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Figuring out how much data you'll need depends on email volume and the amount of Web browsing. Video uses more data than any other medium. "Employees shouldn't be watching movies on business phones," warns Phelps. (For help figuring data requirements for typical activities, see "How Much Data?" on this page.) While you want to select a plan that gives you enough wiggle room, don't build in too much margin for error. Monitor your bills monthly and switch plans as needed. "The key thing is to keep an eye on your bills, especially in the beginning," advises Larry Shawn, a Dallas-based telecom consultant (fixmyphonebill.com). "Then every few months look at where you are relative to your subscription. Look into share plans, which pool a set number of minutes among a number of phones. Maybe one month one employee spends more time on the phone, and the next month another employee does. A pooled plan allows such variability to take place without penalty," he adds. A GREAT DEAL While carriers price their plans based on monthly allocations for voice and data, they often offer various plans priced at different rates for their best customers. "If you're small it's difficult to negotiate with carriers, but ask about alternative plans and discounts. Don't just take a plan at the retail price without questioning it," says Shawn. Even if your own carrier won't volunteer information on its more attractive plans, you can still land the best deal possible. One way is to call other carriers, pump them for information on competing plans, then call back your carrier and say you will move your business unless it matches the better plan. When tracking down the best deal, don't just rely on the nationwide carriers such as Verizon and AT&T.; "Regional and local carriers tend to be less costly," says Shawn. "This is usually because they do not necessarily have all of the bells and whistles the major, national carriers do when it comes to handling more sophisticated services, How Much Data? How much data will you need for your monthly activity of emailing and Web surfing? Predicting accurately can be difficult. Here is some guidance in the form of data estimates for typical activities: Single email (text only) = 10 KB Typical Web Page Lookup = 400 KB to 1.5 MB (This can add up fast.) Audio Streaming = 40 MB/hr Lo-Res Video Streaming = 200 MB/hr Hi-Res Video Streaming = 400 MB/hr Digital Photo download/upload (hi-res) = 1 MB (It can be up to 3 MB.) Source: Verizon especially related to smartphones. Also, if employees are going to be traveling, investigate if there are additional costs when users are out of their home area and if the service in other areas is at the same level as the home area." One more thing: Have you selected the carrier that provides the clearest signal for your location? Maybe not, if your customers are complaining about the voice quality of your sales and service calls. "You can research carriers on websites such as Yelp, to find out how the reception is in your area," says Dion. "Remember that anything you want to do with your phone will be predicated on the service that's delivered." ■ Phillip M. Perry is a New York Citybased freelance writer. B r i g ht e n U p t he C o u n t e r Your Best Source for Beauty, Barber & Spa Supplies Call us today for a current catalog 800.645.5118 50 November 2013 | beautystorebusiness.com | www.burmax.com