Insights from VAF Blog

Time is Now for Lawyers to Get Savvy about Mobile Speech Productivity

December 26th, 2016 by Greg Moheban

Twenty-sixteen is a big year for lawyers and mobile technology. Statistically speaking, all lawyers now access work email, perform legal research and communicate with clients or colleagues 1) while away from their offices and 2) using smartphones, laptops...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

When Healthcare Professionals Go Mobile

December 19th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

Imagine having secure access to complete patient records anywhere, anytime. As a busy healthcare professional, what if… You could access more complete patient information from your mobile device You could capture images, signatures and...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

5 Requirements of BYOD for Mobile Unified Communications

December 12th, 2016 by Trent Smith

With the introduction of highly-sophisticated smartphones and tablets to the consumer market, a new generation of mobile users has emerged … and they want to enjoy all the advanced capabilities of their new phones at home and at work. The advent of Bring-Your-Own-Device...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Case Management Solutions for the Healthcare Industry

December 6th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

Case management software helps build client relationships and improve patient care. Companies that support healthcare organizations such as nursing homes, retirement communities and long-term care facilities need to employ an effective way to manage these...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Leveraging New Technology for Robust Contact Center Operations

December 3rd, 2016 by Trent Smith

VAF talks with Steve McElderry, director of product management for contact center at ShoreTel, about emerging trends that are revolutionizing contact center operations. Contact centers serve the touch point of connection between a company and its customers....

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Managed IT Solutions, Business Telephones

Success, Threat, and Loss “The Drama of Network Communications”

October 10th, 2016 by Kent Lemley

Despite all of our investments in firewalls, universal threat appliances, anti-virus software, somewhere down the road a critical threat may find its way onto your internal network. Since internal network architecture is generally flat and un-secured,...

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Posted in: Communications, Cybersecurity

Driving Your Technology

September 13th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

Growing up, it seemed like we were always taking long family drives to a relative’s house or to see some part of the country that needed to be appreciated. Mind you, these weren’t thirty minute trips to the outlet mall. These were of the 8- or 9-hour...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Oh My! The Phones are Down Again!

September 2nd, 2016 by Jeff Jenney

“The phones are down again!!”  This is the refrain heard in office environments across the country when the inevitable happens.  That little box sitting atop your desk with the lights that usually blink longingly at you for attention blinks no more. Phones...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Business Telephones

If You Really Want to Know What Your Customers Think of Your Company, Ask Them.

August 26th, 2016 by Debbie Chambers

There are many ways to survey your customers. You may want to consider employing more than one, but you want at least one method that allows the customer to not only rate their experience on a scale, but that allows them to share their comments and opinions...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Addicted to the Manufacturer’s Toner? You Need a Managed Print Intervention

August 19th, 2016 by Brian Courtney

Document workflows are constantly changing. More and more businesses are finding ways to cut printing costs by moving to digital solutions. We are doing more with mobile devices and document management software but, alas, the printed page isn’t dead…...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Print

BIOTECH Cluster is Big and Getting Bigger in Indiana… BioCrossroads

August 12th, 2016 by Greg Moheban

Within our own daily endeavors we think of companies and competitions for customers, clients, and new business initiatives. Indiana has the benefit of a tremendous resource engine that connects like companies organizations, and people, for the bigger...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Protecting the Modern Data Center

August 5th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

You've taken the leap to modernize your infrastructure.  You are leveraging virtualization in order to create a redundant environment that is hardware agnostic.  You can spin a new server up in minutes instead of days.  You move servers between hosts...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Data Security & Compliance Solutions

Culture - Who Cares?

July 29th, 2016 by William Fama

Webster’s definition of Culture: a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization (such as a business). Who cares? Well, we all better care! A business culture that you are a part of, or engaged with daily can have significant...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Data Security - On a Small Scale

July 22nd, 2016 by Brian Courtney

Data Security, simply put is protecting data from destructive forces and from unwanted actions from unauthorized users. Data itself can take many forms inside a normal business structure. Data can be sensitive personal information about employees, or...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Communication, Collaboration, Control; the Keys to an Effective Business Phone System

July 20th, 2016 by Trent Smith

Business phone systems traditionally haven’t been considered much beyond their ability to connect callers. For most businesses, telecom is a line item on an expense budget—no thought is given to how the technology actually can help improve your company’s...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Communications

ShoreTel Connect Cloud Is More than Just a “Phone System”

July 18th, 2016 by Trent Smith

ShoreTel brings a fundamentally different approach to phone system technology. We focus on your most important assets—your people and their goals—and remove impediments to free flowing communications so your team can focus on relationships, ideas and...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Communications, Business Telephones

"I Got a Guy..."

July 15th, 2016 by Jeff Jenney

Too often I meet with clients and when asked how they manage their technology infrastructure and roadmap for the future the response I hear is ‘We have a guy…’ or ‘We have a Managed Service Provider…’ that has been handling their IT Infrastructure...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Planning for Adversity: Ensuring Business Communication Continuity with the Cloud

July 11th, 2016 by Trent Smith

Your new marketing campaign was a huge success and your office is receiving the highest level of calls you’ve ever experienced in your growing business. Your staff is taking live calls, checking voicemail and returning customer inquiries as fast as they...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

5 Key Steps to Successful Lifecycle IT Asset Management

July 8th, 2016 by Rod Noggle

Keeping track of company assets can be an overwhelming task, especially with all the IT components involved. We mostly think of these devices as desktops and laptops, but other mobile devices, such as iPads and cellphones, can complicate matters. During...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

3 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Cloud Communications Provider

July 6th, 2016 by Trent Smith

Smart businesses everywhere have embraced the cloud as a cost-effective alternative to CapEx spending with on-premises hardware and software. For SMBs in particular, the cloud enables enterprise-level functionality without the associated price tag. As...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

3 Best Practices in Using Collaboration Apps

June 29th, 2016 by Trent Smith

Collaboration tools have helped companies expand well beyond the four walls of their office, giving employees free rein to work anywhere and promoting the idea of a virtual workforce. But what companies gain in expanded reach and productivity increases...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Communications

Information Governance Panel Discussion

June 29th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

Van Ausdall & Farrar in partnership with IDT911 Consulting, Expedient Data Centers, and Access Information Management is pleased to announce an Information Governance panel discussion, taking place Thursday, August 4, 2016 at our Indianapolis corporate...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Records Management vs. Information Governance - What's the Difference?

June 23rd, 2016 by Brian Courtney

With all of the various software solutions surrounding the management of information, it is understandable that most of us struggle keeping it all straight. Dozens, if not hundreds, of companies tout their expertise in areas such as Document Management,...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

How SMBs Can Benefit from Cloud Communications

June 22nd, 2016 by Trent Smith

Today’s business environment is much different from 20 or even 10 years ago. Employees are more productive and expect more from their business tools, while companies run a tighter, more streamlined work environment. As a result, every tool is utilized...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Innovative Solutions 2016

June 22nd, 2016 by Brian Courtney

Register to attend the 2016 Innovative Solutions Expo on September 15th, 2016. Van Ausdall & Farrar is pleased to announce our 3rd Annual Innovative Solutions Expo, taking place Thursday, September 15, 2016 at our Indianapolis corporate headquarters....

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

3 Ways Cloud Communications Can Improve Customer Relationships

June 20th, 2016 by Trent Smith

Your company prides itself on its stellar customer service. Whether its onboarding new customers or addressing an issue a current customer may be having, your employees understand the importance of making—and keeping—customers satisfied. But...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

A4 Print Strategy: Size Can Be Deceiving

June 17th, 2016 by Trent Smith

For many years now, Multi-Function Printers (MFP’s) have been an integral part of doing business. For many companies, printing represents one of the largest expenses month in and month out; yet up until recently, it seemed it was an area that received...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

TechDay 2016 Was a Success

June 17th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

Van Ausdall & Farrar held an event on June 10th and 11th for it's Print Service Technicians.  The event was created to combined team building activities with educational seminars into a compact 24 hour period. Thank you to our team of sales specialists...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

3 Ways to Achieve Enterprise-Grade Collaboration at an SMB Price Point

June 15th, 2016 by Trent Smith

Every business, regardless of size or focus, relies on its communications system. Without a reliable phone system, the critical interaction between employee and customer can’t happen, which means your business won’t grow and thrive. Just as important...

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Posted in: Information

A Phone System that Maximizes Your Control

June 13th, 2016 by Trent Smith

You’ve realized that your current phone system is no longer working for your growing business. So you do what any savvy business person does – you research your options. And you quickly comprehend that what you need is a phone system that will minimize...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Business Telephones

4 Reasons Why Cloud Communications Should be a Part of Your Disaster Recovery Strategy

June 7th, 2016 by Trent Smith

We all know disaster can strike anytime — a broken water pipe, fire, weather event… all can do damage and wreak havoc on your business. And when time is money, getting your business up and running after a disaster is paramount. Most businesses...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Fly Over County

June 6th, 2016 by Greg Moheban

Flying over the U.S. vast Midwest territory looks much the same until you see the Rocky Mountains or the expanse of America’s top cities on each coast. What you see is much of the farmland that feeds our population. What you don’t realize is what convergence...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

A 10-Question Evaluation for Your Phone System

June 1st, 2016 by Trent Smith

Today’s business environment is fast-paced and competitive. Technology makes it possible for you to know your customers and your customers to know your business within moments. A customer can give feedback about your business then let others know about...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

10 Ways Your Phone System Improves Your Customers’ Experience

May 25th, 2016 by Trent Smith

Business competition in today’s economy is fierce. Your customers expect the highest level of customer care, and you and your staff need to be reachable, professional and customer focused at all times – no matter where you’re located. If that’s your...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Business Telephones

Is Your Old PBX System Hindering Your Employees’ Productivity?

May 23rd, 2016 by Trent Smith

Most employees today eschew the traditional 9-to-5 workday in favor of work-life balance and the ability to work when they want (and often where they want). The result often is an increase in productivity and a more satisfied workforce—a win-win for...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Get the Most from Your Communications, in the Cloud

May 16th, 2016 by Trent Smith

Your employees want to be productive no matter where they are. Cloud communications can help them be more productive, at a price that won’t break your budget. Take a look at how your employees are working—chances are, a good number of them are mobile,...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

3 Ways Cloud Communications Can Save Your Company Money

May 13th, 2016 by Trent Smith

These days, companies are demanding more from their technology. At the same time, IT budgets are decreasing, widening the gap between what employees want—and need to be more productive—and what IT can offer. The trick is to find technologies that make...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Communications as a Service: ‘Cloudifying’ the PBX

May 11th, 2016 by Trent Smith

The cloud has had a dramatic impact on the way we do business, impacting everything from infrastructure to user access. Applications have broken free from onsite hardware giving users the ability to work anywhere at any time. And it’s just getting started....

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking for…

April 24th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

With apologies to U2 for borrowing their lyric. We’re all aware of the statistics. Data is proliferating. Gartner predicts that the number of connected devices will eclipse 32 billion by 2020. It’s not just computers and smartphones creating and storing...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

What’s New in VMware vSphere 6.0?

April 13th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

VMware vSphere® 6.0, the industry-leading virtualization platform, empowers users to virtualize any application with confidence, redefines availability, and simplifies the virtual data center. The result is a highly available, resilient, on-demand...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Van Ausdall & Farrar Hosts Super Event

April 13th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

Customers learn about Internet threat protection and get to see the newly released movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Van Ausdall & Farrar and Barracuda Networks held a joint customer event in Carmel to educate our guests on the complex pitfalls...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Tips for Navigating your Email Safely

April 11th, 2016 by Guillermo Fernandez

Email has become a de facto method of communication for businesses and individuals alike.  Trusting all email, however, can be a big mistake.  Here is a quick read that will help you determine which emails you can open and which you should delete! Phishing...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog

Creating Better Customer Experiences One Call at a Time

March 17th, 2016 by Trent Smith

If you make money using the phone, then your phone system needs to be a business enabler, not inhibitor. Your prospects must be able to reach you in a timely manner. Your customers need to find you wherever you are, at the front desk, in a meeting or...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog, Business Telephones

Residents in 317 Area Code Urged to Start Dialing 10 Digits

March 7th, 2016 by Trent Smith

If you live in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, you need to prepare for changes in how you make local telephone calls. Starting on September 17, 2016, all local calls in the 317 area code will require 10-digit dialing. In other words, you’ll need to...

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Posted in: Insights from VAF Blog