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Need someone to help with replacing current small office phone system with VoIP

  • 15-10-2013 10:45AM
    #1
    OscarMike
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭


    Hello ,

    Our small business would like to replace current landline (14 phones) with VoIP + softphones .
    Id like to know is there a VoIP provider who offers a softphone with services ?
    And also since i have no idea where to start to try these services, i ask you guys to to tell me or give me 10 second brief :)
    Thank You


Comments

  • #2
    bceltic
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 54 ✭✭bceltic


    Hi Oscarmike, most softphones are free and compatible with Irish VoIP providers. X-Lite & 3CX are two popular free ones you can use.


  • #3
    WIZE
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,597 ✭✭✭WIZE


    You could use Avaya 1x attendent

    http://support.avaya.com/products/P0639/avaya-onex-attendant/


  • #4
    Mr. G
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,622 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    OscarMike wrote: »
    Hello ,

    Our small business would like to replace current landline (14 phones) with VoIP + softphones .
    Id like to know is there a VoIP provider who offers a softphone with services ?
    And also since i have no idea where to start to try these services, i ask you guys to to tell me or give me 10 second brief :)
    Thank You

    There's a list of some providers here:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=83119155&postcount=2

    Have a search through the forum and you should be able to see a lot of discussion regarding different softphones and providers. It may make more sense to get a phone system if there is 14 phones, and connect the softphones/ip phones to this. This could be easily run of a freepbx box.

    Voicegrid or Blueface may be an option for you, however according to Blueface's new terms they don't support anything that isn't supplied by Blueface any longer:
    Blueface does not offer support of any hardware otherthan approved devices purchased from Blueface

    With regard to softphones, I find the 3CX phone excellent, or if you're a Linux user, I'd recommend Ekiga.


  • #5
    OscarMike
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭OscarMike


    Can I connect our current landline to a softphone? If yes that would be great !!


  • #6
    Mr. G
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,622 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    OscarMike wrote: »
    Can I connect our current landline to a softphone? If yes that would be great !!

    Yes. You can get an ISDN/PSTN card and plug it into the asterisk box.

    That way you can use a combination of them. How many/what type of lines do you have?


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  • #7
    OscarMike
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭OscarMike


    Mr. G wrote: »
    Yes. You can get an ISDN/PSTN card and plug it into the asterisk box.

    That way you can use a combination of them. How many/what type of lines do you have?

    tHERE ARE 12 lANDLINE PHONES AND WE USE 4 CHANEL /LINES


  • #8
    Mr. G
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,622 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    I'm guessing there are two ISDN lines there so, most cards come with 4 jacks on them. Digium sell them.

    Just a few questions.

    Do you have any spare servers/pcs lying around? Is there a requirement for call recording? Do you have a current phone system that supports voip maybe?

    If you don't have anyone there with some technical knowledge (or if you feel you might not be upto it, feel that should it go down your busted) I would recommend contacting a supplier and getting it installed.

    Having said that, asterisk and freeswitch in particular, is very reliable once its been installed and maintained correctly, and can be quite easy to maintain.


  • #9
    wandererz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,928 ✭✭✭wandererz


    It does depend on what you want/need.

    One option is to have an onsite pbx installed - this then includes all of the functionality you pay for, and have to consider who does what in terms of maintenance, management, changes, fixes etc.

    Another option is a hosted pbx solution. In this case you need a broadband connection. The "pbx" is hosted in a datacenter somewhere (probably in Dublin).
    You are given phones and/or softphones which connect to the hosted PBX via the broadband connection. No need for any other connections to your office other than broadband.

    There are pros and cons to be considered with each solution.


  • #10
    MLC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 287 ✭✭MLC61


    Mr. G wrote: »
    I'm guessing there are two ISDN lines there so, most cards come with 4 jacks on them. Digium sell them.

    Just a few questions.

    Do you have any spare servers/pcs lying around? Is there a requirement for call recording? Do you have a current phone system that supports voip maybe?

    If you don't have anyone there with some technical knowledge (or if you feel you might not be upto it, feel that should it go down your busted) I would recommend contacting a supplier and getting it installed.

    Having said that, asterisk and freeswitch in particular, is very reliable once its been installed and maintained correctly, and can be quite easy to maintain.

    This is not where you want to go.
    wandererz wrote: »
    It does depend on what you want/need.

    One option is to have an onsite pbx installed - this then includes all of the functionality you pay for, and have to consider who does what in terms of maintenance, management, changes, fixes etc.

    Another option is a hosted pbx solution. In this case you need a broadband connection. The "pbx" is hosted in a datacenter somewhere (probably in Dublin).
    You are given phones and/or softphones which connect to the hosted PBX via the broadband connection. No need for any other connections to your office other than broadband.

    There are pros and cons to be considered with each solution.

    This is a lot more realistic.


  • #11
    Mr. G
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,622 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    However, hosted pbx wouldn't support ISDN lines though. If broadband goes down, ISDNs still work if the pbx is inhouse.

    They both have advantages and disadvantages, but the better option is definately a hosted pbx.

    Hosted pbx is more reliable.


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  • #12
    wandererz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,928 ✭✭✭wandererz


    True, they both have advantages and disadvantages.

    Sometimes, if you are connected to the same exchange for broadband and ISDN, if the exchange you are connected to goes down, then you are down.
    Sometimes, providers here in Ireland are connected to the same systems due to regulatory requirements for sharing or 3rd party "rental" agreements etc.
    So unless you have diverse connectivity there is no guarantee.


  • #13
    witnessmenow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,414 ✭✭✭witnessmenow


    I havent seen one in a few years but the VMX used to do what you are looking for (maybe not that many lines though, I forget!)

    It is a on site PBX with option of using both SIP and ISDN trunks for external calls. It will work with Soft phones.


  • #14
    Mr. G
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,622 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    +1

    Still does, although they push the voip solution to save on line rental. Its a very good (linux-based) system (not asterisk, as far as I know its custom made). They're based in Limerick.


  • #15
    rs48
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1 ✭rs48


    hosted pbx would be your best option


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