1. Planning to move into a new location
2. Finding a phone or computer vendor
3. Wireless security
4. Altigen (VOIP)
5. Surveillance

General Questions

Q: Is wireless networking secure?

A: Nothing is completely hack-proof; however with current technology, a properly configured, hard-wired network is still the most secure method of setting up a network. If you are not concerned about your data, wireless networking may provide a less expensive solution for you. We do not recommend wireless networking for commercial applications at this time.

Q: What about businesses who advertise they use wireless networking?

A: Businesses, such as Starbucks, advertise wireless networking in their facilities so their patrons can access the Internet via wireless network cards in their notebook or laptop computers. These businesses have separate, hard-wired networks for their commercial applications. Their business related systems & point-of-sale systems, being on this separate, hard-wired network protects their critical data.

Q: What do I need to plan for in regards to telephone and data services when I am moving into a new location?

Q: What questions should I ask when looking for a phone or computer vendor?

1. Ask for references.
2. Ask them WHY you should use them.
3. How long have they been serving Las Vegas.
4. Are they licensed properly?
1. a. Do they have general liability insurance?
2. b. Do they have a contractor's license for cabling?
3. c. Do they have Worker's Comp?
4. d. Do they have the proper Entity license?
5. Are they asking you a lot of questions on how you answer and handle calls to operate your business?
6. Are their phone systems; computers / products that they offer a good product?
7. When receiving a bid, do they cover all your needs?
1. a. Does the bid include all the labor?
2. b. Compare their bids with an apples to apples bid to make sure you are receiving all the parts and pieces you need to accomplish your desires.

Altigen

AltiGen Communications Product Line

Q. Can you tell me about AltiGen?

Founded in 1996 by Gilbert Hu (a true visionary and pioneer) Developed first server-based PBX on the basis of providing a technologically advanced phone solution that takes advantage of the convergence in the communication industry.

• AltiGen's strategy has always been to provide customers and partners with an All-in One platform based on open standards that is easy to use and maintain. The success of the data communications and Internet world showed the value of open solutions. Everyone now realizes the significant benefits of voice and data working seamlessly together.
• Number 1 in our space. (Gartner - Most lines shipped in 2000) over Cisco and 3Com
• Over 10,000 systems installed-the largest installed base
• Won Deloitte Touche Top 50 fastest growing silicon valley companies in 2001

Q. In a nutshell why should SMB customers buy AltiGen converged phone systems?

• Number 1 in the converged PBX space. (Gartner - Most lines shipped in 2000) over Cisco and 3Com
• Focus is on the SMB space, IP applications and Customer Contact Centers
• AltiGen provides superior functionality for the lowest cost of ownership.
• Standards based means flexibility and protection of the investment
• AltiGen solutions will grow at whatever rate is best suited for the customer
• AltiGen's goal is to empower their customers to communicate better with their employees and customers.

Q. What is AltiGen's view of what is happening in the telecom industry?

• In the process of transforming from proprietary to open standards.
• Sales of traditional equipment have steadily decreased while IP and Server based solutions have significantly increased. We will experience triple digit growth in the next few of years.
• Convergence is not future but present state of our industry. Legacy vendors trying to catch up

Q. Where does AltiGen fit into today's market?

• Pioneer in this space (IP, Telcom server)
• Number 1 in our space. (Gartner - Most lines shipped in 2000) over Cisco and 3Com.
• Focus is on the SMB space, IP applications and Customer Contact Centers

Q. What advantages are there in working with AltiGen vs other companies such as 3Com, Avaya, Nortel, etc...

• AltiGen is Number 1 in the converged PBX market (Gartner Dataquest- Most lines shipped in 2000)
• AltiGen has a disciplined certification program which provides in-depth sales and technical training to our partners, i.e., strong dealer support teams with Account Managers, SEs, Inside sales, tech support
• AltiGen is focused on selling phone systems only versus vendors like Cisco and 3Com where phone systems are not a major focus
• Up to date technology- software-based enhancements future proofs your customer's business

Q. What's so great about AltiGen's technology? Why won't it be replaced by Cisco or 3Com?

• Cisco's primary target market is the large enterprise business (250 users plus per location). AltiGen specializes in the SMB market (200 users per location or less)
• AltiGen is Open versus the Proprietary systems of Cisco, 3Com and Legacy vendors
• AltiGen has a patent-pending on jitter buffering which has allowed AltiGen to provide clear voice over IP. This can be demonstrated to customers via AltiGen reseller demo systems.
• The systems are very easy and cost effective to implement versus Cisco. Cisco requires additional components in the network (such as Catalyst switches and routers) that are not necessary with AltiGen
• Cisco requires a sophisticated IP infrastructure be put in place first before Voice over IP is implemented. There is no such requirement with AltiGen. With AltiGen you can pick and choose where to implement IP or analog phones thereby lowering overall costs.

Q. What are the characteristics of the type of customers that AltiGen Systems are designed for?

• AltiGen systems are targeted at the small-midsize market with 200 employees or less at each location. Although higher than 200 employees can be accommodated by linking multiple systems together in clusters.
• Multiple locations can be tied together with IP networking.
• A typical example of an AltiGen customer would be a single or series of Real Estate offices all connected together in a transparent network.
• Typical verticals that are most popular are: real estate, auto dealers, medical clinics, financial services, small manufacturers, schools, insurance franchisees, and customer contact centers (also called call centers).

Q. All I know about AltiGen is what I read in your ads. Can you tell me more about the company?

AltiGen is recognized as the leading manufacturer of next generation phone systems. The company was founded in 1994 to create the first standards based, All-in-One phone system that could be integrated with a company's network.

Since the product began shipping in 1996, it has won more awards (30+) and has more installations (over 10,000) than any next generation product on the market, including Cisco and 3Com.

The company was just named one of the fastest 50 growing companies in Silicon Valley by Deloitte and Touche and achieved revenue growth of over 5,000% from 1996 to 2001.

AltiGen is U.S. based and engineers and manufactures the product in California.

Q. At our company we have around 120 people. We hope to grow to three hundred by the end of the year. Can AltiGen handle it?

Yes. AltiGen is very scalable and we can show you how multiple systems can work together whether they are in the same building or in different cities.

AltiGen has many customers working in a multisite environment. We can get your references if you want. AltiGen itself actually has two systems operating together at the corporate headquarters, 9 additional systems in the U.S. remote offices and one in China. Any AltiGen employee can speak to any other employee just by dialing their extension whether they are in the same building or in another country.

Q. Many of our sales and technical people run up huge cell phone bills. We would like to be able to hold them more accountable. Could AltiGen help here?

Yes. First AltiGen will be able to reduce long distance charges by allowing employees to return calls directly from voice mail. This "Zoomerang" feature would allow an employee to call in locally, listen to and return calls from the system while in voice mail. That way they will take advantage of the company's long distance rate and also be able to return multiple calls by making just one call into the system.

For accountability - Call Detail Reporting will track All calls made and received by the system. You will be able to easily run reports showing when, where and how long an employee made a call at any time.

Q. I am concerned about where the technology is going. If I spend thousands on AltiGen what happens if technology changes?

This is exactly why so many companies have purchased AltiServ systems.

When the first customers purchased AltiServ in 1996, VoIP wasn't even being talked about. Today that customer could take advantage of over 250 new features just by upgrading their AltiServ software. They would be able to make Voice over IP calls just by adding a card to the system.

AltiGen was designed to be a very flexible communications platform that can adapt to new technologies as they are developed without ripping out the system.

Q. What are the three top reasons I should purchase AltiGen?

1. Phone system technology is changing and AltiGen is number one (#1) in sales and awards of the growing next generation phone system market.
2. AltiGen provides amazing ease of use and manageability.
3. AltiGen provides the best long-term cost of ownership by providing superior functionality on a flexible platform that will be adaptable to new technologies.

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There are systems that you can purchase from Costco or other stores and there are professionally installed systems you can purchase.

The store bought systems are usually a plug and play. The concerns with this are usually with the installation and the cable needs. If you are in a commercial building, all cabling in Las Vegas must be in conduit to meet code. It is very difficult to install the plug and play cabling into conduit, depending on the length and number of bends.

If you are in a commercial building, I would suggest you go with a professionally installed system. There are low end DVRs and Cameras to very high end. When purchasing, ask the vendor what range of DVRs and Cameras they have. Be sure they are asking you the right questions. Such as: How important is real time viewing and recording? How much recording time you need? Do you need any PTZ cameras; Hidden Cameras, etc? How clear do you want the picture to be? Are you using mostly remotely or internally?

Many companies can get by with the lower end equipment, whereas others may want and need the higher end equipment.

1. Longevity- Make sure you purchase your surveillance system from an established company. I would suggest a company that has been in business at least 5 years. If a company has made it 5 years, it means it has been servicing it's products if there was a problem and that most of the issues are worked out.
   
   
2. Technical Support- Make sure that the company has technical expertise! This is where most people make their mistake! They see the lowest price and pull out the credit card without calling the company. Who do I call if I need technical support? If there is a problem do you fix it, or does it have to get shipped somewhere else? You want a company that can answer your technical questions.
   
   
3. Training- If you are having the system professionally installed will they spend a couple of hours to train you? If the company also does installations, it's a HUGE benefit because they can give you additional advice.
   
   
4. Pricing- The most critical question! For a professionally installed PC based Surveillance System you should expect to pay $500-$1,000 per camera installed. This price varies depending on the type of cameras you select and any other potential physical installation challenges. To better define complete system, a system should include your PC based DVR, Cameras, Power Supply, Wire, and Connectors.