Featured Articles
Businesses Move To Voice-Over-IP
December 9, 2008
Skype and Vonage have made most of us aware of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services. Now VoIP solutions aimed at businesses have evolved into "unified communications" services that treat all communications--phone calls, faxes, voice mail, e-mail, Web conferences and more--as discrete units that can all be delivered via any means and to any handset, including cellphones. Two main sets of competitors are fighting it out-- one set is focused on VoIP for medium to large enterprises, while another is targeting the small-to-medium business (SMB) market.
Tech Talk: Marshmallow Maker Unifies Communications
October 3, 2008
A gourmet marshmallow company wanted to appear to respond to customer contacts immediately and found that unified communications gave it more ability to communicate given multiple employees and locations.
Internet Phone Service Gets Plush
March 4, 2008
Justin Leavens manages a gourmet-marshmallow company out of his house in Sherman Oaks, Calif. But his high-end phone system makes customers think he is toiling in a big office with scores of employees.
Recent Articles
Is RingCentral Music to the Mobile Professional’s Ears?
December 22, 2008
With so many virtual PBX vendors on the market today, it’s not enough to look at prices and services lists alone. You need to look at dependability. After all, if their service isn’t reliable it can cause clients to have a poor impression of your business. So how does RingCentral rate?
Opportunity in a Down Economy
December 17, 2008
RingCentral recently surveyed its small business customers and found that many are rapidly cutting down overhead cost to work more efficiently during tight economic times. They found:...
Businesses Move To Voice-Over-IP
December 10, 2008
Winner: RingCentral Digital Line Microsoft's Unified Communications offers the ability to integrate a lot of features into existing Office software, including Web conferencing. Microsoft's positioning seems a little murky--they offer VoIP servers and software that will be interoperable with a company's existing PBX system to customers who don't want to replace robust hardware-based PBX services but want to extend those systems' capabilities.
Tech Future: Change and Risk from Downturn
November 5, 2008
The current political climate is awash with the concept of change, with both parties in the U.S. having running on that platform (one, clearly, more successfully than the other). Typically people don't like change, but when you scare the crap out of them – as will be done as the economic collapse removes one in ten to one of five from comfortable jobs – you can get change to happen very quickly.
How to Start an Online Business for $100
November 5, 2008
You can have a live answering service (similar to the one your doctor uses) for $20 a month--or less, if you have minimal incoming calls. Another option is to do it virtually: For about $10 a month, you can get an 800-number-based system such as RingCentral that answers calls with an automated greeting, routing calls to you (or other employees or contractors) or to voice mail depending on button presses.
Selling Communications in a Recession
November 3, 2008
The company manages all of a customer’s phone, mobile, fax and email communications with a single phone number and an online control center. It combines a toll-free or local number with advanced call management, PBX, voice mail and Internet fax, enabling customers to set up multiple extensions with voice mail, automatically screen, forward and place calls, take voice mail, send and receive faxes, and receive message alerts.
RingCentral Reports Record Sales in Recent Weeks
November 3, 2008
The company manages all of a customer’s phone, mobile, fax and email communications with a single phone number and an online control center. It combines a toll-free or local number with advanced call management, PBX, voice mail and Internet fax, enabling customers to set up multiple extensions with voice mail, automatically screen, forward and place calls, take voice mail, send and receive faxes, and receive message alerts.
Hosted telecom services let companies cut overhead
November 3, 2008
One way many small businesses seem to be cutting costs during the economic crisis is to eliminate physical office space in favor of virtual offices and hosted telecom services, concludes Ring Central, which surveyed its customers recently. Businesses also are considering eliminating their land lines, Ring Central says. Telephony Online.
Hosted telecom services see uptick as SMBs cut costs
November 3, 2008
“We had a record number of new customers come to Ring Central in the last four weeks – it’s the highest four-week number we’ve ever had,” Shah said. “Customers are coming from every part of the country and from all kinds of industries – real estate, financial, retail. Because of the new business we were seeing, we wanted to know what was in the minds of our customers and what was happening out there across the country among small businesses. In the process, we collected a lot of good data.”.
SMBs Buy Better Communications To Combat Slowdown
October 31, 2008
In an economic slowdown, companies need to focus now, more than ever on their communications solutions. Today's technologies can make your company more efficient, save you money directly on communications costs as well as travel and even real estate. Recently I had a chance to speak with Praful Shah, VP of Strategy from RingCentral, a company providing hosted communications services and he told me the last four weeks have seen business increase dramatically.
RingCentral: Small Businesses Responding to Economic Turmoil by Cutting Overhead Expenses
October 31, 2008
Flexibility is a keyword among small businesses today, RingCentral’s survey results indicated. This includes switching to communications services, like RingCentral’s hosted phone and fax service, that enable employees to work from home or other remote locations. The trend toward adopting flexible solutions is a positive development for those that provide such services. RingCentral, for one, has experienced a record rate of customer growth in the past month.
Technology lets us work more, smarter
October 26, 2008
RingCentral is another Internet telephone service, but it can do some remarkable things that are very valuable to a real estate professional who wants to stay in touch. The Web site is RingCentral.com.
Will Economy Lead VoIP Back to its Money-Saving Basics?
October 23, 2008
When VoIP first exited the lab and was gaining some traction among business, the big selling point was that it saved money over legacy systems. But the attraction was transitory, as the old-line telcos began meeting the competition by cutting their inflated prices to match the upstarts. Service providers and carriers soon found that the real long-term pitch was that VoIP offered services that either enabled people to do things they couldn’t do before or allowed them to do so far more easily.
15 Ways to Use VoIP to Save Money During the Downturn
October 22, 2008
RingCentral addresses your concerns by providing the flexibility and features of hosted IP PBX service while delivering the actual calls to your premises over conventional phone line. If and when you feel comfortable with Internet telephony, you can move to full-fledged VoIP through the company's outbound Digitalline service for $4.99 per line and up. It's a pretty low-risk way to start cutting costs with VoIP.
RingCentral Recognized for Delivering Cloud Computing Phone and Fax Service to SMBs
October 22, 2008
Technology Marketing Corporation and INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine have awarded RingCentral a 2008 Excellence Award for delivering cloud computing business phone and fax service to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Can Elance Make You Money?
October 17, 2008
Elance is now simplifying the experience of interviewing and hiring freelance candidates by providing a click to call service through RingCentral business phone service. ELance struck a partnership with RingCentral to provide the core functionality to manage inbound phone calls, chats, and live interviews.
Interview with RingCentral
October 10, 2008
Many startup companies in the “garage operation” stage want to appear larger and more professional when interacting with customers by phone, but they do not have the money to invest in the hardware required for a conventional PBX phone system. Other startups have distributed operations, with employees working on cell phones from home or on the road, and want to enable effective communication between employees and with customers. RingCentral addresses these needs by providing a virtual PBX phone system, which includes multiple extensions, toll free numbers, automated greetings with menu trees, dial-by-name directories, and call and voicemail forwarding.
Tech Talk: Marshmallow Maker Unifies Communications
October 3, 2008
A gourmet marshmallow company wanted to appear to respond to customer contacts immediately and found that unified communications gave it more ability to communicate given multiple employees and locations.
Tele-Commuting Trend Taking Off for SMBs
September 24, 2008
One of the fast-growing trends in small business these days is teleworking - employees working from home or away from the company’s main office. Surging gas prices driving up the already high cost of commuting and growing environmental concerns are just the most recent and headline-grabbing inducements that make telework increasingly attractive to both employers and employees.
How to: Fax without a fax machine
September 15, 2008
Sometimes, you need to send or receive a fax. Don't have access to a fax machine? Here are three sites to help.
RingCentral Selected as Enderle Group's Product of the Week
September 8, 2008
Speaking of lopsided competition, small businesses often have trouble competing with larger companies because they lack access to similar resources. Hosting companies and a variety of services can often help close that gap, and one I've liked for a while is RingCentral.
VoIP Facilitates Telecommuting, Eases Economic Pressures
September 4, 2008
If you're feeling the pinch of higher gas prices and the overall economic slowdown, you're by no means alone. But in the face of adversity, small businesses are doing what they've always done: getting creative. RingCentral, an 'Internet phone service for small business,' recently conducted an online survey of its customers to find out how they survive and succeed during tough times.
RingCentral: Selling VoIP to SMBs Means Solving Real-world Business Problems
September 4, 2008
RingCentral, which offers a hosted business phone service using IP telephony technology, thinks it has cracked the code. Later this month at INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO West 2008 in L.A., the company's vice president of business development, Jay Blazensky, will share with attendees what RingCentral has learned about selling VoIP to small businesses, during the "Making the Business Case for VoIP in the SMB" session on Sept. 18 from 1:00-1:45 p.m.
Freelance Folder
Top 5 Web App Combos for Running an Online Business
September 3, 2008
When it comes to freelancing and working on the web, few things are more important than the online applications that make it all possible. From project management, to invoicing, to contact management, and more - each of these apps play a critical role in running an online or freelance business.
Market Your Home-Based Business With StartupNation Contest
August 27, 2008
I found out about the competition from one of my own home-based business service providers, RingCentral. While there's no material prize for winning, the free advertising from a good ranking could be worth plenty.
Market Your Home-Based Business With StartupNation Contest
August 27, 2008
If you run your own company out of your home, an annual contest can provide valuable exposure
WiFi Planet
Economic Pressure Drives Telecommuting Trend
August 15, 2008
RingCentral, a self-described Internet phone service for small business, recently conducted an online survey of its customers to find out how they survive and succeed during tough times.
RingCentral Hosted Business Phone Service Enhances Law Communications
August 12, 2008
RingCentral offers a hosted business phone service that allows businesses to connect with partners, employees, clients and prospects.
RingCentral Partners with Concentric, Expands Reach for its Hosted Phone and Fax System
August 11, 2008
Concentric provides a variety of hosted solutions, including business e-mail, corporate domain management, Web site hosting, and Microsoft Hosted Exchange. By partnering with RingCentral, the company’s portfolio is being expanded to include phone and Internet fax service as well.
Economic Pressure Drives Telecommuting Trend
August 11, 2008
RingCentral, a self-described Internet phone service for small business, recently conducted an online survey of its customers to find out how they survive and succeed during tough times.
Economic Pressure Drives Telecommuting Trend
August 11, 2008
If you're feeling the pinch of higher gas prices and the overall economic slowdown, you're by no means alone. But in the face of adversity, small businesses are doing what they've always done: getting creative. RingCentral, a self-described Internet phone service for small business, recently conducted an online survey of its customers to find out how they survive and succeed during tough times.
RingCentral Delivers Hosted Phone System to Concentric Customers
August 11, 2008
RingCentral announced it has partnered with Concentric, a business unit of XO Communications(XOHO) that provides hosted applications, including Web site hosting, business e-mail, Microsoft Hosted Exchange, corporate domain management and perimeter e-mail protection. Now, Concentric customers, especially those with distributed or mobile employees, can take advantage of RingCentral's hosted business phone system and Internet fax to enhance their business communications.
New improved PBXCompare.com from Zilker Ventures
August 8, 2008
Zilker Ventures has announced the expansion and improvement of their PBXCompare.com, a Web site that allows its customers to see system providers virtually, in the order of their affordability, popularity and corporate system plans. The new improved site features an expanded Reviews Page and Features Grid.
Cloud Computing, Microsoft's Midori, and the End of Windows
August 2, 2008
For my part, I already use Internet-based apps such as Google Docs, RingCentral and Zoho Invoices for most of my day-to-day work, and I love the freedom they afford me. I think we're on the cusp of a major paradigm shift with cloud computing, and I'm eager to see how it plays out.
BusinessWeek podcast
Virtual Workspace Options
July 15, 2008
Americans are making big changes due to the fuel price runup. A new survey shows small business owners are changing how they work, with many cutting back on office space and working virtually, says Praful Shah, vice-president for strategy at RingCentral
Small Biz Hiring Up, Midsize Biz Down
July 3, 2008
With the specter of recession clouding the outlook for businesses and personal finance, risk aversion is understandably on the upswing. In fact, according to a gamut of sources, a bad economy is a good time to consider launching a new business. A hint of statistical validation for this was included in the recent RingCentral survey findings that recent layoffs have sparked an increase in start-ups (22% of participants started a business after getting a pink slip).
SmallBizTechnology
As Gas Goe$ Up, Use Technology To Communicate
July 3, 2008
RingCentral recently revealed survey results which show that the majority of small businesses (59 percent) are cutting overhead costs or otherwise changing business practices in response to the economic downturn and rising energy costs while remaining productive. In addition, in response to job losses, some former employees have become employers by starting their own small businesses.
RingCentral Survey Reveals Small Business Interest in Telecommuting
June 30, 2008
The majority of small businesses (59 percent) are cutting overhead costs or otherwise changing business practices in response to the economic downturn and rising energy costs, according to the results of a new survey by RingCentral. Significantly, one of the key strategies for dealing with these challenges is telecommuting.
Small Business Trends
Downsized Into Entrepreneurship, the 21st Century Way
June 30, 2008
In a recent survey by RingCentral, twenty-two (22%) of small business owners said they started a business after being downsized.
RingCentral Survey: Rising Costs Drive Small Businesses to Get Creative with Telecommuting, Other Solutions
June 30, 2008
The economy of today, filled with innovative businesses that deliver products and solutions that we use every day, is the result of small businesses, led by entrepreneurs with big ideas. These companies will continue to be a key sector of the economy, whether they grow in individual size or not.
SIPphone Makes The Call To Jajah
June 26, 2008
Instead, I have opted for RingCentral, which recently introduced a Mac OS X soft client (in addition to a PC version) and it is doing a might fine job for me. I was highly skeptical of RingCentral in the past but they have won me over with their high quality service. (Full review, pending!)
TechNewsWorld
Lean, Mean Machines: Tech for the SMB
June 26, 2008
Software can be no less costly than hardware when SMB budget levels are stretched thin. SMB entrepreneurs often report favoring multipurpose software suites over separate packages to provide their business computing needs.
RingCentral Phone System a Boon to Urban Real Estate
June 12, 2008
RingCentral provides an Internet phone system for small business and offers full-access to core small business phone services and helps improve productivity for more than 50,000 customers worldwide. Urban Real Estate works with individuals and corporate investors that buy real estate in the downtown Chicago area.
RingCentral helps California Chiropractor Save Time and Money
June 9, 2008
One solution companies, even small ones, can utilize to avoid junk faxes is the fax portion of RingCentral Online, a suite of on-demand, Web-based communications services. RingCentral Fax combines the advantages of faxing with the power of online communications, and includes capabilities to easily block junk faxes as well.
RingCentral On Call for Santa Monica Chiropractor
May 29, 2008
The company’s officials explained that he can direct a call to voicemail but can listen live as the caller leaves a message, and if the call is urgent, he can pick it up immediately.
TheNonProfitTimes
One Ringy Dingy... When Vonage Isn't Enough
May 19, 2008
Nonprofits are increasingly looking to cut their phone budgets by turning to VoIP (voice over Internet protocol). These services, provided by companies such as Vonage, cable companies, and even traditional phone companies, are usually much more affordable than traditional phone services. But, things get complicated when you need more than a single number, or the ability to add services that traditionally called for an in-house PBX phone system.
Click Here and Save Big
May 5, 2008
Another hefty expense and technician time-suck is the company phone system. Instead of plunking down several thousand dollars for an internal phone system -- also known as a private branch exchange, or PBX -- some small and midsize companies are opting for so-called virtual PBX services.
SmallBizTechnology
How Telephone Service Helps a Wedding Planning Business. Ideas For Your Business
May 4, 2008
Virtual phone service, Ring Central recently touted one of its customers Matthew Allen Weddings and Events which recently used Ring Central and has soon their business boost.
Get Business VoIP and Sleep the Night
April 2, 2008
The service offers features that go far beyond adding a second line for business with your current phone company, as well as advanced business-specific abilities you won't generally find with home VoIP offerings.
Message Pending: Unified Communications
April 2008
Unified communications can help funnel voice, e-mail, fax, and other communications from customers into one channel. It can help give small businesses an edge by helping customers get the answers they need.
Hosted VoIP: Hope or Hype?
March 28, 2008
Once the great hope for re-energizing telecom sales, hosted VoIP has not lived up to adoption expectations thanks in no small part to immature technology, poor service delivery, techno-centric sales approaches and end-user misconceptions.
BT Partners on Software-Based SMB Phone System
March 12, 2008
Customers can either use a real telephone to answer or make calls or their PC through RingCentral's "Desktop Softphone." That interface lets users see call logs and launch calls with a single click by a contact's name, among other functions.
BT Readies VoIP for Small Business
March 12, 2008
RingCentral's software is designed to let small businesses set up their own phone system with a professional feel without needing to make significant investments in hardware. The software works with mobile, landline and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls.
BT RingCentral increases phone flexibility for small businesses
March 11, 2008
Small businesses in the UK can now present a more professional image to customers and partners by intelligently managing their phone, mobile, and fax communications with the launch of BT RingCentral.
RingCentral Dials Up $12 Million
March 6, 2008
RingCentral, a start-up that allows small businesses to unify and manage their phone, mobile, fax and e-mail communications, said it had raised $12 million more in a second round of financing.
Internet Phone Service Gets Plush
March 5, 2008
Justin Leavens manages a gourmet-marshmallow company out of his house in Sherman Oaks, Calif. But his high-end phone system makes customers think he is toiling in a big office with scores of employees.
RingCentral Gets $12 Million More To Help You Look Like A Bigger Company
March 4, 2008
Silicon Valley based RingCentral offers businesses a virtual telephone system (they say “Sound more professional, look like a bigger company”). It’s sort of a super-Vonage, but targeted to businesses first.
RingCentral raises $12M more for centralized communications
March 4, 2008
RingCentral, a Redwood City, Calif., company that allows small businesses to unify and manage their phone, mobile, fax and email communications, said it has raised $12 million more in a second round of financing.
RingCentral Rings Up $12 Million
March 4, 2008
RingCentral, a Redwood City, Calif.-based VoIP company, has raised $12 million in Series B funding, doubling the amount it raised in its Series A round.
Michigan Business Blog
RingCentral - The Ultimate Business Productivity Tool
March 4, 2008
RingCentral is great at business communications - in particular small business communications. As a small business owner, you can sign up for the service and get a toll free number with extensions.
Smart Talk at Work and Home
January 24, 2008
RingCentral is a surprisingly sophisticated but easy-to-use Web-managed smart PBX service with attractive per-user pricing. Getting acceptable call quality, however, requires preconfigured SIP phones or configuring SIP handsets yourself.
SmallBizTechnology
Combining Your Office and Cellular Phones: Easy and Efficient
January 23, 2008
A growing number of start-ups and small businesses are relying almost exclusively on cellular phones in lieu of a traditional office phone system and the complicated infrastructure that goes with it.
2008 Awards: The Absolute Best in Small Business
January 22, 2008
Announced last fall, RingCentral's DigitalLine VoIP allows the company's customers to place and receive calls via landline, mobile and VoIP as needed. And like TalkSwitch it excels at helping small operations looks much larger over the phone.
Microsoft To Startups: Join Us
January 22, 2008
Tuesday's announcement means Microsoft is entering the second phase of its Startup Accelerator Program, adding smaller companies such as Lijit, Me.dium, Xobni, Clarizen, and RingCentral to the 20 existing partners such as Accellos, iBloks, Tutor.com, Kiptronic, Spot Runner, video advertising startup YuMe.
Top Reasons to Throw Out Your Fax Machine But Keep On Faxing
January 16, 2008
For many companies, especially small ones, faxing remains the best option for certain types of business transactions. Yet faxing and fax machines no longer are inevitably tied together. Today, thanks to online services like RingCentral Fax, you can get rid of the fax machine but keep right on sending and receiving faxes.
RingCentral DigitalLine VoIP Service Receives PC Magazine Editors' Choice Award
January 09, 2008
The other two VoIP contenders I've looked at recently (Microsoft Response Point and the Avaya Quick Edition/Netgear Voice over IP (VoIP) Solution), require an on-site hardware/software combination. RingCentral takes a different approach, supplying its IP-capable PBX as a service delivered entirely over the Internet: no on-site PBX, no need for a phone consultant. Just supply phones and Web connections and you're all set. It's a good idea, and one that RingCentral implements well.
RingCentral Wins Internet Telephony Magazine's 2007 Product of the Year Award
January 08, 2008
RingCentral has won Technology Marketing Corporation's INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine 2007 Product of the Year Award for the third consecutive year. The award recognizes RingCentral’s exceptional value to small businesses and its ongoing technology innovation.
RingCentral DigitalLine VoIP Service: Editor's Choice
January 07, 2008
RingCentral is a surprisingly sophisticated but easy-to-use Web-managed smart PBX service with attractive per-user pricing. Getting acceptable call quality, however, requires preconfigured SIP phones or configuring SIP handsets yourself.
Trends to Watch for 2008
January 07, 2008
Behind the doom-and-gloom headlines, the VoIP industry has been innovating like crazy. Much of the evidence suggests that the innovation will continue in 2008, but other forces are shaping the industry, too.