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Complete noob!

  • 13-11-2013 10:48pm
    #1
    goingsolo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23 ✭


    Hi all, I've been reading the pros and cons of VoIP for a while now and think we may go for it as a cost cutting measure in our office. I'm really, really, poor on tenchical an IT terms so would appreciate help to literally baby step me through a your thoughts if that's ok!

    Here's the background on our office:
    3 way office, a : 4 phones, b 5 phones, c has 7.
    Using Vodafone for landline and broadband at the mo but swapping to UPC so we can have quicker speeds


    Problem 1- I'm told the internal wiring isn't up to scratch. Some has ISDN, cat 5, but some phones don't work at all when connected to the point. (See-my IT knowledge at its limit here...and may not make sense)

    Anyway, looks like a cost of 1500-2000 to install cat6 cabling internally. Again, I'm told we'll need this anyway if going with VoIP so the lines can take the data used...or something.

    We have approx 6 separate phone numbers for the office, and some clients of mine had informed me of VoIP and the money they're saving from no line rental, cheaper calls.

    95% of our calls would be within the ROI to landlines and mobiles. Naturally I want to keep our phone numbers that we have but realise that we will need Circa:
    ¥ 2k for wiring
    ¥ 2500 for phones (based at approx 150 per unit)
    ¥ **im unsure if our dated computers and hard drives will need additional memory or connections to be able to take the VoIP phone connection
    ¥ I'm advised to keep rent one line as a precaution in case UPC goes down so well still have some connection to outside world!


    Current landline costs come to about 850 - 900 per month, and any costs that can be saved will be welcome. Just unsure of large outlay, and will it cut my current rates by a large percentage.
    Has anyone been in a similar position, or can anyone offer advise?

    I've spoken to blueface recently, but they seemed to talk to me like I know what I'm talking about - PBX and other letters thrown into the conversation. My head was spinning for a while after we spoke!


    Can blueface / other companies give me a simple- here's what your spending now, we can install x,y,z and you'll save xx per month based on current useage??

    Sorry for long question, just lost with terms of the whole thing!

    Cheers

    GS


Comments

  • #2
    Mr. G
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    I'll answer this in parts.
    goingsolo wrote: »
    Hi all, I've been reading the pros and cons of VoIP for a while now and think we may go for it as a cost cutting measure in our office. I'm really, really, poor on tenchical an IT terms so would appreciate help to literally baby step me through a your thoughts if that's ok!

    Grand so. We all like simple things too. In general, VoIP is not difficult to configure and setup. Do you have anyone in the office that is good with computers? If you do this would be at your advantage. You/He/She doesn't need to be some fancy programmer, but it would help to know a bit about networking.

    goingsolo wrote: »
    Here's the background on our office:
    3 way office, a : 4 phones, b 5 phones, c has 7.
    Using Vodafone for landline and broadband at the mo but swapping to UPC so we can have quicker speeds

    If you can get UPC, get it. You'll find you will be more efficient, and for 12 concurrent calls their 50 Download/10 Upload Mb package, which I think is their starting pack is enough for you.

    goingsolo wrote: »
    Problem 1- I'm told the internal wiring isn't up to scratch. Some has ISDN, cat 5, but some phones don't work at all when connected to the point. (See-my IT knowledge at its limit here...and may not make sense)

    Sounds like a complete mess. I suggest you get an A4 blank page and draw out your current network design. At least that way you have an idea of what's going on.

    goingsolo wrote: »
    Anyway, looks like a cost of 1500-2000 to install cat6 cabling internally. Again, I'm told we'll need this anyway if going with VoIP so the lines can take the data used...or something.

    This wouldn't be a bad thing to do. Though I would suggest you get quotes from a number of companies.

    Cat6 cabling is better, but more expensive than Cat5e. If you would like to future proof the place, go with Cat6 though Cat5e is fine.

    Do keep in mind that to use VoIP you do not need network sockets at each phone. You can use ATAs (Analogue Telephone Adapters), which can be placed where your network/phone system equipment is at the moment. These ATAs allow you to connect your current regular phones, and allow them to make calls over your internet connection, just like a landline with a dial tone. You won't notice much of a difference. These will work out cheaper than buying ip phones.

    goingsolo wrote: »
    We have approx 6 separate phone numbers for the office, and some clients of mine had informed me of VoIP and the money they're saving from no line rental, cheaper calls.

    How many lines do you have? How many DDI's (Direct Lines- you may have more on your lines without noticing) have you from Vodafone?

    I know of a friend's particular small business, that believe me are complete n00bs at computers, and have been using VoIP for over a year. For the first month they had teething problems, Blueface were helpful to them.

    Now they are really seeing results. They had 1 line. 1 line! They find call holds, transfers and conferences very handy. And haven't had any problems at all in months.

    I would recommend you contact Voicegrid also. They do everything for you. I'd recommend Digiweb over Blueface. Much more helpful and better at dealing with clients, I know one guy there that will go out of his way to help you and can have a bit of a chat at the same time.

    Do you have a phone system at the moment? You said you have 3 parts to the office, do all these join at one point?

    goingsolo wrote: »
    95% of our calls would be within the ROI to landlines and mobiles. Naturally I want to keep our phone numbers that we have but realise that we will need Circa:
    ¥ 2k for wiring
    ¥ 2500 for phones (based at approx 150 per unit)
    ¥ **im unsure if our dated computers and hard drives will need additional memory or connections to be able to take the VoIP phone connection
    ¥ I'm advised to keep rent one line as a precaution in case UPC goes down so well still have some connection to outside world!

    Out-dated computers would not have any affect on your VoIP phone connection, unless you wish to use softphones on them, such as Skype or 3CX Phone.

    goingsolo wrote: »
    Current landline costs come to about 850 - 900 per month, and any costs that can be saved will be welcome. Just unsure of large outlay, and will it cut my current rates by a large percentage.
    Has anyone been in a similar position, or can anyone offer advise?

    That's a lot for a small office. Have a look through your bills. You may wish to block premium rate numbers, like weatherdial. How many minutes do you go through and to where?

    goingsolo wrote: »
    I've spoken to blueface recently, but they seemed to talk to me like I know what I'm talking about - PBX and other letters thrown into the conversation. My head was spinning for a while after we spoke!

    Think of this: PBX = Phone System
    VoIP = Voice over Internet Protocol.
    IP Phone = Desk phone used to make phone calls using your broadband connection.
    I think I have your head spinning now. Do ask any questions you may have. There is also a sticky with FAQ's.
    QoS= Quality of Service.

    Google ones your not sure of or ask. You should setup QoS on your router, thus giving phones priority over a broadband connection.

    I would recommend you get a new router, that would allow you to do this since you will be moving to UPC. Do you have a network switch?
    goingsolo wrote: »
    Can blueface / other companies give me a simple- here's what your spending now, we can install x,y,z and you'll save xx per month based on current useage??

    They should do. Though I think you will feel a lot better if you do an estimate from a rates card of a provider yourself. €900 a month is too much for a business.

    goingsolo wrote: »
    Sorry for long question, just lost with terms of the whole thing!

    Cheers

    GS

    No bother at all. Just shout if you have any further questions, which I'm sure you will have.

    There is a list of providers in another sticky. Call some of these and get rate cards.


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