Small Business PABX alternative

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#557046 12-Dec-2011 16:01

Pricing break down of the project I did:
- Order VPS, order SIP lines, manage number port: $100
- Install + Configure PBX in a Flash: $200
- Setup QoS router at each site: $100*2 = $200

~$500 installation fee (PBX in a flash is free).

- 6x VOIP phones @ $150: $900

Becarra's point is valid but most Asterisk systems these days use FreePBX GUI which is quite easy to use. Maybe outsource the management to avoid key man risk issue.

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cisconz

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#557054 12-Dec-2011 16:06

And when it gets hacked like a client I inherited $20,000.

If you are going to use Asterisk then make sure you manage the Asterisk.

Hmmmm

CYaBro

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#557056 12-Dec-2011 16:07

What about something like 3CX as it runs on a Windows box?

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Zeon

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#557059 12-Dec-2011 16:16

cisconz: And when it gets hacked like a client I inherited $20,000.

If you are going to use Asterisk then make sure you manage the Asterisk.

I'm surprised that with Cisco in your name you haven't heard of firewalling lol? PBX in a flash comes with a strong password manager and fail2ban anyway but you just need to put in the correct firewall rules to only allow access from your office and to your provider - takes 3 minutes......

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muppet

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#557062 12-Dec-2011 16:19

Zeon: I'm surprised that with Cisco in your name you haven't heard of firewalling lol?

I always firewall my lol.

Otherwise it gets gets out of hand.

Like this post, for example.

cisconz

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#557065 12-Dec-2011 16:20

Zeon: I'm surprised that with Cisco in your name you haven't heard of firewalling lol? PBX in a flash comes with a strong password manager and fail2ban anyway but you just need to put in the correct firewall rules to only allow access from your office and to your provider - takes 3 minutes......

All I am saying is that, as with any device that is internet facing you need to actively monitor it to ensure nothing gets through.
Putting in any ip pbx, whether it is asterisk based, 3cx, Cisco, Epygi, Panasonic, Avaya, MSLS or any other needs to be propperly managed and I would not recommend anyone to do this in house unless they have the reasource to ensure that nothing bad happens.

I have seen far to many that do not do this.

Hmmmm

nate

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#557069 12-Dec-2011 16:32

The OP mentioned 2 inbound lines, do we know how many extensions?

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#557091 12-Dec-2011 16:58

cisconz: All I am saying is that, as with any device that is internet facing you need to actively monitor it to ensure nothing gets through.
Putting in any ip pbx, whether it is asterisk based, 3cx, Cisco, Epygi, Panasonic, Avaya, MSLS or any other needs to be propperly managed and I would not recommend anyone to do this in house unless they have the reasource to ensure that nothing bad happens.

I have seen far to many that do not do this.

Do you think these issues are holding this technology back in the open market?

Do you think that vendors need to do more with their equipment to make security more turn key for users?

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cisconz

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#557101 12-Dec-2011 17:15

DonGould: Do you think that vendors need to do more with their equipment to make security more turn key for users?

Do you think that Microsoft need to do the same thing to Servers, or do you think it is the responsibility of the end user to ensure their system is secure?

Hmmmm

DonGould

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#557109 12-Dec-2011 17:29

cisconz:
Do you think that Microsoft need to do the same thing to Servers, or do you think it is the responsibility of the end user to ensure their system is secure?

Microsoft is an interesting question. They do seem to give though cycles of introducing stuff that's bolted down and then people complain they can't make it go. So they then unbolt and people just attack it can claim it's insecure.

With respect to VoIP, I think that customers need to consider end to end system security.

I've been setting up some 2Talk accounts at late with auto billing to CC and now have customers complaining that the system emails them for failed debiting because I set the limits a bit low for their needs.

In turn they also set up different debt cards so that 2Talk couldn't over bill them even if that layer gets attacked.

$10 for a debt card v's tens of hours to set up a fire wall with all the right things in it to only have it hacked by them installing some random bit of software on their system and not realising the implications.

The key here is to make sure you have a range of systems in place to protect your from attack and thinking that a strong firewall is going to be the answer is also foolish in my view.

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cisconz

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#557111 12-Dec-2011 17:35

Did I ever say a firewall was my only line of defence?

Hmmmm

DonGould

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#557135 12-Dec-2011 18:19

cisconz: Did I ever say a firewall was my only line of defence?

I don't know sorry, did you?

I just got a sense from some peoples comments that there is a level of attempt to generate FUD around using a VoIP solution.

My advice to the OP would be to just ask any of the people here posting to give him a hand setting him self up and not try and do it all him self.

D

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n00dy

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#557158 12-Dec-2011 19:16

Although everyone here seems to be pointing to Voip, The LG system uses your existing lines without any tech know how, if you want an easy to setup, easy to use and inexpensive (less then $2k) the LG SoHo. Plugs into existing phone jacks, runs corded and cordless extentions, allows keyphones just like to big expensive PABX, allows analogue extention for Fax, eftpos or Broadband

http://www.atlasgentech.co.nz/products/index_dynamic/product/5924

raytaylor

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#557186 12-Dec-2011 20:09

3cx = bad
It had compatibility issues, and they ruined their own soft phone by splitting the phone and the BLF system into two seperate programs. The old version of the 3cx softphone was awesome

I have installed it at three sites, and we are changing to freepbx at two of those sites later this week.

But it is good to start learning with.

I personally would suggest looking into a virtual pbx solution.
You wont be looking at $2000 worth of setup, and the monthly cost can be as low as $10 per extension per month + tolls. The entire system is managed for you. All you need to do is plug in the phones into your office network / internet and away you go.

Also i have had better reliability with internet providers other than telecom for running voip lines over dsl broadband.

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#557198 12-Dec-2011 20:38

Thanks for all the info. 3Bit probably 4/6 extensions max, so not a massive requirement. Raytaylor who would you suggest? We've a contract with Telecom until June but I image we could break it, I'll look into the cost.

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