// Business Connections // SUMMER 2023 1 SUMMER 2023 • VOLUME 12 • I S SUE 4 The Future is Calling with Hosted IP Service 3 Spotlight: First Roots – Wild Roots 4 // Tech Talk with Richard Pitonyak 6 WCVT in the Community 7 BUS I NESS connections www.wcvt.com Keep Kids Wild! Andrea Sambrook (left) and Maeghan Booska are co-directing First Roots – Wild Roots as part of the transition plan for Booska to become the new Director.
2 SUMMER 2023 connections BUSINESS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER What are the roots of your business? Our roots go back to 1904, when Waitsfield Telecom began providing telephone service to the Mad River Valley. Your roots may not be as deep, but they still serve as the start of your business story and source of its subsequent growth. The inspiration for this issue’s theme came from the Business Spotlight on First Roots – Wild Roots, which you’ll find on pages 4 and 5. This early care and education program is rooted in a nature-based philosophy, enabling children and their teachers to tap into the curiosity, joy, and beauty of wild Vermont. Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT) provides internet, Wi-Fi, and phone services to enhance communication within the First Roots – Wild Roots community. Like underground roots, we can’t see some aspects of broadband technology but depend on them to keep our businesses growing. That’s why it’s important to stay educated and updated. The Future is Calling with Hosted IP Service, as you’ll learn on page 3. Then on page 6, Tech Talk with Richard Pitonyak shares cybersecurity tips for small businesses. A commitment to giving back has always been at the root of who WCVT is as a company. Check out what we’ve been doing lately in page 7’s WCVT in the Community. Remember, if you’re experiencing a challenge related to internet or phone services, contact us. We’d be happy to get to the root of the problem. Sincerely, Eric Haskin President & CEO Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom OFFICE LOCATIONS: Waitsfield Business Office 3898 Main Street, Waitsfield Hinesburg Branch Office 14 Thorn Bush Rd, Hinesburg BUSINESS HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. BUSINESS TEAM: Kris Merchant, Sales Manager 802-496-8554, kmerchant@corp.wcvt.com Kurt Gruendling V.P. Marketing and Business Development 802-496-8305, kgruendling@corp.wcvt.com Business Connections is a publication of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, electronic, photocopying, recording, mechanical, or otherwise without the prior written permission of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. All rights are reserved. Editorial and Circulation Contact: Kurt Gruendling, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, PO Box 9, Waitsfield, VT 05673, 802-496-8305, kgruendling@corp.wcvt.com All brand names and product names used in this publication are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Additional issues are available on a limited basis while supplies last. Please contact Kurt Gruendling. Copyright© 2023 by Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. Postmaster send changes to: Lorraine Keener Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom PO Box 9 Waitsfield, VT 05673
// Business Connections // SUMMER 2023 3 MEET OUR HOSTED IP TEAM When your business uses one of WCVT’s Hosted IP products—such as Hosted IP Phone or Business Class Wi-Fi services— you benefit from an expert team behind the advanced technology. The WCVT Hosted IP team includes: • Dan Fuller Business Systems Supervisor • Nick Sterner Business Systems Specialist II • Kris Merchant Sales Manager • Kevin Davis Business Systems Specialist II • Trevor Gaylord Business Systems Specialist I • Jada Munro Business Systems Administrator They’re responsible for the coordination of project resources in support of our Hosted products and wiring installations. They plan all aspects of complex projects from inception to conclusion. This helps to provide excellent customer service by building productive working relationships with WCVT’s customers, suppliers, contractors, and vendors. Have questions or need support for your Hosted IP Phone Service? Email the team at HPBX@corp.wcvt.com or call 802-496-8309. (L to R) Kevin Davis, Business Systems Specialist II; Dan Fuller, Business Systems Supervisor; Trevor Gaylord, Business Systems Specialist l; Nick Sterner, Business Systems Specialist II; Jada Munro, Business Systems Administrator; and Kris Merchant, Sales Manager. The Future is Calling with Hosted IP Phone Service Is your business using the same traditional phone system you’ve had for years? If so, you may want to consider upgrading to a more cost-efficient and flexible solution that can accommodate your future needs. WCVT’s Hosted IP Phone Service uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology that runs on our managed network. VoIP converts the voice signal from your phone into a digital signal that can travel over the internet, enabling you to use one connection for all your internet and phone needs. The many benefits of our Hosted IP Phone Service include: • Reduced Capital Investment – Unlike traditional on-premise phone systems, there’s no huge upfront investment in expensive hardware. • Low, Predictable Costs – WCVT maintains and enhances the service for you, so there are no surprise maintenance, upgrade, or replacement costs. • Easy Self-Management – Users can perform their own Moves, Adds, and Changes (MACs) via an intuitive web portal, eliminating the expense of service calls when you have employee moves or changes. • Flexibility to Meet Your Growing Needs – The infrastructure can grow as your business grows; there are no limits to adding users, sites, and features. • A Secure and Reliable Solution – Our network will automatically handle calls and messages during power outages. In case of disaster, employees can forward calls to home or mobile phones. • Mobility Options for Remote or Home Workers – Employees can easily and seamlessly connect to your Hosted IP Phone Service over their home broadband connection and enjoy the same office features. What’s more, our Hosted IP Phone Service makes sense for businesses of all sizes— from a small “mom and pop” shop all the way up to a large enterprise. To learn more about our Hosted IP Phone Service, including the variety of features and phones available, visit www.wcvt.com/services/telephone/ hosted-ip-phones/.
4 SUMMER 2023 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT The allure of First Roots – Wild Roots—for children, families, and teachers—is its focus on the deep roots of community, embedded and fostered through a love of play, outdoor learning, and familycentered practices. Bumblebees to Fisher Cats Its main campus is located on 3.2 acres of diverse outdoor space in Hinesburg, Vermont. Beloved features include the magical Little Woods, a naturally fed “dry river” (which can collect water and mud with the flip of a switch), mud pits, hills, and even chickens! From the youngest Bumblebees (6 weeks) to the oldest Fisher Cats (8 years), children and their teachers tap into the curiosity, joy, and beauty of wild Vermont. Owners Andy and Andrea Sambrook acquired First Roots – Wild Roots (previously Annette’s Preschool) in 2013 and began a journey to become the first-choice early care and education program in Chittenden County. This journey has been one of growth—for the children as well as the business. The Hinesburg campus of First Roots – Wild Roots is licensed to serve up to 116 children and employs 26 full-time educators and staff. There are seven classrooms for full-year programs, a morning preschool program that follows the Champlain Valley School District’s calendar, and an afterschool program that transitions into the Treehouse Summer Camp from June through August. Two other locations also serve the needs of local families: • First Roots Underhill is a full-year, full-day program supporting 24 children ages 6 weeks to 3 years, located near Mills Riverside Park. It has five full-time classroom teachers, a part-time support teacher, a full-time support teacher, and a director. • First Roots Hinesburg is a nature-based, year-round infant program for 12 children ages 6 weeks to 2 years. It’s in a community church next door to the Hinesburg campus and staffed by three teachers, a full-time support person, and a director. First Roots –Wild Roots This early care and education program strives to “Keep Kids Wild!”
// Business Connections // SUMMER 2023 5 WHO’S MINDING YOUR BUSINESS? Kris Merchant, Sales Manager Kris Merchant joined WCVT in 1997 as Help Desk Coordinator. He’s still helping customers with technology challenges today, albeit in an expanded way as Sales Manager. Notes Merchant, “Because of my technology background, my Sales Manager position can sometimes morph into Sales Engineer. I’m always on the lookout for ways our services can be used to create the solution the customer is seeking. I have face-to-face meetings with many of our customers and see how they’re using tech to their advantage. I will often share that information with other customers looking for similar results. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and can help the customer avoid any possible pitfalls.” Despite his extensive experience at WCVT, Merchant continues to learn and reach out to others for help. “I may not personally have all the technical answers that a business needs to meet a particular challenge, but I guarantee I know someone who does. I love connecting customers with those people and hearing how much they appreciate it.” Contact Kris Merchant at 802-4968554 or kmerchant@corp.wcvt.com. Blending Nature and Technology While nature is at the forefront at First Roots – Wild Roots, technology still plays a vital role. WCVT provides fiber internet, Managed Wi-Fi, and Hosted IP Phone Service. Andy Sambrook said, “Because we’re a nature-based program, we don’t use tablets and technology in the classrooms. However, fast and consistent internet service is needed when we do video conferencing with parents and caretakers, and WCVT’s fiber internet makes this possible.” He added, “The new campus-wide Managed Wi-Fi enables teachers to conveniently document and upload videos and photos in real time, both indoors and outdoors, for daily postings to parents. We’re also excited about our new nature center called Little Lodge. Although not connected by the legacy wired infrastructure in other buildings, it has internet access via Managed Wi-Fi and the smart hubs throughout the campus.” What does Andy Sambrook appreciate most about WCVT’s Hosted IP Phone Service? He replied, “Our programs and administration are now centralized across four locations. Hosted IP Phone Service allows us to seamlessly link everything with one main phone number and an auto attendant solution for parents. It’s important that in an emergency, a director can be located immediately by a parent via a supported app, which switches calls to cell phones when the director is away from their desk. The auto attendant also enables parents to leave classroom messages about absences or early pick up that can be forwarded to the teacher’s email, rather than via phone calls in the classroom.” Celebrating 10 Years of Growth Looking back at their 10 years of stewardship of First Roots – Wild Roots, Andrea Sambrook said, “I’m proud of the growth in the collective voice and decision making of our teaching staff over the past decade. As we embraced new visions and goals, our team has grown together to support each other’s strengths and ‘growing edges.’ Teachers of young children model social and emotional learning because it’s the foundation for everything else in the day— and in life. I love that our teachers have a deep understanding of our nature-based philosophy, and through that, bring learning through play to the highest and most rewarding level.” The new campus-wide Managed Wi-Fi enables teachers to conveniently document and upload videos and photos in real time, both indoors and outdoors, for daily postings to parents.” — ANDY SAMBROOK, OWNER, FIRST ROOTS – WILD ROOTS
6 SUMMER 2023 As Tech Support Supervisor for WCVT, Richard Pitonyak is always on the lookout for content to help educate business customers about cybersecurity. He found these tips from the Federal Communications Commission: 1. Keep clean machines. All computers should have the latest security software, web browser, and operating system. This is the best defense against viruses, malware, and other online threats. Set antivirus software to run a scan after each update and install other key software updates as soon as they’re available. 2. Provide firewall security for your internet connection. Make sure the operating system’s firewall is enabled or install free firewall software available online. If employees work from home, their home system(s) should also be protected by a firewall. 3. Create a mobile device action plan. Mobile devices can create significant security and management challenges, especially if they hold confidential information or can access the corporate network. Require users to password-protect their devices, encrypt their data, and install security apps to prevent criminals from stealing information while the phone is on public networks. Be sure to set reporting procedures for lost or stolen equipment. 4. Make backup copies of important business data and information. Regularly back up the data on all computers. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, and accounts receivable/payable files. Back up data automatically if possible and store the copies either offsite or in the cloud. 5. Control physical access to your computers and create user accounts for each employee. Prevent access or use of business computers by unauthorized individuals. Laptops can be particularly easy targets for theft, so lock them up when unattended. Make sure a separate user account is created for each employee and require strong passwords. Administrative privileges should only be given to trusted IT staff and key personnel. 6. Secure your Wi-Fi networks. The Wi-Fi network for your workplace needs to be secure, encrypted, and hidden. To hide your Wi-Fi network, set up your wireless access point or router so it does not broadcast the network name, known as the Service Set Identifier (SSID). Also, password-protect access to the router. 7. Limit employee access to data and information and limit authority to install software. Don’t give any one employee access to all data systems. Employees should only be given access to the specific data systems required for their jobs and shouldn’t be able to install any software without permission. 8. Have password requirements and consider multi-factor authentication. Require employees to use strong, unique passwords and change them every three months. Also consider implementing multi-factor authentication that requires additional information beyond a password to gain entry. Tech Talk with Richard Pitonyak 8 cybersecurity tips for small businesses
// Business Connections // SUMMER 2023 7 WCVT in the Community Being a local business means that our customers are also our neighbors and friends. Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom feels strongly that community involvement isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s the right thing to do. WCVT Sponsored Summer Events Year after year, WCVT demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve through our community relations programs and support of local organizations. We were proud to sponsor the following events this summer: • Richmond Art Crawl • Valley Players Summer Performance of Willy Wonka • Addison County Fair & Field Days • Movies in the Park – Bristol • Summer Concerts in the Park – Hinesburg Our Employees Help OCCC Prepare for Summer Camp In June, a crew of WCVT employees volunteered at Our Community Cares Camp (OCCC) in Richmond to help it get ready for the summer season. OCCC is a free day camp that provides food and fun for children from Bolton, Richmond, Huntington, Jericho, and Underhill. WCVT is a proud supporter and happy to lend a hand! For more information on OCCC, visit www.ourcommunitycarescamp.org. Students Receive WCVT Eunice B. Farr Incentive Award Scholarships WCVT gives six scholarships annually, one to a student at each of the public high schools in our service area. These scholarships are presented in memory of the late Eunice B. Farr, former owner and operator of the Waitsfield-Fayston Telephone Company. The award is designed to benefit a hard-working graduate whose instructors have seen demonstrate a sincere effort to improve grades/results and who plans to continue his or her education. We congratulate this year’s scholarship recipients: • Cassidy Fleming – Champlain Valley Union High School • Iyah Lavit – Harwood Union High School • Kenneth Moran – Mount Abraham Union High School • Emma Locher – Mount Mansfield Union High School • Hannah Cormier – Middlebury Union High School • Jackson Coffey – Vergennes High School • Manage Your Account - Your account information is all in one convenient place you can access anywhere at any time. • View & Pay Your Bill - View your charges and set up a one-time credit card or bank payment, or monthly automatic payments so you never have to worry about remembering a due date again. • Sign-up for eBill - Save time and money — no more stamps to buy, checks to write, or envelopes to mail. • Report Service Issues & Outages - If you’re experiencing an outage at your home, you can report that through SmartHub and provide other important details, which helps us identify the cause. Visit wcvt.com/smarthub for more information. Save time and money by managing your business account at anytime from anywhere! Introducing SmartHub (L to R) Cassidy Fleming, Iyah Lavit, Emma Locher, and Jackson Coffey. Not pictured: Kenneth Moran and Hannah Cormier.
Meet Our Business Sales Team WCVT is committed to moving your business forward with a comprehensive line of communications solutions. Our Business Sales Team is ready to discuss your needs and recommend the right combination of services to help increase efficiency and productivity. Call 802-496-3391 to learn more. Kris Merchant Sales Manager kmerchant@corp.wcvt.com 802-496-8554 Dan Fuller Business Systems Supervisor dfuller@corp.wcvt.com 802-496-8590 Jada Munro Business Systems Administrator jmunro@corp.wcvt.com 802-496-8302
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