Well, there is certainly no shortage of benefits available when a business decides to outsource its technical support function. However, it would be ideal if first we understand the reasons as to why outsourcing the technical support function has become vitally necessary in recent years. It may not be all that difficult because it's common knowledge now that competition has increased dramatically in the last few years, mainly due to Globalization. Customer needs and expectations have also witnessed an upgrade, something that has made it necessary that businesses provide the best technical support services to their customers. Rapidly changing technology and the growing complexity of products and services is yet another factor that supports the cause of outsourcing technical support services. Here are some benefits that will make it even more clear as to why outsourcing technical support services should be a part of every business organization.
On-demand Information Access
24/7 technical support centers act as the "always online" link between businesses and their customers. Since availability of products and services is now no longer limited by geographical boundaries, it is virtually impossible to predict from which customer or from what exact location or what specific time zone, will the need be generated for using technical support services. 24/7 technical support services provide on-demand information and support to whoever might need it, irrespective of the actual location or time zone. When customers learn that there is someone out there always willing to help, it builds a natural bond that helps build goodwill and loyalty. It basically helps ensure that customers stick to the same brand and do not move on to the competitors products.
Professional Expertise
Technical support staff working for outsourcing firms are highly qualified and are provided the best customer service training, all of which makes it easier for them to provide top quality technical support services to customers and prospects. Improved customer satisfaction is the immediate benefit that is derived, something that helps businesses attract more customers, usually through referrals and personal recommendations shared between friends, family and associates. It also helps ensure that businesses do not end up wasting their precious time, effort and resources on non-core activities such as technical support. There are usually more important tasks such as production, sales, etc., that require constant attention and cannot be ignored.
Cost Savings
Most service providers dealing in technical support services operate from developing countries where operational costs are significantly less. Since cost benefits are passed on to the clients, it creates a win-win for both providers and clients. However, it would be better if businesses check the quality of services provided because without them, the cost savings will not be all that useful. Quality of services determine long-term business prospects and as such, it would be unwise to overlook longterm gains for a few dollars.
You might have some hesitations about outsourcing your technical support, but you should never forget that it has become a common trend and chances are high that your competitor might already be deriving the associated benefits. We would recommend that you contact a technical support service provider today and see what all benefits you can receive.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Learn to hide your IP in Windows 7, Vist, Xp
The first time I researched methods to hide my IP address, I quickly learned that the only hope I had of hiding my IP was to change it. That's because it's impossible to surf the Internet without an IP address, as it's to that location that websites and other online services transmit your requests. Without such routing, you simply won't be able to view or receive anything on the web. However, most people's objective of hiding their IP can be achieved by changing it using one of the following three methods:
1] HIDE YOUR IP ADDRESS BY SWAPPING THE ONE ISSUED BY YOUR ISP
Suppose you visited a website recently, and you now want to visit it again without displaying the IP address of your original visit. If you simply prompt your ISP to issue you a new IP address, and release the old one, you have effectively "hidden" your previous IP address. This may be obvious and simplistic, but it will actually accomplish many peoples objectives. If this sounds like what you're looking for, please refer to the resource links at the end of this article.
2] HIDE YOUR IP ADDRESS BY USING A RELAY SERVER
Another method of hiding your IP can be accomplished by routing your connection through an intermediate server. The intermediate server relays web requests between your personal computer and the websites you surf. And if the relay is setup properly, the websites will only detect the IP address of the relay server, and not your computer's.
Now, there are a variety of relay server configurations, but the two that seem to be most popular are proxy servers and virtual private networks. To give you an idea of how such systems work, open Internet Explorer (or a new window separate from this page), and go to the dropdown menu for Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections. Then, if you're using broadband DSL or cable, click "LAN settings", or for dialup highlight your connection and click "Settings". Then check the box for "Use proxy server". For "address", enter "relay.testproxy.org" (without the quotes), and for "port" enter "8231". Finally, click OK out of there. Now try surfing to an IP-checking website. As you'll notice, neither your real IP nor your ISP will display. Pretty cool, huh? To remove the settings, simply perform the same steps, but uncheck the "use proxy server" box.
Of course, that is just a test proxy, and you'll probably want something that allows unrestricted access to the Internet. You can find various websites that list free or "public", but use them with extreme caution. Such servers may be monitored by hackers, are likely to be incompatible with SSL, and can also be used to transmit viruses. Unless you really know what you're doing, I would suggest taking the time to setup your own private proxy or VPN, or use a fee-based service. See the resources mentioned below, or do a Google search to find many others.
3] HIDE YOUR IP ADDRESS BY CHANGING YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION
Okay, there's one more method of hiding your IP, which is quite obvious but worth mentioning in case you haven't already thought of it. If you have a laptop computer, packing it up and connecting via WiFi at a public library or free Internet cafe is also a good way to temporarily surf with a different IP address. Along the same lines, having a dialup account can be useful in this regard as well. For example, even though I have broadband Internet, I used to also subscribe to a dialup ISP just for the occasional use of an alternate IP address. For example, in the United States, subscribing to a service like Earthlink would give you unlimited access to hundreds of IP addresses around the country. Of course, be sure to check with any such provider regarding their specific and current policies.
1] HIDE YOUR IP ADDRESS BY SWAPPING THE ONE ISSUED BY YOUR ISP
Suppose you visited a website recently, and you now want to visit it again without displaying the IP address of your original visit. If you simply prompt your ISP to issue you a new IP address, and release the old one, you have effectively "hidden" your previous IP address. This may be obvious and simplistic, but it will actually accomplish many peoples objectives. If this sounds like what you're looking for, please refer to the resource links at the end of this article.
2] HIDE YOUR IP ADDRESS BY USING A RELAY SERVER
Another method of hiding your IP can be accomplished by routing your connection through an intermediate server. The intermediate server relays web requests between your personal computer and the websites you surf. And if the relay is setup properly, the websites will only detect the IP address of the relay server, and not your computer's.
Now, there are a variety of relay server configurations, but the two that seem to be most popular are proxy servers and virtual private networks. To give you an idea of how such systems work, open Internet Explorer (or a new window separate from this page), and go to the dropdown menu for Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections. Then, if you're using broadband DSL or cable, click "LAN settings", or for dialup highlight your connection and click "Settings". Then check the box for "Use proxy server". For "address", enter "relay.testproxy.org" (without the quotes), and for "port" enter "8231". Finally, click OK out of there. Now try surfing to an IP-checking website. As you'll notice, neither your real IP nor your ISP will display. Pretty cool, huh? To remove the settings, simply perform the same steps, but uncheck the "use proxy server" box.
Of course, that is just a test proxy, and you'll probably want something that allows unrestricted access to the Internet. You can find various websites that list free or "public", but use them with extreme caution. Such servers may be monitored by hackers, are likely to be incompatible with SSL, and can also be used to transmit viruses. Unless you really know what you're doing, I would suggest taking the time to setup your own private proxy or VPN, or use a fee-based service. See the resources mentioned below, or do a Google search to find many others.
3] HIDE YOUR IP ADDRESS BY CHANGING YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION
Okay, there's one more method of hiding your IP, which is quite obvious but worth mentioning in case you haven't already thought of it. If you have a laptop computer, packing it up and connecting via WiFi at a public library or free Internet cafe is also a good way to temporarily surf with a different IP address. Along the same lines, having a dialup account can be useful in this regard as well. For example, even though I have broadband Internet, I used to also subscribe to a dialup ISP just for the occasional use of an alternate IP address. For example, in the United States, subscribing to a service like Earthlink would give you unlimited access to hundreds of IP addresses around the country. Of course, be sure to check with any such provider regarding their specific and current policies.
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