A Note from Andy Larin, CEO
Business communication has come a long way — and this month we're shining a light on an impactful upgrade every modern business should consider: VoIP business phone.
For many businesses, the phone system is the last piece of infrastructure still living in the past. Aging landlines are expensive to maintain, difficult to expand, and the long-distance bills add up fast. Some companies try to reduce costs by implementing a BYOD (bring-your-own-device) policy allowing employees to use personal numbers. But this approach puts company data at risk and creates real compliance headaches.
These are problems that don't need to exist in 2026. A VoIP system solves them, while saving your business a considerable amount of money.
This month's newsletter walks you through what VoIP is, what it can do for your team, and why a dedicated business number matters more than most people realize. Whether you're already on VoIP or still on a landline, I think you'll find something useful here.
Here's to communicating smarter,
allCare IT NEWS
Andy Larin Returns for a Second Term on the GTIA Channel Development Advisory Council
We're proud to share that allCare IT CEO Andy Larin has been appointed to the GTIA (Global Technology Industry Association) Channel Development Advisory Council for a second consecutive year.
GTIA brings together experienced operators, strategists, and leaders from across the global IT channel to surface emerging trends, address industry challenges, and contribute practical guidance that supports responsible growth. Andy's continued seat at that table reflects his commitment to not just keeping pace with the IT industry — but helping to shape it.
Congratulations, Andy!
FEATURED ARTICLE
Ready to Ditch the Landline? Why Modern Businesses Are Choosing VoIP
Another month, another sky-high long-distance bill. You'd love to work from home, but it's just not feasible with your current phone setup. And getting new staff connected? That's on hold—you're maxed out on lines until the technicians can (hopefully) make it out next week. Sound familiar? Challenges like these can make you feel like your business communications are stuck in the past.
That's why businesses across Canada are making the switch to VoIP—and once you understand what it offers, it's easy to see why.
What Is VoIP?
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, uses your internet connection to make and receive calls instead of traveling through copper telephone wires. This means you can make calls from a computer, tablet, mobile device, or a dedicated VoIP desk phone—from virtually anywhere.
Unlike a traditional landline, VoIP isn't tied to a physical location. As long as you have an internet connection, your business phone system comes with you.
VoIP vs. Landline: What's the Difference?
Traditional landlines transmit calls through analog copper cables. They're reliable, but limited – tethered to a specific location, costly to scale, and offering few modern features. VoIP systems offer far greater flexibility. It’s like the difference between old fashioned cable TV connections and modern smart TV streaming – there’s no comparison when it comes to features and functionality. Similarly, VoIP is versatile, scalable, and packed with options you can customize.
Why Businesses Are Making the Switch
- Cost Savings: VoIP calls—especially long distance and international—are significantly cheaper than traditional lines. Providers offer affordable packages tailored to small and mid-sized businesses.
- Scalability: Adding a new employee line is as simple as updating your software settings. No waiting for a technician, no rewiring.
- Portability: Employees can make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection—perfect for remote and hybrid work environments.
- Advanced Features: Auto-attendants, call recording, voicemail-to-email, call queues, and video conferencing are all included—without expensive add-ons.
- Call Quality: With a stable internet connection, VoIP delivers crisp, clear audio that can rival or surpass what traditional lines can offer.
Think you're better off letting your team use their personal phones? We'll give you 5 good reasons to think again — see this month’s “Bulletproof Your Business” section.
EYE ON A.I.
Meet the Impersonator: How AI Voice Cloning Is Powering the Latest Phone Scams
With just a few seconds of recorded audio criminals can generate a voice nearly identical to your CEO, your manager, or a colleague. The Government of Canada recently warned Canadians that “fraudsters use voice cloning… to impersonate government officials” promoting various schemes.
In 2024, global firm WPP discovered cybercriminals had used an AI voice clone and video footage to impersonate CEO Mark Read in a Microsoft Teams meeting — attempting to extract money and personal information from a senior agency leader. The attempt was caught, but the technology behind it is cheap, widely available, and getting better every month.
How to Protect your organization:
- Establish a verbal verification code for urgent financial or credential requests
- Require at least two people to authorize any large transactions
- Be suspicious of odd or urgent requests, even if you recognize the voice
- Hang up and call back on a verified number if something feels off
The Bottom Line: A familiar voice alone is no longer proof of identity. Build a second layer of verification into your team's habits before it costs you.
BULLETPROOF YOUR BUSINESS
Personal Phones Are Not for Business: 5 Reasons to Switch to VoIP Business Phone
If your team is using personal cell phones to talk to clients, take orders, or handle support calls, you're not alone — but you may be leaving more on the table than you realize. Here are five reasons a dedicated business VoIP number is one of the smartest moves you can make for your team.
- Your Business Makes a Better First Impression
When a client calls and reaches reception or a professional auto-attendant — it signals an established, well-run organization. On the other hand, someone’s non-business voicemail greeting signals the opposite. VoIP gives every business, regardless of size, a polished and professional presence from day one. - Your Employees Keep Their Personal Lives Personal
A business VoIP number means your team can make and receive work calls on any device — without giving out their personal number. This boundary protects your employees' privacy and keeps work communications exactly where they belong: under the company's roof. - Your Business Number Stays With Your Business
When an employee leaves, their personal phone goes with them — and so might every client who had that number saved. With VoIP, the business number belongs to the business. Reassign it to another team member in minutes, with zero disruption to your clients. - You Stay Compliant and In Control
Personal phones used for business calls create real compliance and liability gaps — no call records, no audit trail, no way to retrieve communications if a dispute arises. Business VoIP centralizes call logs, recordings, and voicemails in one place, giving you the oversight and documentation your business may legally need. - Your Team Never Misses a Call — No Matter Where They Are
VoIP numbers follow your team, not their desks. Calls can ring simultaneously on mobile, desktop, and desk phone. Whether your team is working from home, on the road, or between offices — clients always reach a professional business line, and your team always stays connected.
The Bottom Line: Personal phones were never designed for business use — and the gaps show up in professionalism, productivity, compliance, and client experience. VoIP business phone systems close all of those gaps, while saving you money.
→ Thinking about making the switch? Visit allCare IT’s Business Phone site to find out which VoIP solution is the right fit for your team.
TECH TIP
Imagine Your Office Phone Built into Your Laptop and Mobile Device
Switching to a VoIP business phone system doesn't necessarily require buying all new desk phone hardware to get started. VoIP can also run as a softphone — a software application on your computer or mobile device that works just like a physical business phone. Make calls, transfer to colleagues, put clients on hold, check voicemail — all from the device you're already working on.
Wondering if your internet connection can run VoIP for your business?
A quick rule of thumb: multiply your peak number of simultaneous calls by 0.2 Mbps. For example, if 10 people might be on calls at once, you'll want at least 2 Mbps of dedicated bandwidth — for both upload and download speeds.
GOAL: Test your internet connection right now using allCare IT's free speed test tool and see if you're VoIP-ready.
SERVICE SPOTLIGHT
allCare IT Business Phone: Professional VoIP Built for Canadian Businesses
Now that you know more about the benefits of VoIP – let's talk about what allCare IT's own Business Phone service actually looks like in practice.
Built Around How Your Team Works
Whatever the communication needs of your team, allCare IT Business Phone scales to fit. Users can take calls from a desktop app, mobile app, or a physical desk phone — all under the same business number.
Choose a Plan with the Premium Features You Need
- Auto-Attendant — custom greetings and intelligent call routing, so every caller reaches the right person
- Unlimited Calling – in Canada and U.S.A. (Lower 48)
- Voicemail-to-Email — voicemails delivered directly to your inbox, with transcription available
- Simul-Ring — calls ring on desk phone and mobile simultaneously, so nothing gets missed
- Video Conferencing — professional video meetings with screen sharing, built right in
- Digital Fax — send and receive faxes without a fax machine
- Microsoft Teams Integration — unified calling directly within the Teams app your team already uses
- Hunt Groups & Call Queues — flexible routing that keeps clients moving to the right place, fast
- Call Recording — capture calls for training, compliance, or quality assurance
- And more — tailored to your team’s needs
Professional Implementation & Support
Every allCare IT Business Phone deployment includes professional implementation and ongoing helpdesk support — we set it up, and we help you keep things running smoothly with the personal service you expect from allCare IT.
→ Ready to see what allCare IT Business Phone looks like for your team? Visit our Business Phone page or contact us to get started.