The Development of the Calling Card Industry

The Calling Card industry has gone through significant transformations in which IPsmarx has contributed to. Below is a brief history of how the calling card industry has developed and where it is now.

1. In the beginning, there were traditional calling cards which users purchased at a retail location. Users would have to dial an access number followed by a PIN number and the destination number.
2. Since traditional calling cards posed many inconvenient aspects for users, PINless cards and flexible PIN numbers were developed so that users would not have to dial a lengthy PIN number each time they made a call.
3. To increase convenience, calling cards offered a new feature which allowed multiple users to use the same PIN number. This was used mainly in businesses where international calls were made by many employees on a daily basis.
4. The industry then focused on payment and balance recharge of calling cards. Rechargeable PINs or Top-up, auto recharge, and rechargeable to IVR features were so that customers would not have to purchase a new card each time their balance ran out. This simplified the payment process for customers.
5. However, the calling card industry could be further simplified. Features such as, Direct DID and DID Forwarding, provided users with one unique phone number that eliminated the need for dialing access numbers and PIN numbers. Other options such as, Speed Dial, were also developed to increase convenience for end users.
6. IPsmarx then followed by developing Permanent Accounts or Subscription Services which meant that users no longer needed a physical calling card.
7. To expand on the Permanent Accounts, IPsmarx created the PINless Reseller Module which simplified the process by allowing users to go to a reseller and subscribe for a Permanent Account. This latest development means that resellers no longer have to carry inventory of physical calling cards at their retail locations.

To learn more about IPsmarx’s latest Calling Card Solutions contact us at: sales@ipsmarx.com

Half a Millon Android Smartphone’s Activated Daily Means Application Market Opportunity

Google reports that half a million Android Smartphone’s are activated each and every single day. Revealing the new statistic via twitter Andy Rubin (Google Vice President) proudly tweets that the statistic is growing at 4.4% worldwide. This is not only exciting for the Google Corporation but this means BIG news for the application industry.

New activations mean new users seeking new applications to not only keep them entertained and amused but to help their lives become more functional.

Smartphone users make their purchase based on one thing: Functionality. Smartphone’s make our lives easier. But the monthly costs can come unexpected and not welcomed. Long distance slowly ticks away at users bills. But now there is a way to help these Smartphone users lower the costs of their monthly call usage. Offering call time for Smartphone’s means big opportunity.

Offer VoIP via Android and Apple phones and devices through a Smartphone application or what is otherwise known as a mobile softphone.

Jumping into the Smartphone application industry may seem complicated. There are a few different operating systems, different types of phones, different application competitors for each. I mean where would you even start? What service could you offer on Smartphone’s that consumers would want to snatch up and continue to purchase? Once you’ve done your research and homework you would have to go hire a pricey developer to execute the idea. IPsmarx has a golden solution that is finished and ready to be shopped to the application market.

VoIP on smart phones is the next big thing. IPsmarx has a complete turnkey package called Breeze: Mobile Softphone. It is a fully developed platform where you can offer Smartphone applications to customers to make calls over their phones through their networks or through a simple WiFi connection. Breeze lets you brand and insert your own company name and logo. Market a Smartphone Application that Smartphone users will appreciate.

Not only is the Android operating system selling like hot cakes but Apple iPhones have been the trend for more than a few years now. Android is catching up because they offer their system on more than just one Smartphone device. IPsmarx offers Breeze for both operating systems Android and iPhone.

To learn more about branding and launching your very own VoIP Smartphone application service contact us at sales@ipsmarx.com or call us at 1-703-871-5274 in the US or in Canada at 1-416-665-6999.

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ipsmarx where we announce promotions, new releases and industry news!

IPsmarx Featured on TMC.net

TMC.net posted an article about IPsmarx on June 13^th in celebration of the company’s ten year success.

This month at IPsmarx we celebrate a great mile stone, we have had 10 successful years in the industry.

We have helped clients grow and build different VoIP servicing businesses and our clients have helped us evolve.

“IPsmarx Completes 10 Years in the VoIP Industry

By Raju Shanbhag, TMCnet Contributor

IPsmarx (News – Alert) Technology, a VoIP solution provider, recently completed ten years in the industry. In celebration, the company stated it would like to thank all their clients and staff for their success.

In the ten years, the market’s reaction to IPsmarx’s solutions and developments has proved positive, the company has stated. IPsmarx’ SIP Based Calling Card Platform won Product of the Year from VoIP Biz-News, in both 2008 and 2009. In 2010 they also received “Internet Telephony Product of the Year Award” and “Excellence Award from TMC (News – Alert)”. For the IPsmarx Softswitch and IP-PBX Solutions, IPsmarx recently won “The Next Generations 2011 Award” from TMC.

When asked which factors contributed to the success of IPsmarx, CEO Arash Vahidnia stated, “Our systems are scalable, reliable, and market tested. We’ve spent a lot of time analyzing the needs of service providers and looking at all of the products in the market to see what we can offer in this economy to differentiate our customers from their competitors.”

With their solutions winning multiple awards, such as the Internet Telephony (News – Alert) Product of the Year Award, IPsmarx has become one of the leaders in the industry. IPsmarx’ product portfolio has grown to include Class 4 & Class 5 Softswitch, Calling Card Platform, PINless Solutions, Wholesale Billing, the Callback Platform, Callshop Management Solution, Multi-Tenant IP-PBX (News – Alert), DID Forwarding System, and their latest solution, Breeze, a Mobile Softphone for smartphones.“

Read More Here: http://voip-routers.tmcnet.com/topics/voip-routers/articles/185394-ipsmarx-completes-10-years-the-voip-industry.htm

Special thanks to TMC.net

VoIP Service Providers Prepare for the 2012 Olympics in London

Take full advantage of the business opportunities throughout London Olympics 2012. There is potential for businesses across the UK. Thousands of people will be coming to the UK during the Olympics from all around the world; this is in itself if great for business. So if you plan for success you could dramatically increase your VoIP sales for the length of this major event and gain more customers for the future.

So, is your business ready to cover this market demand?

Possibilities provided by once in a lifetime events like this one are endless. IPsmarx can help you to get prepared. Whether you purchase or currently have the IPsmarx Calling Card and PINless solution, Callshop, Multi-tenant IPPBX, Callback, Breeze Mobile Dialer (for Smartphone’s) or DID forwarding, each one of these business models will help you to get prepared for the immense telephone communication demand.

The first step would be to think how the Olympic Games can affect your business and based on that you will have a clear understanding on how to prepare for it. For example: you should consider increasing your systems capacity to accommodate more concurrent calls.

Retail will get full impact of the telecommunication demand. Tourists will be increasing the demand for calling card and PINless services. Small and medium-sized vendors will be eager to get savings in their phone bills, accommodations where athletes, fans and press will stay will be in need of cost effective communication technology and what is better than VoIP!

There are around 9 million tickets on sale for the Olympics event. With the press, athletes, their families, fans and officials the potential to increase sales is humongous.

Now that you see the great impact of this event you should not miss the opportunity to be part of it.

Get your IPsmarx VoIP system ready to fulfill the Olympic Games demand and to set an ongoing business for your future.

Updates from our Wholesale Department

Here are some exciting updates from the IPsmarx Wholesale Carrier Department.

We now have an online payment option available for our wholesale termination services in addition to bank wire transfers. You can enjoy the ease of refilling your account balance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by using your credit card.

IPsmarx Wholesale Carrier Services offers two levels of VOIP Termination Service; Wholesale & Gold.  Our Wholesale Service consists of Quality Routing with our most competitive rates.  Our Gold Service is Highest Retail Quality Termination with premium pricing.  We also provide Callback termination and CLI routes if this is a requirement for you.

We have numerous direct routes into Latin & Central America and also Africa.  In addition, we have very competitive rates with good quality routes through direct interconnects with our International Providers to the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

Please click here www.ipsmarx.com/cms/download/wholesalerates.csv  to review our Wholesale rates.  We have recently updated our rates for all of Africa on our Wholesale & Gold Service.  Included are new direct routes and good quality destinations.  Every day we are updating our routes to fulfill our clients’ needs.

We can set up a free test account for you and you can try the service beforehand.  Just let us know and we will send you our VOIP Interconnect Form to start the process. 

Thank you for your interest in our services & I look forward to your response.

Dulles Corridor Termed the ‘Silicon Valley of the East’ by the Atlantic Monthly

If you are a technology professional, expert, guru and or hobbyist then you know what the term Silicon Valley means. It even has a video game named after itself; now that’s just technology for you. Silicon Valley is the gathering place and technology central for multiple worldwide tech corporations.  Located in the south of San Francisco Bay in Northern sunny California, Silicon Valley now has a sister site.

IPsmarx opened its Us Office in Reston Virginia just off of Dulles Toll Road in 2006, moving into what would soon be the new silicon valley or as The Atlantic Monthly would say the “Silicon Valley Of The East”. Dulles toll road is the bridge between the capitol of the United States and information technology professionals. IPsmarx office located at 11710 Plaza America Drive, is  amongst many talented and successful businesses.

“If the Dulles Toll Road is the artery that conveys technology to the government, it is social networks–trade organizations, mentors, and networking–that help infuse the entrepreneurial fresh blood.” –  Derek Thompson of the Atlantic

So Dulles Toll Road if you are the Silicon Valley then we are definitely glad to be a part of it.

And on an even happier note IPsmarx is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this month contact us at sales@ipsmarx.com for our promotions.

The Newly Famous Dulles Toll Road in Fairfax, Va. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Photo of the IPsmarx USA headquarters

The Convenience of DID Forwarding

DID Forwarding is a solution that will allow you to offer local phone numbers to your customers in order for them to make their international phone calls. End users can assign each local number that you are offering to friends/relatives that are in different countries. This module can be a great addition to the existing PINless account that you are offering for maximizing your profit and being competitive with advanced features amongst other VoIP service providers.

Convenience for the End Users:

• No PIN number or the need to dial an access number is required. Simply by dialing the local number they can reach the international destination that was assigned to their number.
• The customer is able to use their Cell phone for making long distance calls without having to pay international charges to their Cell phone providers.

Advantages for VoIP Service Providers:

• By just purchasing 5 extra DID’s you can provide this service to every single customer. Customers can use the same DIDs but since each customer has their own account they can forward the number to different international calls.

IPsmarx API allows integration of Calling Card and PINless with Point of Sales Solutions

IPsmarx clients can use our API to integrate with many other tools and solutions, such as Point of Sales (POS). With Point of Sales integration, Calling Card and PINless Solution Providers can sell cards or ANI PINless Services at supermarkets or convenient stores and charge clients using their point of sales terminal. Customer will pick up the card of their choice and simply add funds at the counter as they pay for any other items. This useful solution makes transactions much faster and easier. It also reduces the risk of cards being stolen since cards won’t be valid until activated at the point of purchase!

For more information on our API integration for POS and other custom applications, please contact us.

Meet the IPsmarx Team: Technical Support

William Pourmajidi is the Technical Support Manager here at IPsmarx Technology. He has been with the company for almost 8 years and has a strong background in Networking and VoIP.

Williams’s favorite thing about his Job is that each and every day is different.  He says that are always challenges and he enjoys helping customers problem solve issues. He finds reward in helping others.

In his spare time, William reads, expands his knowledge in the IT industry, and engages in mathematics.

What is Cloud Based VoIP Service?

These days you hear the term “cloud based service” quite often but what does it actually mean and how does it impact a VoIP provider?

The Wikipedia definition of cloud based computing is as follows:

Cloud computing refers to the provision of computational resources on demand via a computer network, such as applications, databases, file services, email, etc. In the traditional model of computing, both data and software are fully contained on the user’s computer; in cloud computing, the user’s computer may contain almost no software or data (perhaps a minimal operating system and web browser only), serving as little more than a display terminal for processes occurring on a network of computers far away. A common shorthand for a provided cloud computing service (or even an aggregation of all existing cloud services) is “The Cloud”.

The most common analogy to explain cloud computing is that of public utilities such as electricity, gas, and water. Just as centralized and standardized utilities free individuals from the difficulties of generating electricity or pumping water, cloud computing frees users from certain hardware and software installation and maintenance tasks through the use of simpler hardware that accesses a vast network of computing resources (processors, hard drives, etc.). The sharing of resources reduces the cost to individuals.

So, what does this mean for you, the VoIP Service Provider? This mainly impacts business users of VoIP since they traditionally have had to install a physical PBX box or gateway in order to utilize business features of their phone service, like multiple extensions, call transfer, etc. When an IP-PBX is hosted “in the cloud,” these businesses no longer need PBX boxes, routers, or gateways in their facility. Instead, the PBX is hosted for them outside of their location by their VoIP Service Provider.

In this case, they will have web access to their provisioning and billing system to track their usage, manage extensions, etc. but they won’t have the cost and inconvenience of maintaining hardware at their location.

To find out more about how you can offer your own brand of cloud based VoIP to business users, view more information here: http://ipsmarx.com/cms/english/solutions/pbx.html.