the adapters compatible with the power outlets of the venue and equipment used?

These are some of the critical questions to answer as early as possible to avoid last-minute glitches.

6. Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions

You should always feel comfortable and safe with your AV equipment rental company. You should trust your AV technician’s recommendations, suggestions and advices for your event—after all, that’s what these professionals are paid for, right?

However, if you have questions or concerns about their decisions, don’t hesitate to ask. Although you’re so used to being in charge, there’s no need to be ashamed in admitting your limitations and asking questions, especially when it comes to crucial and intricate matters of audio-visual production. If you can’t understand what your technician is trying to say, do not pretend that you do. Ask further, so your technician will be able to address your concerns in a more understandable way.

Planning for the PA system rental for company meetings is pretty straightforward. Since the event is likely more on presentations and speeches rather than music and entertainment, less sophisticated AV equipment would be enough. As long as you work with the right rental company in Singapore and consider the needs of the speakers and presenters, you will surely impress your boss for organizing a smooth-sailing company event.

4 Ways to Stop Procrastination

 

You have an impending deadline. However, instead of working on that project, you are fiddling with unproductive things like watching videos, browsing Facebook and surfing forms and blogs. You know that you should be working, but you just don’t feel doing it.

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We know what’s going to happen next: after running out of time, panic starts to set in and you wished you started earlier. While you may have survived through this every time, it’s a bad and irresponsible habit that prevents you from achieving greater results.

Don’t let procrastination run your life. Here are some ways to overcome this unhealthy trait.

  1. Do the Most Difficult First

Perhaps, this is the last tip you want to hear, but there’s a reason to start with the hardest stuff: people have limited supply of resources and willpower. Attacking the toughest task first while you’re energy level is still at its highest, you give yourself the biggest chance to succeed. Doing it the other way may cause damaging domino effect. Delaying the most dreaded job saps your remaining strength later on.

  1. Break Bigger Tasks Into Smaller Pieces

The bigger your task, the more quickly you become overwhelmed, making it more tempting to delay the work instead. So, if your goal looks daunting, break it into manageable steps. Remember that you do not need to know every single step to the finish line, just the few next steps ahead. You will figure out the next things to do as you move along.

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  1. Compete With Time

Having trouble starting a task? Try the 10-minute trick. Set your timer for 10 minutes, and see how much you can do with that. Work in a focused, even in a frantic, manner for the entire 10 minutes. You’ll get engrossed and forget about the time, leaving you working for longer time. After seeing significant change in such short span of time, the sense of satisfaction replaces the feeling of dread you felt earlier and encourage you continue working towards your goal.

  1. Let Others Know

It’s easy to fail a task when the only thing at stake is your commitment to yourself. Make yourself accountable to a co-worker or a friend, and suddenly potential embarrassment becomes an effective motivator. Experts call this ‘positive pressure.’ The fear of letting a person down is a powerful motivator to work hard. So, call a tough friend, an officemate or a sibling and tell them what you plan to get done if you feel like your falling under the spell of procrastination again. Ask them to check on you and crack the whip at an agreed time.

Now you know what to do, stop delaying and get to work. Ignore the urge to procrastinate and just get the job done.

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Turn Off the TV and Be Productive!

 

Watching TV is a good past time; it updates you of the events around you and keeps you company when you’re alone at home. However, with more and more competition among the media and TV network, it has become a tool of waste of time. Rather than spending the entire day sitting on the couch and munching on fatty potato chips, here are some more productive ideas you can swap with watching TV.

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  1. Cook a Healthy Meal

TV and unhealthy eating go hand-in-hand. When you’re planted on the couch, you’re less likely to get up and cook. Therefore, you rely on instant foods like chips and fast food. By cutting out your time on TV, you’ll have more time and energy on planning and preparing healthy meals. Not only will this practice you to become a better cook, but also serve as a good start to a healthier life.

  1. Go Jogging

Now that you’re on track to better eating habit, boost the health benefits by going for a jog after work instead of spending the remaining hours of the day munching on chips while watching TV. Other than taking a jog, hit the gym or take yoga class straight from the office. In the same amount of time you spend watching an episode of The Walking Dead, you can finish a workout routine that can burn half-a-day’s worth of calories.

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  1. Take an Online Course

An extra 30 hours in your weekly schedule is actually more than enough time to you can spend for enriching your personal knowledge. You can sign up for an online course, learn a new skill or potentially earn a new degree. There are so many schooling opportunities you can find online, and your spare time would be much more productive spent his way than watching TV.

  1. De-clutter

Want to get productive and possibly make some money? Dedicate after-work hours or your weekends de-cluttering your home. While this may not sound like the most exciting thing to do after a long daw at the office, but you’ll definitely feel so much better after seeing organized and de-cluttered spaces at home. Plus, you can make money by selling some of the stuff you no longer use but are still in good condition.

Whether you want to watch TV or not, at the end of the day, it’s still all about priorities. If you have everything in your life in place and you simply want to relax when you get home from work, then watch TV. But if you have things to do and you’re struggling to make a progress, you may want to re-evaluate how you spend your time and be more proactive with your time management.

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