"Successful businesses usually have the same goal, minimize costs to maximize profits. Today with the plethora of open source solutions, a small business can present a high tech image and still keep a lid on the expenses. Early last winter, we had the opportunity to present a proposal for a financial institution to add two new remote offices. The requirement was to find a low cost solution for both the voice and data connections between all bank branches and provide a seamless integrated phone system with branch to branch dialing by extension, voice mail and conference calling. Although the new branches were only a short distance from the bank's main office, 27 miles and 49 miles respectively, dedicated leased lines were expensive because each office was located in separate rural area and each area was controlled by a different telco..."
