Small business VoIP solution

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FatTofu

90 posts

Master Geek

#107991 23-Aug-2012 11:25

Hi guys,

Thought I'd get some advice from people more in the know than myself. We are looking at a VoIP solution as we are moving into the new EPIC hub in Christchurch when it opens. We will be on a 100Mbps fiber connection with Unleash. We've been recommended a few providers to ensure bandwidth quality: DTS, Orcacom, 2Talk, A1 Communications, IT Telenet. Open to anyone though.

Looking at about 5 numbers - 1 general and 4 ddi's I guess. We have 1 local number at the moment so would want to port this. Ideal to get extra numbers close to this.

Bit of a newbie when it comes to VoIP so have a few questions.

Does the device plug into the computer or a free ethernet port/wireless?
If computer, if it's turned off can it still be able to come through to another device?
Can you have a mixed solution of being able to use a phone and computer on the same number? So we could use a headset and record the call if we want to?

Have done a bit of research and it looks like some providers offer pretty cool features and solutions, but not sure if we'll utilise all of it.

Want something with the best value for money (good support, good service etc), doesn't have to necessarily be the cheapest.

So recapping things we need:

5 numbers
4 devices - cordless phones or wireless headsets
Ability to record conversations
Voicemail
Call forwarding if the internet is down (we all have mobiles)
Reasonable calling rates

If I think of anything else I'll add them in. Thanks in advance.

andrewcnz

961 posts

Ultimate Geek

#675869 23-Aug-2012 11:57

2talk. Cheap, does all the above. I have had no issues with them. But some people have had issues with their customer support.

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#675870 23-Aug-2012 11:58

You are probably best to go with a PBX either hosted or onsite. The VOIP trunk goes into the PBX and you then plug extensions into this. You can either have this onsite (usually just a normal computer if Asterisk or a small device) or hosted from a datacentre and managed service provider who will help set it all up for you and look after it.

You then get a "trunk" line which is basically your main phone line with your numbers attached. Generally you pay by the number of concurrent calls possible. I would recommend Xnet/World Exchange for the trunk.

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nate

6473 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#675900 23-Aug-2012 12:52

FatTofu: We will be on a 100Mbps fiber connection with Unleash..

Fibre - the Rolls Royce of internet connections.

We never, ever had any issues with VoIP installs on fibre. They always ran like a dream.

I would suggest finding a local integrator to help you out, it'll save you hours of frustration and stress.

DonGould

3892 posts

Uber Geek

#675933 23-Aug-2012 13:58

nate: Fibre - the Rolls Royce of internet connections.

This has to be a key driver for UFB. UFB will make fibre a Toyota.

For latency dependent apps like VoIP, this will be great.

On topic...

OP 2Talk can do what you're wanting out of the box. You can set up a single account with as many numbers as you need and assign each number an extension number and then have up to 5 concurrent calls.

2Talk provide free accounts. So you could prototype the whole thing if you wanted to.

For cordless phones, use good smart phones with a SIP client.

D

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maverick

3594 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

WorldxChange

#675953 23-Aug-2012 14:28

DonGould:
nate: Fibre - the Rolls Royce of internet connections.

This has to be a key driver for UFB. UFB will make fibre a Toyota.

D

What ??????

UFB is Fibre !!!!!

Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

https://www.facebook.com/wxccommunications

DonGould

3892 posts

Uber Geek

#675997 23-Aug-2012 16:08

maverick:
DonGould:
nate: Fibre - the Rolls Royce of internet connections.

This has to be a key driver for UFB. UFB will make fibre a Toyota.

D

What ??????

UFB is Fibre !!!!!

In terms of price point Mav.

In 5 years we won't be calling fibre a Rolls Royce, we'll be talking Honda and then in 10 years Kia.

Promote New Zealand - Get yourself a .kiwi.nz domain name!!!

Check out mine - i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz - don@i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#676066 23-Aug-2012 17:43

Where are you located? Maybe we can provide some names of local PABX installers. A hosted system is probably all you need but the ongoing monthly cost is higher. If you host it on site the initial outlay will be high but the monthly costs will be very low.

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FatTofu

90 posts

Master Geek

#678211 28-Aug-2012 14:57

We are in Christchurch. I've read up about 3CX, do we need to have this software for what we want to do? Or can we just some VoIP phones, hook up with someone like 2Talk and be away?

joshp

205 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

WorldxChange

#678232 28-Aug-2012 15:51

It really depends on your requirements, if you don't need things like extension dialling, call park, IVR/queues, or reception modules etc yes you can certainly get some phones configured up with a SIP provider and use each line like they were individual lines.

If you require some of the more "PABX" style features then I would suggest looking into using an IP PABX with SIP phones.

Cheers

Josh

http://wxc.co.nz

brhnz1

26 posts

Geek

#678276 28-Aug-2012 17:15

If you read the 2talk web site or better still sign up for a free account, you will find it will do most of those basic features. Call attendant and extension dialing are about its limits how ever. Open source pabx would be your next step.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#678389 28-Aug-2012 20:42

Or get a "branded" phone system (LG Aria, Samsung, Panasonic etc.) installed by a local tech and have a trouble free VoIP experience, but be prepared to spend 3-5k for a small system.

DonGould

3892 posts

Uber Geek

#678420 28-Aug-2012 21:34

FatTofu: We are in Christchurch. I've read up about 3CX, do we need to have this software for what we want to do? Or can we just some VoIP phones, hook up with someone like 2Talk and be away?

PM me some details and I'll sort this out for you.

I'm based in Christchurch. It's simple enough.

D

Promote New Zealand - Get yourself a .kiwi.nz domain name!!!

Check out mine - i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz - don@i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz

Kevinkada

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#678868 29-Aug-2012 17:40

FatTofu: Hi guys,

Thought I'd get some advice from people more in the know than myself. We are looking at a VoIP solution as we are moving into the new EPIC hub in Christchurch when it opens. We will be on a 100Mbps fiber connection with Unleash. We've been recommended a few providers to ensure bandwidth quality: DTS, Orcacom, 2Talk, A1 Communications, IT Telenet. Open to anyone though.

Looking at about 5 numbers - 1 general and 4 ddi's I guess. We have 1 local number at the moment so would want to port this. Ideal to get extra numbers close to this.

Bit of a newbie when it comes to VoIP so have a few questions.

Does the device plug into the computer or a free ethernet port/wireless?
If computer, if it's turned off can it still be able to come through to another device?
Can you have a mixed solution of being able to use a phone and computer on the same number? So we could use a headset and record the call if we want to?

Have done a bit of research and it looks like some providers offer pretty cool features and solutions, but not sure if we'll utilise all of it.

Want something with the best value for money (good support, good service etc), doesn't have to necessarily be the cheapest.

So recapping things we need:
5 numbers
4 devices - cordless phones or wireless headsets
Ability to record conversations
Voicemail
Call forwarding if the internet is down (we all have mobiles)
Reasonable calling rates

If I think of anything else I'll add them in. Thanks in advance.

If you have your own PBX system set up at your office, then you only need VOIP but if that is not the case, you will have to get the PBX as well. Since your requirements are less, thus, it is better to go for a Hosted PBX system with VOIP calling facility. When we talk about VOIP, there can be two options, either you get per-minute VOIP or you can get wholesale minutes for calling. If you need bulk calling to certain destinations, VOIP minutes will be better or else the per-minute VOIP. Since you need PBX, you need to get Hosted PBX

You can plug-in the communication media from anywhere and start communication. The only requirement is that internet connection should be available. In case you are using a mobile dialer, it is essential to have atleast 3G or Wi-Fi connection.
You can have a series of numbers set for the call to ring. This is called a hunt group. If you have logged off from one of the extensions, the call will ring on the other in the order of the priority that is set by you. You can also set the follow me option to receive calls from different extensions during different times of day. So, the chances of missing out any important business call are nullified.
When you take the PBX system, you get extensions with the number. You can have one common number and direct the calls from the number to the various extensions. So, a call to the same number can be received at various locations i.e. VOIP phone, PC or your mobile phone. You can use your headset as and when you want to. Every call that you receive from anywhere will be recorded provided that you have turned on the recording option for that extension. You will get a switch which will be an interface and through which, you can check the call log and get all the recorded calls which can be downloaded and stored for future use.

I have been using Hosted PBX VOIP system and it is working well. The calling rates are quite reasonable with VOIP.