Founded in 2004, IPiFony was formed to develop and market voice services software and solutions. Building upon their initial product, IP PBX, IPiFony developers designed a larger scale, carrier edition platform for provision of hosted PBX services. Today, IPiFony is focused on providing this end-to-end communications solution for regional ISPs and carriers.
In view of TMC’s (
News -
Alert)
ITEXPO February 2-4 in Miami I had the chance to speak with Diana Lynn McKee, Project Manager of IPiFony:
Rich Tehrani: Are you generally optimistic, Pessimistic or realistic?
Diana Lynn McKee: Optimistic, since the economy has been tanking our business has started taking off! Apparently, decision makers are looking for ways to increase their technology while significantly cutting costs, and our solutions address all their needs.
RT: How many frequent flyer miles have you amassed?
DLM: Not Many
RT: How surprised are you at the global financial situation?
DLM: Not very surprised.
RT: How is your company changing the way it does business as a result?
DLM: We have changed our payment structure and encouraged faster closings by being freer with credit. We have also removed minimums and replaced them with penalties for non-performers. There is a greater focus on our value proposition.
RT: How have customers reacted to the slowing global markets?
DLM: The telecom purchasing community has responded very positively to our hosted solution, opportunities have been on the increase.
RT: Do you see this time as an opportunity or a rough spot to get through quickly?
DLM: An opportunity.
RT: What will companies need to do to survive this downturn?
DLM: Companies must focus on maximum value while controlling costs and refocus on core competencies.
RT: How do your company’s products help customers in a slow market?
DLM: Managed Services and hosted products are more attractive because of the Total Cost of Ownership than traditional solutions.
RT: What do you feel is the strongest segment of the communications space? Technology?
DLM: Unified Communication and there is growing a shift to move all technologies to IP.
RT: Which would you rather be president of and why? Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Cisco (News - Alert), the United States.
DLM: Without question Cisco, from an infrastructure point of view they are at the top of their game and it is not going to change therefore they created a healthy and easy revenue stream.
RT: What does President Bush need to accomplish before he leaves office?
DLM: Nothing, except exit with grace.
RT: What does an Obama administration need to do to help communications and technology become more pervasive?
DLM: Re-invent USF; modernize it in goals and accountability. Open up a greater license free spectrum and continue a trend of standardization across the nation.
RT: Will this slowdown present an opportunity to reinvest in your company/market? If so, where will you invest?
DLM: NO
RT: Which country will present the largest opportunity for your company in 2009/10?
DLM: United States
RT: What device(s) do you use and wish you used?
DLM: Nokia, IPOD Touch, Blackberry
RT: If Nokia, RIM, Google (News - Alert) and Apple devices are stranded together on an island, who survives and why?
DLM: Apple (
News -
Alert) because they have consistently demonstrated the ability to plan and execute. They keep getting it right.
RT: I understand you are exhibiting at ITEXPO which takes place Feb 2-4 2009 in Miami. What will you be showing there?
DLM: The latest in hosted IP PBX which is on it's way to becoming the industry standard.
RT: What sorts of companies/people should come to your exhibit?
DLM: ISP, Small - Medium Service Providers, CLEC, Telcos, Systems Integrators, large enterprises exceeding 200 seats.
RT: Why should customers choose your company’s solutions – and how do they justify the expense to management?
DLM: Our solution provides a best in breed value to our customer and our customer-customers buy optimum value for a low start up cost and provide an estimation model for calculating costs and income making management justification of the project easy.
RT: I am a purchasing decision-maker, why do I need to speak with you before I buy?
DLM: IPiFony has the best value, lowest start up costs, cost scales with your growth, full feature set will give you and your customers everything you want and great service and support.
RT: What is your favorite part of your job?
DLM: Designing clever solutions to complicated problems.
RT: What do you look forward to in the future and why?
DLM: Growing and developing our product and our company, we enjoy the satisfaction of solving telecom problems.
Rich Tehrani is President and Group Editor-in-Chief of TMC. In addition, he is the Chairman of the world�s best-attended communications conference, INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO (ITEXPO (News - Alert)). He is also the author of his own communications and technology blog.Edited by
Jessica Kostek
