Every time we are asked, “What does iCore do?” and we mention that we are a VoPI provider, we would receive a look of confusion.  We often hear, “VoPI..don’t you mean VoIP?”.  It may seem like a typo, but it completely transforms Internet-based telecommunications: VoPI (Voice over Private Internet) solves a lot of problems inherent in consumer grade VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

VoPI uses VoIP technology in a managed setting: iCore uses its own private, point-to-point circuits to carry its customers voice and data. The advantages of using VoPI rather than VoIP are huge:

• Security- Denial of service attacks and other hacking can affect VoIP quality of service. Call flooding and call hijacking can as well. Hackers with packet sniffers and other tools can monitor where calls are coming from and going to. At the ISP level, they can even eavesdrop on calls. Because iCore’s customers’ traffic travels on iCore’s own secure network none of those threats to security or quality are factors.
• Higher call quality- On the MOS (Mean Opinion Score), the number used by the telecommunications industry to evaluate call quality, POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) averages 4.2 on a scale of 1-5. iCore’s quality averages 4.49. While VoIP suffers from latency, jitter and packet loss — all factors which affect voice quality — VoPI has far fewer issues which degrade quality.
• Better than a traditional PBX phone system: iCore’s VoPI gives customers more voice and data features at a lower cost, with technology that is virtually infinitely scalable.When clients add employees or locations, the network goes with them. Clients do not need to purchase additional servers, switches, routers or any other equipment. New capabilities, such as audio or video conferencing, can be added at any time.
• Disaster Recovery- When disaster strikes, employees can work from virtually anywhere outside the office, including home. Cell phones, smart phones or laptops can be configured in seconds to act like a user’s desk phone. Online information, from a Microsoft Exchange server, for example, can be accessed from anywhere as well. With online calendars and CRM tools, employees can continue making sales calls, managing projects and doing almost everything they would do in the office, even when the office can’t be used. iCore’s VoPI solution, combines the power and reach of the Internet with the safety, security and reliability of a managed system. You’ll pay much less, but you and every one of your employees will get much more.

When we received the letter saying that iCore will be included in the Inc. 500/5000 list, we thought to ourselves “I bet our ranking will be 4999″. After all, this was our first submission to the list and we did not know what to expect.

We received the official letter…drum roll please..our official ranking- #29!! Wow!!

This ranking is a testament to the performance of our team, the reliability of our network and the acquisition of new customers despite the economic meltdown. Thanks to all who helped iCore achieve this prestigious honor!

Welcome to the new iCore Blog. Through iCore Voice, we will be sharing our insight into the business VoIP industry. We are also excited to announce the launch of our new website.  The website includes a new resource center that will include whitepapers, upcoming webinars, demos.

For those unfamiliar with iCore Networks, we were founded in 2001, and spent three years developing and perfecting the technology, transforming VoIP into VoPI (Voice over Private Internet). Signing our first customer in 2004, iCore now services 20,000 business customers, with double- or triple-digit growth every year.

Using VoPI — Voice over Private Internet — iCore leaves analog telephone systems, such as PBX, and consumer-grade VoIP in the dust. Because with iCore you and your organization:

• Can work from multiple locations as seamlessly as if everyone was in the same room
• Communicate via voice, data and video from virtually anywhere to anywhere
• Boost productivity and efficiency
• Enjoy world-class service and support from one vendor who handles all of your voice and data communications

Now small and medium-sized organizations can get the same telecommunications capabilities that Fortune 500 companies have with only one thing missing.

The cost.

Be sure to check back with us.