March 28th, 2012
The Stick Phone/Data Line Sharing Switch
The Stick (STK29112) routes any incoming analog signal to the correct telephony device. With four available ports, a wide variety of devices can be attached to the Stick including voice lines, fax machines, modems, or important business applications like credit card or PoS terminals. Devices will be detected and routed correctly and with barge in protection — uninterrupted. This line sharing device can be programmed via an attached phone, or remotely. With the need for only one phone line, costs can be drastically reduced with a ROI within months, not years.
Customer Benefits
- Plug and Play installation, no software installation or firmware upgrades
- Eliminate unnecessary phone lines, save up to $600/year*
- Pays for itself in 3 months with just 1 line reduction
- Add new equipment without paying for additional telephone lines
- Program the device via the keypad, add security access codes or even program remotely by phone
- Non-volatile memory means no reprogramming after a power outage
- Barge-in protection prevents active calls from being interrupted by another device
* Amount based off $50 per month average phone line charg
Applications
- Out-of-Band Network Access
- Energy Management Controls
- Point-of-Sale System Integration
- Modem Polling
- Fuel Tank Monitoring
- Automated Meter Reading
- Small/Home Office
- Service Port Access
- Remote Equipment Maintenance
Download The Stick Data Sheet
Tags: back-up phone lines, cost cutting, faxswitch, line sharing, lineshare, Multi-Link, out-of-band access, the stick
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March 16th, 2012
Easily control AC power to remote site equipment with the IP Power Stone® 4000 from Multi-Link. The IP4000 is an affordable and cost effective way to troubleshoot from the operations center, or even from a Smartphone.
IP Power Stone 4000
The primary feature of the device allows remote power control of two AC power outlets using either a web browser or MSN messenger. This device is a perfect tool for IT personnel supporting routers and network equipment in remote sites. The IP4000 provides the ability to either manually control power remotely over the internet, OR automatically by an internet monitoring feature that pings up to six IP addresses.
If equipment lock-ups are not a problem, the IP Power Stone can provide an additional benefit by allowing equipment to be powered up only when needed. Schedule up to 20 power function events assignable to one or both outlets. Power consumption is thereby reduced, equipment life is extended, and exposure to malicious hacker threats is minimized.
MULTIPLE CONTROL OPTIONS
- Via web browser
- Via MSN chat
- Via Scheduling – up to 20 schedules
- Via Auto-Pinging LAN or WAN IP
Benefits
- Saves money by eliminating costly remote site visits
- Reduces equipment downtime
- Improves productivity
- Minimizes power consumption and extends product life
More information:
View IP4000 Data Sheet
Online IP4000 Demo
User ID: admin Password: DEMO
Tags: in-band power control, internet power switch, IP Power Stone 4000, IP4000, lights-out-management, monitor remote assets, network power controller, reducing service-related costs, Remote Monitoring Solutions, remote power control, remote power cycling, remote reboot, truck rolls, web power switch
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March 8th, 2012
One Mile Range. Two Hour Installation. No Programming!
It seems that everyone sells wireless Ethernet radio systems these days. Why does the world need another one?
Two reasons:
1) There are hundreds of applications for a simple “point A to point B” wireless Ethernet system. Businesses need a solution that works right out of the box and a solution that does not require an extensive learning curve.
2) While using a wireless Ethernet bridge for Voice over IP traffic may appear to be simple, it isn’t. Just because a wireless radio system is good for Ethernet, doesn’t mean that it will work with VoIP. Bad programming choices during installation can significantly affect VoIP quality. Some wireless Ethernet bridges simply don’t keep working. They often require reboots or power cycles to keep services running.
ZipLink offers a complete wireless bridge in a box and can be installed in less than 2 hours. Instead of trying to trench cable, just put a ZipLink outdoor radio at each end, and you’re done. Every thing you need is included; radios/antennas, cables, mounting brackets, nuts, and bolts. No programming is required and in most cases you don’t even need a computer.
Best product, best support, and one full year of free technical assistance. Call us at 800-535-4651.
Download the ZipLink Data Sheet V.6
Multi-Link Application Note~ ISM Band 12- 2012
Tags: ethernet radio, phoneline extender, pots extender, stop trenching, wireless bridge; ethernet extender, ziplink
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August 5th, 2011
Multi-Link Inc. is offering a leasing program for corporate accounts installing The Stick for their own use. The program provides for rapid deployment, and long term product protection and support, all without any upfront equipment costs.
The Stick saves you money by allowing a wide range of equipment to “share” a single telephone line for remote access, polling, faxing, and normal in/outbound transactions that use a line only minutes a day.
Typical equipment includes:
- Point of Sale
- Energy Management/HVAC
- Time & Attendance
- Fax Machines
- Credit Card Terminals
- Digital Signage
- Postage Meters
- Dial-up Modems
The typical monthly cost for a business phone line is $50, plus additional taxes and fees. By leasing The Stick at only $19/month, a company can cut phone costs by more than half in one month with no initial out-of-pocket costs. Multiply the savings of one line eliminated by the total number of locations and the savings potential can be substantial. Many of our clients have eliminated TWO lines per location.
The lease program renews every 12 months and provides a customized Security Lock Box with every unit to lock down device connections. Research shows that this mounting enclosure prevents two service calls per year due to tampering. Also, if a Stick unit is ever in need of repair for any reason, e.g. lightning damage, Multi-Link will ship out a replacement unit at no cost.
Customized factory programming (if required) is also included. We program your Sticks exactly to application specs to expedite deployment and ensure conformity. Custom install guides included. Our unlimited, toll-free USA based technical support offers the friendly assistance you need for expert answers and quick troubleshooting.
If you like cost-cutting solutions with no upfront costs call 800-535-4651 for a free consultation.
Download the details of Multi-Link’s Equipment Leasing Program.
Download the benefits of leasing equipment for corporations.
Tags: back-up phone lines, command, comshare, corporate lease program, faxswitch, line sharing, Multi-Link, stick lock box, stklokbox, telephone switch, the stick
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July 25th, 2011
Whether you are looking for a fax switch, a phone switch, a phone splitter or replacing now defunct Command products, Multi-Link has the product you need. Multi-Link’s line sharing portfolio (The Stick, Polnet ACP, SR-3 and Versa-Link ATX 250) allows customers to consolidate multiple telephony devices onto a single standard telephone line, reducing the number of lines needed to support the business and the related monthly phone line subscription costs.
At an average yearly cost of $600 per phone line subscription, Multi-link’s line sharing products have delivered cost reductions reaching millions of dollars per year.
Need to replace obsolete Command products? Look at our chart to see what we can provide for you as a direct replacement:
Tags: acp, comshare, CS5500, CS7500, faxswitch, legacy analog equipment, line sharing, lineshare, Multi-Link, telephone switch, the stick
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May 24th, 2011
Multi-Link is currently providing The Stick Phone/Fax/Modem switch to installations companies involved in over 50 “roll outs’ of various Corporate and Government IT projects.
Installers have traditionally installed The Stick for remote polling of POS, Energy Management, Time & Attendance clocks, etc. Be advised that many of the installations now involve inbound and outbound back-up access for remote service and more specifically, for outbound credit card transactions during network down time, as this insures and expedites the transaction.
With quality products, it is sometimes easy to forget the intangibles that can help ensure that your installation is complete before you leave the site. Here’s how we can help you:
- Quick Start Installation Sheets – Speak with your Multi-Link representative and discuss your needs and requirements. We will customize to your specs, print, and include in each shipped unit.
- Factory Programming – Each installation project has unique requirements.We can program your units exactly to customer specs to meet the job requirements. This insures uniform performance and reduces time on-site.
- Toll Free Technical Support – Before, during, or after your installation, if you have any questions or concerns, our technicians are available to assist between the hours of 8am – 5pm, M-F, EST.
- Remote Diagnostics – Multi-Link products can be remotely diagnosed over the telephone line by our trained staff of technicians. If a programming change is required for a specific site, no problem…it takes one minute.
- Free 30-Day Product Trial – For projects you’re involved in AND not using The Stick, remember that virtually every company is a potential prospect for line-sharing technology. Seeing is believing, so we provide products to qualified prospects to try out for 30 days.That’s an idea worth sharing.
Multi-Link sets itself apart from the rest with experience and project “know-how”. Let us help work with you to keep your staff productive and your customer happy.
Tags: line sharing, linkedin, Multi-Link, POS Systems, the stick, time and attendance
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May 11th, 2011
Are fuel costs busting your budget? At the pump, the national average price of unleaded gasoline rose to $3.962 per gallon from Tuesday’s $3.951, AAA said. If you are responsible for remote site equipment maintenance, consider a remote site power control switch.
THE POWER STONE saves time, labor, and fuel costs. When trouble arrives and critical equipment locks up at a remote site hours away, a quick fix is impossible. With The POWER STONE, one phone call can reboot equipment, reduce downtime, and save money. The Power Stone installs easily onto remote site equipment and allows you to reboot, toggle power,check current power status and past power outages. And, it’s as simple to use as a telephone.
Read The Power Stone Data Sheet.
Tags: linkedin, monitor remote assets, Multi-Link, out-of-band access, power stone, PST59102, reducing service-related costs, Remote Monitoring Solutions, remote power cycling, remote reboot, remote site modems, truck rolls
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May 5th, 2011
Tags: fax machine, linkedin, Multi-Link
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April 18th, 2011
It used to be that when a small office/home office worker needed access to a scanner, copier, fax, AND printer it meant four machines competing for space and budget. After all, chances are at some point you will need one or all functions during a typical work day.
Whether you use the term multi-function printer (MFP), all-in-on (AIO), or other nomenclature (multi-function copier, or MFC), printers that do more than just print have some clear advantages over single-function equipment; obviously, they save space and money compared to buying multiple separate machines. And who doesn’t like saving space or money?
Basically, an all-in-one will give you a printer, copier, and scanner in one package. Beyond that, if it’s designed primarily for office use, it will usually work as a standalone fax machine. If this is the case, a fax switch like The Stick will provide further savings. The Stick even can be used for fax software on a PC. The Stick routes incoming faxes based on the CNG tones emitted by the sending fax, irrespective of the equipment attached. The fax detection is automatic and takes only a few seconds to route.
So if you are the proud new owner of an All-in-One, get rid of the fax line and the monthly costs of a dedicated line. You are going to need the extra cash for all that ink you’ll be using. How much ink? Use our handy Cost Saving Calculator for yourself.
Tags: All-in-One, cost cutting, fax, fax machine, legacy analog equipment, line sharing, linkedin, MFC, MFP, multi-function copier, multi-function printer, Multi-Link, SOHO, telephone switch, the stick
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April 5th, 2011
Hundreds of companies are launching initiatives to reduce the number telephone land lines and the associated cost. Many restaurant and retail store chains have 3 – 6 telephone lines per site. With broadband connections, this number can be reduced, dramatically reducing overall telecom costs. The Stick Phone/Fax/Modem switch can help you accomplish this.
- 36% of Companies are striving to reduce Telecom expenses.
- Average cost of a business phone line is $50/month nationwide.
- As IT and data acquisition improves and expands, there is less need for Analog Telephone Lines.
- Companies are reducing their number of phones lines at their remote business locations.
However, not all Analog Phone Lines can be eliminated—typically the fax line remains, as well as back up lines for POS/Credit Card Terminals. Point of Sale Systems generally use broadband connections where available for high-speed payment card processing. However, 75% or more of these systems use analog phone lines as back-up in case of network downtime or equipment malfunction. These back-up phone lines, although seldom or never used, represent recurring monthly expenses for businesses.
The Stick Phone/Fax/ Modem switch allows companies to reduce phone lines by “Sharing” the remaining Analog line(s) with devices that use the telephone line.
- The analog line can be used as an “out of band” inbound and outbound communications path for critical information exchanges.
- Over 600,000 units have been installed by companies with remote locations.
- ROI in less than 2 months.
How much can you save? Try out our cost savings calculator and find out in minutes!
Tags: back-up phone lines, command, comshare, cost cutting, CS5500, CS7500, faxswitch, line sharing, Multi-Link, out-of-band access, POS Sytems, restaurant applications, telephone switch, the stick
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March 18th, 2011
After two years out of the Multi-Link product line up, The SR-3 call router is returning to production this year.
The SR-3 call processor is a passive line-sharing device that routes incoming phone (POTS) calls based on the “selective ring” service from the local telephone company. The SR-3 differs from the rest of Multi-Link’s line sharing switches that actively answer and route calls. The bottom line is the same—the main benefit is reducing phone lines and the monthly cost. Because the SR-3 routes in this manner, it can be used with common telco call packages that offer voice mail, call forwarding, and TTY/TTD.
The SR-3 routes up to three numbers per line. The selective ring service goes by different names depending on the phone service provider, and this service must be activated for the SR-3 to route properly. Typical cost for a selective ring phone number is $5 per month.
The SR-3 works on a standard POTS line and does not go “off hook” to screen but routes to the appropriate port based on the signature ring pattern for each phone number assigned to a single phone line. The primary phone number routes to port one, secondary number to port two, etc. Multi-Link’s “Smartware™” technology eliminates any user programming by automatically learning the ring cadence. Operation is totally automatic. The barge-in protection feature is optional. Outbound calls are processed in the normal fashion.
For SOHO applications, the SR-3 allows a phone and fax machine to share a single phone line while using different numbers. One phone line can be used for home and business, with automatic routing. Only home phones will ring when the home phone number is called, and business calls are directed to the business phone or fax.
Past users of the SR-3 will notice a new sleeker cabinet, but the functionality is exactly the same. We are now taking pre-orders for the SR-3 and expect to start shipping in April. Call 800-535-4651 with any questions.
Tags: dial-up modems, linkedin, LOM, Multi-Link, SR-3
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January 14th, 2011
Multi-Link is rolling out its latest version of The Power Stone, the popular phone activated remote AC power controller.
Basic functions of automatic and manual power reboot, power on call, and on/off toggling remain the same as the previous version. Changes have been made to default settings relating to rings-to trip, and the number of rings at which Power Stone will perform an AUTOMATIC OPERATION. The changes were made to accommodate the request of many users who were primarily using cell phones to control power to remote sites.
The new settings will apply only to Power Stone units with serial numbers starting at #27819 and greater. Refer to The Power Stone manual v.8 below:
All serial #’s below 27819 will continue to reference the original Power Stone manual. Refer to The Power Stone manual v.1 below:
Power Stone Manual v.1
Call us at 800-535-4651 for more details!
Tags: linkedin, Multi-Link, preventing unplanned service dispatches, reducing service-related costs, Remote Monitoring Solutions, remote power cycling, remote reboot, the power stone, truck rolls
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January 6th, 2011
If your business spends more than $50 a month in postage, chances are you are leasing a postage meter and benefit from convenience, reduced expenses, and time savings. Typically, money savings from using a postage meter average around a 20% per month, due largely to the ability to weigh and meter accurately. Authorized providers of postage meters include Pitney-Bowes, Neopost, Data-Pac, FP Mailing Solutions, and Hasler.
Chances are, like us, you are using the market-leader Pitney-Bowes. We employ a MailStation 2 with great results. Recently I had to update postage rates and download postage funds via modem. It only took about 10 minutes to accomplish. Curious about a technical question, I reviewed the user manual for the answer. While I was thumbing through it, I discovered something curious. In a section named Using an Analog Line to Establish Connections, it states “Use a dedicated analog phone line if possible (one that is not shared with other devices) to avoid possible issues.” Whoa, now— a $50/month phone line?
Being a manufacturer of line-sharing devices aside, Multi-Link , like all businesses, has to watch every expense. It would be counter-productive for us to save money on postage on one hand, and then just use the savings to pay for an additional phone line used just once a month, or even three months, for 10 minutes at a time! How many other companies can afford to pay that?
Installing the postage meter on a line-sharing device like The Stick would take only minutes, and the barge-in protection feature would keep any other telephony device, say a fax, from interfering during a download—and vice versa. Throughput speed is not diminished, and no PC interface or software upgrades are needed. Just plug and go. Take a look at the simple diagram below.
Hopefully, this will make your office manager very happy. (E)mail us with any questions on this or any other application: marketing(at)multi-link.net
Tags: cost cutting, dial-up modems, faxswitch, line sharing, Multi-Link, postage meter, telephone switch, the stick
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November 18th, 2010
Are you looking for a dependable source for Phone Line Sharing products?
Whether you are looking for a fax switch, a phone switch, a phone splitter or any other form of POTS line sharing device, Multi-Link has the product you need.
Multi-Link’s line sharing portfolio (The Stick, Polnet ACP, SR-3, and Versa-Link ATX 250) allows you to consolidate multiple telephony devices onto a single standard telephone line, reducing the number of lines needed to support the business and the related monthly phone line subscription costs. At an average yearly cost of $600 per phone line subscription, Multi-link’s line sharing products have delivered cost reductions reaching millions of dollars per year.
The Stick (STK29112) is Multi-Link’s best selling line sharing device that screens and automatically routes all voice, fax, and modem calls to the right equipment every time — eliminating the need for costly dedicated phone lines. The Stick works on a standard analog phone line and is programmed by touch tones from a telephone keypad. DSL and CID compatible. Proprietary “Bell Spec” ringback technology. Share 3 devices with 1 line.
The Polnet ACP (ACP-3, 5, 9) is an industrial grade line sharing device (3,5,9) that actively answers, screens, and routes all voice, fax, and modem calls to the right equipment every time—eliminating the need for costly dedicated phone lines. The ACP has additional security and programming features that make it ideal for IT applications and critical data acquisition. DSL compatible. Share up to 9 devices with 1 line.
The ATX-250 (VersaLink) call processor is a versatile line sharing device that routes incoming phone calls based on the “Distinctive Ring” service from the local telco. Routes up to two phone numbers on one phone line. Also routes automatically with active fax detection. DSL and CID compatible. Share 2 devices with 1 line.
The SR-3 Selective Ring Router saves money by eliminating unnecessary phone lines. The SR-3 routes up to three numbers per line. It installs on a standard POTS line and does not go “off hook” to screen but routes to the appropriate port based on the signature ring pattern for each phone number assigned to a single phone line. The primary phone number routes to port one, secondary number to port two, etc. Multi-Link’s “Smartware™” technology eliminates any user programming by automatically learning the ring cadence. Operation is totally automatic. The barge-in protection feature is optional. Outbound calls are processed in the normal fashion.
Call us for a sales kit and product info at 800-535-4651.
Tags: ASAP104, ATX-250, command, comshare, cost cutting, faxswitch, line sharing, linkedin, Multi-Link, Polnet ACP, STK29112, the stick, Versalink
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November 3rd, 2010
Many businesses are facing a financial quandary when they have maxed out the number of extensions and expansion cards on their phone systems: “How to add new telephony equipment with no money to expand or upgrade the current KSU or PBX?”
One solution is a line sharing switch. Multi-Link’s line sharing portfolio (The Stick, Polnet ACP and Versa-Link ATX 250) allows customers to consolidate various devices onto a single standard telephone line, reducing the number of lines needed to support the business. At an average yearly cost of $600 per phone line subscription, Multi-link’s line sharing products have delivered cost reductions reaching millions of dollars per year.
It is also important to note that even with VoIP systems, there are an initial up-front costs for replacing legacy analog faxes, modems, etc. that can be prohibitive. By retaining a few analog lines and installing an analog line sharing switch, these costs can be avoided, or at least deferred until a time when these expenses can be justified. Many small branch deployments of IP telephony require analog interfaces, or analog phone gateways, for connectivity to the PSTN, fax machines, security systems, analog phones, and other analog devices. At $300-$500 for just two analog ports, it makes sense to use a line sharing switch to expand the number of analog devices that can connect through the gateway, rather than add more ports.
Tags: analog gateways, cost cutting, expand analog ports, ksu, line sharing, linkedin, Multi-Link, pbx, the stick, voip
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