web statisticsweb stats Business Phone Systems Tech Talk Forum - VOIP & Cloud Phone Help

Business Phone Systems

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 585
jjimm Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 585
This hits home to us all. Has everyone (anyone) noticed the new trend how the companies are hiring people to take care of their phone systems?

Just about every hiring ad I have seen (yes business has been slow for me) is for a network or technical support person who maintains the networks and maybe supports computers as the main job. Usually somewhere in the middle of the job duties description it reads something like "Support Nortel Meridian (or Avaya, etc) system- MACS and repairs".

Where are these people supposed to get this knowledge that we've spent years going to classes we paid for? Sure, if somebody documents the procedures - LD20> prt>2616> etc and all the steps, the average person can do things like add a phone. But when they need to do something like change trunk groups, add an area code, or anything beyond what is written down- forget it!

Things looked bad a few years back when GUI software was being made for users, so they supposedly wouldn't need a tech, but now it's even worse.

While this may be a sign of our bad economy, I believe this attitude is here here to stay. I would like to do something proactive to fight this- make people aware? But- would it make any difference?

Sorry for being long-winded (again) but this aggravates me.

Atcom VoIP Phones
VoIP Demo

Best VoIP Phones Canada


Visit Atcom to get started with your new business VoIP phone system ASAP
Turn up is quick, painless, and can often be done same day.
Let us show you how to do VoIP right, resulting in crystal clear call quality and easy-to-use features that make everyone happy!
Proudly serving Canada from coast to coast.

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,631
RIP Admin-Founder
*****
Offline
RIP Admin-Founder
*****
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,631
Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Where are these people supposed to get this knowledge that we've spent years going to classes we paid for?</font>

I look at it in a different prospective. What the knowledgeable Telecom folks should do is be that person, figure out the IT stuff and your heads up on the IT people. Then do your stuff for multiple companies at a cheaper rate that the ones they hire that just work for them.
You need to move with the flow and not let it frustrate ya (don't let it rent any space in your head).

Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,160
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,160
Not really a cheaper rate, you can get a good hourly rate and still cost them less cause you only work when they need you.

I concentrate on working the smaller offices, they can't afford full time IT people, and there are a lot more of them out there.
mark

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,631
RIP Admin-Founder
*****
Offline
RIP Admin-Founder
*****
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,631
Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Not really a cheaper rate, you can get a good hourly rate and still cost them less cause you only work when they need you.</font>
That's what I meant, cheaper for them. [Linked Image from sundance-communications.com]

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 585
jjimm Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 585
Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">You need to move with the flow and not let it frustrate ya (don't let it rent any space in your head).</font>

I learned data networking to keep up with voice/conversion. got my CCNA to learn VOIP effectively.
But, my gripe is that that the job classification me and thousands of other techs have done for years-Telephone Technician- looks like its being totally phased out.

Joined: May 2001
Posts: 322
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 322
Its kinda like everything else. Back in the day you had a milkman that deliverd milk to your door(or so I heard) Now he is no longer needed and adapted to society and migrated on to something else. Same thing with computers- how many jobs have been eliminated that a computer now does. So they layoff folks that are no longer needed and hire another to babysit those computers. It all comes full circle, but you must adapt or fail.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 431
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 431
I don't think that this is anything new.
The Boston Globe ran a story about a year (maybe more, I can't find the link to it) ago listing the top 10 dead end professions. Telephone system tech was like #2 on he list. The Vast majority of people are under the missconception that if you know IT phone systems are a piece of cake.
I had another thread on here talking about how the market is flooded with all these IT guys in my area doing phone systems out of their trunks at cut throat prices.
In the short run it hurts, but one thing I am beginning to see is a lot f repair calls asking me to fix stuff these guys did.
I tripple my rate for these kinds of calls.

You have to be creative in how you market your services. Call on these adds and suggest that they should outsource the work.

Corwyn

Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,768
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,768
You can catch more flies with honey than vineger. Make friends with the IT people in the businesses in your area. I show the IT people how to do all the little things that the companies hate to pay a service call for.
Like changing a name on a telephone or making a new mailbox. We all incourage companies to use their It people when we go in for two minutes and change a name and charge $65. I know you can't do it for less but why do it at all. Show the IT guy how to do it, let him be the hero on that stuff and get him to send you the big jobs. You will have a person on the inside pulling for you. This has worked well in our area.

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,573
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,573
no shortage of phone technicians in NYC & NJ....

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 585
jjimm Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 585
I like the way you think Corwyn. Creative thinking to increase monies instead of losing money is the ticket.
..now, if only I can design my own DTMF to DSL box, I can compete with all the other Voice over Broadband companies....

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  MooreTel 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums84
Topics94,262
Posts638,694
Members49,757
Most Online5,661
May 23rd, 2018
Popular Topics(Views)
211,098 Shoretel
187,704 CTX100 install
186,794 1a2 system
Newest Members
BPopilek, Rich F, LewisR, TDKs79, Buttinset
49,757 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
dexman 18
Toner 14
TDKs79 8
teleco 4
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 113 guests, and 244 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Contact Us | Sponsored by Atcom: One of the best VoIP Phone Canada Suppliers for your business telephone system!| Terms of Service

Sundance Communications is not affiliated with any of the above manufacturers. Sundance Phone System Forums - VOIP & Cloud Phone Help
©Copyright Sundance Communications 1998-2024
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5