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23rd November 2016 blog, Business Insights

How a Coworking Office Space Can Improve Your Startup

18th November 2016 blog, Cloud Telephony

GCF’s Guide to Call Forwarding

5th October 2016 blog, Cloud Telephony

The History of Mobile Phones

28th September 2016 blog, Business Phone Numbers

What is a Virtual Phone Number?

The difference between toll-free prefixes.

21st September 2016 blog, Business Phone Numbers

The Difference Between 800, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 Numbers

8th September 2016 blog, Customer Service

Tips to Improve Online Customer Service

8th September 2016 blog, Business Insights

Virtual Office Systems Provides Relief: Home Business Tips

8th September 2016 blog, Business Insights

Small Business Tips: Improve Your Company Image with Call Forwarding Numbers

7th September 2016 blog, Cloud Telephony

The Invention of the Telephone

How a Coworking Office Space Can Improve Your Startup

Luke Genoyer 23rd November 2016 blog, Business Insights

The past few years have been remarkable for the technology industry. It seems like every week that another tech startup is valued in the billions of dollars. With private market valuations of technology companies continuing to grow, more and more entrepreneurs are looking to get in the startup business. How many entrepreneurs would rather have a monotonous desk job than own their sure-fire startup?

A “Unicorn” is a startup company with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. In the past decade, unicorn startups like Airbnb (Founded: 2008, valuation: $25.5B), Uber (2009, $68B), and Snapchat (2011, $17.8B), have all seen a massive inflow of funds from private tech investors.

California is home to numerous technology corporations, and Silicon Valley is probably the first place that comes to mind when you think about startups. Venture Beat pointed out that almost half of the startup “unicorns” are in California. They also show, however, that unicorns are scattered across the globe, with headquarters in China, Germany, India and Canada.

These days, an entrepreneur can open his own startup anywhere. Email and phone forwarding enables you to run a business effectively from anywhere in the world. As a result, coworking spaces have popped up in major cities around the world.

Where Can Entrepreneurs Find Cheap Alternatives to Office Space?

Deskmag gives a great definition of a coworking office: “Every workspace with flexible structures that is designed for and by people with atypical, new types of work – that is not exclusively for people from one certain company.”

Before the rise of coworking spaces, entrepreneurs had very few options apart from leasing office space. Sure, you could set up shop in a (cramped?) home office, but every business needs an address. Nowadays, entrepreneurs can occupy coworking spaces on a membership basis.

The major economic reason why an entrepreneur will use a coworking space is to save time and money. Coworking space operators will usually offer flexible terms that allow renters to move in and out and upgrade or downgrade their pre-furnished offices as the renters please. But a coworking space has value that extends beyond what a business can save on rent.

Coworking spaces deliver value-added benefits that are difficult to quantify in dollar terms. The first benefit is the networking opportunities. The second benefit is helping your business project a more professional appearance.

The first major benefit of a coworking space is the opportunity to network with like-minded people. In the entrepreneurial world, who you know can be equally important as what you know. A great coworking space is a congregation of minds who share similar aspirations. Every person who walks in the door is a professional, and a coworking space is an ideal place to bounce ideas off your peers and create long-lasting business relationships

In addition to networking, a coworking space can help entrepreneurs project a more professional image for their business. Just like a toll-free number is more effective as a branding tool than a personal phone number, a coworking space will make a business look more established than a home office. A business address and phone number will show clients and investors that an enterprise is well-established.

Coworking Trends

These days, it is the small customer, or small group, that supplies the highest amount of demand for office space. There are more small groups looking for office solutions than there are large groups looking to lease an entire building or entire floor.

We look for this trend to continue as large corporations downsize. In addition, we expect coworking operators to modify their approach in order to attract more clients.

We expect four themes to emerge during 2017 with regards to coworking: niche communities, corporate partnerships, around-the-clock renting and added services. First, operators will appeal to specific groups and professional sectors to create a stronger community. Second, coworking providers have started to form partnerships with corporations. Third, the shared-space concept will be extended into living arrangements. Finally, look for some operators to experiment with concierge services, travel offerings, etc. in order to entice renters.

How to Choose the Right Coworking Space

The coworking market currently has thousands of players. Locations have sprung up in huge numbers in cities like New York, Hong Kong and Singapore while operators are designing new service offerings and rental models. Entrepreneurs, especially those with web-based businesses, are able to work in whatever country they choose thanks to virtual phone numbers and offices. No matter which country you reside in, there are several important factors to focus on when choosing a coworking space.

Focus on community

Networking is one of the greatest benefits that come with a shared office space. We advise you to consider the types of businesses that occupy the space and decide if these peers will help your business grow

Focus on function

What goals does your business have for the future? Some coworking providers have programs to accelerate the growth of occupants. For example, the Hive in Southeast Asia offers partnership opportunities for member companies, along with other great programs. You want a coworking space that will support your business.

Focus on location

If your virtual office is far away from where you live, chances are you won’t spend much time there. We recommend choosing an office that is close to your home.

Focus on utilities

High-speed internet is a requirement for doing business in today’s internet environment. The facility should come equipped with Wi-Fi, a fax machine and conference rooms. Some locations have a kitchen and free coffee and snacks. Others offers 24/7 access to the office. The utilities you want to look for will depend on the needs of your business.

Do you have experience with coworking? How did your business benefit from joining a coworking space? Do you recommend any particular locations? Share your comments below.

GCF’s Guide to Call Forwarding

Luke Genoyer 18th November 2016 blog, Cloud Telephony

Any business that conducts its operations internationally needs a reliable way of communicating with customers. Accessibility is a major key to customer satisfaction and reliable call-forwarding services will instantly make businesses more accessible to customers. An international call forwarding service can be configured so that customers can call your business at a local calling cost, no matter where your company is located. There are many competing call forwarding service providers, and we hope that this guide will allow you to get the most out of your service.

Using Advanced Features

One of the benefits of signing up for a good call-forwarding service is the advanced features that are included with the service. You will have access to intelligent features that can drastically improve your phone forwarding system and make it much easier to manage a high number of incoming calls. Business users will find it convenient to manage their accounts from an online control panel. There are a wide range of features that can be customized to the needs of any specific business. Some of the top features are:

Advanced IVR: an interactive voice response system is a computer system that will greet callers and route them to the appropriate department or extension. Callers can navigate your customized menu by using their voice or keypad. This is one of the best features for businesses.
Time-of-day routing: this is convenient for users that move around throughout the day because calls can be forwarded to different numbers at different times or on specific days of the week. This ensures that you have the opportunity to answer every call.
Simultaneous ring: this will allow multiple numbers to ring at the same time when your virtual phone number is dialed. If you have an inbound call center with multiple representatives, you can configure the service so that the phone of each representative will ring.
Call recording: can be utilized for training and quality assurance purposes. Configure the service so that all or a certain percentage of calls will be recorded. You can play the recordings back through the online control panel. Service providers will typically offer this feature at an additional cost.
Voicemail: A voicemail ensures that important opportunities do not go unanswered. This feature lets you listen to messages from customers no matter where you are.

What to look for and what to avoid

Call forwarding service providers should never require you to sign a contract. It is also important that your provider does not require an initial payment or activation fees. We suggest you choose a service that you can cancel at any time.

In addition, the best call forwarding service providers will typically offer a free trial that lasts two weeks so that you can test out the full service, risk free. The free trial should let you try out the full service and not a partial version of the call forwarding service you desire.

Finally, it is important to evaluate the billing procedures and note when your account will be charged for the service. You don’t want to pay for a service that you aren’t using!

The local or toll free numbers and international call forwarding service should be usable within a few minutes of activating your account. You should have complete control over your account features and settings throughout the service, and the option to add/remove numbers at any time is convenient. We hope that this guide explained call forwarding and that it will allow you to pick a call forwarding service that is right for your business.

The History of Mobile Phones

Luke Genoyer 5th October 2016 blog, Cloud Telephony

Mobile phone technology has progressed significantly since ‘cell phones’ were first invented. The first modern portable handset was invented by Dr. Martin Cooper in 1973. Motorola sought to build a personal telephone that belonged to an individual rather than a home or a desk.

1973 – 1980s – 1G

Dr. Cooper was an engineer and general manager at Motorola at the time he invented the cell phone. The prototype developed by Dr. Cooper weighed almost two and a half pounds and was larger than today’s office phones. In 1973, he placed the first call from a portable phone – to a rival engineer at Bell Labs.

After Dr. Cooper’s revolutionary creation, it took nearly ten years for mobile phones to reach the market. Motorola rolled out the first commercial mobile phone in 1983, the DynaTAC 8000X, costing $3,995. The cost of Motorola’s first phone today would be $9600 after accounting for inflation! Mobile phone technology was relatively underdeveloped at the time, operating on an analogue cellular network.

1990s – Digital Cellular

Consistent with the rapid technological advancements of the 1990s, cellular phone technology improved exponentially. In the 1990s, a 2nd generation of mobile phone systems was created. Two systems vied for global supremacy: the U.S. developed CDMA standard and the European developed GSM standard.

Along with the new ways of transmitting information, cellular phone technology was advancing. Smaller batteries and improved energy-efficiency devices enabled companies to create smaller cell phones. While the brick-sized Motorola DynaTAC 8000 weighed 28 ounces, newer phones in the 90s weighed between 3.5 and 7 ounces.

The 2^nd generation of phone systems introduced text messaging and the ability to access web content from mobile phones. Custom ringtones were incredibly popular among mobile phone users. Of course, SMS/text messaging has been a huge success. ‘Texting’ is the preferred medium for communications among millennials. In addition, four out of five people use texting for business communications.

Nokia was a leader in the mobile phone industry during the 1990s. Nokia launched an early mobile phone with vibrations, and later introduced ‘Snake’ to cell phone users.

The first full internet service on a cell phone was introduced in 1999. However, this internet access was different from accessing the mobile internet.

2000s – 3G/4G

During the 1990s, cell phone use started to become commonplace and the demand for cellular data increased. More people sought access to the internet from their mobile phones and people sought faster data speeds.

Engineers in the industry began developing ‘Mobile Broadband’ to satisfy mobile phone users. 2G technology utilized circuit switching for data transmission. The major change from 2G to 3G was the use of packet switching to replace circuit switching. It wasn’t until 3G technologies that mobile phone users could access the mobile internet.

In 2007, Apple rolled out the first iPhone in the United States. The iPhone was a revolutionary device with full internet access, a touch screen and all the functions of a traditional camera phone and mp3 player. Apple has continued to make improvements to the iPhone and there are now more than 100 million iPhone in the United States.

By 2009, engineers began developing a 4^th generation of technology to accommodate bandwidth consuming applications like streaming media. The 4^th generation is called Native IP Networks.

Cell Phones Today

Like most electronics, improvements in mobile phone technology came about exponentially. Today’s cell phones have capabilities that are likely beyond the imagination of Dr. Martin Cooper. There are almost as many cell-phone subscriptions as there are people on this earth. The advancement of mobile phone technology is bound to continue in future years. What innovations would you most like to see in coming years?

What is a Virtual Phone Number?

Luke Genoyer 28th September 2016 blog, Business Phone Numbers

Do you own a global business with customers across the world? If so, you might ask what is a virtual phone number. This blog gives you the information you need to unlock the true potential of your business with a virtual number and a call forwarding service.

Virtual Numbers: Definition

A virtual phone number is a local or toll free number that enables users to make and receive calls via the internet. This number is not directly associated with a telephone line and doesn’t look any different from a regular phone number. Virtual numbers are typically used with a call forwarding service so callers do not incur long-distance charges. If you don’t already use virtual numbers, you should start taking advantage of this great marketing tool. You can get these numbers for different countries, cities, and regions from a virtual phone number provider like Global Call Forwarding.

Other names for virtual numbers: cloud-based numbers, cloud phone numbers, hosted numbers, and VoIP numbers.

How Does a Virtual Phone Number Work?

Virtual phone numbers use cloud telephony and number hosting to let users communicate over the internet. Unlike a traditional landline, you can make and receive calls from a virtual phone number from anywhere, and you can route incoming calls to any location. This means your business can expand globally without opening physical offices or relocating teams, and you can improve connectivity among your remote, local, and global teams via one centralized hub.

Benefits of a Virtual Phone Number

A virtual phone number is a cost-effective way to make your business more accessible and more scalable from anywhere in the world. When you get a virtual number, you take strides towards unlocking the true potential of your business.

The main reason to own a virtual number is to make your business more accessible. When you have a hosted number in the same country as your clients, it will cost them almost nothing to call you. This will make existing clients more comfortable and will encourage prospects to call your business.

International growth is another major benefit associated with virtual phone numbers. Virtual business phone numbers enable you to operate remotely because they are not tied to any landline. A business can buy a virtual phone number in almost any market while still operating from its headquarters.

1. Establish a Global Presence for Your Brand

Most scalable businesses will understand that their target markets are not confined to any particular region. Rather, their employees are constantly seeking out growth opportunities in different countries. A virtual phone number enables you to establish a virtual presence in any potential market.

Creating a virtual presence in multiple target areas can do wonders for your brand. Potential customers around the globe will become familiar with your company and the services you provide as you advertise in new regions.

Branding is a valuable marketing component. And a professional image can propel the success of a business. A known brand can build incredible value for companies and corporations. And one of the most effective branding tools is a virtual number.

2. Cost-Effective International Expansion

Before opening a new office, you need to consider several factors. One important factor is performing market research focused on the proposed new location. Before opening a new office, it is important to consider all appropriate growth alternatives. This means identifying new target markets as well as measuring demand and competition. You may even want to consider test marketing as part of your market research. An international virtual phone number can help you communicate with and qualify prospects in that area.

Another important factor to consider is funding for the new location. Opening a physical office in a new country comes with many expenses. You will need to pay rent, hire employees, and cover additional operating expenses. Furthermore, you will need to consider accounting and foreign exchange issues.

3. Work Remotely From Anywhere in the World

Countless business opportunities exist globally. Luckily, we have hosted phone numbers from more than 160 countries around the world. This means that you can seize any opportunity no matter where you are located.

How Do I Get Virtual Numbers?

You can set up a virtual phone system for your business with Global Call Forwarding. We provide virtual numbers in over 160 countries and thousands of cities. To sign up, visit our Pricing page or speak with one of our experts. Entrepreneurs should take advantage of this great marketing tool and start growing their business today!

The Difference Between 800, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 Numbers

Luke Genoyer 21st September 2016 blog, Business Phone Numbers

When looking for a US toll-free number, you will often come across a variety of three-digit toll-free codes such as 888, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 800 numbers.

But is there a difference between these numbers? And why are businesses still heavily demanding toll-free numbers?

Here we will detail the differences between these toll-free codes and explain how owning toll-free numbers can help a business grow.

Toll-Free Numbers: Definition and Benefits

A toll-free number is a number that is free for callers. In other words, callers can reach a toll-free number without being charged for the call. Instead, the toll-free subscriber or the owner of the toll-free number pays for the call. This presents a major benefit because customers are more likely to call a business if the phone call is free.

Owning a toll-free number also makes your business appear more professional. Imagine a business that advertises a professional and corporate 800 number or an 1800 number as opposed to a standard mobile or cell phone number. The company with the toll-free number is probably more likely to attract customer attention. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to promote your brand.

Why Is There More Than One Code?

Businesses have been using 800 numbers for almost 50 years.

These 1800 toll-free numbers first originated in 1967 and were used primarily by hotels and rental car agencies. These agencies both take reservations from across the country. They also conducted a lot of business over the phone, before the internet. It was important for customers to reach these businesses for free.

However, the market for 800 numbers became saturated as more and more businesses started using toll-free numbers. This led to an exhaustion of 800 numbers and a need for more toll-free prefixes. To satisfy the demand:

888 numbers were created in 1996,
877 in 1998,
866 numbers in 1999,
855 numbers debuted in 2010,
844 numbers came into play in 2013,
833 numbers were released in 2017.

Difference Between the 3-digit Prefixes

A toll-free number will begin with one of the following toll-free prefixes: 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, or 844. The six formats are essentially the same.

The main difference between these 3-digit prefixes is the price for the prefix. True 800 numbers tend to be a few bucks more than the other toll-free prefixes.

That aside, all these numbers perform the same function and cost the same for callers (your customers).

Which Prefix Should I Choose?

The prefix that you choose for your toll-free number depends somewhat on your advertising strategy.

800 numbers are more popular on common advertising media like television, billboards, and radio. Business analysts consider traditional 800 numbers to attract larger call volumes. A simple explanation: traditional 800 numbers are easily recognized as toll-free numbers. People are still familiarizing themselves with the other toll-free codes.

However, if the 800 number that you want is taken, then you can buy an 888, 877, 866, 855, or 844 number and get the same benefits.

How are Toll-Free Numbers Assigned?

The FCC regulates the way toll-free numbers can be used or obtained. According to the FCC, toll-free numbers are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis by entities known as “Responsible Organizations.”

The FCC’s rules prohibit toll-free service providers from warehousing or hoarding toll-free numbers. This means that a provider cannot legally reserve a number without having a subscriber in place. The FCC regulates this activity to ensure that a fair supply of toll-free numbers is available.

Porting 800 Numbers

The greatest advantage for consumers is portability. Porting means that a toll-free user can “port” or move his number to a new provider when he changes providers. Portability becomes especially useful when you have owned an 800 number for a long time. It eliminates the need to advertise a new number to clients when switching providers.

Get 800 Numbers with Us

If you want to purchase a toll-free number or port your existing number to us, then simply sign up on our homepage. You can also contact our experts for assistance if needed.

Tips to Improve Online Customer Service

Global Call Forwarding 8th September 2016 blog, Customer Service

When customers are in the process of making purchases or obtaining any services, the very first thing they do is run a search on the World Wide Web. The internet has evolved into an arena that provides infinite information on anything and everything.

What does this mean for you?

Some brick and mortar organizations view this as a threat. Others, an exciting and cheap opportunity to boost sales and increase market share. Be the proactive businessperson and step out into the virtual world to bring forth your organization in the global arena. Here are some tips:

A User Friendly Website

The debate of the design vs. content has been raging for some time. As experts, Global Call Forwarding believes that there is no hard and fast rule that prefers one over the other. It simply cannot happen. A successful website is that which incorporates all the best features, including a professionally designed layout, well developed and credible content, and an intuitive, interactive interface. Make it simple. Remember, less is more. It takes an individual 5 seconds to decide if he likes the website or not.

Start Blogging! And Make It Good!

So, we’re back to content. What is your business about? One of the most effective ways to drive traffic toward your website is by maintaining high quality blogs. This also establishes credibility with customers and website viewers.

Social Media Marketing

This is where the world is at. Some of the world’s top brands heavily invest time and importance on creating and maintaining their social media image. This is where they promote discounts, special offers, contests, etc. It is basically a way to stay connected with followers and build a larger audience of customers and fans.

Create A Forum Where Customers Can Easily Access You

The difference between a good and great company often lies in their customer service support. This is why companies all around the world focus more on “customer retention” than gaining new customers. Creating and maintaining forums allows your customers to interact with you on an avenue that you can control.

Virtual Office Systems Provides Relief: Home Business Tips

Global Call Forwarding 8th September 2016 blog, Business Insights

Home office professionals and entrepreneurs find accessibility with virtual office system benefits

Managing the day-to-day administration of paperwork, phone calls and accounting is one of the most difficult challenges of a home business professional. You don’t have the support system that you find in large corporations, with switchboards, trained customer service personnel and personal assistants. So when you’re running the show all on your own, you need help. It’s that simple.

One of the easiest ways to find help is to contact a virtual phone number provider, which can immediately make your life easier. By setting you up with a toll free forwarding number, and by providing you with the benefits that a competent provider can offer, you can propel your business to the next level. Here are some of the ways you’ll benefit:

Accommodations for travelers. Some of us travel across town, the state or the country in order to meet clients and get our business done. That’s a lot of time on the road, and if you’re not reachable, you’re losing clients. With a virtual phone number you’ll never miss another call! You can get the “follow me” voicemail solution that will find you no matter where you are. The phone service can try as many numbers as you’d like until they reach you. They can even screen your calls, so that you can decide which calls you want to take and which ones you’d like to send to voicemail.

Consultant assistance. With a phone service, you can create the important image of success a consultant needs to succeed, as well as serve your clients better and create more billable hours. Call forwarding service will allow you to maximize your availability during working hours and free yourself from calls after hours. You can control the numbers where you can be reached as well as the times of day and days of the week you are accessible.

Home business management. With a virtual phone system, you can present an image of success and professionalism that will give your customers a sense of confidence in your company. You will have a voicemail solution that allows you to work successfully from your home without sacrificing your personal life.

As a home office manager and entrepreneurs, finding help can be crucial for the success of your business. By finding a virtual office system that works for you, you can take a positive step in improving your business.

Home business and small business owners benefit from virtual office system features

Shopping for a virtual office system that can offer you things like 800 phone numbers, vanity numbers, and office management assistance can be mind-numbing. Especially if you’ve never had such a service before. Where do you start? There are dozens of companies out there that can offer you countless benefits.

Once you narrow down the main services you want, you’ll probably have lots of additional questions.

Here are some basic features that you’ll want to look for that will enhance your benefits and help your company see results:

Look for a competitive rate. Toll-free rates can be as low as 4.5 cents per minute, which is very competitive in today’s market.
Beware of lengthy contracts. Instead of getting tied up in a long-term commitment, look for a company that offers monthly subscriptions for toll-free numbers.
Rely on technical support. Make sure that the company you sign up with offers a client services department to help you with any questions that come up. You don’t want to be hung out to dry in the middle of the afternoon when you have a question or concern.
Look for customization. Your company may have special needs, like you may need rotational voicemail for different people or groups. You also might need a script for special recordings, or rather you might choose to utilize a voice talent service. Make sure you are given these options for maximum impact.
Look for accessibility. Make sure that you have call forwarding available to you. Also, investigate the features to the call forwarding service. For instance, can you choose the time of day or days of the week you would like to get calls from a particular number? Make sure you have options with this feature, as well as with Call Back and Paging options.
Number flexibility. If you have an existing 800 number, make sure you can direct it to your new system. You should also be able to attach multiple 800 numbers to your system as well.
Look for payment options. If suitable for your needs, look for a pay-as-you-go plan. This allows for additional flexibility. Another option is a prepaid minute plan, which can help you stay in control of your usage.
Consider additional customer benefits. Some companies offer customer referral programs, which might include giving you credit for every new customer you refer. These benefits can add up over a month or a year and help you save money.

As you consider signing on with a virtual office service, knowing the benefits to look for and the questions to ask can help save money and lots of time.

Small Business Tips: Improve Your Company Image with Call Forwarding Numbers

Global Call Forwarding 8th September 2016 blog, Business Insights

Small business owners and home based businesses can improve business image with advanced call forwarding services.

At some point in in time, every entrepreneur or small business owner will have one of those moments where a light bulb goes off and you realize, “Oh, my. My business is growing so fast that I can‘t keep up with everything.”

It’s a good problem to have, but it also is one that requires action. If you’re buried with paperwork, burning the candle at both ends and working more hours than you can physically spare, it’s time to get help.

One of the easiest and fastest ways to relieve some of your stress while improving your company productivity, customer relations and image, is to seek the services of Global Call Forwarding. This company features toll free services that have helped thousands of entrepreneurs like you launch and grow their business.

Here are some of the most immediate and gratifying benefits you’ll experience:

Enhanced company image
Increased productivity
Potential increase in profits
Toll free numbers
Vanity numbers
Unified messaging
Follow-me call forwarding
The ability to give off the impression of being an established corporation
Easy-to-use applications
Full range of features and options to fit your unique needs
Enhance your personal branding with call forwarding numbers

And that’s just the beginning. If you know it’s time to expand your business, improve your offerings and provide great customer service, then using a qualified voice system provider is your next step. It’ll be one of the easiest business moves you’ve ever made.

In the professional world, you are your brand. How potential clients find you and how others in your industry look at you will depend almost entirely on the personal branding strategy that you set forth. It should not be a surprise then that personal branding extends to every aspect of your professional persona. From the clothing you wear to the design on your business card your personal brand needs to be unique, memorable and simple to remember.

While personal branding is important in all aspects of your professional life, one area that it may be most crucial is your contact information. Applying your personal brand to your telephone number is easier than you might think thanks to call forwarding.

A customized call forwarding number is a great way to increase your exposure and propel your career. By changing your existing number into something simple to remember and easy to share you can start promoting your business through platforms like websites, blogs and social media—all in a completely safe fashion. Customized numbers eliminate the long and awkward sequence of numbers, making it possible for you to make yourself easily identifiable with a simple word or even your name in lieu of a standard phone number.

Whether you are handing out your number on the fly, are posting it to social media accounts or building your web presence elsewhere, a customized, unique number can really boost your personal brand. Call Forwarding numbers can protect your personal identity by unifying your personal contact information with that of your company, offering you a level of anonymity that handing out a personal number exposes. As an added benefit, changing your personal number to a forwarded number will reduce unwanted telemarketing calls.

By forwarding your number to a single, customized line you can unify multiple lines into one simple number. This makes it easier as you grow, making it possible for all potential employers or clients in multiple cities to contact you through one simple number—without requiring different numbers for different locations and area codes. Your customized number can be toll free, which increases your business persona and adds a higher degree of validity to your professional name.

Don’t let your contact information be just another forgotten number. Enhance your personal brand by customizing a forwarded number and spread your name to a whole new world of potential clients.

The Invention of the Telephone

Luke Genoyer 7th September 2016 blog, Cloud Telephony

Earlier today, Apple unveiled two new iPhones: the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus. The tech giant announced newer models in its immensely popular line of smartphones. Smart phones today come with advanced mobile operating systems, which combine features of a mobile telephone with features of a personal computer.

Mobile telephones like the iPhone are currently some of the most widely used communications devices in the world. In the United States, nearly everyone has a cell phone – including your kids! China has an astronomical 1,100,000,000 cell phones in use.

Although in existence for more than 100 years, telephone usage and demand has been steadily increasing. There is tremendous use for telephones in business communication in addition to the use of personal mobile phones. For such a widely used device, the history of the telephone is rarely discussed.

The History of the Telephone

Alexander Graham Bell’s greatest success was accomplished on March 10, 1876, when he completed a monumentally successful experiment with the telephone. According to his journal entry dated 10 March 1876, Bell spoke these famous words, “Mr. Watson – come here – I want to see you.” This marked the first time he was able to “talk with electricity.”

However, the story behind the invention of the telephone has been surrounded by controversy. Two inventors in the 1870s both independently designed devices that could transmit speech electronically. Within hours of each other, Elisha Grey and Alexander Graham Bell rushed their designs to the patent office.

According to official records, Bell was the first to register his patent by a matter of hours. The two entered a notorious battle over the years regarding the true inventor of the telephone. Alexander Graham Bell emerged as the winner of the legal battle, and thus was declared the official inventor of the telephone.

Telegraphs as a way of communicating

Telegrams were the major form of communication before telephones were invented. For those unfamiliar with telegraphy – a telegram is a message sent by an electrical telegraph operator using Morse code. Users were limited to receiving and sending one message at a time. Telegrams were used to transmit and receive messages over long distances.

Imagine for a second how difficult it was to communicate with somebody using telegraphy. The process required electric telegraph operators, Morse code and wires! Cell phones are so easy to use.

The wire-based telegraph system was highly successful for more than 30 years. The Western Union Telegraph Company bought out smaller companies during the 1800s and rapidly extended its lines to become the dominant player in the early telecommunications industry. In fact, Western Union even built the first transcontinental telegraph line. However, two inventors in the 1870’s would drastically change telecommunications for a long time.

Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Bell was born on March 3, 1847 in Edinburgh Scotland. Bell’s parents and grandparents were instructors in elocution and the correction of speech. Bell dropped out of high school and university, and his early career involved teaching deaf people. He taught at the Clarke School for the Deaf and at the American School for the Deaf.

While pursuing a teaching career, Bell began researching telecommunications on the side. Bell imagined potential innovations to the telegraph system.

Multiple message telegraphs

Alexander Graham Bell imagined sending multiple messages over the same wire simultaneously. He envisioned a multiple message telegraph that would allow users to send and receive several messages at the same time, rather than a single message.

In 1974, Bell received funding from father-in-law/Boston attorney Gardiner Greene Hubbard to create the “future of telecommunications” – the multiple message telegraph.

Bell worked on the multiple message telegraph and eventually enlisted the services of Thomas Watson, a young electrician. However, the pair began exploring a new idea – developing a device that would transmit speech electronically.

The harmonic telegraph

The two discovered that different tones would vary the strength of an electric current in a wire. Bell and Watson realized they only needed to build two devices for this to work. First, a working transmitter that is able to vary electric currents. Second, a receiver that would reproduce these varied currents.

On June 2, 1875, Alexander Graham Bell was first able to hear sound – a twanging clock spring – over a wire using his “harmonic telegraph” device. Less than one year later, the telephone was born, marking the death of the multiple telegraph idea.

Being able to “talk with electricity” presented vast opportunities to communicate with others.

The future of the telephone

Apple’s announcements today did more than unveil the newest iPhone 7. The announcements showed how far telephones have come. Alexander Graham Bell would probably not recognize his “harmonic telegraphs” today.

Still, the innovations to telephones have been so useful to hundreds of millions of people. Telephones and softphones are still widely used in business today and new features exist that enable landlines to do so much more than transmit voices. In addition, many companies are opting for alternatives to PSTN. Major innovations have altered the field of telecommunications. What’s next?