4ward F2E is a fax to email service that enables you to receive faxes directly to your desktop, mobile laptop or blackberry device. Faxes are converted whilst in our network to pdf format, and emailed directly to the predetermined email address registered to the 0800, 0845 or 0870 number you have selected as your fax number. At present this service is only able to receive faxes sent from within the UK.

Fax to Email 
The main advantages are that faxes are not left lying around by shared fax machines, so are more confidential. Faxes can be filed and retrieved far more easily than having to be scanned and filed as a separate action and can also be forwarded to others far more conveniently. It also means that if you have mobile access or access to emails from places other than the office, you can continue to receive faxes without the need for a separate fax machine.

You can also give an F2E number to all employees in your company, or for different departments who share emails. For example, 0800 XXX XXX forwarded to sales@ or 0845XXX XXXX forwarded to accounts@ could enable several people to receive a fax direct to their desktop. All non-office based staff can have faxes sent directly to email, rather than having to have an additional line and fax machine.

Key features

• Select from 0800, 0845 and 0870 numbers
• Personalised Faxes direct to desktop
• Improved confidentiality and Improved Filing
• Reduced paper and consumables cost
• Improved Accessibility
• Save on line rentals and hardware purchase costs
  

4ward Communications offers a range of Broadband (ADSL) solutions but the most commonly used service is called 9 MAX. This product automatically enables the user to have the maximum speed available to his particular location. This depends on how close the user is to their BT local exchange.

The maximum speed is currently 8Mbs.

Broadband
Unlike traditional dial-up services, Broadband does not tie the line up, so you can be surfing the web or downloading emails whilst on the phone. This saves on line rental costs too when compared to dial-up services. If you have an existing Broadband connection, 4ward Communications can migrate your service and save you money.

4ward Communications are also able to offer a variety of more specialised connectivity solutions, so for high users, SDSL with faster upload speeds than ADSL may be preferred. 4ward Communications can supply these as well as fixed circuits, bonded ADSL and VPN (Virtual Private Network) facilities to link sites.

Please speak with us about your needs, and our highly skilled staff will help find
the right solution for your business.

key features

• Always on
• Up to 8Mbs - much faster than dial-up or basic broadband
• Market-leading prices
• Variety of options to suit all needs, ADSL, SDSL, VPN & fixed circuits
• Option to upgrade to a wireless connection

Connecting any computer to the Internet can be dangerous. Today we know too well about the risk of viruses and hacking. The rapid increase in the number of broadband “always on” connections has significantly increased the need for enhanced network security.

The fundamental purpose of a firewall is to protect against hackers and service attacks, where loss of email or internet connectivity can occur. A good firewall will prevent most attacks using several methods: There are 2 main types of firewall, hardware and software.
A software firewall is a program that runs on top of the computers operating system and adds firewall functionality. Some operating systems already include some firewall software, and companies such as Norton also produce software with this functionality.

Hardware firewalls are built for one purpose only, so do not take up any processing capacity of your PCs. Devices created for specific tasks add reliability and security whilst offering increased performance over pure software firewalls.

4ward supply broadband connections with the option of upgrading to a router with some firewall functionality. We also offer firewall protection as part of a VPN or MPLS VPN solution where the breakout to the web is secured using our managed Firewalls working off the back of the VPN Hub.

Stealth the Network - the firewall effectively hides the protected network so that it doesn’t appear on the internet.
Packet inspection - the firewall analyses each packet as it travels through the firewall to ensure its legitimacy and to identify the source of each valid packet.
Network Address Translation (NAT) - removes the IP address of the PC’s/Fileservers behind
the firewall and replaces them with a single public IP address.
Closing unused ports - unused ports, often the target for hackers can be closed when not in use.

key benefits

• Enables Secure VPN capabilities
• Allows for content filtering
• Defence against Internet viruses
• Defence against Hacking

IP VPNs can provide your company with a fully featured Wide Area Network, allowing complete connectivity between offices, home-workers and roaming users. High levels of security can be achieved by ensuring each user has a discrete identity and an authorised authentication process, before they can access the network.

Users can share information, access centrally held files and send & receive emails securely and reliably from almost anywhere. They can also access server-based programs and print to office based printers. Data traffic between sites is encrypted, adding to data security.

Connectivity can employ ADSL or SDSL Broadband links to the Internet, which 4ward can provide from its comprehensive range of products.

New offices and users can be added quickly and easily simply by adding broadband
connections. The same connection can also be used for internet access. 4ward can provide assistance in configuring your VPN to ensure convenience and security of use.

Key features

• Variety of connection methods
• Enables Data Sharing across sites/users
• Low setup cost using ADSL

Leased Lines are dedicated interconnections between your sites and the carrier’s network, providing the highest level of security and service availability. Leased lines are ideal for businesses that need dedicated, uninterrupted communications, 24 hours per day and for those that wish to build their own communications network.

They can support applications and services such as videoconferencing; live broadcasting; the ability to link mainframe computers; intranet applications and bulk data communications solutions such as EPOS and stock control. Dedicated lines would have to be installed between your site locations and the carrier’s nearest interconnection nodes and therefore we have to obtain quotes from suitable carriers before we can provide you with a full proposal. This proposal would be provided to you without cost or
obligation. 4ward provides a variety of service levels to suit all needs.

Please contact our Customer Services team on 08700 411 005 to speak to a specialist.

Key features

• Dedicated connection
• Fixed Annual Cost
• Supports Multiple Applications
  

MPLS over an IP VPN provides a flexible, “any to any” network that enables you to connect head offices, branches, distribution facilities, data centres and other locations with ease. You can converge all your existing business traffic, including latency-sensitive applications such as voice, onto one network.

MPLS IP VPN is secure and doesn’t require firewall protection or encryption.

You can use any combination of conventional ADSL broadband and Leased Line connections, as necessary to provide the required quality of service between the connected sites. MPLS automatically prioritises voice over data, to optimise the capability of the connections.
4ward can provide a specialist to discuss your needs and to produce a proposal, without cost or obligation. Please contact our Customer Services team on          08700 411 005.

Key features

• High Security Protocol
• Capability to prioritise voice over data
• Variety of connection methods

SDSL employs the same Broadband technology as ADSL but SDSL enables uploads to be processed at the same speed as downloads, making it ideal for running your own email server or web services. SDSL provides the connectivity and capability of a leased line but at a fraction of the cost. Services are available with speeds of 512kb, 1Mb and 2Mb and with contention ratios of 10:1, 5:1 or 1:1. SDSL requires a dedicated PSTN (analogue) line, so it is not possible to use a phone or fax in conjunction with an SDSL connection. This PSTN line will be a new install, taken care of by 4ward as part of the SDSL set-up process. Current availability is approximately 70% of the UK’s exchanges but this is being increased all the time.

If you require assistance, please contact our Customer Services team on 08700 411 005 for confirmation of what level of service is available at your location and for a schedule of rates.

key features

• Significant increase in upload speeds
• Contentions as low as 1:1
  

A SIP trunk is best considered as an IP phone line, similar to existing telephone lines but provided over a broadband connection rather than a typical copper/cable line. Typically SIP Trunks will be supplied as an alternative to ISDN 2 or ISDN 30 lines. A High quality Broadband (ADSL or SDSL) connection will be supplied by 4ward Communications and the required number of SIP trunks will be provisioned onto this connection.

The latest telephone systems typically accept the direct connection of SIP Trunks in the same way as ISDN. Some older systems may need a converter box which enables them to be treated as if they were ISDN circuits. 4ward can advise on preferred converter boxes. SIP trunks typically suit Greenfield phone system installations, i.e. new sites, or existing sites being upgraded for the years to come. SIP trunks significantly reduce the cost of ISDN line rentals but a typical installation may also have ISDN lines as a backup.

For Example:
A site that may have needed 30 channels of ISDN 30, with the associated install and rental costs of the 30 channels could have reduced ISDN channels, maybe 10 as backups or for inbound calls, with 20 SIP channels for outbound calls. The SIP channels installation cost simply requires a compatible system or converter box and a high quality broadband connection (specifically for voice - data will need additional connectivity). 4ward can provide the SIP trunks and broadband connections and your 4ward authorised distributor can advise you on the best package for you.

Key benefits

• significantly lower install and rental costs than ISDN
• Add channels quickly
• Free calls between 4ward connected group SIP or Featureplus sites

Business mobile telephony gives you everything you need in one device

Your emails find you automatically - no dial up and no waiting ,make a call or access the web and your business applications on the move.

Data Card/USB
Now you can have the freedom of wireless working on your laptop, with a Data Card or USB , you can work online wherever you want, whenever you want.

So now when you are waiting for meetings, stuck at the station or staying away on business you can still be getting work done. Make the most of your work time to allow you to get the greatest benefit out of your own time.

Cross Link: Crosslink is the latest mobile service the network operators have been dreading. It will save you considerable money when making international calls from your mobile.....And its automatic....Just dial in the usual way.

4ward Communications are able to offer a range of business telecom services with the aim of reducing existing overheads and simplifying billing, by grouping together existing services onto one simple monthly bill.

Calls are transferred to 4ward in one of several ways, Carrier Pre Selection (CPS) being the preferred route. This involves 4ward asking BT to program the local exchange so that all calls made from your designated telephone numbers are automatically routed via 4ward. Other methods include programming the onsite telephone equipment (pbx least-cost-routing) or manual dialing for home-workers.

In most instances CPS will be applied for and you will be notified in writing by BT or your existing alternative provider, confirming your request to move your service to 4ward. The method of connection will be agreed with you in advance of connection. Savings are offered on all call types whether local, national, international or to mobile phones.
In addition, 4ward Communications are able through our agreement with BT Wholesale to move all of your line rentals onto the same account, with significant discounts on these too. This process is very similar to the CPS process in that BT will write to you confirming the lines are being moved. BT still maintains the network and a BT engineer will still visit if you ever have a line fault.

The only change is that 4ward Communications will be billing you for the calls and lines on one simple monthly invoice and providing you with a single point of contact for any queries or faults.

Key features
Save money on calls and lines
One bill for all key telecom services
Personal customer service
No need to dial pin codes
No requirement to change numbers
BT Select Services such as Divert, Call Waiting etc. will remain on the line

Featureplus is an easy to use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony service enabling the user to make voice calls over a broadband connection. It offers reduced call costs and via an online web portal, access to numerous advanced calling features which can improve productivity and image. It offers the smaller SME high level PBX functionality with much reduced capital expenditure. All of the typical PBX intelligence is accessed through a web portal. This is far easier than having to learn how to program a phone system through a numeric keypad.

When you order the 4ward Featureplus service, we send you a simple plug and play smartbox. This is delivered fully configured, ready for use and can manage 2 CLIs (telephone numbers). Up to three featureplus smartboxes can be connected together to offer a maximum of 6 CLIs, enough for a typical smaller office. The smartboxes are connected to your existing broadband connection (4ward typically also supply this as part of a total package) and you can start making calls straightaway.

The web portal allows you to do much more than just make phone calls. You can have calls forwarded to your mobile (or any other number), you can set up a voicemail service and have
your messages emailed to you as WAV files. You can monitor calls made, calls received and missed calls all via a simple onscreen listing. You can also click to dial using your address book,
so rather than use the telephone handset, you simply double click a contact on the screen, and then pickup your handset and the call will be being dialled.

If you have several sites, the Featureplus service is ideal for you, as calls between Featureplus CLIs on your account are free. Another key benefit is that the 2 CLIs you can have configured into the box do not need to be specific to where the smartbox will be used. For example, if you are currently using a London number as a normal line rented from BT and are moving to Birmingham, you can migrate your London number onto the featureplus service, and your London number will still work in the new Birmingham site. This will work for both incoming calls and will be the presented number for outgoing calls. This feature also means that if you are not moving from London, but wish to give the appearance of also having a Birmingham office, you can have one of the two CLIs in the Featureplus smartbox as a Birmingham number. 4ward have a directory of millions of numbers for all areas of the UK to choose from.

key benefits

• Advanced PBX functionality for between 2 and 6 users without high capital expenditure.
• Free Featureplus to Featureplus calls for 4ward customers.
• You can simultaneously use the web and send emails using the broadband connection.
• Reduced Line Rental costs, one line rental can be shared by up to 6 users.
• 4ward Bundles include a broadband service, so everything you need is supplied.

Divert on Busy - all businesses hate losing calls. For businesses with busy lines, this can be avoided by trying backup numbers when the main number is engaged, such as sending the call to a homeworker or second office. At additional cost, calls can be routed to mobiles.

Time of Day/Day of Week - calls can be routed to different locations depending on the time of day or day of week. Typically this is used for out of hours cover and calls can be routed to mobiles at additional cost.

Voicemail to Email - In the event that a call is not answered in a timely manner, it is possible to have a network based voicemail facility for the caller to leave a message. These messages are then emailed as MP3 files to a pre-determined email address to enable the customer to be called back at the earliest convenient moment.

Auto Attendant - this service enables callers to choose which department or branch they would like to talk to. For example, "Welcome to John Smith Handyman Services, please press 1 for sales, 2 for customer services, 3 for accounts" etc.

Queue - Callers are held in a queue, with comfort messages, for example "Your call is important to us, please hold" being played until the call is answered. This service is typically combined with a Pre-Connect Message to announce that you are trying to connect them. The queue facility can also tell them how many callers are ahead of them in the queue.

Call Recording - In certain business environments, the obvious one being financial services, it is typical to hear “calls may be recorded for training or security purposes.” This is to reduce ambiguity over what was agreed, and can stop matters escalating in the event of disputes. It can also be very useful in sales environments. Calls are recorded at network level, and can then be emailed as MP3 files or archived on a secure website for retrieval at a later date.

These services can be combined to create a powerful customer interaction system and enable you to answer more calls and win more business as a result. Please feel free to speak to us if you are unsure about your requirements, or if you feel that you need the creation of a totally bespoke solution.

Additional benefits:

• If you move your office, possibly out of the same area code, your number moves with you. Access   to high level features at low monthly rentals with no investment in expensive hardware.
• Increased Customer loyalty through use of 0800 freephone services.
• Improved Disaster Recovery planning; i.e. In the event of an office fire, numbers can be forwarded to backup locations (or at additional cost to mobiles) within minutes.

4WARD PROTECT is a network-based filter that protects businesses from calling telephone numbers that have been registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and Fax Preference Service (FPS) when running telephone or fax sales campaigns. Failure to comply with TPS & FPS legislation can result in fines of up to £5,000 per complaint. Businesses need to protect themselves from this potential liability.

Current legislation requires all telemarketing companies to screen data before making any calls. This can be costly. The TPS & FPS databases are available to buy but can cost upwards of £10,000 p.a.

4WARD PROTECT takes this cost away. 4ward Telecom stores the up-to-date TPS & FPS register on its network and if you choose the 4WARD PROTECT service, calls to these numbers are automatically excluded from being connected.

Key features

• No need to buy expensive TPS & FPS databases
• Protects Businesses from potentially costly fines
• Confidence of TPS & FPS compliance