Pioneers Unlimited, Inc.

An emergency notification solution specifically designed for businesses' critical facilities. With deliberate dial out logic, built-in escalation and confirmation capability, and the reliable redundant architecture, the Alarm Server ensures smooth day-to-day operation, and substantially reduces the loss due to unexpected malfunction.

A third-party entity that manages and distributes software-based services and solutions to customers from a central data center. ASPs provide an alternative to developing, or else purchasing and maintaining applications in-house. Accordingly, ASPs run and maintain software applications on behalf of the end-user, who accesses them over the Internet or through a virtual private network. In essence, ASPs are a way for companies to outsource some or almost all aspects of their information technology needs.

An electronic device used to increase an audio signal. "Preamplifiers" increase the input of signals while power applications increase the live level signals to drive the loudspeakers to the loudness required.

Autodialers are either physical devices or else computer applications that make automated phone calls. Generally used in the call center and telemarketing industries, autodialers can make large volumes of calls to potential customers in a short period of time. Autodialers can be set up to send a prerecorded message to the party on the receiving end of a phone call, and often have a feature to automatically transfer the customer to a live operator should the customer signal willingness to purchase, for example by pressing buttons on the phone in response to instructions. More recent web-based autodialers operate without any physical device, and generate calls via software from pre-entered call lists.

A system used to answer calls without live operator intervention.

A single conductor electrical connector with a banana shaped spring-metal tip most often used on audio power amplifiers for load speaker wiring.

A bit is the smallest unit of information technology. As bits are made up using the binary number system, all multiples of bits must be powers of two i.e. a kilobit is actually 1024 bits and a megabit 1048576 bits. Transmission speeds are given in bits per second (bit/s)

A low power, short range wireless technology designed to provide a replacement for the serial cable. Operating in the 2.4GHz ISM band, Bluetooth can connect a wide range of personal, professional and domestic devices such a laptop computers and mobile phones together wirelessly.

A service or connection allowing a considerable amount of information to be conveyed, such as television pictures. Generally defined as a bandwidth > 2Mbit/s

Call Management allows you to predefine system's responses while the extension is busy or not answered according to your real needs.

A TalkSwitch feature that "stacks" calls on a first-in, first-out basis if the local extension or ring group is busy. While in a queue, callers can remain on hold, leave a message and hang up, or return to the autoattendant for other menu options.

Calls are automatically forwarded to an external telephone, through the Automated Attendant, without a dedicated extension.

Caller ID allows sales department to identify where did the unanswered calls come from and enables the "Screen Pop" function to bring up the caller's related data on the service agent's screen as soon as the incoming call is answered.

Central Office. A local telephone company office to which all local loops in a given area connect and in which circuit switching of subscriber lines occurs.

A type of cable used by the 10 base 2 ethernet standard and most home cable television. It consists of a single insulated copper braid or foil that acts as a ground. The entire wire is coated with plastic.

Coder-Decoder. A device that typically uses PCM to transform analog voice into a digital bit stream and vice versa.

A conference call is a call in which three or more parties interact simultaneously. Always a cost effective way to reduce travel expenses, in recent times conference call technology has advanced to provide a more interactive user experience. Calls often include not only telephone communication, but also video and web communication. One of the most popular services allows clients who do not have video conferencing equipment to connect via the web, thereby participating in the call using only their web browser.

A "cookie" is a small piece of information that a website can send to your browser and may be stored on your computer's hard drive in order to identify and track your user information and navigation though a site.

Interfering energy transferred from one circuit to another.

Computer-Telephone Integration (CTI) gives your telephone system the benefit of a wide range of computer-based functions. CTI makes it even easier to take advantage of the Digital family's many features, with point-and-click Windows™ commands. So it makes people more efficient and more productive.

A computerized phone system that routes incoming and outgoing telephone calls to the next available operator or agent. ACDs (Automatic Call Distributor) are the electronic heart of call centers, which are widely used in telephone sales and service departments of all organizations. The ACD responds to the caller with a voice menu and connects the call to an appropriate individual.

A Domain Name is a friendly name for a server on the Internet. For example, in the URL http://www.tech-encyclopedia.com/domain-names.htm www.tech-encyclopedia.com' is the domain name, and 'com' is the top level domain. A system called DNS (Domain Name System) is used to resolve friendly domain names to less friendly IP numbers that are used to actually address and route traffic across the internet. The registration of domain names is controlled by a set of domain registrars that are assigned different top-level domains (TLDs). The TLD is the highest level of hierarchy and is the portion of the domain name that appears furthest to the right, Some common TLDs are .COM, .NET, and .ORG. The next part of the domain name is referred to as a second-level domain names (SLD). It is the part that appears just to the left of the TLD

Digital Service level 0 - Carries 1 voice conversation.

Digital Service level 1 - Carries 24 conversations at a time.

Digital Service 3 - Carries 672 conversations at a time (28 DS1's).

Data Service Unit - A digital interface device that connects end user data communications equipment to the digital access lines, and which provides framing of sub-64Kbps customer access channels onto higher rate data circuits. A DSU may be combined with a CSU into a single device called a CSU/DSU.

Standard wired LAN protocol. Includes physical and link layers

A firewall is a tool (usually a combination of hardware and software) that secures access to a local network or computer. A firewall guards the local network by analyzing the data leaving and entering, allowing authorized traffic through while keeping unauthorized traffic out.
Firewalls fall into several different categories. Packet-filtering firewalls classify traffic based on a packet's source, destination, port or other basic information. More advanced stateful packet filtering firewalls have access to more information from which to make their decisions. Proxy firewalls, which look at content and can involve authentication and encryption, can be more flexible and secure but also tend to be far slower.

A hand bendable, lightweight and easy to cut tubing designed to carry, (bundle), low voltage wires and cables providing a main change from the main distribution panel throughout a facility. Raceways come in a variety of diameters.

FTP Hosting services are web hosting services that support File Transfer Protocol, a simple TCP/IP based protocol for exchange of files between computers on the Internet.

A network element interconnecting two otherwise incompatible networks, network nodes, subnetworks or devices.

Short for Hyper Text Markup Language, HTML is the authoring language used in the creation of documents for the World Wide Web. While purists may still insist on writing web pages in HTML from scratch, most authors turn to software applications such as Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia Dreamweaver that make it easier to write the underlying HTML of web pages by providing a simple document authoring experience.

A loose confederation of autonomous databases and networks. Originally developed for academic use the Internet is now a global structure of millions of sites accessible by anyone

Internet Fax services allow one to send and receive faxes over the Internet. There are many commercial services that provide fax to Internet gateways. These services allow you to send and receive faxes using an e-mail or web-based client. When sending, you can send an e-mail to a special e-mail address or use a web-based client to send the fax. The service then dials the fax number and converts the message to a standard fax that is sent to the fax machine. For receiving, the service provides you with a phone number that your clients can use to send the fax. Instead of receiving the fax at a machine, the service converts the fax into an e-mail message that is delivered to your inbox.

A private network which utilizes the same techniques as the Internet but is accessible only by authorised users

Internet Protocol. A network layer protocol that contains addressing information and some control information that allows packets to be routed.

Telephony services provided over the Internet. Internet Protocol Telephony is a general term for the technologies that use the Internet Protocol's packet-switched connections to exchange voice, fax, and other forms of information that have traditionally been carried over the dedicated circuit-switched connections of the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Using the Internet, calls travel as packets of data on shared lines, avoiding the tolls of the PSTN.

Pronounced "jay-peg" is an image compression algorithm that reduces the size of a bitmapped image with little or no discernible image degradation.

A standard unit of computer memory: 1,024 bytes (or about 1,000 bytes, hence a kilobyte).

Local-Area Network. A network covering a relatively small geographic area (usually not larger than a floor or small building). Compared to WANs, LANs are usually characterized by relatively high data rates and relatively low error rates.

A transmission line reserved by a communications carrier for the private use of a customer. A leased line is a type of dedicated line.

A file that lists the actions of every request made to a web server and how a browser may navigate though a site.

Maintenance software is a class of software to automate and streamline the maintenance of equipment, fleets or facilities.
Computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) offer a number of sophisticated features. CMMS can create an equipment event log to record events associated with a piece of equipment or vehicle, will generate work orders automatically according to a schedule or manually from service request, can log authorized uses of a piece of equipment, and will track scheduled services (PM), maintenance history, employee time, downtime, parts inventory and purchase orders. All of this data, combined with built-in reporting tools, gives a powerful, efficient maintenance management system.

Modulator-Demodulator. A device that converts digital signals into a form suitable for transmission over analog communication facilities and vice versa.

A cathode ray tube connected to a computer's video output that displays images in either monochrome or RGB (color) visual images.

A telecommunications technique where several channels can be combined to share the same transmission medium.

Our equipment, recordings and services allow even the smallest business to sound like a giant corporation; and can keep callers entertained, informed, and on the line.

A service or connection allowing only a limited amount of information to be conveyed, such as for telephony. This compares with broadband which allows a considerable amount of information to be conveyed. See also bandwidth.

A group of computers linked together for sharing information, printers and other resources.

The most widely used network cables are Ethernet cables. Ethernet is a frame-based transmission standard that has been revised several times. The original Ethernet specification was designed for 10 Mbs data rate, but then was later revised to support 100 Mbs data rate under the Fast Ethernet standard. Today, there is also Gigabit Ethernet that can reach data rates of up to 1000 Mbs. CAT5 (5 is for fifth generation) is the most widely used cables for Ethernet networks and supports Fast Ethernet data rates of up to 100 Mbs. For Gigabit Ethernet, it is necessary to use CAT6 cabling. CAT6 is significantly more expensive that CAT5, but it is compatible with CAT5 networks and therefore is a good choice for future upgradeability.

Allow several employees to share one desk and telephone, each having their own extension number, voice mailbox, and call management functions.

An operating system (abbreviated OS) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer, manages all the other programs on the computer. An OS performs basic tasks such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. Examples of operating systems are Windows XP, Linux, and Macintosh OS X.

Optical networks are high-capacity telecommunications networks based on optical technologies and components that provide routing, grooming, and restoration at the wavelength level as well as wavelength-based services.

Private Branch Exchange. A telephone switchboard on the user premises.

(digital Private Branch Exchange) A modern PBX that uses digital methods for switching in contrast to older PBXs that use analog methods.

TelePCX's User Console provides users with the instant call recording function by simply clicking the mouse. The recorded conversation can be forwarded to your colleague.

A network of devices connected in an ad hoc fashion using Bluetooth technology. A piconet where at least two devices (up to 8), such as a PC and a cellular phone connect. Sometimes called a PAN.

Also known as a "clear GIF" or "web beacon", this invisible tag can appear on a website, but unlike "cookies" it does not send anything to your computer but rather enhances the features of cookies by generating a graphic notice acknowledging your visit to a particular site or page (i.e.: "Welcome back Mr/Mrs Smith")

Plain Old Telephone Service - Point of Terminating Service.

Productivity Dialer increases the office agent's productivity to eliminate idle time.

Option to leave call back number

Network technology that automatically forwards an incoming call from one telephone number to another; RCF can be used in a metered-ad test to determine advertising effectiveness.

Provider of telecommunication services, or services with a telecommunication service component, to third parties whether over its own network or otherwise.

Computer software that gathers user information, usually for advertising purposes, without the knowledge or informed consent of the user. Spyware generally finds its way onto computers as programs covertly bundled with downloaded software, or else as a result of browsing dubious websites. Spyware can monitor a user's web activity, scan files, create pop up ads, log keystrokes, change the default page on the web browser, and even gather password and credit card information. Spyware technology is constantly evolving, but most spyware removal programs are continually updated to keep pace with the latest variations.

An Internet derived expression for the one-way transmission of video and audio content.

A generic term used to describe many different types of commercial wiring products that distribute a variety of voice, video, and data signals throughout a facility i.e.: telephone and Ethernet computer networks.

The Switch-based Server. At Telrad, the telephone witch has become a switch-based server. Linked to the company LAN, the switch-based server becomes the gateway to an integrated voice and data supernetwork. And the combined resources of the private and public telephone networks-LAN-WAN-Intranet/Internet become available anywhere there's a station or a PC.

There are many software tracking packages and/or consulting services that can help you understand your telecom expenses, weigh your options, and cut your telecom costs. In addition to tracking phone system expenses, telecom audits often cover voice, data, wireless, VoIP, DSL, and WAN costs. These systems help you eliminate vendor inaccuracies, employee abuse, and automate invoice processing. Meanwhile, expert consultants can help with contract renegotiation. Different packages are designed for different size businesses, so be sure to shop around to understand your options.

Conveyance of speech, music and other sounds, visual images or signals by electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic, electro-chemical or electro-mechanical means.

The Telemarketing / Outbound Dialing System enables you to define, implement and modify specific all campaign events quickly and efficiently. The predictive dialing function, one of the outbound dialing functions TelePCX supports, is able to predict agents' availability and determine proper pacing of outbound calls. TelePCX also provides the true blended inbound/outbound capabilities to realize the most efficient staff allocation for INFOMERCIAL application.

Two insulated wires arranged in a regular spiral pattern. The wires can be shielded or unshielded. UTP, Unshielded Twisted Pair. Twisted pair is very common in voice and data networks.

Unified messaging is the integration of different streams of messages, (phone, email, FAX, SMS, etc.) into a single in-box, accessible from a variety of different devices. For example, a user could choose to have email, phone service and fax all funneled to his/her personal computer. The fax messages could be opened from the email account and viewed as graphic attachments, and the phone messages may be opened as audio attachments.

Unified Messaging allows an emaGEN user to check all types of messaging via one medium. Unified Messaging can be used to access your messages one of two ways, either through a Graphical User Interface (GUI) or a Telephone User Interface (TUI).

Uninterrupted Power Source - An auxiliary power unit for a telephone system our computer system that will provide continuous power if you should lose commercial power.

Uniform Resource Locator, the global address of a site on the internet.

Video Graphics Card, an 8 bit standard for video output on PC's with 640 x 480 resolution and 256 colors.

A PBX function that allows businesses to have as many extension numbers/voice mailboxes as needed regardless of the number of physical extension lines installed.

An application that provides comprehensive auto attendant and voice mailbox functions for companies without an operator or receptionist. With Virtual office, companies can have presence at various locations without having to have a physical location on the site.

A device that plays announcements to callers, records messages, and allows the messages to be retrieved. There are hundreds of different voice mail systems, each with slightly different features and user interfaces. Many newer voice mail systems provide aspects of unified messaging, which allow voice mail, e-mail, and faxes to be handled on a single platform.

Short for Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP describes the category of hardware and software that enables people to make telephone calls via the Internet. Voice signals are converted to packets of data, which are transmitted on shared, public lines, hence avoiding the tolls of the traditional, public-switched telephone network (PSTN).
VoIP applications can generally be used with a simple microphone and computer speakers, but IP telephones or VoIP boxes can also be used, providing an experience identical to normal telephoning. In the past year, the quality and reliability of VoIP technology has improved to the point that vast numbers of users have abandoned their standard telephone contracts entirely, in favor of VoIP.

A category of hardware and software that enables people to make telephone calls via the Internet. Voice signals are converted to packets of data, which are transmitted on shared, public lines, hence avoiding the tolls of the traditional, public-switched telephone network (PSTN).

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN is a network in which some of the nodes are connected using the public Internet, but the data sent across the Internet is encrypted, so the entire network is virtually private. Virtual private networks are commonly used by businesses that have offices in several cities, and would like to ensure that information passed from office to office over the public internet links can not be intercepted and viewed by third parties. Hence it is as if the company is operating a secure intranet.
Properly installed VPNs use cryptographic tunneling protocols to provide the necessary confidentiality (preventing snooping), sender authentication (preventing identity spoofing), and message integrity.

Wide-Area Network. A network spanning a wide geographic area.

A powerful tool for company meetings, the web conference is the preferred low cost telecommunication technique in many enterprises today. Using either a phone or VoIP (voice over internet) audio connection, clients share visual information using a web browser or similar tool. Presentations, video sharing, and software demonstrations are only a few of the many uses. The minimal equipment requirements and relative low cost make web conferencing particularly attractive to businesses of all sizes.