Google Wallet and Smartphone Banking: Forget about Forgetting your Wallet

Have you ever reached the checkout point in a store only to realize you had left your wallet at home? Or noted with a frown the bulging square messing up the fit of that trimmed new blazer? How about just shuffling plastic cards and thinking “there must be a better way...”?

Well, there is. The days of plain old wallets have now been officially numbered as Google unveils its brand new Google Wallet service!

Um... did he just say ‘Google Wallet?’

Yep, that’s right folks. Some of you may have been enjoying smart banking (that is, banking with your smartphones) for things like checking your accounts or paying your bills, but now comes the next step—swiping at the cash register. Wallet, keys, cellphone—these items are at the top of anyone’s checklist. But not far down the road you’ll be able to scrape that first off your list!

So like, where do I put the change?

Wondering how it works? Here’s the skinny:

Not too long ago, many credit cards got a facelift that included a security chip and a small ‘Paypass’ logo. Paypass implements micro-chip technology to wirelessly communicate with the terminal at the point of purchase and to process the transaction.

Those who’ve put it to the test found it amazingly addictive—amazing, because you’d think things couldn’t have gotten much simpler than swiping your card and signing a receipt, but here we are—with Paypass, you simply tap the card on the panel and let the terminal do its magic.

Google Wallet uses the same two technologies: an NFC chip, (short for ‘Near Field Communication’) which transmits information over very short distances (under 4 centimeters), and MasterCard’s Paypass, to essentially replace your credit card.

This method is very secure because the close proximity and short duration of each transmission make it one tough nut to crack by would be attackers.

While only a limited set of cards and devices will be supported when the program rolls out this summer, Google intends to progressively expand across other platforms and eventually replace all plastic cards.

Ah, Technology...just when you think things couldn’t get any better—they do!

What about pick-pockets?

According to the Google Wallet section on Security, “a locked wallet is a safer wallet”, and “Google Wallet’s security features go beyond what’s possible with traditional wallets and cards”.

“So what’s a locked wallet” you ask?

No, you won’t have to get one of those heart-shaped mini-locks from the dollar-store.

Google protects your virtual wallet with a pin number. What’s more, the encrypted credit card credentials are stored on a special chip called the Secure Element, described by Google as “a separate computer, capable of running programs and storing data.”

They add that “The Secure Element is separate from your Android phone's memory” (which makes it tougher to compromise), and that “The chip is designed to only allow trusted programs on the Secure Element itself to access the payment credentials stored therein.”

So, while nothing in life is completely safe, this sounds much safer than using a plastic card or even plain old cash.

What about the iPhone—if Google is doing it today, Jobs must’ve done it yesterday, right?

Well, actually—no.

But he will do it tomorrow?

To be honest, it’s not completely clear. At first there were reports the iPhone 5 will have an NFC chip. Then came out contradictory reports saying that it won’t. Then more reports claiming that it will—and then a series of won’t, will, won’t, will, won’t, will... that goes on until today.

Now, consider that most of these reports are along the lines of ‘my brother’s friend—who works for a company that installed an HVAC unit for this other company that employs a guy who used to work for Apple—said...’

So it’s not exactly what you’d call ‘credible sources’.

It’s hard to believe though that a seasoned player like Apple would completely miss the boat on this one, so a safe assumption would be that Jobs has something in the works (pan intended), but simply lags behind a little bit.

There’s always a chance he might turn up at the finish line with a surprise though, it’s happened before.

So what’s in stock for us iPhone, RIM, and WIN 7 users?

Apparently, Google has expressed its willingness to partner with competitors, but there are doubts as to whether or not competitors might not prefer to develop—or are already developing—alternatives of their own.

In the meantime, perhaps not to be labelled ‘Isolationists’, Google will reportedly make a special sticker available that can be attached to the back of any compatible smartphone and let other users take advantage of the app, albeit in a limited version.

Give me the bottom line!

Smart banking keeps getting smarter, and waving your phone at the terminal is definitely the wave of the future. Striding or limping, other smartphone manufacturers are going to catch up eventually, and we’ll likely see some new and interesting variations on the concept coming up.

A virtual phone-wallet will let you:

o Leave your wallet at home.

o Store all your plastic cards and credentials in a single secure environment

o Experience increased security.

o Take advantage of rewards, coupons, and loyalty programs—right within your phone.

o Enjoy the convenience of waving to pay.

Now all we need is some kind of ‘Google Keys’ app that will start our cars and lock our condos to completely forget our short-term memory issues!

Labels: android, apple, business, google, iPhone, NFC Chip, smartphone banking, technology, telecommunications, telephone banking, use google wallet, what is google wallet

Let Your IVR Greet Clients with a Unique Mother’s Day Greeting This Coming Sunday!

Good customer service starts with a personal touch—small things that go a long way. It’s an indication that you’ve taken a moment out of your busy day to take notice of something different. That you are aware. That you care.

Different is special—and who doesn’t like special?

That’s why we love national holidays.

Now, you might think that an automated answering service is incapable of a ‘personal touch’—but that would be like saying that robots are incapable of feelings, and anyone who’s seen Spielberg’s A.I. knows better!

So here’s how your very own artificial intelligence (aka Auto Attendant) can respond in an intimate manner (with just a helpful nudge on your part):

Most virtual PBX systems should let you record and maintain a library of customized greetings to feed your IVR. So if you were to prepare a special message in advance, you could simply switch over to it when the appropriate day arrived—and that’s that. Simple, isn’t’ it?

You can prepare as many greetings as you like and be ready to meet any occasion.

It’s a small effort to show your customers that you care about going that extra mile to make them feel special.

Try it out this coming Mother’s Day!

(April 8^th, just in case you’ve forgotten... don’t worry, we won’t tell ;)

Every mother is sure to smile upon hearing your greeting—and as for the rest of us kids, we’ll have a chance to dart out to the nearest flower store and, breathing a sigh of relief, call to say ‘of course I didn’t forget mom—how could I!’

In both cases, you’ll have a friend for life.

Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

Labels: business, call, cloud computing, custom greeting, customer service, data center, IT, live answer, mother's day, phone system, technology, virtual IVR, virtual PBX, virtual phone

Use Synclio’s Virtual PBX with a Skype Number

If you’re one of the forward-thinking business owners who’ve already made the switch from traditional landlines and cell phones to Skype but felt the one thing keeping you from true bliss is the inability to integrate a proper phone system—you’ll love what we have to say!

So here it is: you can.

All you’ll need is a Skype online number.

Synclio’s cloud based vitual PBX treats your Skype number just as it would any other landline or cell-phone number, giving you full access to all the awesome features. Now you can reap the benefits of a full-featured PBX while using Skype’s mega low rates and calling plans!

So whether you have completely done away with the major telecoms (and the associated major headaches) or only use Skype to supplement your traditional means of communication, you can now enjoy one powerhouse of a system!

What’s more, with features like Find Me Follow Me and customizable call routing rules, you’ll experience a seamless integration of all your devices—so it’ll truly be YOUR business, anywhere.

To learn more about the common features of a virtual phone system, check out our 'Anatomy of a Virtual Phone System: What’s in it, and why you need it?'

Labels: business, cost saving, IT, phone system, skype, technology, virtual pbx skype number, virtual phone

How Our ‘Find Me/Follow Me’ Service Can Help You Never Miss Another Call

Business never sleeps. As the sun goes down on one market it rises over another—and even on the same street, people seem to be ticking to a completely different set of biological clocks.

To stay competitive in this modern world, businessmen have long realized that the traditional idea of ‘regular operating hours’ no longer applies. So the challenge, especially to smaller players who cannot afford after-hours staff, has become that of coping with ‘irregular operating hours’.

This is still more challenging if your line of work requires frequent travel.

For instance, let’s say that you’re an electrician in business with another partner. You don’t want to miss any calls—but neither of you can become a permanent fixture in the office.

You could hire a receptionist—but that’s an extra salary to pay, and it’s not like the phone is constantly going off the hook...you simply want to be there when it does.

Another option would be to include your mobile phone numbers in all your ads—but consider that you may not want to make your personal phone numbers public, and getting another set of business phones is again running a significant expense. Then, you also want to avoid giving the impression of a disjointed operation (a first impression is only made once) and a single contact number just looks so more professional.

Find Me/Follow Me is a service offered in conjuncture with a virtual phone system and a powerful tool in this kind of situation.

Basically, it lets you keep all your phone numbers—office, mobile, home, etc—under your profile. Then, whenever a call is destined for you, the system would automatically start dialing every number in succession until you are reached (or route it to your voicemail if you chose not to answer).

So whether you’re out on a site, at home, or in the office, you’ll always be able to take the call. Moreover, since the call is placed to the company’s main line and the subsequent rerouting is performed within the system, none of your personal contact numbers will be revealed in the process, and the public will always be dealing with a single number.

This protects your privacy and promotes your company's brand-recognition!

A virtual IVR has many additional features to let you fully control the way calls are handled by the automated system, thereby helping you find that elusive balance between work and personal life.

The Find Me Follow Me service, as part of our virtual phone system, provides a reliable, cost effective call handling solution that will ensure you'll never miss another call—keeping both you and your customers happy!

To learn more about the features of a virtual phone system, check out: ‘Anatomy of a Virtual Phone System: What’s in it, and Why You Need It?’

Labels: asterisk, business, call routing, cloud computing, cost saving, customer service, find me follow me service, IT, phone system, technology, virtual IVR, virtual PBX, virtual phone, voicemail

Weatherproof Your Business: Take Shelter from the Storm in the Cloud

So starts an article dated April 29^th 2011 on the international news site France 24.

There can no longer be any doubt that we have entered an era of increasingly volatile weather conditions. The tsunami that has wrecked havoc across the island of Japan just last month and the recent ‘spate of tornadoes’ (as aptly put by the author) are just the latest affirmations of a definite global climate trend.

Just imagine the immediacy when such a misfortune strikes. Natural disasters are unruly beasts, and even modern climatologists with all their sophisticated knowledge and equipment are often thunderstruck by their sudden onslaughts. Sometimes the best they can do is give us mere days—if not hours—of notice.

If, god forbid, such mad winds started blowing in your neck of the woods, you’d throw your family in a car and get the hell out of there—as far and as fast as you could!

Naturally, your first concern is to protect yourself and your loved ones.

But once the worst of it has passed and only wreckages remain, how would you figure in the aftermath?

Your house may have been damaged or destroyed. Perhaps even your office. Any equipment and infrastructure you may have owned have likely taken a dip and didn’t take well to swimming. Your insurance may or may not cover the damages—depending on how well you’ve read the fine print—but even if it did, it would take weeks, months even, to get everything back on track.

Now, it’s bad enough to suffer a loss of your physical possessions, but imagine losing your business too, and with it your means of rebuilding your lost wealth...

You’d obviously find consolation in the fact you and your family have made it out with your skins. You’d tell yourself that you can always start fresh—in a different town, different place. That you still have your skills, your years of experience, perhaps even some of that old youth... But deep down inside, a single question will be wrenching your guts out: “Could I not have done anything better?”

You see, as human beings we have the gift of foresight, and therefore the privilege of preparing for the unexpected. To decide, when bad news come lashing at our doors, if we’d have the ability to act, or only to react.

In some situation, only a reaction is possible—this is where we need to act well in advance to protect ourselves. That’s why you don’t keep all of your money in a single place, or even in a single currency.

Sometimes still, the best we can possibly do is only curb the damage—limit what and how much can be lost—and this is where cloud computing becomes invaluable.

Think about it: if most of your business was powered up in the cloud rather than from your office it would have been infinitely easier for you to bounce back up on your feet following such catastrophe. Sure, your physical possessions would’ve suffered a beating—but at least you’d still have the ability to earn a living. Wealth can be rebuilt. That’s why your first concern is for your life, and the second is for your livelihood.

Moreover, being a business owner, you’d probably have the foresight to buy insurance. So most of the assets you’ve owned will be reclaimed in value.

The main concern is therefore not for any assets owned by your business, but rather for your business itself. Every day your service remains down is a day that sets you back and gives your competitors an advantage. Your customers might tolerate a reasonable interruption—but not a prolonged shutdown.

So it’s crucial to get your business back up and running as quickly as possible. It should be apparent how the cloud can give you an advantage: if most of your business depended on your self-owned infrastructure and your infrastructure went up in smoke—you’d be out of luck. However, if the main aspects of your business, such as data storage and communications, were powered from the cloud—the most you might have to do is to buy a new laptop (assuming your old one got damaged) and you’d be back in business!

At this point you might wonder ‘but hey, if my infrastructure can be damaged by a natural disaster, who says theirs can’t?’

This is a legitimate concern, and here is a simple answer:

The following video shows the Google Data Center where Synclio, for instance, host their servers. Have a good look and listen. If, watching this presentation, you feel that your infrastructure security is on par with theirs, you probably don’t need it. But Google spent $2.3 BILLION building this state of the art facility—the most advanced of its kind. I somehow doubt that your basement can be a match (Unless, of course, you are Bill Gates—then I’d probably be happy with my basement too)

So just in case all this doomsday talk has spoiled your appetite, take a look out the window for a moment, sip on that tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and rejoice in the pleasant sunshine. Thankfully, we’ve only been talking 'what ifs'. But remember that the bright sun can just as quickly be covered by a passing cloud, and it’s always better to be prepared.

To quote Nathan Muir from the movie ‘Spy Games’: “When did Noah build the ark Gladys? Before the storm.”

Labels: cloud computing, data center, data protection, google, IT, phone system, security, severe weather, technology, tornado, tsunami, virtual PBX, virtual phone, web management