PBX

Need Help Building A VoIP Business Plan?

Here are some great tips and info for presenting your business to Vocalscape in order to get an accurate quote:

1. Subscription Plans

Each plan is optional to the system, generally clients choose one or the other, such as prepaid versus postpaid, and rarely do clients run the systems at the same time. To run two of these models at the same time requires custom configurations in which there are Consulting and Development Services related to the purchase of the system.

Question to Prospective Client How do you want your billing to work per subscriber? These are the following turn-key available options:

Unlimited: (Within Area Code’s Specified)

1.      Unlimited with a regular usage maximum amount of minutes and prepaid long distance

2.      Unlimited with a regular usage maximum amount of minutes and post paid triggered long distance

Prepaid/Postpaid:

1.      The subscriber fee covers the functions and the DID, but the minutes are all prepaid, local and long distance or post paid. (Review www.peoplefone.com as an example)

2. Rate Table and Routes

Questions to Prospective Client How many routes will you have in your system?  How many rates will be offered retail to clients? Will you require least cost routing services?

1.      One rate table: This assumes you have one provider that runs all of your A-Z traffic. This is a basic rate table and is easy to manage. This is where all clients pay one rate, and it is subject to one route.

2.      Multiple Rate Tables: Assuming that different packages have different rates, this involves intense consulting and development services. Additional hourly costs are measured for complex rating and routing combinations.

3.      Least Cost Routing: If Least Cost Routing is a chosen addition to the system, 3 routes are set-up as part of the overall system. The addition of more routes involves Telecommunications Engineering and potentially Network consulting services. This should be factored in. In addition, testing routes for clients are also considered Telecommunications Engineering consulting. In some cases, a client firm has these talents in house.

3. Currency and Localization

Question to Prospective Client Which language(s) would you like to start with? Which currency/currencies would you like to start with?

1.      Basic system includes a single currency and single language

2.      Multiple Languages are capable, each language is treated as a separate language unit when quoted.

3.      Multiple currencies are more complex than language as it often incurs Consulting and Development services for integrating multiple ecommerce transaction providers, often separate databases, and rate tables.

4. Device and Application Provisioning

Question to Prospective Client Which devices do you plan on using ATA’s, Softphones, IP Phones, etc? Which Manufaturer or Software Provider?

1. Provisioning devices is different for each provider. Vocalscape provisioning services are an addition to the system quote if the client chooses not to use Azatel ATA’s or Phone sets. Each new device provider will be billed as a separate provisioning unit in the quotaton.

2. Softphone provisioning is done automatically using the Vocalscape Eyefon, if clients choose another softphone vendor, the implementation of a configuration process is Consulting and Development services.

3. API integration of devices to the software cluster or softphone is possible for various manufacturers, but requires Consulting and Development Services.

*Additional hardware may be required by the client to dedicate their own provisioning server onsite.

5. User Account

With the Account there are various available rules to choose from, the following are the available rules to choose from for the clients:

1. A single account for multiple devices, all coming from the same source of funds

2. A single account for multiple devices, each coming from a different source of funds (Such as Softphone Account, ATA Account under one client account)

6. DID Provisioning

1. A single DID to one account only and one device

2. A single DID to multiple devices within an Account

3. Multiple DIDs pointing to the respective devices in each account

4. Multiple DIDs to one account and one device

7. Telecommunications Integration

The initial set-up of the following systems on an IP to IP basis is generally included in the initial quote based on a set amount of hours. The overall management and maintenance of these services are billed as Consulting Services.

1. Consulting with Termination Provider and testing is included for one route and or an A-Z provider, but multiple termination providers and consulting is additional. If the service requires more than just IP to IP testing, and more hands-on implementation occurs such as the implementation of a Cisco Gateway or like services, the consulting services are billed as Telecommunications Engineering Services. This is primarily defined as VoIP service infrastructure, inculding deployment and management of provider network equipment, and switches.

2. Consulting with a DID provider is included if the service involves receiving the DIDs simply through a SIP to SIP or IP to IP configuration. If the services require the implementation of a DID provisioning infrastructure and gateway, Telecommunications Services and Network Consulting services are required. This would be defined as building the DID acquisition and assignment.

3. 911 and Emergency Services are relayed by a third party and are implemented as Network and Telecommunication Engineer consulting, based on a project by project basis.

8. Softphone Application

1. SIP Softphone G711, unlimited download with no consortium fees

2. SIP softphone G729, consortium fees collected by the client

3. SIP softphone Click2Talk application pointing to an IP device/account

9. Hardware Requirements

1. Database Server

2. Web Server

3. Application Server

4. Provisioning Server

5. Back-Up Server

6. Softphone Download Server

7. Optional: Load Balancer, Cisco Gateway, Telco Switch

10. Ecommerce and Secure Server

1. Ecommerce provider(s) integration, each provider involves Development work to implement

2. An SSL certificate is required by clients to purchase in order to secure the entire system and client information.

3. Shopping Cart, this is an optional feature that is available for selling products on your website.

11. Administration Login and Various Interfaces

This is the access to the VoIP management system, customer account management, user account interface, and related functions. The integration of the graphics into the system is limited to just the surrounding template, graphic design and content entry is provided as part of the Consulting Services required, in some cases Vocalscape will provide outsourced graphic design. Customization of the interface functionality is possible, however, if it is outside of the templated structure provided by past projects, the changes will include Consulting and Development Services.

Client Interface and Features

Management Interface and Features

Reseller Interface and Features

12. Calling Card System

1. Prepaid only separate account from all devices

2. Integrated into plans, separate source of funds

Financial Commitments: How much capital is raised or available currently for this project based on the following on-going costs and plans?

1. Hardware Costs

2. Software Solution Cost

3. Continious Device Costs and Stocking

4. Shipping, Storage, and Logistics

5. Termination Costs and Deposits

6. DID purchases and commitments

7. e911 Provider Costs

8. Ecommerce Provider

9. SSL certificate

10. Colocation Costs

11. Network Management Costs

12. Security and Patch costs

13. Telecommunications Engineering Services

14. Development and Design Costs

15. Staffing Costs

16. Advertising and Marketing Costs

17. Consulting Costs

18. Codec and Consortium Costs

Required Expert Staff: Which of these staff do you have? How many and what is the current roles? Which ones of them are available to talk with Vocalscape?

Generally outsourced to Vocalscape

1. PHP developers with PostGres Database knowledge

2. Telecommunications Engineer with multiple device and software knowledge including integral knowledge of CISCO, Asterisk, SNOM, SER, SIP, H323, G729, and provisioning and testing process of all related devices and codecs.

3. Network Administrator, to manage security, uptime, back-ups, and change management

4. Project Manager, to manage the overall process of the team

Generally Within Client Firms

1. Administration and customer service staff

2. Marketing and sales staff

3. Designer

4. Project Manager

5. Network Administrator

Marketing and Sales

Who do you plan on selling to?

What are the plans according to the above chosen items, what are the rates?

What marketing and sales methods do you plan on using, explain the process the client will take in joining your services? (Retail, Online, etc.)

Architecture

- Vocalscape Billing/Database Server Software (Single Server License)

- Vocalscape Application Server (Single Server License)

- Vocalscape Client Provisioning Modules (Single Server License)

- Vocalscape Automated Device Provisioning Module (Single Server License)

     (Possibly including a TFTP server depending on the device)

VoIP Is A Great Back-Up and Continuity Plan

The results of Continuity Central's survey into Voice over Internet Protocol.

VoIP is assumed by many market analysts to be the technology of the future, Continuity Central recently conducted a short survey to throw some light on this area. The survey is more looking at it from an overall strategy, however, I would like to note that individuals running on a regular phone system should really consider the fact that power over ethernet to VoIP devices allows a great back-up plan to your existing phone lines. During the big NYC outages, VoIP was a saving grace for many including us. Please read through this industry focussed blog, but consider as you read it going to a full VoIP solution or at least backing up your companies telephone lines with VoIP.

The survey, conducted throughout February, found that 80 percent of respondents either already have or plan to install VoIP solutions. 14 percent have fully implemented VoIP systems; 37 percent have partially implemented VoIP; 15 percent have not implemented it but expect to in the short term, while 14 percent expect to implement in the longer term (24 months+).

There appears to be little consensus on the potential impacts of VoIP on business continuity. 30 percent of respondents thought that VoIP would reduce risks overall, with 23 percent thinking the opposite. 12 percent believe that VoIP will greatly reduce risks; 18 percent that it will slightly reduce risks. 14 percent see a slight increase in risks and 9 percent feel that risks will greatly increase once VoIP solutions are in place. 22 percent of respondents thought that risks would not change and 25 percent didn't know what impact VoIP implementation would have on their business.

Continuity Central asked respondents to add some comments to explain their view on the risks of VoIP. A selection of responses are listed below:

* This is an answer from one of my senior network analysts regarding this issue. There is no single thing that is going to provide business continuity and disaster recovery. Redundancy must be built into the production network so it can withstand multiple outage types. The strengths that convergence and VoIP bring are the agility and ability to recover quickly by bringing up sites fast and cheaply. It also allows you to layer in redundancy in the production LAN much easier and most cost effectively.

* As a consultant that installs VoIP and IP telephony systems, I find the biggest risk in their implementation usually comes from the customer not wanting to spend the extra money on the backup and redundancy systems. These systems are not just for the VoIP Network (i.e call manager clustering or remote site survivability with call manager express) but for the entire network, such as UPS for all routers and switches, and a proper stable routing protocol running. A VoIP or IP Telephony rollout is only as good as the network it overlays, and most of the time the existing network is vulnerable to outages. A properly designed and deployed VoIP system will give the same if not less risk due to the IP ability to find multiple paths to a given destination. In the TDM world, if a voice T1 goes down between two offices, that would usually be the end of calls, even if other types of WAN connections exist between the two points. In an IP world if part of a WAN network fails, so long as a back route is found the calls will go through (with a possible short delay for network change over), usually with no configuration to the VoIP or IP telephony system. The important message is that a properly designed and deployed VoIP can actually be more stable than a traditional PBX while still offering expanded functionality and cost savings.

* Power requirements have become more important for VoIP continuity. The network now must support the entire company operations, an outage will affect more systems than prior to VoIP. A properly designed VoIP network will not create the much more risk.

* I believe VoIP is the future. In the near future we should start seeing wireless technology integrating with VoIP. This is when I believe VoIP will hit the market hard worldwide.

* VoIP is a backup to our present voice installation. Two call centres back each other up. If one centre goes down the other receives calls on the VoIP phones alerting team of problems at the other facility.

* Currently our entire campus depends on a single PBX located in the data centre. If we lose that building or the data centre we lose all voice on the campus. Our new Cisco VoIP system is located in another building and can operate independently from the PBX and data centre.

* With some companies, voice communication may be impacted in event of IT hardware outages, thus making emergency voice communications more difficult. However, if availability and recovery have been factored in at the design stage (very rare, I know) then use of alternative hard or mobile systems should mitigate.

* We use VoIP as a backup to the switched PSTN. During the New York power failure, we were able to coordinate recovery with the folks in New York even though we couldn't get any calls through via cellular or the PSTN. I would never recommend using VOIP exclusively however. It's just one more layer of redundancy that has become available at a very competitive cost, although not as cheap as some would suggest.

* My company is a lending organisation that is divided into wholesale and retail operations. The company maintains several hundred retail operations nationwide all supported from a single headquarters location. A fear of losing voice communications has made VoIP a dirty word. And that is before the concept of recovery is considered.

* Our SP can re-route inbound calls from DDI to associated mobiles or PSTN lines. I argue that this is reduces risks.

* We have had VoIP for some two years now with Cisco IP Phone 7960. There is no integration with the desktop as yet. When true convergence of voice, data and video occurs then the risks will become significant because of the reliance that people will place on the technologies. Without the convergence it is just a smart phone.

* VoIP is great in a production mode. The recovery of the Call Manager has yet to be determined by Cisco. When brought up at our company they acted like it was the first time they thought about recovery. Frustrating very ‘bleeding edge’ from a recovery standpoint. Remember, VoIP requires special handsets that have approx. costs of $350 each. To leverage VoIP in recovery mode means you need to have duplicate phones in storage. (Ryan: Well, or a provisioning system for disasters, you would think Cisco would think of that...)

* We used VOIP as a backup when cell phones and circuit switched services were unavailable during the NYC power outage. We continue to implement it for low priority and backup services.

* We will have trouble communicating during power outages, impacting our continuity and emergency response capabilities

* With VOIP, if you lose the data link you lose it all. With separate systems, you can still maintain communications.

* Use of VoIP reduces our risks as it allows for simpler switching of telephone lines in the event of disruption at one of our sites.

* The technology is so new that risks have not been identified. Once risks are identified, then plans can be formulated.

TMCNet Following Vocalscape Networks Inc

TMCNet Following Vocalscape Networks Inc

It's been a great new year for Vocalscape and we have been achieving a lot. The best thing of all has been our attention to our public image and the world knowing exactly what we are up to. Vocalscape has been growing in IP, ideas, and recently an acquisition. The nice thing about the articles written by TMCNet, is that they really know the industry and it did not take them long to remember who we are. Especially with the purchase of Azatel, I particularly liked David Sims comments within this article http://news.tmcnet.com/news/-azatel-vocalscape-/2006/02/18/1385533.htm, that:

“You might remember Azatel from about a year ago, when Ecuity, Inc., a VoIP communications company serving the small-to-medium size business and residential markets, teamed up with Azatel, then identified as "a manufacturer of integrated SIP and MGCP related products," in a pilot program to "evaluate an innovative device dependent VoWiFi communications product for business users," according to Ecuity officials.

Azatel's WiFi-enabled handset device, AZA-WIP, combined with Ecuity's V-Tone VoIP services platform, was to deliver advanced VoWiFi communication capabilities to mobile users and businesses nationwide. With built in authentication for Hot Spots, the AZA-WIP offered wireless communication capabilities and functionality while operating within enterprise and public WiFi zones.

The VoWiFi product, officials predicted, would "rival traditional cellular services with the added cost-effectiveness and enhanced mobile-PBX capabilities of Ecuity's VoIP platform."

This was a great snippet that I have to admit I wasn’t aware of, but we do have the AZA-WIP product and are very excited about all of the products produced by www.azatel.com. With our new Softphone application and the AZA-WIP, combined with the business model like www.peoplefone.com (A flagship Vocalscape Client) we are set to take advantage of the awesome and amazing opportunity of the WIFI industry.

It was a very nice gesture for Johanne Torres to also notice our busy year. http://news.tmcnet.com/news/-vocalscape-networks-azatel-acquire-merger-voip-software-developer-/2006/03/06/1433082.htm

Thank you TMCNet for your interest in our firm, we will continue to keep the good work and news coming out!

Vocalscape Networks Inc: http://www.vocalscape.com

More information available at http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=VOSC.OB

Vocalscape Networks Acquires Azatel Communications Inc.

Vocalscape Networks Acquires Azatel Communications Inc.
Monday March 6, 3:42 pm ET

WHITE PLAINS

,

N.Y.

, March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vocalscape Networks, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: VOSC - News) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Azatel Communications.

Subject to Vocalscape has agreed to issue common shares in exchange for 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Azatel Communications Inc.

Mr. Ron McIntyre, President of Vocalscape commented, "Vocalscape already has the doors being knocked down by current clients and international prospects for the new line of Azatel products. We look forward to financing the successful venture as an integral part of Vocalscape's hardware division."

Mr. Derek Herman, CEO and Founder of Azatel Communications Inc. commented, "The culture of Vocalscape staff work perfectly with our management team, we are excited to work with Vocalscape and their clients in the process of merging our two firms. After our recent workshops on merging our two firms, and the management processes discussed, we look forward to being part of a well managed motivated team ready to help us succeed."

Mr. Derek Herman will remain CEO of Azatel Communications, a subsidiary of Vocalscape Networks Inc.

About Vocalscape

Vocalscape provides VoIP telephony solutions and communications software for Internet Service Providers ("ISPs"), Internet Telephony Service Providers ("ITSPs") and Telecommunications companies worldwide. Vocalscape develops VoIP and interactive communications software including Soft phone applications, Customer Acquisition and Billing Systems, SIP Servers, Gatekeepers and Virtual Calling Cards. Vocalscape's strategy is to focus on VoIP software and Long Distance termination solutions that bring together a full range of communications solutions and services thereby providing a turn-key VoIP infrastructure for ISPs, ITSPs and Telecommunications companies. http://www.vocalscape.com

About Azatel Communications Inc.

Azatel manufactures, develops and integrates the highest quality communications hardware for Media Terminal Adapters, Soft Switches, Session Controllers, H.323 to SIP Interworking, OSP and IPTV/Video on Demand solutions enabling our partners to deploy complete end to end IP Voice, Video & Data solutions.

Safe Harbor Act Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and as such, may involve risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions. These forward- looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which the Vocalscape operates, projections of future performance, potential future performance, perceived opportunities in the market, and statements regarding the Vocalscape's mission and vision. Vocalscape's actual results, performance and achievements may differ materially from the results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

    Contact Information

    Ryan Gibson, VP

    [email protected]

    P. 604-696-6313

    F. 604-696-6315

    http://www.vocalscape.com