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Restaurants survival during COVID-19: Online ordering

Online ordering

Governments have temporarily suspended the restaurant business at once as they realizedCOVID-19is spread via human-to-human contact. On the 18th of March, Texas Governor decided to close all the restaurants and bars in the state, as Texas confirmed 3rd virus death. Over 50,000 restaurants are closed across Texas. About 1,4 million people working in the foodservice industry lost their job temporarily. This is a very high index, as they represent 12% of employment in the state.Many restaurateurs, chefs, and business owners scramble to accept this new reality. Mr. Smith has spent the last 32 years of his life in building and improving his restaurant. “I never could have imagined that one day, our Governor would appear on television and tell us we had to close our businesses.”
Unfortunately, this state of emergency could be the final blow to restaurant businesses. Restaurant turnover has always been high but this situation threatens to put a lot of restaurants out of business. It will be extremely challenging for many of these restaurant owners to continue paying the staff when they are not serving customers. On the other hand, the Texas economy is in great danger, as restaurants are a strong driving force in Texas's economy.A lot of restaurants have found the only solution to their survival: online ordering. They have realized that if they stop their service until the end of the pandemic, they will lose their customers in the end. Online ordering is the best solution for eateries to keep their customers loyal and have some profit during these critical days. Though online ordering is a tiny slice of restaurant sales in normal times, restaurants have found out that during this pandemic situation, their order numbers have grown drastically.Since restaurants realize that offering online delivery service is the only survival during these pandemic days, they invest a lot of resources and efforts to organize fast online ordering. Several fine dining restaurants are trying to offer extra conditions for delivery, adjusting their menus. Some restaurants allow no-contact delivery options to improve customer satisfaction and gain their trust. Others in the industry are getting more creative and sending some interesting promo emails to attain more customers. But after all, fast response and delivery are what every hungry customer wants the most, right?

Today when it comes to your restaurant business success, it's easy to believe that you mustn't afford to miss any online order and should treat each customer individually because it is the only way of generating revenue during these critical days. Restaurateurs are convinced two factors affect the speed of online ordering: having a sufficient number of workers and being connected to uptime guaranteed internet. Three days ago one of the largest pizza delivery companies has announced that it plans to hire 20,000 workers to deal with the rising demand for pizza delivery across the country. Its main challenge is filling the rush with orders from customers who are stuck at home and want to eat something delicious. When the coronavirus situation in China became concerning the restaurant owner has realized the upcoming pandemic and decided to invest in a backup internet connection to ensure against potential risks. The backup service is a safety net, that makes it possible to have an uninterrupted internet connection unless the primary connection experiences a failure. Since having the backup internet connection, therestauranthasn't missed any order and achieved success in fast service and delivery.Taking into account the backup internet service reliability, here are some reasons for your eatery to start using uptime internet:

During the pandemic, your concurrents have only one solution for not getting out of the competition: to offer perfect online ordering and delivery service. All the players in the restaurant industry offer the same benefits, so what's your customer's motivation for choosing your service? The answer is clear: fast response and individual approach. Withbackup internet service, you will never experience connection downtime and will become your customer's best friend during these hard times.

Governments and researchers exhort people to avoid using paper money during this period and to choose an online payment method. Backup internet will ensure fast transactions and safe payments from your customers.

Connection outagescan throw a wrench in the working rhythm of your restaurant. If the point of sale is unable to send orders to the kitchen, there's a great chance of missing an order. WithBackup internet your restaurantwill never face the problems of order delay or cancellation.Hard times are coming and you should spare no effect for your restaurant to survive. Get SmartCONNECT™, our cutting edge solution for a 100% connectivity uptime. Keep your connection up even when there is an internet outage and don't miss a single customer.You must survive the pandemic! SmartCONNECT™ is here for you!

The big switch from a landline system to VoIP. It’s a technology switch and a mindset switch.

Many people have already abandoned their telephone landlines in favor ofcloud-basedVoIP technology. Now, more and more businesses are making the switch. Out-of-date phone systems and aging technologies are making way for robustVoIP systemsreplete with custom features.As it is, businessVoIPusers are growing exponentially year after year. While there are several drivers behind this boom, business owners need to understand the differences between traditional landline systems and VoIP technologies – the big switch is multi-layered.

Understanding the differences

For many of us, a landline phone was the standard “wired” phone that connected us to the world. We were part of a physical network of phone lines that connected us, phone by phone, to each other. VoIP is a new frontier – Voice Over Internet Protocol – it's acloud-basedtechnology that allows us to make phone calls from any>Countless telephony features

Unlike cumbersome analog systems,VoIP phone systemsare loaded with customized features, with everything from inter-office calling to conference calls, to voicemail. More than that, VoIP is the most complete and comprehensive phone service, with local/long-distance calling capability, additional phone numbers, and custom options designed to deliver efficiency and performance.

  • three-way calling + conference calling
  • unlimited voicemail boxes + voicemail
  • auto attendant + virtual office capacity
  • completely customized music-on-hold
  • custom call routing/find me/follow me
  • unlimited extensions + 911 capability
  • group phonebook + voicemail to email

Functionality and mobility

VoIP provides the ultimate in functionality and mobility – telecommunication is made simple, easy, and efficient. And when you add Mobile App compatibility, a whole new world is opened.Comprehensive VoIPsystems provide a level of functionality that traditional phonesystems can't match. Today, a small business can operate with the same high technology as big corporations.Large or small, businesses no longer have to spend loads of money on out-of-date phone systems. With VoIP technology, you can boost productivity, improve customer service, and increase sales.

Satisfying the expectations

Sometimes, VoIP implementation can be challenging – particularly with an inferior technology provider. Mainly, it's because of misguided expectations, poor organizational planning, and an inadequate level of implementation.With VoIP, business owners must articulate their needs while the technology provider must deliver the goods. That means providing the latest innovations while addressing both customer needs and customer expectations.VoIP implementation requires a technology switchover and a mindset switchover, preferably at the same time. This is where a knowledgeable, reputable provider can be of great value with execution.

Vivant will simplify it all

AtVivant, we provide custom-designed phone systems to meet your every need – from the most basic phone features to custom solutions specific to your business or industry. If you have staff working from home, they can make a call and answer calls as if they were in the office. If your business has multiple locations, employees can easily transfer calls between locations or answer a call from any location. If your business team travels often, automatic call transfer to a cell phone is simple, easy, and seamless. With Vivant, every effort is made to simply VoIP implementation. Vivant can provide your business with a host ofInternet businessphone systems and phone services.

Read the blogThe Basics of a VoIP Business Phone System: Modernizing Communication

Protecting your business AND your financial transactions under Covid-19

Any business with an online presence simply can't afford security issues with customer data or transactions. The answer isPCI Compliance– the only way to mitigate security breaches and prevent breaches from malicious individuals.

With COVID-19, business owners are focused oncrisis managementand on maintainingbusiness continuity. More and more business is moving online, so there's increased demand for PCI Compliance to provide protection and security for customers and merchants.Merchants who store authentication data or credit card data are obligated to protect themselves and their customers through PCI DSS(Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). They must ensure secure credit card payments and the protection of personal and private data.

There isn't a business, employee, or customer unaffected by COVID-19. With current “stay home” safeguards, online activities have grown exponentially – from orders to purchases, to deliveries. All the while, companies must accommodate customer needs, while maintaining productivity.For a company without an IT professional on hand, PCI Compliance can be a challenge. Without a doubt, a do-it-yourself solution is ill-advised. Doing it right means outsourcing implementation to a reliable provider with the technology, the proven expertise, and the experience to match.

During this intense period of businesscrisis management, companies have a single priority in mind:business continuity. For those offering online payment options, Vivant provides a COVID-19 toolbox that incorporates PCI DSS compliance.Business owners must be prepared to meet the reality of COVID-19, along with the forecasted crisis to arrive. With Vivant's COVID-19 toolbox, business owners capitalize on leading-edge proprietary technology that's PCI DSS compliant.

As more and more businesses engage in online commerce, it's vital to move to cloud technology to satisfy customers and grow business. Vivant has opened up a whole new world of technology to manage customer data; maintain e-commerce compliance, and avert potential security risks.

SmartCONNECT™ guarantees 100% Internet connectivity

VivantSmartCONNECT™ensures 100% Internet uptime. It's a technology that provides business owners with guaranteed Internet connectivity, regardless of an impending interruption.SmartCONNECT™ is proactive and works “behind the scenes” to monitor your primary Internet connection. Any interruption activates a switchover to a secondary secure connection.

SmartVOICE™ is a scalable, feature-rich VoIP platform

VivantSmartVOICE™is an advanced cloud-based VoIP system with countless customizable features – from custom ring groups to auto attendant, to unlimited mailboxes, and more.SmartVOICE™ provides a high standard of customer communication while accommodating all of your telephony needs. The system enhances efficiency and keeps overhead costs down.

SmartPROTECT™ creates a secure, reliable network

VivantSmartPROTECT™reduces the risk of a data breach and unauthorized access. Online credit card transactions are protected and cardholders' data is safe. If you're engaged in any online commerce, it's your responsibility to provide safeguards, and SmartPROTECT™ makes it easy.Businesses without PCI DSS are exposed to expensive fines and legal fees, not to mention the extraordinary damage to cardholder data. Prevention is the key and SmartPROTECT™ ensures a secure network that safeguards business interests, customer privacy, and brand integrity.

How to Improve Remote Work Virtual Collaboration

Vivant's business virtual collaboration tools will allow your teams to collaborate from different locations. Most importantly, they will be able to incorporate the same technologies into their work processes that they would if they were in their office.

According to a recent report, over 40 million workers in the United States alone will be fully remote by 2025. That represents a 5% increase in remote work from just two years ago. As remote work becomes more common, the need for a solid framework for virtual collaboration has become an urgent business requirement.

Still, too many employers fail to provide reliable tools to help employees collaborate virtually. As a result, they frequently experience issues such as delays, decreased productivity, and a reduced revenue stream.

Vivant VoIP can facilitate virtual collaboration

Choosing a virtual collaboration platform for your company can be a lot trickier than it seems. There are many suppliers on the market, but choosing the wrong one could cause more problems than it solves.

Vivant offers professional-level business VoIP phone service at consumer-level prices. What distinguishes us from the competition is that our VoIP plans include all of the features and functionalities you require right out of the box.

Let's take a look at how our virtual collaboration tools for business can help make your teams more productive and your business more profitable.

What is virtual cooperation and how does it work?

Virtual collaboration allows people to share information and ideas online or when they're working from separate locations. Video conferencing, emailing, and instant messaging are just a few of the tools that businesses and individuals can use to communicate with one another remotely.

Do you have teams that work from international locations? No problem! Vivant makes it easy for offshore workers to use the same technology and virtual communications tools to simulate the benefits of in-person interactions.

Here are a few examples of how you can use virtual collaboration to help you share ideas and complete tasks:

  • Video conferencing: Video conferencing increases productivity, saves time, lowers travel costs, and promotes overall collaboration. The advantage of video conferencing is that it allows for all of these benefits to be realized without the need for constant travel for face-to-face communication.
  • Instant messaging: Collaborators can connect quickly and securely using instant messaging. Some communication platforms allow users to form groups to organize communications and collaborate with specific group members on a case-by-case basis.
  • Tools for online collaboration: Some online collaboration solutions allow users to view shared files and make real-time modifications. Authorized members can also impose restrictions or limit access to information to certain contributors.

Tips to help you improve your virtual collaboration

Despite the numerous advantages that virtual collaboration can provide for businesses, it is not without its own set of challenges. The good news is that we're about to provide you with some helpful tips to help you overcome these common issues.

As you'll quickly discover, a few tweaks here and there and virtual collaboration will become an indispensable tool for your day-to-day tasks.

  1. Use visual tools to increase collaboration: According to studies, visual thinkers account for more than 60% of the population. In other words, we process words as a series of images and learn more effectively through visual means.It's critical to consider the function of visual thinking tools in ideation, workflow, and collaboration to guarantee we're communicating as effectively as possible.
    Using a virtual whiteboard can help your team members become more engaged.
  2. Keep in touch via video: To bring their distributed teams together, an increasing number of businesses are turning to enterprise video communication tools. Without a regular check-in cadence, effective virtual collaboration is nearly impossible.Having quality video conferencing capabilities allows colleagues and direct reports to get some essential facetime. This allows each party to clarify project details, reinforce the team's objectives, and ask any other questions they may have.
    Modern video conferencing tools come with HD video and audio right out of the box. They also come with built-in collaboration features such as screen sharing, co-annotating, and fully integrated chat.
  3. Make a schedule and stick to it: Many businesses struggle to keep their scheduling processes efficient and practical. When you factor in the difficulties of different time zones and conflicting calendars, things get much more problematic.Thankfully, companies like Vivant have stepped in to fill the void with advanced scheduling tools that remove the guesswork and virtually eliminate back-and-forth. Scheduling meetings with these tools is as simple as sharing your calendar link and allowing contacts to see your availability and reserve a slot for themselves.
  4. Eliminate the background noise: Most of us remember to keep our microphones muted, but it's easy to forget to eliminate background noise. Use a service that can detect and activate the microphone only when the loudness reaches a predetermined threshold that you may control.This way, the microphone will only turn on when it detects your voice. Of course, finding a quiet space or soundproofing your walls, if you have your own office, is the best option.
  5. Standardize software access: Providing equal access to software is one of the most significant barriers to efficient virtual collaboration. This is critical because employees must be able to do their duties efficiently whether they are on-site or working from home. To avoid compatibility difficulties, they must also use the same software.

Get world-class virtual collaboration tools with Vivant VoIP

When it comes to workplace collaboration, traditional phone systems have many limitations. The benefits of implementing technology to better your business, particularly Vivant's hosted VoIP solution, promote a more collaborative environment for businesses both inside and outside the workplace.

Vivant VoIP enables organizations to take advantage of mobile, wireless, and Internet technology to meet today's business needs. Contact us today to take advantage of the flexibility and collaboration that Vivant VoIP can offer.

VoIP is changing the healthcare industry

Healthcare professionals

Healthcare professionals have discovered howVoIP technologycan greatly enhance every aspect of the communication mix. Now, it's about the cloud.Across the board, traditionalphone systems for small businessesare being transformed by VoIP communication systems (Voice over Internet Protocol). When VoIPbusiness phone systemsare compared to conventionalhealthcare phone service,it's really no contest. The benefits of VoIP are countless, and the advantages of switching make for a good business decision.

Switching from a traditionalsmall business phone systemto VoIPis simply about cost savings. And in some healthcare facilities, these cost savings can be quite significant. Without question, VoIP offers a huge range of communication features – all at an affordable price point.Whatever the scope of the features, a VoIPhealthcare phone servicedelivers far more efficient than existing phone systems. VoIP is the economical solution that fully streamlines both internal and external communications. It's very hard to argue with more features for less cost.

For healthcare providers to maintain a high standard of service, it's essential to have solid and reliable communication. In bigger clinic settings, where healthcare workers are on the move, phone communication requires a more robust infrastructure than traditional “wire” systems.With VoIP, everyone can be seamlessly connected all the time, whatever the size of the facility. VoIPphone systems for small businessesallow for access from multiple locations – and because everything is cloud-based, there's additional access from laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Cloud-based VoIP system

Another important advantage of acloud-based VoIP systemis FLEXIBILITY. Based on growth and expansion, a healthcare organization can very easily scale up (or down) according to need. This is not an easy task to achieve with regularbusiness phone systemsand could end up costing a lot.Flexibility is key for many healthcare organizations because office systems and procedures are often being adjusted. Beyond the benefits of scalability, VoIP also makes it possible to add system features as required. It's all about increasing operational efficiency and keeping costs in check.

Switching to VoIP from a conventionalsmall business phone systemmakes abundant sense. At the same time, many healthcare facilities are simply fearful about the switching process. The truth is, with a good service provider, the shift to cloud-based VoIP is easy and straightforward.Theswitchover to VoIPdoes not have to be effort-intensive or time-consuming. Yes – change can be difficult – but setting up a cloud-based phone system is simpler than most anticipated. And with a reliable VoIP vendor, the new system and software can be installed and operational overnight.

At Vivant, we're providing the healthcare industry with custom-designed VoIP systems to meet even the most demanding needs. If your facility operates from multiple locations – we have a solution. If your employees need to transfer calls between locations – we have a solution. We've even got system features if your team needs to “call transfer” to a cell phone or smart device. WithVivant, we make every effort to simply VoIP implementation and to provide you with a cloud-based phone system that meets your needs, improves productivity, and keeps costs down.

What pushed Jimmy John’s franchisees to go with fully guaranteed Internet connectivity?

In fact, in this brisk business environment, some 50% of all orders are either by phone or online.Before upgrading the company's technology platform, Jimmy John had regular and ongoing issues with both his Internet service provider and his phone service provider.According to Jimmy John Franchisee, “there were all kinds of problems with hardware and connection”.Worse still, in a business that depends so much on customer relationships, franchisees were dealing with poor connection quality and unreliable connectivity. From a bottom-line point of view, there were concerns about our “price-to-value”proposition.

Lost connectivity means serious business losses

For Jimmy John franchisees, Internet connectivity is a lifeline – even a few hours ofdowntimeis an unrecoverable business loss. “We were experiencing downtime almost every six weeks”, explains John. “When our ordering system goes down, we lose business, upwards of 50%”.Today, particularly for businesses that operate with online and phone orders, it is crucial to have a secure, reliable, and guaranteed Internet connectivity. Anything less is a prescription for disaster – lostrestaurant profitlost productivity and even business failure.For Jimmy Johns, Internet downtime was calamitous. “The minute our Internet connection went down, we were in trouble. Even when we were back online, we were totally backed up with our orders, and customers were getting frustrated – not a very good situation”.

Solving downtime with guaranteed connectivity

In searching for a sustainable solution to connectivity issues, the team at Jimmy John set out some criteria – a worry-free phone system – a seamless Internet connection with 100% reliable backup – and an excellent price-to-value cost for the entire system.“We want the business to be flow smoothly”, explains John. “We want to efficiently process credit cards; we want to ensure simplified customer ordering; we want to easily access emails; we want to manage our back-office, and we want to connect with vendors.”As forphone orders,guaranteed connectivitymeans that customers can always contact a store to place their orders. Besides that, it's possible to pay with a credit card over the phone and feel secure about the transaction – all the better for customer contact.

Switching over to Vivant for technology solutions

In an effort to achieverestaurant business profitability, Jimmy John has switched over to Vivant for a new approach to technology. “With Vivant, we don't have hardware costs”, explains John, the owner of one of Jimmy John's franchisees. “Best of all, our monthly fees are much less than our previous provider”.One of the most fundamental benefits of Vivant technology is 100% connectivity. For Jimmy John outlets, any Internet interruption activates an automatic switchover to a backup connection. Once the Internet comes back online, the backup system retreats seamlessly.

SmartCONNECT™ is the answer to your needs

SmartCONNECT™was the answer for Jimmy John franchisees – a cutting edge technology that ensured 100% Internet connectivity. Franchisees enjoy worry-free phone orders, online orders, payment processing, and more. Even when there's a service outage, SmartCONNECT™ switches to a secondary connection within a matter of seconds – there's never any noticeable impact.WithSmartCONNECT™,restaurant business profitabilityis sustained with secure, reliable, and guaranteed connectivity. If there's any type of interruption, the systemactivates, monitors the connection until it fully recovers, and then switches back to your primary system. There's no impact on customer sales, employee productivity, and most of all, yourrestaurant's profit.For the team at Jimmy John, switching over to Vivant has been a trouble-free experience. “From our phone service to our Internet connectivity, we're operating at full productivity”, explains John. “And when we do have an issue here and there, the remote support from Vivant is very responsive. Our issues are immediately addressed, diagnosed, and remedied online.”

Read the blogDowntime Disaster: How Internet Connection Interruptions Lost Profits.

Changing your Internet provider? It doesn’t have to be a nightmare!

If you're fed up, and you've reached a breaking point, it may be time for a new approach. But you need to be sure about your reasons for switching providers, and it shouldn't just be a reaction to “dissatisfaction” – there are a host of good reasons.

Switching from one provider to another

A prime consideration for switching from one ISP to another is COST. Understandably, the majority of customers are motivated to switch for budget considerations. At the same time, it's not just a matter of dollars and cents – it's a matter of VALUE.A good proportion of business customers want to switch providers to improve their Internet connection measurably. This would be relevant for businesses that want to enhance theirsmallbusiness phone systemwith better connectivity.For some business owners, lousy customer service is reason enough to switch. Small businesses that rely on theirbusiness phone systemsfrom day to day simply need helpful and responsive service at times when problems compromise productivity.

Smart decision-making when switching

Before making firm decisions on switching yourInternet provider,it's important to understand cancellation policies and contractual obligations. You certainly don't want to experience painful penalties unless the long-term benefits make it worthwhile.For those who have rented or leased equipment from their provider, there may be specific rules for returning the equipment after contract cancellation. Here too there may be additional costs incurred if the equipment is returned late or even damaged.Whatever the reasons for switching ISP companies, it's wise to fully understand your contractual agreement, including service add-ons, data limits, and the like. The better the understanding, the better the chance of exiting an agreement without a battle.

Making the right choice for your next ISP

In comparing providers and assessing advantages, upload and download speeds should be a high priority. Your new provider should guarantee Internet speeds and provide a method for checking from time to time.Equipment compatibility is another key consideration, especially for companies that employphone systemsfor small businesses.You certainly don't want to start re-investing in any additional tech equipment.Internet services are no different than other contracted services. You owe it to yourself to “make a deal” – in other words, negotiate, and then negotiate again. The bottom line is to attain the best possible value.

For a fast and reliable Internet connection,you can trust the professionals at Vivant

When it's time to take a break and switch to a newInternet provider, you can count on Vivant for a whole new approach to technology, connectivity, and customer support. We have removed the headache and hassle of switching. No more searching for a service provider – NO more setting up a new service – and NO more paperwork. Vivant does it all for you.

When you work withVivant, we find you a new provider; we shop for the best value and price; we place your order, and we ensure timely installation. Because we customize everything to fit your business priorities, you get exactly what you need. With Vivant, you can upgrade to a high-techsmall business phone systemalong with our100% uptime guarantee.Vivant can provide you with Dedicated Fiber Internet, Broadband Internet, and Shared Fiber Internet – each one focused on fast, reliable, and uninterrupted Internet connectivity.

Best Voip Phone System and Service Provider in Dallas, TX

Difference between Hosted and On-Premise Phone System

There are two different types ofphone systemsthat you can consider. we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each system so you can make an informed decision. We will start with the most common solution, hosted VoIP phone system

Hosted VoIP Phone System & Service

A hosted VoIP phone system and phone service simply mean that the actual brain of the phone system is installed at a data center rather than in your physical premise, i.e. office building. Hosted systems have gained a new level of attention in the past five years due to their feature set, cost, and reliability if the right vendor is selected.

Advantages of a Hosted VoIP Phone System

  • Cost savings– a hosted VoIP Phone system is drastically less expensive than a traditional phone system. Part of the reason for such drastic cost savings is the ability to use software-based phone systems vs the more traditional hardware-based. This allows the cost of the phone system to be broken across many customers, therefore, reducing the setup and installation cost
  • Reliability– because the phone system is hosted in a data center, a hosted VoIP phone system can be much more reliable than a traditional PBX. A reliable company with a carrier-grade software switch is typically hosted in a data center with backup internet service, back up generator, power and more importantly geographical redundancy
  • Scalability– hosted VoIP Phone systems are extremely scalable. A great VoIP Provider will have its own carrier-grade software switch that allows you to grow from few extensions and phone numbers to virtually unlimited extensions and phone numbers routed globally.
  • Feature Set– Carrier Grade Software Switches used to operate a VoIP phone service is nearly always loaded with all of your feature sets needed to run your business efficiently. These feature sets can include auto-attendant or IVR, Ring Groups, Voicemails, Voicemail to Email, Music on hold, and many other features to make the small business feel like a large nationwide company.
  • Maintenance– Hosted VoIP Phone Systems are maintenance-free for the end-user. This is because theVoIP Phone provider in Dallaswill typically maintain the phone system for all of their clients in order to keep everything up to date. For the end-user, this is one less headache to worry about

Reliable Internet Service is essential for reliable VoIP Phone Service

High-quality internet service is an essential part of any VoIP Phone service. Without a reliable internet connection, no matter how good your VoIP phone service is, you will experience business losses. There are few things that are extremely important when VoIP phone service is selected, those are your typical Download, Upload, and more importantly latency and jitter that most people ignore.

Redundancy of VoIP Phone Service

Most of the VoIP phone companies do not own their software and rely on third parties to provide them with the core of their phone systems. This causes a problem when providing service that the service provider does not understand. With Vivant, we have specifically built a carrier-grade phone system that is referred to as Highly Available Fault Tolerant (HAFT) system. In simple terms, such systems are geographically redundant and are deployed across multiple regions in order to ensure that no matter what happens, the phone system is always functional.

Read the blogStrategic Expansion: How Multiple Numbers Transform VoIP Business Phone

Internet Outage kills Profitability, Invest in Backup Internet Service

What is a backup internet Service?

Backup internet is simply a secondary path of communication to the internet so when your primary internet is down, you are still able to connect and transact. Today, nearly all payments are processed over the internet, phone service is delivered over internet (VoIP phone service), Online Ordering Services, Sales Reporting Software, Business Operation Software and more. With this much traffic crossing your internet service, it is extremely important to have a backup internet plan that allows you to operate your essential service.

Different Types of Backup Internet

Not all solutions are created equal so when shopping for a backup internet service, it is important to ensure it will actually work when you need it the most. If you pay for abackup internet serviceand it does not work when you need it, no matter how cheap or expensive, it is worthless. With that, it is important to understand the different options and plans available in order to make an informed decision.

Fiber and Diverse Route Backup Internet

Most people are familiar with different types ofprimary internet services, those are dedicated fiber internet service, coax internet service, shared business fiber internet such as FiOS or AT&T business fiber to name a few of them. The same services can be used as a secondary internet or backup internet, so for instance, you can have a dedicated 250/250m fiber internet service and also have a secondary 50/50m dedicated fiber as your backup internet. You can mix and match any of these internet services to serve as primary internet and backup internet. Since we always think a few steps further, we want to minimize the cost and offer 100% up-time guarantee and in order to achieve this, we get very creative through several methods which some people completely ignore. For example, if you have a 250m and a 50m fiber service through Spectrum, when one goes down, of course the second one goes down, so there is no redundancy here. Same goes if you have two coax or shared fiber internet service. It is imperative that your internet service providers are different and are completely independent of each other, i.e. not using the same path to enter your building or business.

LTE or Wireless Internet Service

The other type of internet service is the traditional LTE service that your smart phone uses. This tends to be the most accessible option for majority of backup internet services depending on your physical location. There are very few things to consider when going with a LTE backup internet, Data or Time Limits and Speed.

Data Limit or Time Limits

Some companies offer backup internet that is limited by either data or time which defeats the purpose. For example, if your primary internet is down for 10 hours but your backup internet has a time limit usage of 4 hours, it is not serving the purpose it had intended. The same can be said with data caps, most specifically with LTE based backup internet solutions.

Speed, latency and jitter

As you are well aware, the LTE speed can vary from location to location so where you are, how far from the nearest towers, how many towers are nearby, all play a key role in what type of speed you get, and how low is the latency and jitter. After all, if you get a 1mbps and you are 25 people in your office and you are running a VoIP phone system, it is useless. LTE internet services usually do impose a data limit which throttles your internet speed to DSL speeds so it is important to ensure you do not use a company with speed limits.

Hardware Requirements to Manage Primary and Backup Internet

As of now, not all firewall or routers support dual internet connections which means you will have to have the proper hardware required to manage a secondary internet connection. You want to ensure that your backup internet provider uses proper hardware to minimize the risk to your business. The more that the process is automated, the better and seamless it is for your staff in an event of emergency where your primary internet connection has failed. In summary, you want to ensure you have the right primary internet, the right backup internet service and the proper hardware to manage your internet service in order for everything to work seamlessly without any added stress to your staff or loss of profits to your bottom line.

About Vivant Corporation

AtVivant, we have created the perfect set of solutions to meet the need of any type of business. As the need of every industry is different, our SmartCONNECT technology can be adopted to work for a small restaurant operation whose need may be met with a coax primary internet and LTE backup internet service, or to meet the needs of a medical or car dealership where a backup LTE internet is not a viable option. SmartCONNECT works with both LTE, FIber, Coax or DSL internet services in order to provide a 100% up-time guarantee for your business at a competitive cost. SmartCONNECT is a seamless solution that monitors your primary internet connection every 15 sepconds and in an event of an outages, automatically and seamlessly switches to the secondary connection in order to keep your business connected, your payments processed, online orders completed and phone service to continue as normally. When the primary internet service is restored, SmartCONNECT automatically monitors the connection for a period of time, and if it is stable, it will automatically switch back. From today, you will never notice any internet outages anymore, sign up for SmartCONNECT today and say goodbye to internet outages.

PCI DSS Compliance Checklist 2024

If your organization handles card data through online portals or POS (Point of Sale) devices, it must adhere to PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards) to avoid penalties and damage to its reputation. However, achieving PCI DSS compliance is a complex, time-consuming, and costly process.

This article aims to simplify this process by explaining the PCI compliance framework, outlining the different levels of compliance, briefly discussing the 12 PCI DSS requirements, and providing steps toachieve PCI DSS compliance

Overview of PCI DSS compliance

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance consists of security standards established by credit card companies to ensure that businesses processing, transmitting, or storing credit card information do so securely.

The primary goal of PCI DSS compliance standards is to prevent data breaches and safeguard sensitive cardholder information.

In 2004, the founding members of PCI DSS, including VISA, MasterCard, JCB International, and Discover Financial Services, collaborated to create a regulatory framework aimed at protecting user credit card data from fraudulent activities.

Why was PCI DSS implemented?

The PCI DSS compliance framework was put in place to enable organizations processing electronic transactions to implement necessary processes and policies to maintain a strong security posture and protect cardholder data.

The latest version, PCI DSS version 4, introduced in March 2022, brought reforms to existing security rules, making the framework more flexible and user-friendly. It can be easily implemented with the help of the PCI DSS compliance checklist.

PCI DSS Compliance Levels


To better understand the PCI DSS compliance checklist, it's important to determine the level at which your business operates. This assessment will help you evaluate the PCI requirements.

Level 1: Processes over 6 million transactions annually, and any organization identified as Level 1 by VISA must implement Level 1 grade controls.

Level 2: Requires Level 2 security for 1 to 6 million yearly transactions.

Level 3: Handles 20,000 to 1 million online transactions yearly. Needs Level 3 security measures.

Level 4: Processes up to 20,000 e-commerce transactions a year and handles up to 1 million total transactions a year. Implementation of controls and policies at Level 4 is mandatory.

PCI Compliance Level Annual Transactions
Level 1 (High Difficulty) Over 6 million
Level 2 (High Difficulty) 1 – 6 million
Level 3 (Moderate Difficulty) 20,000 – 1 million
Level 4 (Low Difficulty) English

PCI DSS compliance checklist: Objectives and Requirement

Depending on the PCI DSS requirements of your organization, the complexity of managing your PCI DSS compliance journey will differ.

Organizations need to implement controls, security policies, and administrative processes to protect card data and achieve PCI DSS compliance.

Here is the PCI DSS Compliance Checklist for 2024:

Here's a bullet-pointed PCI DSS Compliance Checklist for 2024:

1. Install and Maintain a Firewall:

  • Protect security systems from unauthorized traffic.
  • Filter and permit only authorized traffic.
  • Secure POS devices on wireless networks.
  • Control outbound traffic from card storage areas.
  • Log all changes with justifications.

2. Avoid Default Vendor Settings and Passwords:

  • Change default usernames and passwords.
  • Configure settings for security, not convenience.
  • Use strong passwords.

3. Protect Cardholder Data:

  • Safeguard all cardholder information.
  • Understand data flow within the organization.
  • Store, access, transmit, and dispose of data securely.
  • Mask PAN to show only the last few digits.

4. Encrypt Transmission:

  • Use encryption for card data during transmission.
  • Protect data on all channels, including the internet.

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5. Use Updated Antivirus Software:

  • Keep antivirus software up-to-date.
  • Install advanced solutions on all devices with network access.
  • Ensure continuous operation and log scanning.

6. Keep IT systems and software secure and up-to-date:

  • Conduct internal risk assessments.
  • Identify and patch vulnerable areas.
  • Apply continuous patches and remediation measures.

Remember, managing PCI DSS compliance depends on your organization's specific requirements and the complexity of your systems. Regularly reviewing and updating these practices is crucial for maintaining compliance and protecting sensitive data.

7. Limit Access to Cardholder Data:

  • Control employee access based on need, seniority, or role.
  • Document access control procedures.

8. Unique User IDs:

  • Assign unique IDs to employees for security and tracking.

9. Control Physical Access:

  • Restrict access to physical data assets.
  • Use RFIDs and surveillance to secure data.

10. Monitor Network Access:

  • Secure network resources against unauthorized access.
  • Log and review network activity daily.
  • Keep audit trail records for one year.

11. Test Security Systems:

  • Regularly scan for vulnerabilities.
  • Use ASV for external domain scans.
  • Conduct quarterly and annual penetration tests.

12. Information Security Policy:

  • Develop policies for employees and third parties.
  • Require policy acknowledgment from all employees.
  • Perform background checks to secure card data.

These points cover the essentials of controlling access, monitoring activities, testing security measures, and maintaining policies to protect cardholder data as per PCI DSS standards.

How to Achieve PCI Compliant: Understanding the 12 Requirements of PCI Security Standards

To achieve PCI compliance, you need to fulfill the 12 PCI-compliant requirements, which consist of 300 sub-requirements. These requirements encompass security systems, organizational processes, testing, and policies aimed at safeguarding cardholder data.

12 PCI DSS Requirements Step-by-Step

The PCI DSS provides a 12-step plan forprotecting customer data and achieving compliance. It includes steps such as installing and maintaining a firewall, avoiding default settings, protecting stored cardholder data, encrypting payment data transmission, updating antivirus software, deploying secure systems and applications, restricting cardholder data access, assigning user access identification, restricting physical access to data, tracking and monitoring network access, ongoing systems, and process testing, and creating and maintaining an infosec policy. Each step involves specific actions and considerations to ensure compliance with PCI DSS standards.

5 Best Practices for PCI DSS Compliance

  1. Data Transparency:PCI-DSS Requirement 3 emphasizes the need to store credit card data in specific, restricted locations. Organizations should map data flows and conduct regular network scans to prevent unauthorized storage of credit card information.
  2. Overlaps between GDPR and PCI DSS Compliance:Adhering to PCI DSS best practices can lead to GDPR compliance. Both standards limit the storage of personal customer data, aligning with the principle of only storing necessary personal data.
  3. Focus on Employee Training:Employee awareness is crucial for PCI DSS compliance. Investing in training employees to understand compliance requirements and the consequences of non-compliance is essential.
  4. Review Cloud Architecture Regularly:Cloud environments undergo frequent changes, potentially impacting PCI compliance. Regular reviews and planning changes with security experts are necessary to identify and address risks.
  5. Leverage SIEM:Ongoing monitoring of security controls is a central requirement of PCI DSS. Utilizing a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tool can help collect logs, monitor networks, and create alerts for suspicious behavior, meeting PCI DSS rules.

Benefits of PCI DSS Compliance

PCI DSS compliance offers several key benefits:

  1. Reduces risk -Compliance with PCI standards shields businesses from breaches. According to a Verizon study, compliant businesses have a 50% higher chance of successfully withstanding a breach attempt.
  2. Boosts customer loyalty -Customers are more inclined to make purchases, particularly online, from businesses that prioritize data security and maintain PCI compliance.
  3. Helps avoid additional costs -Businesses may face fines from banks in the event of a breach, as well as the need to replace credit cards or compensate customers. Fewer breaches result in reduced risk of fines. If a breach occurs, businesses are elevated to PCI Level 1 and required to undergo a comprehensive, costly certification process.
  4. Aligns with industry standards -PCI DSS compliance ensures that businesses across the board adhere to the same rigorous security standards. By aligning with these standards, businesses ensure that their information security meets industry-wide expectations.

The future of PCI compliance

The PCI DSS launched version 4.0 in March 2022, replacing version 3.2. Organizations compliant with 3.2 have until March 2024 to become compliant with version 4.0.

How Vivant Helps You Achieve PCI DSS Compliance Requirements

MeetingPCI compliancerequirements can be difficult, especially as they continue to change. However, failing to adhere to these regulations can result in costly penalties and harm to your reputation. That's why it's crucial to depend on comprehensive solutions such as Vivant to ensure complete compliance across your network.

Vivant simplifies compliance by overseeing and examining access to infrastructure, a crucial aspect of PCI DSS. Additionally, you can access a free set of tools and templates to quickly obtain SOC 2 certification. While SOC 2 differs from PCI DSS, there are several operational similarities. Both certifications require actions such as conducting regular vulnerability scans, implementing annual security awareness training, and conducting an annual risk assessment.