VoIP Providers & Business Phone Companies in Marlborough, MA

Overview

Astari Networks is a managed IT services firm based in Marlborough, Massachusetts. It has supported businesses in the region since 2010. Most of its clients are small and mid-sized organizations, and its testimonials mention companies in Marlborough, Framingham and Worcester. Business phone service is one part of a wider technology offering. That makes the company a good fit for buyers who want one partner to handle phones, the network and computer support, instead of hiring separate vendors.

VoIP and Cloud Phone Services

The company's phone service is built on a hosted cloud PBX platform. Because the system runs in the cloud, customers don't have to buy, install or maintain telephone hardware on site. Plans include unlimited calling within the country, so the monthly bill stays the same whatever the call volume or destination. Astari says the service costs less than a traditional on-premises system, both at the start and over the life of the system.

Notable capabilities include:

• Capacity that can grow or shrink as headcount changes
• Integration with business applications such as Salesforce.com and Microsoft Outlook
• Administration from a desktop web browser or from mobile devices
• Extensive call routing options to send callers where they need to go
• Number porting, so customers keep their current lines

Astari works only with national carriers and uses industry-standard equipment and software. The company says this means an unhappy client can move to a different provider without being locked in. Buyers worried about proprietary systems may want to weigh this point. Hosted VoIP also appears in its list of cloud services, alongside Microsoft cloud tools, web hosting and application hosting.

Broader IT Support

The company's main business is its Encompassed IT managed services program, which is sold at a fixed monthly rate. The program includes 24-hour system monitoring, unlimited remote and on-site help, site assessments, inventory tracking and status reports. Its technicians support Linux, Windows, Mac and VMware platforms. They also handle server migrations, Microsoft 365 administration, patching, user account management, storage design (NAS, SAN, DAS and cloud) and protection against malware and ransomware. Other service lines include network design consulting, security, backup and disaster recovery, co-managed IT for organizations with their own IT staff, IT compliance, healthcare IT and datacenter colocation. For VoIP buyers, this means the same team that sets up the phones can also monitor and maintain the network that carries the calls.

Background and Approach

Astari Networks describes its staff as network engineers who have also owned businesses. The company cites more than 25 years of background in computer engineering and IT. Testimonials name Greg and Mark as the people who run the firm. Astari is a member of the Marlborough Regional Chamber and also takes part in the Corridor 9/495 business group. Work usually starts with a free consultation. The team then builds a plan to match the client's needs and budget. It focuses on preventive maintenance, aiming to catch problems before they disrupt daily operations.

Citara Systems, Inc. is a managed technology firm based in Marlborough, Massachusetts. It has been in business since 2001 and serves companies across New England, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. Business phone service is one part of a wider IT practice. For buyers in the Worcester area, Citara may suit organizations that want their phone system handled by the same team that runs their network, servers and security, rather than buying from a standalone telecom vendor.

Voice over IP Offering

Citara moves businesses off older phone lines and onto internet-based calling. The firm says its voice systems can carry voice, fax and video together. Staff can place calls from a computer, a dedicated IP handset or a regular phone connected through an adapter. Features the company highlights include voicemail delivered to email as transcribed text, calling from mobile devices, and video meetings. Because lines can be added as headcount or call volume grows, the system is meant to scale with a business. Citara presents itself as a regional provider that builds each phone deployment around the client's needs, with a focus on clear audio and dependable uptime.

Broader IT Services

Since voice traffic runs over the same network as everything else, Citara's other services also matter to phone buyers. The company offers:

• Managed IT with continuous monitoring and maintenance
• A help desk for network, software and malware issues, which the site says is available around the clock
• Layered cybersecurity and email filtering with encryption
• Off-site backup and data recovery
• Cloud computing and Microsoft Office 365 for small and midsized firms
• Server monitoring and management
• Vendor management, including help choosing hardware and software

Industries and Approach

Citara focuses mainly on manufacturing, construction and financial services companies. Its blog posts are written for those sectors, and client testimonials include a steel supplier and a financial firm. The company describes a preventive approach: it builds a technology plan around each client's goals, monitors systems to catch problems early, and works directly with a client's software and equipment vendors when issues come up. New clients usually start with a consultation, where Citara reviews the current setup and then proposes a plan that fits the budget.

Several policies may matter to buyers comparing providers. Citara says it does not require long-term contracts. It describes its pricing as all-inclusive and stated upfront. It also says its support staff are local and that it does not hand calls off to outside third parties. The firm says it aims to fix problems on the first call and puts a strong emphasis on quick response.

Martin Lachance is listed as a partner. The company describes its staff as experienced IT professionals who handle everything from routine upkeep to complex network installations. One testimonial comes from a client who has worked with the firm for more than twenty years, and another reviewer has been a customer since 2009. Organizations that want phones, network support and cybersecurity under one long-term provider will likely find Citara most relevant.