Use Virtual Technologies in Your Non-Virtual Business and Cruise Through the Recession

Oct. 18, 2009 - PRLog -- [Atlanta GA] Peggy Duncan recently moved into an office building and opened The Digital Breakthroughs Institute (DBI), an Atlanta-based training center that offers technology and productivity workshops for business professionals. Considering the economy, the decision to move was made easier when Duncan implemented virtual communication technologies that are either free or low cost.

"This office space is for training, not office staff. So instead of installing a wired telephone system, I opted to use Google Voice, the magicJack, and efax," Duncan says. Here is how all of it works.

GOOGLE VOICE. This is a free service from Google. With it, you have one number for all your phones, voicemail that you can either read or listen to via email, free US long distance, low rates on international calls, and many calling features.

"My Google Voice number is the official phone number for DBI. When people call that number, my home office phone, BlackBerry, and magicJack numbers ring at the same time (you choose where you want the numbers to ring). I’ll pick up either one of them, depending on where I am. I don’t have to give out all numbers, nor do I have to remember to forward my home office number to my BlackBerry when I leave (I don’t give out my cell phone number). If I answer the phone in my home office and then need to change phones, I’ll press * and all phones will ring again. I’ll then answer a different one (e.g., answer via the BlackBerry so you can leave)," explains Duncan.

magicJACK. The magicJack is VOIP technology. The unit is smaller than a credit card and its USB connector plugs right into the computer. A regular phone wire plugs into the other end. The other end of the phone wire plugs into a regular, analog telephone. The telephone does not plug into the wall, which is why no installation from a phone company is needed.

"When I make a call, I open the magicJack software on my laptop, pick up the phone and dial any U.S. number as I normally would. Or I can dial from the magicJack software. Although the sound is better when I’m not on a wireless Internet connection, it’s more than clear enough for most phone calls. If I have a teleseminar or radio interview, I’ll conduct them in my home office on the land line," says Duncan.

eFAX. This free service makes it possible to receive faxes into your email Inbox. As long as you don't exceed receiving more than 20 pages a month, the service is free, home.efax.com/s/r/efaxprint. "When I need to send a rare fax, I do this from my home office using my Epson WorkForce 600 combo printer/fax/scan unit and regular home phone line," explains Duncan.

In this down economy, it's especially important that you examine where your money is going and how you can maintain the same level of service for less.

Peggy Duncan is a personal productivity expert and founder of The Digital Breakthroughs Institute, a computer and productivity training company in Atlanta, GA. Classes include Wordpress, do it yourself search engine optimization and public relations, time management, Microsoft Office, business writing, and more. For more information and a schedule of classes, visit http://www.DigitalBreakthroughs.com.

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Peggy Duncan is the founder of The Digital Breakthroughs Institute, a training firm in Atlanta GA that focuses on improving technology skills and boosting productivity of small business owners and professionals.