Recommended handsets for Asterisk office setup

ectoraige

I'm in the process of replacing our aged Meridian phone system with an internally-hosted VoIP system. I have the server hardware and am currently playing with Asterisk, I'll also be taking a look at FreePBX before deciding on the platform. In the meantime, I'm trying to decide on what handsets to use.

The current PBX doesn't allow us to do much more than receive and place calls. I don't think anybody other than reception even knows how to transfer calls. Most incoming calls are either direct to the correct person, or go through reception. As a result, most end-users wouldn't know how to transfer a call as the need doesn't arise.

Some people use voicemail, but most don't know how to set it up, or how to use it. I expect when the new system is introduced most people will use it.

At present there are no conference calls and I expect that people will continue to have face-to-face meetings. There are a couple though who, once the facility is there, might participate in conference calls with an external customer.

I've identified the following use cases:

Casual office - This describes most of the users who will only call a handful of numbers, and place/receive the occasional external call.

Advanced office users - Would call a lot of extensions and might participate in conference calls

Factory floor - Walk up phones that would predominantly be used to call a supervisor, and one/two other extensions. No voicemail, transferring, or conferencing features would be used. High volume and/or visual ringing cues would be a bonus consideration, but it doesn't exist at present.

The other consideration is that a softphone might suit some users, in which case a cheap headset would be the most cost-effective, assuming we use a free SIP client such as Linphone. Users have a mix of Windows/Linux machines. What I'm curious about is how to solve the issue not hearing incoming calls when not wearing the headsets. I can't be asking users to constantly wear headsets, or go plugging in cables to take calls. I expect some softphones would allow me to route the ringer through speakers, and route conversations though the headsets. Any suggestions here?

Of all the manufacturers, Cisco are the only one I'd be familiar with, but for various reasons I don't want to go with their products. These are the manufacturers I'm looking into:

Aastra - the 6731i, 6753i all seems reasonably priced, and come well recommended.

Avaya - As best I can tell they are geared up for their own platform, not sure if I can get the most out of Asterisk/FreeBPX with them.

Grandstream - Seems very well priced, but don't know about the quality.

Digium - These seem a little pricier, but perhaps it's worth it given they are aimed directly at Asterisk

Snom - Seems to be mentioned a lot, can't find an Irish supplier though.

Yealink - Also seems well priced, again no idea of quality or interoperability.

I'd also prefer to give the business to an Irish supplier, and the final requirement is that the handsets be PoE powered. I'd appreciate any suggestions, or if there are any review sites that you give credence to. Are they any other considerations I should have?

FSL

You could also consider using your existing handsets/ Dect phones connected to ATA's.

ectoraige

FSL wrote: »

You could also consider using your existing handsets/ Dect phones connected to ATA's.

I was under the impression these were only for analog phones, the existing handsets are [URL="gttp://drexel.edu/~/media/Files/irt/phoneDocs/2616FullManual.ashx"]Nortel AII 2616 digital phones[/URL]. I assumed if I connected these to an ATA that even if they did work, the LCD and feature keys would not function, is this not the case?

RangeR

I've used the Aastra phones. I like them.

You can also install a sip client onto yout android/iphone/windows phone and have no real cost. Testing internal and external would be needed [if you needed external access]

EDIT : You can install an analog cards into your Asterisk box to allow analog phones. Google Digium or Dialogic [D4PCI / D41JCT / DI0408] cards.

Johnboy1951

I expect some softphones would allow me to route the ringer through speakers, and route conversations though the headsets. Any suggestions here?

Yes ...... most will ...... certainly Linphone, Ekiga and SFLPhone do ..... if you check the multimedia settings under Preferences you will notice there are three settings ...... one of which is for the ringing device.

demixed

Be careful on what phones you go with, I currently have 2 models of cisco's - both giving grief with call quality and then some cheaper polycom handsets that work perfectly but management demand we have the cisco brand on desks :mad:

MLC61

Check out the Polycom and Panasonic handsets.

ectoraige

RangeR wrote: »

You can also install a sip client onto yout android/iphone/windows phone and have no real cost. Testing internal and external would be needed [if you needed external access]

*nod* I'll be doing that too, I'm thinking anybody with a suitable BYOD will have a back-up softphone + headset at their PC so we're covered for the days they leave their phone behind/flush it down the toilet.

EDIT : You can install an analog cards into your Asterisk box to allow analog phones. Google Digium or Dialogic [D4PCI / D41JCT / DI0408] cards.

Yeah, we don't have analog handsets, and the digital gateways that I can find work out over €70 per port which is much less than the cheaper SIP units. We'd also be introducing another single point of failure there.

demixed wrote: »

Be careful on what phones you go with, I currently have 2 models of cisco's - both giving grief with call quality and then some cheaper polycom handsets that work perfectly but management demand we have the cisco brand on desks :mad:

I mentioned in my OP that I don't want cisco, I've learnt that unless you know *everything* about their systems, to stay away from cisco when trying to operate with other eco-systems.

MLC61 wrote: »

Check out the Polycom and Panasonic handsets.

Argh! I was hoping to *reduce* my options Thanks though, I'll take a look.

ARGINITE

+1 for Polycom phones with Asterisk.

ectoraige

Just to return on this, I've taken a good look at the options and had it narrowed down to one of the following setups:

Polycom
Basic Phones: IP321
Executive: IP450 for Executive Phones
Reception: IP600 + Expansion Module

Aastra
Basic Phones: 6731i
Executive Phones: 6753i
Reception: 6753i + M670i expansion module

Grandstream
Basic Phone: GXP1405
Executive: GXP2100
Reception: GXP2120 + EXT expansion module

I don't want to mix vendors as I can only see that extending my learning curve.

The Polycom are very well recommended, and it seems the favourite here, but it would also be pushing the budget for the project to the limit. I also keep negative comments online claiming that they are very complex to configure.

The Aastra seem to be a solid and reputable solution, and fit within the budget and while I don't find much raving about them online, I also don't see any negative comments.

Finally, the Grandstream - I hadn't heard of them until recently, and it seems the company had a poor reputation a decade ago when they first started. However, I keep seeing people saying that their newer products are excellent, and the price is fantastic. I really can't find anything bad about them, other than comments based on early generations of their phones. Has anybody here used Grandstream recently?

I guess what I'm trying to decide is, should I come in well under budget with Grandstream, accept Aastra, or push the boat out to get the Polycom units - any thoughts guys? Bear in mind that I'll likely be coming back here trying to problem-solve my install

Mr. G

I have a grandstream desk phone and despite some issues with the configuration originally it seems to be working excellently now. If you are looking for a phone that works and is not expensive have a look at Yealink also. I would agree on just having the same phone throughout, stops all the confusion with staff on call transfers and makes troubleshooting much easier.

johnmd01

Yealink found them to be decent for their price point.
astra and grandstream are good as well.