Integrated Telecomm Services From Single Source
By Scott Chase
Ask California businesses what they’re looking for in a telecommunications provider and, regardless of the type of business, the answer is often the same. These businesses – many representing the middle market – want the convenience of a single source provider that can respond quickly to their voice, data and Internet needs with cost-effective, quality solutions.
For local, long distance and Internet services, businesses are often working with more than one service provider, requiring multiple points of contact for technical and customer support, and usually several different bills.
Taking a one-stop shopping approach to telecommunications needs, Southern California-based FirstWorld offers an innovative voice, data and Internet product and services set that targets a variety of business markets and applications. The company integrates its product set right to the customer’s desktop – a significant competitive difference – providing systems integration services that ensure seamless communications connections.
Customized service packages for the Hospitality Industry
Several Southern California hotels – including the Anaheim Marriott, Anaheim Hilton and Towers, Anaheim Carriage Inn and Stovalls’ Best Westerns Hotels of Anaheim – have taken advantage of FirstWorld’s new customized voice, data, fax, video and Internet communications package. The package, designed specifically for the hospitality industry, delivers fast, onsite response for hotel guests’ communications needs.
By offering an integrated package of services, with the flexibility and fast response to get a business up and running for major events, telecomm companies can create an outstanding service offering for the hospitality and similar industries.
FirstWorld’s package offers hotels high-speed Internet access via Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or switched Ethernet, multiple voice and data lines, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines, and Centrex-based services. The service reduces traffic on hotel voice switches, increasing a hotel’s capacity to serve guests. Hotels that purchase complete telecomm service packages can increase revenue with an Internet-based service offering, without significant costs. The best telecomm companies offer real-time rating services that allow hotels to bill guests actual voice and data communications charges at the time of check out.
The best telecomm companies should be able to respond within a few hours to a hotel’s request for voice or data needs. Businesses planning conferences or events no longer have to travel with telecommunications staff, ship specific equipment, arrange for service vendors, or worry about getting communications support once they arrive. Today, the best telecomm companies can provide any necessary equipment – whether it’s a router, hub or switch – and will manage the design, installation and maintenance. FirstWorld, for example, has dedicated, network engineers onsite at local hotels for fast response and troubleshooting.
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Scott Chase is Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications & External Affairs for FirstWorld Communications.
