PABX replacement with cloud / 2Talk opinions

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timmmay

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#251648 4-Jul-2019 18:09

My wife works at a small traditional firm of about 9 - 12 people that has a PABX on its last legs. They're looking at options for phones. They have a provider giving them advice, who has given options of replace the PABX or use 2Talk. I thought I'd see if GZ can come up with any other good suggestions for them.

Requirements as I understand them:

- Telecommunications for 9 - 12 people, including reception who needs to transfer calls around
- Desk phones mandatory, option to use computer / cellphone when people working remotely a bonus
- Some technophobes but with some progressives
- If the provider can supply broadband and cellular as well that would be a big advantage
- Central Wellington location
- Not concerned about access to phones during a power outage - won't bother with a UPS
- Does not want a cellphone based solution
- Professional business grade installation, support and SLA

2Talk Opinions

How is 2Talk? Product and service. I've heard them mentioned here and don't recall anything bad. No doubt someone will have a problems with them, just looking for general opinions.

I read on the 2Talk website they're part of Vocus, who I suspect could put together a package for all telecommunications.

Vocus

How is Vocus as a packaged provider of VoIP, broadband, and cell? Anyone used them?

michaelmurfy

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#2270099 4-Jul-2019 18:15

Take a look at Voyager Business. They have a pretty good cloud PABX option and do broadband also. Basically the phones connect straight to them and not an on-premises PBX.

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BarTender

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#2270104 4-Jul-2019 18:39

I'm surprised no one has recommended nzwireless. You could have your own BiddleCorp representative come and do the installation.
Otherwise do what I am doing with my work for about 45 staff where we only have one phone and everyone else uses mobiles.
DIY Asterisk build on a raspberry pi I am doing with conference phones I picked up super cheap from Trademe and a single SIP outside line rather than a trunk. Probably going to cost me $100. Otherwise desk phones off Trademe vary in price from $1-$400+ each and then a POE switch and small PC to run Asterisk and you're done. Just as long as you are happy to support it forever.

mdf

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#2270107 4-Jul-2019 18:42

Paging @nzgman

mdf

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#2270108 4-Jul-2019 18:44

BarTender: is Just as long as you are happy to support it forever.

^ This. A million times.

chevrolux

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#2270111 4-Jul-2019 19:00

3CX kicks ass. Much nicer to use than just phones connected to 2talk. Will give those that hate tech a familiar feeling, while those who like to play get LOADS of stuff to play with.

Users can have a desk phone, mobile app, and PC softphone all linked up.

Office 365 integration, if they use 365?

3CX WebMeeting is a drop in replacement for Skype if they use that?

Practically unlimited options for linking with CRM products (anything with a REST API, or SQL database).

I believe @nzgman is a local 3CX installer and long time PBX guy in Welly?

timmmay

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#2270127 4-Jul-2019 19:44

Thanks for the thoughts so far all.

Vocus?

Has anyone used Vocus? They seem to do everything. 2Talk is owned by Vocus, but not sure if the Vocus VoIP solution is 2Talk.

michaelmurfy: Take a look at Voyager Business. They have a pretty good cloud PABX option and do broadband also. Basically the phones connect straight to them and not an on-premises PBX.

I'll have a look, thanks. They seem more expensive than 2talk - $25 per user per month ($200 ish), instead of 2Talk being about $80 ish. Not really that big a deal for a business I guess.

BarTender: I'm surprised no one has recommended nzwireless. You could have your own BiddleCorp representative come and do the installation.
Otherwise do what I am doing with my work for about 45 staff where we only have one phone and everyone else uses mobiles.
DIY Asterisk build on a raspberry pi I am doing with conference phones I picked up super cheap from Trademe and a single SIP outside line rather than a trunk. Probably going to cost me $100. Otherwise desk phones off Trademe vary in price from $1-$400+ each and then a POE switch and small PC to run Asterisk and you're done. Just as long as you are happy to support it forever.

NZWireless apparently don't just do wireless internet. That's not what I thought when I saw the company name.

This has to be professionally installed, well supported, nice phones with options for headsets and such, with an SLA and someone who will come out to help with things and fix it when it breaks. It's not a DIY solution type place.

Really big advantage if the company also does mobile, internet, and some even also do power. Supplier consolidation would be a nice bonus.

chevrolux:

3CX kicks ass. Much nicer to use than just phones connected to 2talk. Will give those that hate tech a familiar feeling, while those who like to play get LOADS of stuff to play with.

Users can have a desk phone, mobile app, and PC softphone all linked up.

Office 365 integration, if they use 365?

3CX WebMeeting is a drop in replacement for Skype if they use that?

Practically unlimited options for linking with CRM products (anything with a REST API, or SQL database).

I believe @nzgman is a local 3CX installer and long time PBX guy in Welly?

That looks like a product, rather than a service - not quite what they're after. There's no in-house IT, so a service that does everything and comes out if something breaks is what they want. They don't seem to do the whole bundle with broadband etc which isn't quite as good - it would have to have good advantages over others if they don't do the whole package. Definitely need professional install and support.

This company has only just started using Skype, and only one or two people can make it work. No integrations required. They just need phones that work reliably, if it does other things, great, they might use them in a decade or two ;)

BarTender

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#2270146 4-Jul-2019 20:35

If you weren't aware @sbiddle works for NZWireless. He has been known to do a PBX install or two over the years and does have a fairly legit reputation as being chief troll.

He also provides 24/7 support and I know he loves customers asking the most asinine questions from end users. He's such a gem that way.

But in all seriousness I would give them a call. You may even get Steve's friendly face coming around.

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chevrolux

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#2270151 4-Jul-2019 20:52

A competent 3CX integrator would supply it as a service.

For example, we host the server, connect the SIP trunks, install the phones and support the whole setup - oh and connect some broadband too if you want.

If you really want to bundle cellular you are stuck with Spark, VF or 2degrees (else you simply get a "reseller" sort of set up from a few others). They all have cloud PBX offerings - VF probably being the best IMHO, but only because I've never seen Sparks Cloud Phone (it takes weeks to get installed), and 2degrees is just expensive (but very nice).

Vocus' solution is not 2talk. But I doubt you get the personal touch that sounds like it is required.

nzgman

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#2270158 4-Jul-2019 21:09

mdf: Paging @nzgman

Thanks for the shout out.

Yes, I'm a Wellington-based phone systems tech and have been specialising in phone system solutions for around 17 years.

Please feel free to give me a call. I work with on-premise or cloud hosted solutions. I'm happy to meet with you to discuss options and tailor a solution that meets your company's needs.

You can find all my details on my website: www.offthehook.co.nz

Graham

www.offthehook.co.nz

timmmay

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#2270159 4-Jul-2019 21:10

They just want reliable phones, and someone who will fix them promptly if they fail. Bundling cellular is a nice to have, but not required. I've found Vodafone consumer service terrible, and their corporate service is ok but very slow.

2degrees looks viable - their service is usually pretty good and pricing isn't bad - higher than 2Talk, but not bad.

billgates

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#2270205 5-Jul-2019 00:07

If they are already an Office 365 customer, then could also look at E3 or E5 plan which includes office, MS teams, OneDrive etc along with calling via software app on desktop, mobile or physical desk phones.

Do whatever you want to do man.

timmmay

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#2270263 5-Jul-2019 08:59

Not a bad plan @billgates, and appropriate for your name :) They use a hosted desktop, the PCs on their desks are dumb clients, unsure how that would affect things.

chevrolux

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#2270295 5-Jul-2019 09:59

Teams is a poor substitute for a proper phone system. Its just Skype with some new clothes.