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Key Dedicated Internet Access Benefits

Dedicated Internet Access Services For Business

Not all internet connections are equal. Especially when considering the advantages of dedicated internet access services. You’ve likely connected to public WiFi before, only to become frustrated with completing simple online tasks, like browsing or sending an email. Then you know the costs associated with a slow internet connection and shared bandwidth.

The stakes only increase when it comes to the quality of your business internet connection. In today’s digital world made up of eCommerce businesses, video conferences, 4K streaming and countless terabytes of cloud computing storage — dedicated internet access through a managed Internet Service Provider can make all the difference.

A slow connection is just one of the issues that can be shored up by taking advantage of a good managed internet service. The right solution will provide high-speed, dedicated internet access to your business, as well as better customer support, increased reliability, and better security.

What Is Dedicated Internet Access (DIA)?

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) guarantees that your company is always receiving the maximum bandwidth that you’re paying for. Another popular option is paying for a “shared” connection, where the internet speed advertised in the package you purchased, is the maximum (not average) speed your company can receive.

Since a shared connection means you’re sharing your bandwidth with other people, your internet speed will fluctuate. Speeds can be unpredictable throughout the day and during peak usage times. Essentially, it all depends on the internet provider’s network traffic. During times of high use or network congestion, some ISPs may also slow down your connection in what is known as internet throttling. All these issues are avoided with dedicated internet access, as your company doesn’t have to share bandwidth with anyone, ever. It is a dedicated connection with dedicated bandwidth.

Dedicated Internet Access Explanation

When we think about internet, we don’t think about what type of connection we have. We simply expect fast, reliable service 24-7. However, not all internet connections are created equal. Today, many businesses operate on inexpensive shared internet circuits. On a shared network, if you’re trying to upload time-sensitive files while your peers are streaming data, you’re going to struggle with slow internet speeds and productivity. Because shared circuits equal shared bandwidth.

Businesses such as car dealerships, hotels, medical practices, real estate offices and banks can’t afford inefficient bandwidth and downtime, thus most opt for Dedicated Internet Access, (DIA). Dedicated circuits provide internet to a single location, meaning bandwidth is only available to the circuit owner. Therefore businesses with DIA actually receive the bandwidth they sign up for. No sharing.

Symmetric Upload & Download Speeds

If you’re considering a shared internet access agreement, understand that download speeds are going to be significantly faster than upload speeds. This is also one of the key differences when comparing internet services like DSL vs Cable vs Fiber. Shared internet access is set up this way. Not because Internet Service Providers are trying to take advantage, but because there is usually a higher demand from people using private networks for downloading versus uploading.

Download AND Upload Speeds Are Equally Important In Today’s Business Environment

Nothing is worse than trying to close a deal via video conference, only to have a bad feed or choppy connectivity at a crucial moment. However, with dedicated internet access, you won’t have that problem. Download speeds should be very close to symmetric. Matching your upload speeds 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Improved Network Security

Cyber security for your business should be of utmost importance. Especially if you handle any sensitive data—such as employees’ or clients’ personal information. Additionally, cyber security is an essential part of your business’s financial security.

One way to boost your security is by using dedicated internet access. By not having to share your internet connection with those outside of your organization, strengthen your overall cyber security and insulate your network against breaches. When you have dedicated internet access, you can worry less about the threats from other networks. This allows you to better allocate your business’s resources toward tackling other weak links in your digital security.

Dedicated Internet Access Can Help Make Your Network More Secure

In addition to the basics, some internet service providers will offer additional security features with your dedicated internet access. This will often include firewall options to help block malicious code, viruses and other intrusions. As well as enhanced security services to help you identify spam, malware, and phishing scams. Identifying and neutralizing these threats is of utmost importance, as they can interrupt business or lead to sensitive data being stolen.

Dedicated Internet = Better Throughput

Ever get slow internet speeds, despite an internet speed test saying your bandwidth is high? Then you already know about the importance of throughput. It’s a bit technical, but the reality is that the bandwidth your company buys from an Internet Service Provider is not the circuit’s actual throughput. That number is just the bandwidth at which the circuit accesses the provider’s backbone network.

Unfortunately, this means that once your traffic hits the network, it can only move as fast or as slow as the network will allow. The best way to think about this is as if you’re commuting from work during rush hour. If the backbone network is over-subscribed to, it’s like everyone trying to get out of the city. On the same freeway. At the same time. Sure, the speed limit is 60 mph. You can zoom up the on-ramp from your place of business. But once you hit the freeway, things start moving at a painful crawl.

Shared Internet Service Connections Can Get Jammed Up During Peak Times

Generally, dedicated internet access customers are kept on a high-capacity, under-subscribed backbone network. Shared internet connections often run on a backbone network that’s cluttered with traffic — slowing everything down.

You often won’t see this advertised as part of the package when you’re looking into purchasing dedicated internet access. However, it’s something you’ll want to follow up with your sales rep about. Ensure you’re getting the most out of your network.

Scalable Internet Access

If your business is growing, the ability to scale up your resources as you expand is vital. With a dedicated internet connection, it’s easy to move the sliding scale of what internet services you’re paying for, to match your needs. There’s no need to pay for internet you don’t use. Then again, you can always just opt for unlimited data.

Dedicated Reliability & Improved Customer Support

One of the biggest advantages of managed and dedicated internet service, is that you most likely won’t need to utilize the 24/7 customer support that often comes with it. Dedicated internet access service plans should come with a Service Level Agreement (SLA). This agreement guarantees circuit up time. Typically, an SLA document also details a minimum time to resolve connectivity issues (if any), to restore complete service.

Dedicated Internet Services Often Come With 24/7 Support & Real-time Monitoring

Dedicated internet access service should be accompanied with high-end, reliable network equipment. This further reduces connectivity issues.

Final Thoughts: Choosing The Right Dedicated Internet Access Plan For Your Company

Whether you’re in the Bay Area or elsewhere, business internet access needs should not be underestimated. Depending on your company, symmetrical upload and download speeds provided via a managed internet service and better throughput — can be absolutely essential to your success.

Additionally, the security risk of a shared internet package may not be worth the savings. The actual costs and the damage to your brand’s reputation from a data breach could be astronomical. (Depending on the size of the breach and the sensitivity of the information stolen). When it comes to cyber security, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

The bottom line is that having reliable and dedicated internet access can increase the productivity of your workforce, as well as improve your bottom line. Have more questions about what dedicated internet access or managed services can do for your business? Contact Fastmetrics today.

About Fastmetrics, Inc. Building & Business ISP

Since 2002, Fastmetrics is the Bay Area’s only dedicated business ISP. We provide telecommunication services in California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Reliable service – backed by better live and local support. From install to 24-7 proactive monitoring, get treated like a VIP customer. Not a number by a faceless call center. We specialize in managed business internet and phones, dedicated high speed business fiber internet, business WiFi, SIP voice solutions / UCaaS and managed network services. We are a Microsoft and Cisco Meraki Partner. Our team are Certified Cisco Specialists, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Accredited and Polycom Authorized Solution Advisors. We take care of your business network, so you can focus on growth.

October 3, 2018
Popular Small Business Phone Systems
Most Popular Small Business Phone Systems

Before you sign with a phone service provider, you’ll want to have a strong foundation of understanding about phone systems for small businesses. Go beyond simply knowing what features you want the small business phone system to have. Know the various types of systems out there. From phone systems that rely on traditional phone lines to make calls, to those that use broadband or fiber internet connections.

As far as features go, if you’re putting budget into a serious business phone system, you should be expecting to receive multiple lines, voicemail, conference calling capabilities and an auto attendant at the very least in return. Among the choices you’ll be facing for your small business phone system is whether to get a multi-line system, a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system, or a cloud-based phone system. Let’s take a look at the most popular small business phone systems options and how to determine what will work best for your small business:

Multi-line Phone Systems

These more old-school phone systems are also known as key service units (KSU). These systems use an electro-mechanical switching device that controls the routing and operation of a traditional analog telephone system.

When considering how many lines your business needs wired into the office, it’s important to find a balance between not having more lines than you really need while also giving your business room to grow. If you have a business with less than 10 people, it’s also possible to take advantage of a KSU-less system in which the phone contains all the technology. This means the system doesn’t have to be permanently wired into the office space.

Private Branch Exchange (PBX) Phone Systems

Private Branch Exchange Systems (PBX) are essentially private phone networks for your office that give you more advanced features and options. At Fastmetrics, the system is actually cloud-based. PBX features can include call holding, routing to extensions, and conference calling. These phone systems are different from KSU systems in that the call routing does not occur through the phone unit or building’s wiring but is centralized. These systems, designed for companies needing to cater to more than 40 employees, used to be run on monstrous devices that took up an entire closet. Now, they can comfortably fit on a shelf.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Phone Systems

If you go with a VoIP phone system, it will run on your broadband internet connection rather than through your phone lines. When this technology first came out, it was very rough and reliability was an issue, especially as your phone system’s effectiveness was tied to your high-speed internet connection. Nowadays, a VoIP system offers a vast number of advantages: from the ease of installation and scale-ability to pricing and advanced features. Among these features is a VoIP system’s ability to integrate with your customer relationship management software (CRM), which can then automatically log interactions.

An IP powered phone system allows seamless communication outside of the officeVoIP systems also boast the ability to host a virtual receptionist or auto attendant to handle calls, as well as all the other bells and whistles that come with a full phone system, such as conference calls, call waiting, and voicemail. These same VoIP features are also offered by Fastmetrics’ cloud PBX solution. VoIP adoption by businesses is growing rapidly.

Cloud Hosted Phone Systems (Cloud Voice)

The key to a cloud-based phone system is that it removes the telephone infrastructure from your office. This system will be run by a third-party company and can be hosted through either a PBX or by a VoIP system. This setup is perfect for your business if you’re on a tight or fixed budget and don’t have the IT staff necessary to operate and maintain PBX hardware or troubleshoot your VoIP system.

With a new cloud-based phone system plan, Fastmetrics customers receive their choice of unlimited FREE and new Yealink or Polycom phones with business voice services. Get in touch with Fastmetrics touch to learn more.

Of course, by having a third-party company managing the system, you are dependent on its reliability as a company and you do lose a certain amount of control. At Fastmetrics, users have a much higher level of control over the standard cloud phone system, in terms of setup and customization. Nonetheless, a cloud phone system is often the most cost-effective solution for a small business and the easiest to deal with regarding scalability.

7 Small Business Phone System Feature Considerations

A lot of features that come with small business phone systems are designed to make your life as a business owner easier and help your employees to be more effective and efficient.

Here are a few small business phone systems essentials:
- Voicemail transcriptions: This feature, which sometimes is called voicemail-to-email or voicemail-to-text, transcribes a message left in the phone system, making it easier to respond to.
- Voicemail: Though voicemail isn’t used much in social calls anymore, people still expect to be able to leave a message inquiring about a product with a company. Though more cumbersome than other forms of communication, voicemail remains an essential feature for small business phone systems.
- Call forwarding: This allows your employees to transfer a customer to the right department or person.
- Call queuing: If your company faces heavy phone traffic and you have limited employees available to answer the phone, this is an essential feature to ensure that you don’t miss clients’ calls.
- Call recording: This is a particularly important feature for businesses that review customer service employee interactions on a regular basis, as it gives you an opportunity to see how your employees are interfacing with clients.
- Interactive voice response: This allows you to create a series of menus for your business that a caller can navigate to help them reach the representative best prepared to help them.
- Conference calling: With more people working on the road or from their home, bringing everyone together in one place can sometimes feel impossible. However, with conference calling, you’re able to pull in everyone around the table (so to speak) and hash out ideas.
These are just a few of the most essential features you’ll want to consider having for your small business’s phone system. Other options include ring groups, directory assistance, internet faxing, call reports, call monitoring, and missed call notifications. Most phone service providers charge extra for extended phone system features but at Fastmetrics, many of these features are included for no additional cost.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Between the Most Popular Small Business Phone Systems

By having a firm grasp on all the options for small business phone systems from those hardwired into your building, to those cloud systems hosted by a third party, you’ll be able to confidently approach a phone service provider and not be overwhelmed by the options, features, and details of what they’re trying to sell you. This is important because you’ll want to settle on a phone system for your small business where you aren’t paying for a lot of lines and features you don’t need, but are still giving your company room to grow.

About Fastmetrics, Inc. Building & Business ISP

Since 2002, Fastmetrics is the Bay Area’s only dedicated business ISP. We provide telecommunication services in California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Reliable service – backed by better live and local support. From install to 24-7 proactive monitoring, get treated like a VIP customer. Not a number by a faceless call center. We specialize in managed business internet and phones, dedicated high speed business fiber internet, business WiFi, SIP voice solutions / UCaaS and managed network services. We are a Microsoft and Cisco Meraki Partner. Our team are Certified Cisco Specialists, Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Accredited and Polycom Authorized Solution Advisors. We take care of your business network, so you can focus on growth.
August 29, 2018