My colleague Doug Sleeter recently told me of a VOIP / enhanced software solution which he thought had some merit. The system, called Fidelio, is offered through the George S. May consulting group, has potential. [The Sleeter Group also sells the unit.] In addition to providing "all-you-can-talk" in-network and reasonably priced world-wide access --- pretty standard features to the Skype aware user, the Fidelio system adds desktop sharing and video conferencing. While these additions CAN be accomplished in other ways, the Fidelio system makes it simple and convenient. One staffer quipped to me that it was "so easy even a partner could use it!"
My testing of the unit was pretty straight forward. May sent me a handset (there’s also a portable unit 
– about the size of your thumb -- that works with your headset) and I downloaded the software. Installation was quick and painless. When I plugged the handset into my USB port the system immediately recognized me and walked me through about 3 minutes on one-time configuration. After that I was ready to make calls.
Problem 1: I felt a bit like Alexander Graham Bell after he invented the telephone. It was a cool invention but not nearly as cool as the SECOND ONE!!! I had no one to talk to. May (who has the US rights to resell the Israeli built system) won’t tell me exactly how many units are in the US, but, based on the fact that this is very early in the roll out process, we can assume the number is small. Very small. Which means you’ll need one unit for you and another for each client with whom you’d like to communicate.
Problem 2: When I called for "support" --- basically to get some further explanation of basic features --- I was connected to a very helpful woman who very much wanted to help, but wasn’t properly trained and didn’t have a clear understanding of how real people might use the service in the field. There were no real problems in using the system, but rather some "less than efficient" and "non-intuitive" areas.
Problem 3: The Fidelio won't replace your standard desktop phone. At least, not yet. The May leadership envisions future releases will allow just that, but for today you'll probably end up with two phones on your desk. Not exactly elegant, but certainly workable.
Opportunity: If you regularly support your clients’ accounting software and/or other technology you might take a very hard at Fidelio --- at ~$20 a month per unit you could become not only more efficient, but a support "hero" to your clients.
gll
