Vista Connections. TruVista is on call for Fairfield Memorial Hospital NOVEMBER 2009 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4. Neighbor Operators 6. New Netbook at TruVista 3

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1 NOVEMBER 2009 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 Vista Connections TruVista is on call for Fairfield Memorial Hospital New Netbook at TruVista 3 Fairfield Memorial Hospital 4 Don t Stop Now 5 Neighbor Operators 6 Landlines are Lifelines 7 New Director of Operations 7

2 Vista Connections S S FSC_Labels_LNBW Landscape / Negative / Black & White (LNBW) FSC_100_LNBW.E FSC_100_LNBW.J FSC_100_LNBW.T FSC_MS_1_LNBW.E FSC_MS_1_LNBW.J FSC_MS_1_LNBW.T Versatility is a trait that is highly valued in the business world, whether it s employees that move smoothly from role to role or a communications tool that performs multiple functions. By being versatile, these resources are more valuable and enhance a company s ability to adjust to changing environments. We feature several examples of versatility at work in this November issue of Vista Connections. It starts on page 3 with an introduction to the netbook a smaller and lighter alternative to a laptop that provides a versatile (and very affordable) alternative in wireless communication. TruVista is excited to now offer the Acer Aspire One netbook to our customers. Then on page 4, we shine the spotlight on Fairfield Memorial Hospital, a TruVista customer that is expanding their services with the help of versatile technology such as the Palmetto State Providers Network. Later in this issue, you ll find reasons to continue advertising during tough economic times and learn about the local customer service provided by our call center operators. Vista Connections is a publication of TruVista. Main Office: 112 York Street, Chester, SC No part FSC_MS_2_LNBW.E of this publication may be reproduced, XX% stored in a FSC_MS_2_LNBW.J retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, FSC_MS_2_LNBW.T electronic, photocopying, recording, mechanical, or otherwise without the prior written permission of TruVista. All rights are reserved. Editorial and Circulation Contact: Bob Wilkinson, 112 York Street, Chester, SC 29706, FSC_MS_3_LNBW.E FSC_MS_3_LNBW.J Trademarks All brand names and product FSC_MS_3_LNBW.T names used in this publication are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Additional Issues Extra issues are available to FSC_MS_4_LNBW.E business customer employees on a limited basis while FSC_MS_4_LNBW.J supplies last. Contact: Bob Wilkinson, 112 FSC_MS_4_LNBW.T York Street, Chester, SC 29706, Copyright 2009 by TruVista and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. POSTMASTER FSC_MS_5_LNBW.E XX% Send changes to: FSC_MS_5_LNBW.J Bob Wilkinson - Vista Connections FSC_MS_5_LNBW.T TruVista 112 York Street Chester, SC Safety is also on our minds this fall. Don t miss Landlines are Lifelines on page 7, which reminds you of the importance of having a landline at your business in the event of severe weather or other emergency. We know your communications needs are varied. That s why TruVista provides a wide range of cost-efficient services. Let us know your requirements and we ll develop versatile solutions. Sincerely, Allison Johnson VP Sales and Marketing FSC_RE_1_LNBW.E FSC_RE_1_LNBW.J FSC_RE_1_LNBW.T

3 New Netbook at TruVista It s the little, light, low-priced alternative to a laptop The big news in wireless communication is something quite small: the netbook. It offers more function than a PDA and less bulk than a laptop, making it the perfect fit for so many busy people on the go. Netbooks are ultraportable, ultralight, and provide the ultimate mobile freedom. Whether you just need a basic computing device for everyday use or a travel alternative to the PC or laptop you already own, netbooks are the perfect choice. They include enough processing power and memory to give you quick access to the Internet and , let you edit Microsoft Office documents, manage your calendar, and listen to music. Prices Start at $199* TruVista is now offering the Acer Aspire One netbook starting at $199 with mail-in rebate. The Acer Aspire One weighs only 2.2 pounds and measures just over 10 X 7 inches (smaller than the size of this page). Its features include: Full QWERTY keyboard for and word processing No software or hardware to install get up and running in a few minutes Up to 7.5 hours of battery life Built-in AT&T mobile broadband They re ideal for anyone who needs a small, extremely portable device for basic tasks like and Internet access. MARY BETH BURTON, TRUVISTA WIRELESS PRODUCTS COORDINATOR Mary Beth Burton, TruVista Wireless Products Coordinator, sums up netbooks this way, Netbooks offer portability at a great price. They re ideal for anyone who needs a small, extremely portable device for basic tasks like and Internet access. This includes business people that travel frequently as well as college students. I can fit a netbook in my purse, which demonstrates how much less bulky it is than a normal-sized laptop. A TruVista DataConnect plan is required to use the Acer Aspire One netbook. It gives you access to the nation s fastest 3G mobile broadband network along with unlimited use of AT&T and Tru- Vista Wi-Fi service, featuring more than 20,000 hotspots nationwide. Your data usage can also be supplemented with a wireless home network. We recommend the DataConnect 5 GB for $60 per month. It s a small price to pay for such big convenience. Pick up a netbook today at any TruVista location. Or call for more information. *Limited time offer. Price requires a two-year commitment and activation fee. Mail-in rebate available with a minimum $40 DataConnect plan. Other conditions and restrictions may apply. See store for details. FIRST MONTH FREE With any new wireless activation through the end of Applies to the rate plan or data plan. 3

4 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Fairfield Memorial Hospital TruVista aids in service expansions to benefit community Modern Medicine. Old-Fashioned Care. This is the promise of Fairfield Memorial, a 50-bed hospital located in Winnsboro that has served the health care needs of Fairfield County for over 50 years. To better serve the growing needs of this community, Fairfield Memorial Hospital has expanded their facility and its services in a variety of ways. These include the addition of nuclear medicine and new specialty outpatient clinics, and the purchase of an MRI trailer to provide daily in-house scans. Other recent projects involved upgrades to the management and exchange of healthcare information. In August 2009, TruVista completed the installation of the Fairfield Memorial endpoint to the Palmetto State Providers Network. Michael Williams, Hospital Administrator, notes, Much of our expansion has to do with the redesign of existing services to make them more people-oriented as well as more efficient. For example, we are now in the process of implementing new modules to our existing healthcare information system. We hope that these modules, along with enhanced training, will increase the amount of quality time that our staff can spend with patients and reduce the time required to address computer problems. We should also be able to make better and quicker decisions in all aspects of our business process management. Communications solutions are, of course, an integral part of the hospital s operations. TruVista installed their current telephone system and provides dial tone, Internet, and cable TV services. In August 2009, TruVista completed the installation of the Fairfield Memorial endpoint to the Palmetto State Providers Network (PN). Organized as a subsidiary of the Health Sciences South Carolina, the overall goal of the PN is to improve health status, education, and economic well-being for all South Carolinians through a statewide, high bandwidth healthcare network. The program provides broadband access to hospitals, community healthcare centers, and physicians offices across the state. This MRI trailer was purchased recently by Fairfield Memorial Hospital to expand local availability of the diagnostic tool. This PN circuit will have a great impact, since it delivers high-speed data connections between us, as a rural hospital, and many large hospitals and educational facilities with greater resources. The potential is limited only by our imagination, says Reynolds Searle, IT Director. Michael Williams, Hospital Administrator Searle works closely with TruVista, and is appreciative of the customer service that the hospital receives. He explains, For new projects, TruVista tells us what they can offer, then they do the job, and later they follow up by explaining their work and asking if we re satisfied. They do this at a much more personal level than similar companies in large cities. In addition to regular projects, TruVista is always on call for emergencies. I know many of their people will stay until late hours all night if that s what it takes to solve problems. In my opinion, Tru- Vista is a world-class organization in their service and support. 4

5 Don t Stop Now Keep growing and advertising during the recession Though this may seem counter-intuitive, a recession can be the time to increase your marketing activities. Why? Weaker players are forced from the market. Others cut back on advertising. This opens up market share and creates the opportunity for your business to more easily attract new customers. What makes a recession a good time to expand your customer base is that savings-motivated customers are more receptive to changing their buying behavior. Your business has a better chance of capturing their attention and convincing them to switch to your company. The uneasy environment created by a recession also offers unique ways to reduce your costs, such as long-term leases and price breaks that would be unavailable in a healthier economy. Whatever you do, don t roll over and play dead. Instead, learn to use this challenging period to your advantage. Take Steps Toward Improvements You may want to move ahead with those equipment upgrades or building renovations that you ve had on the back burner, since companies are eager for your business today and prices are down. Do your homework and see what kinds of values are currently available. Keep in mind that a bad economy has historically been good for the launch of new products and companies. We have the Great Depression to thank for inventions such as the Twinkie, Monopoly, and the photocopier. According to Inc.com, some of the top businesses of today were created during periods of economic turmoil including Microsoft, Super 8, and Coors. Convey Strength Through Advertising In addition to helping your business gain new customers, advertising during a recession can strengthen your relationship with existing customers. Data from Ad-ology Research shows that consumers often gauge a company s health by how often the company advertises. Nearly one-half of the Internet users surveyed said that if they noticed a drop-off in ads from a bank, they believed it was struggling, and 12 percent believed the financial institution might not be in business much longer. Conversely, when banks advertised frequently, consumers saw them as committed to business, being competitive or doing well. The same may well be true for other business categories. During the recession that followed September 11, just 25 percent of all companies boosted their ad spending. Those that did saw their market share rise more than twice as fast as it typically rises during a normal economy, according to a 2001 Cahners Advertising research report. Clearly, the overall message is to keep advertising. As you plan your program, contact TruVista for details on our costeffective television advertising options. Finally, remember that a recession is just a dip, and that the economy will eventually rebound. Remain focused on the position you d like your company to have when it s over, and leverage the opportunities presented by the downturn to help you get there. 5

6 Neighbor Operators TruVista customers get better service with local support The role of TruVista s local customer service operators has changed over the 112 years we ve been in business. Prior to 1985, the operator s function was to connect calls, using a switchboard or cord board that required the manual plugging of cords into different holes (see sidebar). Today, TruVista s nine full-time and three part-time operators still perform call assistance, as well as directory assistance, but they are also available 24/7/365 to: Report service difficulty Handle billing inquiries Take payments Make changes to accounts Provide answering service Furnish information about our products and services TruVista recognizes that when you call with an urgent service issue, you re already under stress, and need to be able to talk with someone well-versed in operations and policies. Our operators are knowledgeable and helpful, which means you get exceptional service and a timely response. In order to provide this level of service, TruVista keeps support as close to customers as possible. Our call center, which handles approximately 30,000 calls per month, is located at our corporate office in Chester and is staffed with local operators. So with TruVista, you won t have the frustration of communication difficulties with faraway operators that you may have experienced with other companies. And your call will not be routed to an answering service. You ll be immediately connected with a Tru- Vista employee who lives, works, pays taxes, and supports local charities in our South Carolina service area and your community. We think it s the neighborly way of taking care of customers. Remembering the Cord Board Freida Eggers, Customer Support Manager, has been with TruVista for 42 years. She is the only one left in the Customer Support department who worked with the cord board. She recalls, We had dedicated circuits for local and long distance, and all long distance calls had to go through an operator. When a call came in, a small light turned on, and we answered the call by plugging a cord into a hole associated with the light. Another cord was used to dial a number for the caller with a key pad. To time calls for billing purposes, Eggers and her coworkers used a device called a calculograph, which was similar to a time clock, and employed paper tickets. These tickets were collected, counted, rated, and sent to billing on a daily basis. Eggers says, After paper tickets came a system called mark sense. With it, customers had the ability to dial 1+ calls. TruVista was one of the first companies in the state to provide direct distance dialing. She adds, Customers were not able to dial 0+ until we went to a computer system in

7 Landlines are Lifelines Make sure your business stays connected to help during emergencies All phone services are not created equal. In particular, Internet-based VoIP and wireless phone services cannot match the performance of landline service during severe weather and other emergency situations. TruVista wants to make sure your business is able to maintain phone communications in the event of a crisis, and strongly encourages you to maintain landline service for safety and reliability. Power Outages Even when power goes out, your business can count on phone service with a corded landline phone that has no dependency on the power supply in the building. By contrast, VoIP phone service relies on electrically powered equipment such as a modem, phone adapters, and routers. If there s no electricity, there s no VoIP phone service. Similarly, battery-powered cordless phones and wireless phones will eventually cease to work during a power outage when batteries wear out and cannot be recharged. 911 Emergency Calls The nation s 911 emergency response system, built in 1967, was based on the expectation that calls for help would come from landline phones. When you call 911 from a landline, your address is automatically displayed and operators can instantly send help to that exact location. The same cannot always be said of VoIP and wireless phone services. Normally, VoIP calling services are not directly in sync with city or county 911 locator systems. This results in emergency operators being unable to see home addresses if users make an emergency call for assistance and are unable to talk or become disconnected. Wireless phones also present potential problems for emergency response personnel since they re not associated with one fixed address. While the location of the cell site closest to the caller may provide general guidance, that information is not always specific enough to deliver assistance in an efficient manner. For safety s sake, include landline service in your company s communications mix. For more information, call or visit truvista.net. Welcome Home, Edward Hinson TruVista has a new Director of Business Operations for Camden, Ridgeway and Winnsboro, but he s not new to this area. Edward Hinson grew up in Camden, and you may remember him playing baseball at Woodward Park, playing football and tennis at Camden High, or skiing on Lake Wateree. Now, more than 20 years later, you could still run into Hinson doing these activities, but it s more likely that you ll find him working with local businesses. Hinson brings over 15 years of communications experience with him to this position. He most recently managed the eastern United States for the Healthcare Communications division of USA Mobility. A graduate of Camden High, he joined the Air National Guard and his unit was activated during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. Hinson and his wife, Jennifer DeBruhl Hinson, have three sons. I m very excited to join TruVista and be part of an organization that s been so active in this community for more than 100 years, says Hinson. 7

8 Get Free Production of a TV Commercial Plus 100 FREE Airings on These Popular Cable Networks How can your business take advantage of this amazing free TV advertising offer from TruVista? It s simple just sign up for a TruVista Business Bundle (or extend your current Business Bundle contract) for two years.* Contact us soon for complete details. It s your chance to make a big impact on the small screen. * Requires a 2-year Business Bundle contract for any full-featured TruVista Business Bundle. Offer does not include our Small Business - TruTalk Bundle.