Announcing Microsoft® Lync® Integration
Toshiba beefs up the power of their telephones again…
The new Toshiba Plugin for Microsoft Lync enables the integration of Microsoft Lync's
Instant Messaging/Presence application with the Toshiba Strata CIX and IPedge
Telecom
Systems. This powerful combination enhances the way you communicate with colleagues,
customers and more.
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Message On Hold Special…
Professional Message On Hold system - $300.00
(tax & installation not included)
- Includes 25 music melodies including 2 holiday melodies
- Perpetual license for music included - no license renewal required
- Generic messaging included… "Thanks for holding, we'll be right with you."
- 1 year manufacturer's warranty included
3 Minute Custom Recorded Message - $125.00
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Music on Hold and Copyright Laws
February 7, 2012 By toshibatelecom
Authorized Toshiba Dealer Mike Beyer at Select-Telecom, Illinois submitted this
blog post for the 'Next Toshiba Blog Star' contest and was chosen as a runner up.
Let's cut to the quick. Music on Hold and background music played through your telephone
system must be licensed. Even if you are using a radio station or playing songs
you purchased on a CD/MP3 player, it's still illegal if used without permission.
Radio stations have the right to broadcast music but not the re-broadcast rights.
When you purchased a CD or MP3 file, you own the medium but not the rights to the
music on it. If you get caught — and there are people who get paid to look
for criminals
like you (Mike's words, not ours!) — expect to pay $1,500 to "settle out of
court."
This is coincidentally the amount you would need to fight your case in court, but
the settlement has a 100 percent certainty that the prosecutor will go away while
the litigation route cannot guarantee success.
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COMMWORLD of KC wins awards…
We're proud to attain the most prestigious status awarded by Toshiba America Information
Systems - Telecom Systems Division. Less than 15% of the 450+ Toshiba Telecom Dealers
in the United States have attained this highest level of expertise and achievement.
"2013 Toshiba TAIS TSD IPedge Communication Specialist Platinum Dealership"
and
"2013 Toshiba TAIS TSD Strata CIX Sales Professional Platinum Dealership"
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Stress, memories and the workplace…
A classic definition of stress is "any real or imagined threat, and your body's
response to it." In other words, it's your body's reaction to your mind's perception.
Our perceptions are an individual matter. Picking up the phone to make a cold call
is the ultimate stressor for one salesperson, but another can easily make a hundred
calls because he feels "it's just a numbers game". Taking on a management role is
comfortable for one employee, but another with equal qualifications feels he isn't
good enough to do the job and is overcome with stress.
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Yahoo CEO bans telecommuting. What's that all about?
Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer sent an email announcement banning working from home
/ telecommuting for Yahoo employees. Since then I've read numerous comments in support
of her decision and against it.
Some cite the benefits which telecommuting can offer. Their statistics claim improved
productivity. They discuss reduced expenses for the company for real estate, utilities,
office furniture, etc. Fewer commutes means less fuel used, lowered emissions, even
decreased traffic. Telecommuting can make work easier for parents, the disabled
and can create better work/life balance with the elimination of commute times.
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Fun Phone Facts…
Who came up with Music / Messages On Hold?
In 1962, Alfred Levy, the owner of a factory, was surprised when his telephone system
started playing music. When he investigated, he finally discovered it was the music
being broadcast by the radio station located next door. Being an entrepreneurial
thinker, Levy didn't try to fix the problem. Instead, he took the idea and ran with
it. In 1966, Levy patented "Music On-Hold."
We can really identify with this scenario at COMMWORLD. Back in
the early 80's,
we had a client with offices located right next to and under the tallest broadcasting
tower in Kansas City. When we installed a telephone system for them, we were surprised
to hear country music coming from the speakers in the phones. It took some investigating
to discover that the source was the radio station broadcasting their country music
format to the whole Midwest area.
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