I am sitting here tonight enjoying the rumbling of thunder and the sharp flash of lightning.  Ah...........spring is finally here.

I thought tonight would be a good time to discuss Google Voice and the many features that come with it.  If you do not know what Google Voice is, well, let me tell you about it.

Google Voice is a service provided by Google that basically allows you to organize ALL of your telephone numbers in one place.  Waiting on that important call?  No problem.  List your numbers with Google Voice, and allow Google to transfer that important call to whatever phone you may be sitting beside at that time.

Here is how it works.  Once you have an account with Google voice, you can simply log in to your account and choose a Google Voice telephone number.  Once you have done that, you can list all of the telephone numbers that you currently have.  After passing out your Google Voice number, people are able to call that number and get in touch with you at any of the numbers that you have listed!!  Want that business call to ring at home?  It can happen?  Want to transfer a call from your office phone to your mobile?  That can happen.

The only drawback......you have to use a Google Voice telephone number.  It's really not that bad, and you can easily find numbers that are local to your area. Also included with Google Voice is voicemail to text, for free.  Hate checking voicemail?  Me too.  You can setup Google Voice to accept your voicemail calls.  Google will then translate those calls from voice to text, and deliver them straight to your email address........pretty slick.

Last drawback of Google Voice?  Well, you have to be invited to join.  You can logon to Google Voice and ask them to invite you.  It took me roughly 4 days to get my invitation......but, I think I was lucky. 

I have 3 invites that I can hand out.  Tell me in the comments why you think you deserve one, and I will decide who gets them!!

Until next time,

T

OneBridge Communications, LLC announced today a new program to help companies save more money. 

The promotion runs from now through the end of July, and allows companies to rent GPS units without signing any long term agreements. Upfront costs are minimal with only a $100 per truck installation fee.  Everything else is covered in your monthly rental fee.

All tracking is in real time, with 5 minute updates while the vehicle is moving.  Accessible from any computer that has an internet connection, users are able to find locations of vehicles from anywhere.

Can't get to a computer?  That's fine.  You can also use any PDA device to find your vehicles as well?  Don't have a PDA?  That's fine too!!  This system provides you with a toll free number that can be called where you are able to here the last location of your vehicle through a voice activated system.

Return on investment is guaranteed!!

If you are interested in this system and promotion, please send an email to info@onebridgewireless.com.

This post is a little overdue, and most of you may already be aware of the new laws governing cellphone usage while driving in North and South Carolina.  However, we figured that this would be a good time to revisit what the new laws are, and how they affect your personal usage, as well as your employees.

On December 1, 2009, North Carolina updated their cell phone laws to a newer version of what was already in place.  Before, users over the age of 18 were allowed to use cell phones while driving, unless they were operating a school bus.  Those laws have now changed to read the following:

         - No user shall use a cell phone while driving for text messaging, electronic email, music, games, camera, or internet functions.
         - Fine of $100 plus court costs, but no points
         - Exceptions are only for police, fire, and medics

South Carolina is a little different, or behind the times you could say.  Although South Carolina does not currently have any set cell phone driving laws in place, they do have what is called a "distracted or inattentive attribute under Contributing Factors.  So, instead of pulling you over for using your cell phone while driving, you can be ticketed at the scene of an accident if it is determined that you were using your cell phone instead of paying attention to the road ahead.

Common sense in any situation like this would tell you to put the cell phone down and concentrate on driving.  If you must use the phone while driving, find a safe, secure spot to pull over and complete the task that is needed, and then continue to operate your vehicle.  Text messages, email, and internet are not as important as human life.

Company vehicle usage policices or company cell phone policies should cover these issues.  If you do not currently have a set company cell phone policy, give us a call.  One of our consultants can help you create and establish a company cell phone policy.

Until next time,

TLS

NC Cell Phone Laws.pdf (16.65 kb)

Sprint has announced that they will launch the Motorola i1, an Android based smartphone.  This phone, like many other Android phones has a vibrant touchscreen, all the fun features of Android 1.5, and one thing that no other Android has...........PUSH TO TALK!!!

The first of its kind, the Motorola i1 will definitely pump some life into a network (iDEN) that could really use some right now. 

This feature list is not confirmed as of this posting, but here they are:

- 3.1 inch touchscreen
- 5MP camera
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 2.1

Last, the Motorola i1, named the Opus One, will contain the MOTOBLUR UI, which will link all of your social networks together in one spot.  The only downfall to the phone is that it will not run on

Sprint's 3G network, but will work on iDEN's slower data network.

With that being said, a touchscreen, Android based smartphone with Push to Talk is right up our alley.

We are excited!!

Until next time,

T

Too often, I receive questions from business owners that start like this, "How do I know that I need to track my vehicles?"  Business owners today want to make sure that the purchases they authorize for their business are actually going to help their business.  Owners also want to make sure that the purchases they make have a return on investment.  One that is measureable, one that is verifiable.

The answer to this question is simple.  If you are considering this purchase, it's probably time.

But, most business owners that we come in contact with have the same feelings when it comes to tracking people.  Either they do not like the idea of it, they trust their employees, or they do not want to make employees feel uncomfortable.

My response to those feelings is also fairly simple. 

What I am trying to say is that GPS vehicle tracking is so much more than just an employee accountability tool.  If the only reason companies purchased GPS was to hold employees accountable, well, we would have to close our doors.  There are so many more uses for vehicle tracking that have nothing to do with employee accountability.

For example, GPS vehicle tracking can be used as an invoice accountability tool.  Hmmmmmmm, what does that mean.  Let me ask you this, how many times has a customer called in to dispute the number of labor hours on an invoice?  How many times has a customer called and complained about your service truck not stopping at their house and completing a service? 

A question that I would ask you is, "How many labor hours are being erased because your company has no way to prove that your technician was there for the 2 hours that were billed, or that the service was performed?

How nice would it be to log in to a system that provides the information to prove that you are accurately billing that customer, or that your service truck stopped at Mr. Doe's house for 2 hours while your technician sprayed for bugs?

Now do you see what I mean?

To learn more, simply provide us with your contact information.  One of our GPS consultants can provide our free fleet analysis that will take an in-depth look at how you currently operate your fleet, as well as complete and ROI analysis on your business.

This free consultation takes about 30 minutes to complete, and there is no obligation for you to purchase anything.

Until next time,

TLS

For a carrier that many have deemed to be "in trouble", Sprint has turned up the heat with a sweet lineup of new Android phones.

Rumors say that HTC will unveil the new "Supersonic" at the CTIA show next week in Las Vegas.  This phone has a lot of hype surroounding it, and is said to have the ability to use Sprint's new 4G network...........a system that no other carrier currently has.

Other phones launching on Sprint include the Nexus One, as well as a new Blackberry named the "T", short for Talladega.

Whatever happens with Sprint, it seems like it will be an exciting summer of phone launch's from Sprint.

Also from Sprint, Android 2.1 software will be pushing out to existing HTC Hero's and Samsung Moment's in the next few weeks!!

Until next time,

TLS

As I write this post tonight, I must admit one thing.......my tourney bracket is already destroyed!!

Okay, so back on topic!!  I want to make sure that we first understand what this post is attempting to do.  First, I am trying to sell you something.  Yep, I said it!!  Two, I am going to attempt to uncover a problem that your organization may or may not know that it has.

So now that we have that behind us, let me explain a little about what the title means.  Of course you know what measuring means.  Any business measures something.  Productivity, time to market, cash flow....something is measured.  Then, when something gets measured, it also begins to be monitored.  Benchmarks are put in place, standards are set, and goals are written down.

Companies who monitor their measurements become more efficient, get more done, and are able to consistently raise the bar against themselves.

But, does your company measure expenses?  What about landline and wireless communication expenses?

Quick fact: Wireless customers place over 4 million calls per month to their carrier for billing errors. 

Another quick fact: Add up all the billing errors that occur from wireless and landline carriers and it equals millions of dollars PER MONTH!

Measuring and monitoring these bills is not crucial to daily operations, but how much of the millions in billing errors per month are you being charged?  Do you know?  If you don't, it's okay.  Most companies don't know.  Most companies are doing more with less and just do not have the time to audit a bill from front to back in search of those errors or waste.  So, they rip open the bill, check the amount due (which just happens to be conveniently located on the first page, and in bold), and then cut the check.......end of story.  What you don't realize is that you more than likely just wrote a check for 25% more than you should have.

If you are not currently utilizing a telecom expense management company, I highly recommend that you do so.  You do not have to choose OneBridge, but I hope that you would give us the opportunity to compete for your business.

OneBridge employs former wireless and wireline executives that understand what your bills say, understand rate plan matrixs, and know the correct steps to shave every penny off of your bills that should not be there.

Some of the benefits that our customers realize are:

• - 25% + monthly savings on wireless bills (without sacrificing the features and extras that employees currently have)
• - Equipment pricing that is not advertised
• - Monthly discounts based on certain criteria
• - Monthly in-depth reports that allow monitoring of usage trends, high spend users, and waste
• - Web based applications that allow the management of inventory, general ledger or job cost coding, and paperless bills

If you feel like your company is spending too much, or just want us to take a look and make sure your costs are as low as they can possibly be, the next step is simple.

Call our offices at 877-212-4828.

One of our consultants will be glad to speak with you on your current telecom situation.  We can then schedule a time to dig deeper into your bills to figure out where the waste is, what services are needed, and how we can move forward.

Best part................the consultation is free.  You are not obligated to do anything.  If we find nothing, you owe nothing.  It's that simple.

You can also send copies of your wireless and wireline bills to us at sales@onebridgewireless.com.

Until next time,

Thomas Sayle

Okay, so the joke in the title was probably bad. However, the message below is no joke or laughing matter.

OneBridge Communications, LLC has always attempted to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest technology, phones, and GPS equipment.  But, today we want to talk about something else: the safety of our customers and friends.

I.C.E. Your Phone is a simple concept.  If you do not know what we are talking about, here it goes:

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency........

Now, no one wants to talk about it, but if something were to happen to you and you were unable to communicate to emergency personnel, here is one tip.

No matter what style phone you have, create a new contact and name it ICE - John Doe.  So, if I was the person that you wanted contacted if something happened to you, you would simply add a contact like this:

ICE Thomas Sayle

Emergency and first responders are trained to look for this in your phone, so help them out and put it there.

If you need help with this, email us at info@onebridgewireless.com and we can help you get this done.

Until next time,

TLS