Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Comprehensive collection of frequently asked questions and detailed answers covering SOLVEFORCE telecommunications and IT services, troubleshooting, billing, support, and technical implementation.
π― General Questions
π’ About SOLVEFORCE
Q: What is SOLVEFORCE? A: SOLVEFORCE is a comprehensive telecommunications and IT services provider offering voice communications, data connectivity, cloud services, cybersecurity, and managed IT solutions for businesses of all sizes. We provide enterprise-grade services with 24/7 support and nationwide coverage.
Q: What industries does SOLVEFORCE serve? A: We serve all industries including healthcare, finance, government, education, retail, manufacturing, hospitality, energy, logistics, and more. Our solutions are customized to meet specific industry requirements and compliance standards.
Q: Where is SOLVEFORCE available? A: SOLVEFORCE provides services nationwide across all 50 states with extensive coverage in major metropolitan areas and rural regions. We offer both direct fiber connections and partner network services to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Q: How do I get started with SOLVEFORCE? A: Contact our sales team at 1-888-SOLVE-NOW or sales@solveforce.com for a free consultation. We'll assess your needs, provide customized recommendations, and create a tailored solution with transparent pricing.
π Voice Services
βοΈ Phone System Questions
Q: What types of phone systems does SOLVEFORCE offer? A: We offer multiple phone system solutions:
- Cloud-based VoIP: Fully hosted phone systems with advanced features
- Hybrid Systems: Combination of on-premises and cloud components
- SIP Trunking: Connect existing phone systems to our network
- UCaaS: Unified communications with voice, video, chat, and collaboration
- Contact Center: Advanced call center and customer service solutions
Q: Can I keep my existing phone numbers? A: Yes, we support number portability for all types of phone numbers including local, toll-free, and international numbers. Our porting team handles the entire process to ensure seamless transition with no downtime.
Q: What happens if my internet goes down? A: Our phone systems include multiple redundancy options:
- Call forwarding to mobile phones or alternate locations
- Automatic failover to backup internet connections
- 4G/5G backup for continued service during outages
- Traditional PSTN backup for critical business continuity
Q: Do you offer international calling? A: Yes, we provide competitive international calling rates to over 200 countries with volume discounts available. Our global network ensures high-quality connections worldwide.
π§ Technical Questions
Q: What internet speed do I need for VoIP? A: Minimum requirements:
- Per concurrent call: 100 kbps upload/download
- Recommended: 1 Mbps per 10 concurrent calls
- Quality bandwidth: 256 kbps per call for HD voice
- Total recommendation: Add 20% buffer for optimal performance
Q: How do I configure my router for VoIP? A: VoIP router configuration steps:
- Enable QoS (Quality of Service) for voice traffic prioritization
- Open ports: SIP (5060-5061) and RTP (10000-20000)
- Configure DSCP marking for voice packets (EF/46)
- Disable SIP ALG if experiencing one-way audio issues
- Set up bandwidth allocation for voice traffic
Q: Why am I experiencing poor call quality? A: Common causes and solutions:
- Insufficient bandwidth: Upgrade internet or reduce concurrent usage
- Network congestion: Implement QoS and traffic prioritization
- Jitter/packet loss: Check network equipment and wiring
- Codec issues: Verify compatible codecs (G.711, G.729)
- Hardware problems: Test with different phones or headsets
π Data and Internet Services
π» Connectivity Questions
Q: What types of internet services does SOLVEFORCE provide? A: We offer comprehensive connectivity solutions:
- Dedicated Fiber: Symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps with SLA guarantees
- Ethernet Services: Metro Ethernet and carrier Ethernet solutions
- MPLS Networks: Private network connectivity between locations
- SD-WAN: Software-defined networking for optimized performance
- Business Broadband: High-speed internet for small to medium businesses
Q: What's the difference between dedicated and shared internet? A:
- Dedicated Internet: Private connection with guaranteed speeds, SLA, and 24/7 monitoring
- Shared Internet: Bandwidth shared with other users, typically lower cost but variable performance
- Dedicated is recommended for mission-critical applications and consistent performance needs
Q: How long does installation take? A: Installation timelines vary by service type:
- Business Broadband: 7-14 business days
- Dedicated Fiber: 30-90 business days (depending on location)
- MPLS Networks: 45-120 business days for multi-site deployments
- SD-WAN: 14-30 business days after circuit installation
Q: Do you provide static IP addresses? A: Yes, we provide static IP addresses with all business services:
- Single static IP: Included with most business plans
- Block of IPs: /29, /28, /27 blocks available for larger deployments
- IPv6 support: Native IPv6 connectivity and addressing
π Security Questions
Q: What security features are included? A: Our connectivity services include:
- DDoS protection up to 10 Gbps
- Basic firewall functionality
- Network monitoring and threat detection
- Secure VPN connectivity options
- Compliance support for various industry standards
Q: Can you help with network security? A: Yes, we offer comprehensive cybersecurity services:
- Managed firewall and intrusion prevention
- SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)
- Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing
- Security awareness training for employees
- Incident response and forensics support
βοΈ Cloud Services
π₯οΈ Cloud Infrastructure
Q: What cloud services does SOLVEFORCE offer? A: Our cloud portfolio includes:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Virtual machines, storage, networking
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): Application development and deployment platforms
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Hosted applications and business solutions
- Backup and Disaster Recovery: Cloud-based data protection
- Hybrid Cloud: Integration between on-premises and cloud environments
Q: Where are your data centers located? A: We operate from multiple Tier III and Tier IV data centers across the United States with:
- Primary locations: Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York
- Regional presence: 15+ additional markets for low-latency access
- Redundancy: Geographic distribution for disaster recovery
- Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, PCI DSS certified facilities
Q: How do you ensure data security in the cloud? A: Our cloud security measures include:
- Encryption: Data encrypted at rest and in transit (AES-256)
- Access controls: Multi-factor authentication and role-based permissions
- Network security: Firewalls, IPS, and network segmentation
- Monitoring: 24/7 security operations center (SOC)
- Compliance: Regular audits and certification maintenance
Q: What is your cloud uptime guarantee? A: We provide industry-leading uptime guarantees:
- 99.99% uptime SLA for production services
- 99.9% uptime SLA for development/testing environments
- Service credits for SLA violations
- Proactive monitoring with automatic failover
- Maintenance windows scheduled during off-peak hours
π° Billing and Pricing
π Billing Questions
Q: How does SOLVEFORCE billing work? A: Our billing structure includes:
- Monthly recurring charges for ongoing services
- Usage-based billing for variable consumption services
- One-time charges for installation and equipment
- Consolidated billing across all services and locations
- Detailed line-item invoicing with usage analytics
Q: When are invoices generated and payment due? A: Billing schedule:
- Invoice generation: First business day of each month
- Payment terms: Net 30 days from invoice date
- Grace period: 5 days before late fees apply
- Late fees: 1.5% monthly finance charge
- Automatic payment: Available with 2% discount
Q: What payment methods do you accept? A: We accept multiple payment options:
- Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
- ACH/Bank transfer: Direct bank account withdrawal
- Wire transfer: For large payments and international customers
- Check payment: Mailed to our payment processing center
- Purchase orders: For qualified business customers
Q: Can I get a detailed breakdown of my usage charges? A: Yes, our billing portal provides:
- Real-time usage tracking with daily updates
- Detailed call records with duration and destination
- Bandwidth utilization charts and analytics
- Department/location cost allocation
- Historical comparisons and trend analysis
π΅ Pricing Questions
Q: Do you offer volume discounts? A: Yes, we provide various discount programs:
- Multi-year contracts: Up to 15% discount for 3-year terms
- Volume commitments: Tiered pricing based on usage levels
- Multiple services: Bundle discounts for combined services
- Enterprise agreements: Custom pricing for large deployments
- Non-profit discounts: Special pricing for qualified organizations
Q: Are there any hidden fees? A: No, we believe in transparent pricing with:
- All-inclusive pricing clearly outlined in contracts
- No activation fees for standard installations
- No early termination fees for month-to-month services
- Regulatory fees clearly itemized separately
- Equipment costs specified upfront with lease options
π οΈ Technical Support
π« Support Process
Q: How do I contact technical support? A: Multiple support channels available:
- Phone: 1-888-SOLVE-NOW (24/7 for critical issues)
- Email: support@solveforce.com
- Portal: Online ticket submission and tracking
- Chat: Live chat during business hours
- Emergency hotline: 1-888-SOLVE-911 for outages
Q: What are your support hours? A: Comprehensive support coverage:
- 24/7/365: Critical and high priority issues
- Business hours: 8 AM - 6 PM local time for standard support
- Emergency support: Always available for service-affecting issues
- Scheduled maintenance: Communicated 7 days in advance
- Holiday coverage: Emergency support available all holidays
Q: What information should I provide when calling support? A: To expedite resolution, provide:
- Account information: Company name and account number
- Contact details: Primary and alternate contact information
- Service details: Affected services and locations
- Issue description: Detailed symptoms and error messages
- Troubleshooting steps: Actions already taken to resolve
Q: How are support tickets prioritized? A: Priority levels and response times:
- Critical (P1): Service outage - 1 hour response
- High (P2): Significant impact - 4 hour response
- Medium (P3): Limited impact - 8 hour response
- Low (P4): General questions - 24 hour response
π§ Self-Service Options
Q: What self-service tools are available? A: Comprehensive self-service portal includes:
- Service status dashboard with real-time monitoring
- Ticket management for creating and tracking issues
- Billing portal with usage analytics and payments
- Knowledge base with troubleshooting guides
- Configuration tools for basic service modifications
Q: Can I perform basic troubleshooting myself? A: Yes, our knowledge base includes:
- Step-by-step guides for common issues
- Video tutorials for equipment configuration
- Network diagnostic tools for connectivity testing
- Performance monitoring dashboards
- Mobile apps for on-the-go management
π§ Installation and Setup
ποΈ Installation Process
Q: What is involved in the installation process? A: Our installation process includes:
- Site survey: Technical assessment and planning
- Permitting: Obtaining necessary permits and approvals
- Equipment delivery: Coordinating equipment shipments
- Installation: Professional installation and configuration
- Testing: Comprehensive testing and validation
- Training: User training and documentation handover
Q: Do I need to be present during installation? A: Requirements vary by service type:
- Business contact required: For access and approvals
- Technical contact helpful: For network information and requirements
- End-user training: Recommended for optimal utilization
- Remote installations: Some configurations can be done remotely
- Flexible scheduling: We work with your business hours
Q: What equipment will I need? A: Equipment depends on services ordered:
- Voice services: IP phones, conference devices, headsets
- Data services: Routers, switches, firewalls
- Cloud services: Workstations, tablets, mobile devices
- Managed services: Monitoring agents and security tools
- Lease options: Available for all equipment types
Q: Can you work with my existing IT team? A: Absolutely, we collaborate with your team through:
- Technical coordination: Joint planning and implementation
- Knowledge transfer: Training and documentation
- Ongoing support: Coordination for troubleshooting
- Best practices sharing: Industry expertise and recommendations
- Integration assistance: Connecting with existing systems
π Security and Compliance
π‘οΈ Security Questions
Q: How does SOLVEFORCE protect my data? A: Comprehensive security measures include:
- End-to-end encryption for all data transmission
- Secure data centers with physical security controls
- Access controls with multi-factor authentication
- Regular security audits and penetration testing
- Incident response team available 24/7
Q: What compliance certifications do you maintain? A: We maintain numerous certifications:
- SOC 2 Type II: Service organization controls
- HIPAA: Healthcare information protection
- PCI DSS: Payment card industry security
- FedRAMP: Federal government cloud security
- ISO 27001: Information security management
Q: How do you handle security incidents? A: Our incident response process:
- Detection: 24/7 monitoring and alerting
- Response: Immediate incident team activation
- Containment: Isolate and contain the incident
- Investigation: Forensic analysis and documentation
- Recovery: Restore services and implement fixes
- Communication: Customer notification and reporting
π± Mobile and Remote Access
π² Mobile Questions
Q: Do you offer mobile applications? A: Yes, we provide comprehensive mobile apps:
- SOLVEFORCE Mobile: Service management and monitoring
- Softphone apps: Make calls from mobile devices
- Portal access: Billing, support, and configuration
- Push notifications: Real-time alerts and updates
- Offline access: Cached data for limited connectivity
Q: How do I set up remote access? A: Remote access setup options:
- VPN connectivity: Secure tunnel to corporate network
- Cloud applications: Access via web browser
- Mobile apps: Native iOS and Android applications
- Remote desktop: Secure access to office computers
- Two-factor authentication: Enhanced security for remote access
Q: What security measures protect mobile access? A: Mobile security features include:
- Device encryption: End-to-end encryption
- App-level security: Secure containers and authentication
- Remote wipe: Ability to remotely clear data
- Certificate-based authentication: Strong device identity
- Mobile device management: Policy enforcement and monitoring
π¨ Emergency and Disaster Recovery
π Emergency Support
Q: What constitutes a service emergency? A: Emergency situations include:
- Complete service outage affecting business operations
- Security breach or cybersecurity incident
- Life safety communications failure
- Revenue-impacting system failures
- Data loss or corruption events
Q: How quickly do you respond to emergencies? A: Emergency response times:
- Initial response: Within 1 hour for all critical issues
- On-site response: 2-4 hours for field service requirements
- Emergency bridge: War room established within 30 minutes
- Executive escalation: C-level involvement for business-critical issues
- 24/7 availability: Emergency hotline always staffed
Q: What disaster recovery options do you provide? A: Comprehensive disaster recovery solutions:
- Geographic redundancy: Services distributed across multiple locations
- Automatic failover: Seamless switching to backup systems
- Data replication: Real-time data backup and synchronization
- Recovery time objectives: RTO from minutes to hours depending on service level
- Business continuity planning: Assistance with comprehensive planning
π Getting Additional Help
π€ Additional Resources
Q: Where can I find more detailed documentation? A: Additional resources available:
- Knowledge base: Comprehensive troubleshooting guides
- Video library: Step-by-step tutorial videos
- API documentation: Developer resources and integration guides
- Best practices: Industry recommendations and optimization tips
- User community: Forums and peer-to-peer support
Q: Do you offer training programs? A: Yes, we provide various training options:
- Administrator training: System administration and management
- End-user training: Basic functionality and features
- Webinar series: Regular educational sessions
- On-site training: Customized training at your location
- Certification programs: Professional certification tracks
Q: How can I provide feedback or suggestions? A: We welcome your input through:
- Customer surveys: Regular satisfaction surveys
- Feedback portal: Online suggestion system
- Account management: Direct communication with your account team
- User advisory board: Participation in product development
- Executive feedback: Direct line to leadership team
Contact Information:
- General Support: support@solveforce.com | 1-888-SOLVE-NOW
- Emergency Support: emergency@solveforce.com | 1-888-SOLVE-911
- Sales Inquiries: sales@solveforce.com | 1-888-SALES-SF
- Billing Support: billing@solveforce.com | 1-888-BILLING-HELP
- Technical Documentation: docs@solveforce.com
Your Success Partner β SOLVEFORCE Support Team.
Comprehensive FAQ resource designed to provide immediate answers, detailed explanations, and expert guidance for all your telecommunications and IT service questions, troubleshooting needs, and implementation requirements.