There are many benefits to installing a modern VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)  system, such as easy moves, adds and changes; expandability with little or no capital investment; centralized administration, and other system enhancements. A significant benefit, and the subject of this blog, is Presence.

Presence means that the people most important to your business know how to reach you, know when you are available, and know when you will be free if you’re not available …all in real-time.

With the introduction of the Zultys MXIE application for your Blackberry device, not only can you stay in touch by phone and IM with your colleagues, but you can also make calls to anyone in the US without affecting the minutes on your cell phone plan.  To use this feature, select the call option from your MXIE mobile program.  You can then either choose anyone in your address book, or key in the number you want to dial, then hit call.  You will get a message saying "Please answer incoming call to initiate outgoing", answer the incoming call and you are done!

Another tip for overseas travelers -

We were really pleased to be able to something to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti last month.  It's nice to be able to help out. And, let's be honest. It doesn't hurt with PR.

The individuals within the company are also doing things to help out those in need. These are all things anyone can do.

• Monetary donation to Amnesty International
• Donation of clothing and household items to Purple Heart and Salvation Army
• Donation of books and audio books to public library (Anne Arundel).
• Donate bags of clothes and household stuff for the American Veterans and National Children Center
• Helped the Humane Society of Fairfax County with their dogs and horses right after the snowstorm.

Then there's me. I am wielding my supreme executive power (as the blog writer) to push towards a more local need.

Last week I worked with a new client who was upgrading Switchvox SMB 3 to 4.5, and it was a great reminder of how far Switchvox has come in a relatively short time. It was also a chance to get my hands on some of the new features in the field and find out how much easier they can make my life. For those who don't remember or aren't familiar, Switchvox is Digium's first unified communications appliance based on the Asterisk source with an easy web GUI to manage everything.