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Take telecommunications software education and training courses

To fully understand telecommunications software solutions, take courses to keep up-to-date on the latest telecom software. Earn certification to further your education and to solidify your expertise in telecom software solutions.

I recommend: Take advantage of the services offered by Telecom Training Corporation. They offer seminars and web-based telecommunications software training to fit your unique needs. Take an exam to earn your Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification. This certification shows employers and clients that you are an expert in telecom software solutions.

Attend conferences and seminars that showcase telecom software solutions

Take advantage of demonstrations and networking opportunities at telecom software seminars and conferences. Keep current on the latest telecom software solutions and connect with other professionals in the telecommunications software industry.

I recommend: Attend the annual IEEE Global Communications Conference for the latest in telecommunications software and to network with telecom industry professionals. Teracom Training Institute offers seminars that focus on telecommunications software education and training. Fees vary and you can choose the seminars that best fit your unique needs.

Receive hands-on training with telecommunication software providers

Providers of telecommunications solutions offer internships that allow you to experience all aspects of the telecommunications software industry. From the inception of new ideas in telecom software to configuring telecommunications software applications, take advantage of vital hands-on learning.

I recommend: Take advantage of the student development programs offered at AT&T to gain hands-on experience with telecommunications solutions. Apply for an internship with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and help to develop telecommunications solutions and telecom software applications.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Subscribe to telecommunications publications to keep current on telecom software trends and opportunities for telecommunications software education and training.

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Compare telecommunications software

Use the Internet to quickly and easily compare and contrast the telecommunication software that interests you. Get a detailed analysis of specific telecom management software solutions that you can compare with similar software packages.

I recommend: Use Capterra to compare telecommunications industry software. Select the telecom software characteristics that suit your business to filter software comparisons.

Use a nationally recognized telecommunications software provider for your telecom software needs.

A provider of telecommunications solutions for your business that has national brand awareness assures you of a quality, reputable product. The customer service offered and the perks available are benefits to partnering with a reputable telecom software provider.

I recommend: Use IBM to offer telecom solutions for your business. Download the telecommunications software catalog free of charge and use a wide range of services supplied by IBM to maintain a competitive edge in the telecommunications industry.

Integrate telecommunications software with global applications into your business

A well-rounded and competitive business needs telecommunications solutions that are compatible with the global market. Choose a telecom software provider with a global presence.

I recommend: Use Intec for telecommunication software and global consulting services. With a strong national and global presence among telecommunication software providers, Intec offers experience and a reputation to deliver telecommunications solutions customized for your business.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Utilize free online seminars designed to instruct you on how to best use specific telecommunications software applications. Ask for free instruction from your software provider.

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Secure remote access

Secure remote access enables employees to work on company-specific computerized files and network communications. It's important to understand that any telecommunication software with secure remote access must include encryption in order to keep your information safe from hackers.

I recommend: Review the secure remote access information available at BTC Networks.

Secure sockets layer security and encryption

The securities that secure socket layers provide are easy for employees to use because they require no installation or technology expertise. Instead, this form of encryption uses the security tools and software already present in most any commercial web browser.

I recommend: Examine the secure socket layer definition at Your Dictionary. For more information on the subject, assess the advantages of using this technology available at Verisign.

Intelligent application gateway

An intelligent application gateway is an efficient means of allowing communication on a network without compromising security. This software application gives the administrator great flexibility in assigning individual users rights and access to company files.

I recommend: Study the intelligent application gateway articles at ComputerWorld and Microsoft.

Management protocol

The management protocol is how machines within a telecommunications network exchange voice data. When choosing a telecommunication software program it's important to know which management protocol best fits your company.

I recommend: Appraise the management protocol tutorial from Erlang Training and Consulting.

Virtual private network

In order to gain secure remote access to telecommunication networks a software program must be able to establish a virtual private network, or VPN. A VPN uses public communications lines but establishes the security one required for the transfer of sensitive company information.

I recommend: Use the primer at the Windows Dev Center to understand the setup requirements for a VPN.

IP telephony

IP telephony enables a company to use the Internet for voice and visual communications. IP telephony is available from any Internet connection provided the telecommunications software supports the protocol.

I recommend: Evaluate the IP telephony information from Cisco Systems.

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Find the right answers for managing the costs associated with telecom solutions

Businesses need to be able to control their telecommunications costs because it is one of their major cost categories. Some of the categories of expenses that telecommunication software can help you manage include: telephony services such as broadcast faxes, inbound 800 lines and calling cards; wireless services like pagers and cell phones; network and access services such as data lines, WAN and others; financial market and information services including Lexis-Nexis; data processing including desktop systems and mainframe operations.

I recommend: Cobite has telecom software applications that can help you manage your telecommunications costs. Asentinel has proprietary telecom management software that can help you manage these expenses with paperless processes.

Investigate call center telecommunications solutions

A key element of any enterprise is how customers are managed. Telecommunications software applications can be a major contributor towards increased effectiveness. A robust telecommunications application can help you by setting up a centralized database for managing call lists and do not call lists, call outcome and detail management, performance reporting, analysis and statistics.

I recommend: Acarda provides a good overview of what to look for in telecommunications software. IBM with their telecommunications software solutions can help you increase customer satisfaction and retention.

Identify providers of telecommunications software that can assist with service management

As you look for telecommunications software that can help you, check to see if it can streamline and improve the management of work and service orders, trouble ticket management, scheduling and dispatch of technicians, scheduled services automation, billing, invoicing and receivables and service level agreement management.

I recommend: High 5 Software is one of several telecom software companies that offer service management software for telecommunications providers. Hewlett-Packard can provide telecom software solutions with their Open VMS (Virtual Memory System) solution, which is a high-end computer server operating system and helps with batch and transaction processing.