cti4u

CTI Integrates Business Phone Systems to Microsoft Teams to Increase Customer Collaboration, Productivity and Profitability

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 18:45:30 GMT

Leading MTSP Improves Communication Among Region’s Businesses

BURTON, MI – July 28 2022 - CTI a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), recently announced that the company is proactively integrating business phone systems seamlessly into Microsoft Teams to boost collaboration, productivity and profitability. Microsoft Teams has now become the most widely used business collaboration platform across most industries. CTI is helping businesses maximize their utilization of Microsoft Teams by combining it to a feature rich business VoIP solution. As result, the region’s businesses can leverage key applications including call controls, IVR, call handling, automatic call recording, reports, analytics, call queues, SMS, and fax capabilities in an enhanced security environment with less downtime.

Essentially, small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) face a trade-off when they integrate Microsoft Teams into their organization. Microsoft Teams offers a host of apps and services which greatly enhance an organization’s ability to collaborate on projects, which can increase the efficiency, speed and effectiveness of team efforts on projects. CTI’s innovative solution and guidance enables Teams’ users to experience seamless integration that would allow an organization to maximize all of their existing business phone capabilities without causing operational disruption. For example, one drawback of Teams was how it didn’t leverage existing phone numbers, conference lines, contacts, etc. whereby one would have to utilize new numbers that didn’t integrate natively into the platform. Imagine the headache caused by telling staff they now have one phone number for customers but a separate number for Teams. CTI’s solution solves this problem, among many others in a way that can be implemented with a single click, with no hardware, no need for specialist skills, with no disruption to the business with pricing that is infinitely scalable (either up or down).

“Microsoft Teams has become so popular because it is an undeniably powerful platform,” stated Jeff Allen, President of CTI. “It’s quickly becoming ubiquitous and will be the standard that all businesses rely on to foster collaboration between organizations. However, once we noticed that one small, yet crucial, missing piece for our customers was that Teams had no native phone app, we solved the problem. With IT and business technology systems, you just expect it to ‘just work’ and this technology will help our customers leverage everything they’ve already invested in.”

ABOUT CTI

Communications Technologies, Inc. (CTI) is an independently, locally owned voice and data communications company serving Michigan businesses for over 30 years. CTI is a one-source solution for ordering dial tone and high-speed Internet, providing voice and data cabling, and installation and support of business telephone systems and computer networks. The company takes a consultative approach to its customers’ needs and makes recommendations based on over 100 years of combined experience and expertise. CTI actively supports the community through its involvement with non-profit and other charitable organizations. CTI’s goal is to add value, differentiate its services, and deliver strategic technologies with integrity and innovation resulting in the highest level of customer profitability, satisfaction and competition advantage. For more information about CTI please call 800-860-6910 or email us .

Why Cloud Voice?

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 15:12:47 GMT

Messaging. Voice. Video. File Sharing. Chat. Contact Center. Integrations. All-In-one.

With UNIVERGE BLUE, your employees can be there without physically being there.

Set your business up for success with the fully integrated communications platform that goes anywhere you go. Fully integrated unified communications and collaboration solution in one seamless and intuitive experience.

Attention: Iwatsu Telephone System Partners

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 16:07:18 GMT

Your current Iwatsu Telephone System became end of life in 2008, and Iwatsu left the U.S. market in 2015. This means that there is no support or product available to service your telephone system.

CTI has been forced into making the decision that we will no longer service/support Iwatsu Telephone Systems effective May 1, 2022.

Solution

CTI values its partners and, as a result of the above, is offering a TRADE IN / TRADE UP PROGRAM to our existing Iwatsu Telephone System partners. We have numerous solutions that can enhance your efficiency as well as reduce your monthly telecom expense.

Please contact us prior to May 1 to discuss your options.

Call (810) 743-6900

Alert: Action Required For T1 Customers

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:05:53 GMT

Recently CTI became aware that many phone carriers such as AT&T Frontier, 123.net, TDS and others will no longer be offering dial tone utilizing digital T1 Service.

Solution

CTI has numerous solutions to assist with this transition.

If you are notified by your telephone company that you need to seek alternative options or if you would like assistance in determining if your carrier will be discontinuing your services, please contact us

Call (810) 743-6900

Alert: Apache Log4j Vulnerabilities

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 16:04:32 GMT

On December 9, 2021, a new critical 0-Day vulnerability in the widely used Java logging library, Apache Log4j, was publicly disclosed. This vulnerability is classed as severe and allows unauthenticated remote code execution as the user running the application utilizes the Java logging library.

Solution

To receive assistance in determining vulnerabilities, please contact CTI.

Call (810) 743-6900 or place a service request

Alert: Windows 10 KB5000802 (March) update is crashing PCs with BSOD

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:29:20 GMT

Windows 10 KB5000802 (March) update is crashing PCs with BSOD

Windows 10 KB5000802 has been going seriously wrong for some PC owners in the last twelve hours, with several users reporting that the botched update is causing Blue Screen of Death errors when they use printers.

Affected Products

Reports of printer failures include Kyocera, Ricoh, Zebra, and others.

Solution

To receive assistance in resolving any issues after the latest Automatic Windows Update, please contact CTI.

ALERT: Regarding Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Servers

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 15:26:30 GMT

Microsoft has released information regarding multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server. A remote attacker may execute arbitrary code with system privileges by leveraging these vulnerabilities. According to Microsoft, four of these vulnerabilities have already been exploited in limited targeted attacks, and it is recommended to take measures as soon as possible.

Affected Products and Versions

Affected products and versions are as follows. Microsoft Exchange Online is not affected.

- Microsoft Exchange Server 2019
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2016
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2013

Solution

To receive assistance in patching your server against these vulnerabilities or assistance is discovering any compromises in your infrastructure, please contact CTI.

CTI Proudly Celebrates 30th Company Anniversary

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 19:08:13 GMT

Technology Leader Celebrates Longevity, Strategies and Team that Has Made it a Success

Communications Technologies, Inc., (CTI), a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), announced that the company celebrated its 30th year in business on February 12th, 2021. CTI has been a staple in the business community, priding itself on empowering businesses to remain competitive through deploying advanced technology solutions across a wide variety of industries. CTI has helped businesses address the core concern of how to stay in constant communication with their customers in a seamless, professional, efficient manner for decades, which has led them to expand into all different aspects of technology. Currently, CTI provides an array of modern technology solutions including business phones, cloud backup, medical IT, managed IT, security and surveillance, dark web defense, structured cabling, mobility and door access controls.

CTI has always been focused on addressing the most pressing business concerns with futuristic technology. While 30 years ago, CTI was providing touchtone, caller ID and voicemail the modern small to mid-sized business (SMB) has drastically different needs. For example, during the recent COVID-19 crisis, one of the most pressing concerns was security and surveillance. Many business owners were looking for ways to keep their businesses open while respecting all of the mandated guidelines and operational restrictions, however, customers and regulators were concerned for workplace safety. Through deploying thermal imaging cameras and door access controls, businesses could scan customers from a distance and detect whether or not they were ill, and then open/lock doors based on their body temperature. This is just one instance of how CTI surveys the technological horizon and to bring back the absolute best advanced technology solution to address the customer challenge. CTI has deployed these types of advanced technology solutions in various verticals, including medical offices, banks, credit unions and many more, which demand absolute precision.

“One of the key strategies that we believe have contributed to CTI’s longevity is intense focus on enhancing the customer experience,” states Jeff Allen, President of CTI. “It’s about taking ownership of our customers problems and resolving them as if they were our own internal challenge.”

He later added, “While our strategic planning has definitely contributed to our success over the years, we are blessed to have such an incredible team of experts working alongside us. We’re very grateful that our employees are so loyal, with some members celebrating over 20 years at the company.”

CTI had humble beginnings and the owners rented office space in someone else’s building as they began to serve the business community. However, before long, more happy customers led to growth, and CTI eventually was able to purchase their own building, providing more space for staff and innovation. Recently, CTI was able to upgrade their offices improving the aesthetics, conference rooms and futuristic collaboration tools that team members experiment with inside, with the hope of bringing their innovations to other SMBs that want to compete at a higher level.

ABOUT CTI

Communications Technologies, Inc., (CTI), formerly known as Allen Audio & Communications, is an independently, locally owned data and voice communications company serving Michigan businesses for 30 years. CTI is a one source solution for installation and support of computer networks, business telephone and camera systems, managed services, cloud and hosted applications, BDR and voice and data cabling. CTI takes a consultative approach to its customers' needs and makes recommendations based on over 150 years of combined experience and expertise.

CTI actively supports the community through its involvement with non-profit and other charitable organizations. For more on CTI please call 800.860.6910 or visit cti4u.com

Download the new release pdf here

Helping Companies Transition to Remote Workforce

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 21:54:06 GMT

Leading Managed Technology Services Provider (MTSP) Reports on Spike in Cloud Demand from Small to Mid-Sized Businesses (SMBs)

BURTON, MI – November 2020 - CTI, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), announced today that the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased the forecasted demand for cloud solutions among SMBs, even beyond what most were expecting. Due largely to the increased need for Work-From-Home (WFH) solutions, SMBs are investing heavily in the cloud, through services like Microsoft Azure, to equip their organizations with the virtualization solution necessary to take their businesses to the next level. As a result, CTI is helping more and more SMBs transition their on-premise IT network to Microsoft’s Azure.

It’s no secret that most businesses have shifted their operations to hybrid environments, if not fully-remote, and as that shift has occurred the corresponding increase in demand for cloud IT has also grown. According to the 2020 State of the Cloud Report , by Flexera, “50% of SMBs are expecting their cloud usage to be higher than planned due to COVID-19.” Whether a business owner decides to embrace this tech or not is more of a moot point, because it’s highly likely that in the very near future their clients, customers, suppliers and prospects will all be utilizing this technology and they will eventually be using it, too, to remain relevant.

With more than 95% of Fortune 500 companies utilizing Microsoft Azure, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes ubiquitous. Jeff Allen, President of CTI commented, “Azure is the ideal environment for SMBs to enhance their IT environment because a hybrid workforce is now the new norm. For the business owner, this means that they have immediate scalability within their IT, the flexibility to instantly reduce expenses if they need to adjust headcount and a foundation to support their easily predictable usage of more cloud-based applications in the future.”

In such uncertain times, business owners are looking to position themselves with maximum flexibility and security when it comes to their IT. With cloud IT solutions, companies can “pay for what they use, as-they-go” and nothing more.

ABOUT CTI

Communications Technologies, Inc. (CTI) is an independently, locally owned voice and data communications company serving Michigan businesses for over 25 years. CTI is a one-source solution for ordering dial tone and high-speed Internet, providing voice and data cabling, and installation and support of business telephone systems and computer networks. The company takes a consultative approach to its customers’ needs and makes recommendations based on over 100 years of combined experience and expertise. CTI actively supports the community through its involvement with non-profit and other charitable organizations. CTI’s goal is to add value, differentiate its services, and deliver strategic technologies with integrity and innovation resulting in the highest level of customer profitability, satisfaction and competition advantage.

Download PDF Version of this press release

CTI Offers Thermal Cameras and Scanners Designed to Read Body Temperature to Keep SMB Employees and Customers Safe

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 18:14:14 GMT

Leading Managed Technology Services Provider (MTSP) Helps Businesses in all Industries Create Safe Environments

BURTON, MI – June 2020

CTI, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), announced today that the company is supplying small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) with thermal cameras and scanners designed to read body temperature in order to keep their locations safe for employees and customers. As protection from COVID-19 is at the forefront of every business owner, demand for thermal technology is skyrocketing in every industry and every environment where people gather whether it be employees, customers or both. Companies are proactively adopting this technology out of moral obligation to protect their team and those they serve. Many organizations that have made the investment in thermal cameras and scanners are also benefiting from increased profits and competitive advantages over companies that have not yet made a similar investment. Customers are now choosing to conduct business with only those companies that have installed thermal technology. “Thermal cameras have become a necessity in this new world that we find ourselves in,” stated Jeff Allen, President of CTI. “When given the choice between going to a business that conducts mandatory body temperature readings and one that doesn’t, which one do you think most customers feel safer visiting? This is having a profound impact on revenue recovery amongst SMBs.”

Thermal technology is being used in every industry. For example, in healthcare like nursing homes, assisted living facilities or medical institutions, thermal cameras detect individuals through facial recognition so when a guest, patient or employee approaches a door, it scans their facial image for identification, ensures they’re wearing a mask and then conducts a body temperature reading and permits entry through the automatic opening of a door. For business owners who are trying everything they can to get reluctant customers back into their businesses, this is key differentiating technology that assures customers of their safety.

“You’ve likely seen employees standing outside of buildings counting the number of people that are inside a particular location and then instructing guests to wait or enter, based on capacity,” added Allen. “With our cameras you can conduct people counting automatically, freeing up valuable staff to focus on enhancing customer experience. Staff can tell at all times whether the environment is under or at capacity to meet social distancing guidelines.”

After months of working from home, many people report feeling unsafe when asked to go back into the office, which has very high liability concerns. However, with thermal cameras, their security is ensured making it easier for organizations to continue to attract customers and new employees, while increasing everyone’s safety.

ABOUT CTI

Download PDF of the press release here.

Secure WiFi to Protect Against Cyber Attacks

chelsea@behindyourdesign.com (Chelsea Mills) — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:58:17 GMT

Next Generation Cybersecurity Solutions

chelsea@behindyourdesign.com (Chelsea Mills) — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:51:29 GMT

Empowering Companies to Combat COVID-19

chelsea@behindyourdesign.com (Chelsea Mills) — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:49:31 GMT

Celebrating the Merger with Pro-Tech Communications

chelsea@behindyourdesign.com (Chelsea Mills) — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:47:19 GMT

Monitoring the Dark Web to Keep Your Information Safe

chelsea@behindyourdesign.com (Chelsea Mills) — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 20:43:53 GMT

cti4u

CTI Integrates Business Phone Systems to Microsoft Teams to Increase Customer Collaboration, Productivity and Profitability

Leading MTSP Improves Communication Among Region’s Businesses

Why Cloud Voice?

Attention: Iwatsu Telephone System Partners

Alert: Action Required For T1 Customers

Alert: Apache Log4j Vulnerabilities

Alert: Windows 10 KB5000802 (March) update is crashing PCs with BSOD

Windows 10 KB5000802 (March) update is crashing PCs with BSOD

Affected Products

Solution

ALERT: Regarding Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Servers

Affected Products and Versions

﻿

Solution

CTI Proudly Celebrates 30th Company Anniversary

Technology Leader Celebrates Longevity, Strategies and Team that Has Made it a Success

ABOUT CTI

Helping Companies Transition to Remote Workforce

Leading Managed Technology Services Provider (MTSP) Reports on Spike in Cloud Demand from Small to Mid-Sized Businesses (SMBs)

CTI Offers Thermal Cameras and Scanners Designed to Read Body Temperature to Keep SMB Employees and Customers Safe

Leading Managed Technology Services Provider (MTSP) Helps Businesses in all Industries Create Safe Environments

Secure WiFi to Protect Against Cyber Attacks

Next Generation Cybersecurity Solutions

Empowering Companies to Combat COVID-19

Celebrating the Merger with Pro-Tech Communications

Monitoring the Dark Web to Keep Your Information Safe