A managed telephony services provider is what expanding businesses need to manage communications and save on long distance charges, leaving you to dedicate free-up time and resources to your clients. If you don't have the manpower to manage your voice and data on one platform, letting the pros manage it all will free up valuable time for your business to focus on more service-oriented tasks. Managed telephony services can take care of voice and data, and can also maintain all of the software and hardware for you, including periodic updates. With any data transmissions made on the Web, you'll want to make sure any service or software you choose has up-to-date security measures as well as trustworthy employees.

Find managed telephony services or alternatives with the following in mind:

1. Web-based managed telephony services information

2. Professionally managed services to which you can outsource

3. Easy-to-use software your staff can manage in-house

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Free up space and pick web-based managed telephony services

A managed telephony services directory also includes options handled exclusively online. This way, your company can save computer memory and have some of the professional resources provided by full-service telephony management companies.

I recommend: Find managed telephony services with OnviSource. The company offers basic, Web-based call management as well as application management for big businesses. Veramark Technologies offers Web-based training and online customer support.

Trust expertly managed telephony services for round-the-clock needs

If you've got the money to spend, pick a company with a long history from your managed telephony services list. All of their services are offered typically for one price and most of the companies offer customer service at any hour.

I recommend: Avaya is on the top of any managed telephony services list and provide their services for more than half of the Fortune 500 companies. Logicalis can design and deploy your telephony system with more than thirty locations across the U.S.

Do it yourself with managed telephony services software

Looking for managed telephony services software? You can purchase and download instantly via the Web. Keep in mind that if you want to save by handling it yourself, you should have a solid IT staff to help you integrate the software with the hardware -- your phone system. Also keep in mind that you'll need to increase hard drive memory so that your new software doesn't slow down everyday tasks.

I recommend: Telesoft offers a suite of software that lets you manage calls, optimize wireless plans and keep up with inventory. Fonality offers unlimited extensions for minimal investment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're looking in a managed telephony services directory for a company that handles calls in-house, ask your staff what they need in terms of ease-of-use and organization. Most directories will let you request quotes and compare services before you make 'real' contact with the companies, and knowing which support services your staffers require before you start your search will save you time.