First ever project - Phone sytems
Discussion
I've been given my first ever project, replacing our ageing phone system.
Problem is, I've never taken on a project before. I need to put together the options and present them.
If anyone can point me in the direction of some good phone systems that would be a good start. What do you use and why?
Problem is, I've never taken on a project before. I need to put together the options and present them.
If anyone can point me in the direction of some good phone systems that would be a good start. What do you use and why?
Sheets Tabuer said:
How many extensions?
Do you need to keep it in house?
Does it need to talk to other things (exchange server)?
Are you adverse to hosted IP phone systems?
That'll start you off..
Currently we have 8 lines, 16 ports. We'd ideally like to double the capacity.Do you need to keep it in house?
Does it need to talk to other things (exchange server)?
Are you adverse to hosted IP phone systems?
That'll start you off..
Doesn't need to be kept in house.
Nope
Nope, quite pro personally, boss will take some convincing.
Key wants are: Conference calling, remote working.
Don't really think you need to make a case, a hosted sip is from £5 a month per extension.
http://soho66.co.uk/
No brainer for the amount of users you have.
http://soho66.co.uk/
No brainer for the amount of users you have.
Sheets Tabuer said:
Don't really think you need to make a case, a hosted sip is from £5 a month per extension.
http://soho66.co.uk/
No brainer for the amount of users you have.
That seems pretty much ideal. Thanks. Will investigate that further.http://soho66.co.uk/
No brainer for the amount of users you have.
If you go down the hosted route then an Horizon system (many many resellers of that system) is very flexible. Cloud based so no traditional telephony hardware.
Question is why do you want to double the number of channels? Have you analysed your call traffic? Do you regularly use all 8 channels simultaneously? Do you mean you actually need more handsets, not more channels?
Beauty of an IP system is that you have one good quality high capacity data line and then just add "channels" by adding new desktop IP phones.
BT have announced that in the early 2020's they will be ditching ISDN lines. so this will speed the move to IP/Hosted/Cloud telephony.
Question is why do you want to double the number of channels? Have you analysed your call traffic? Do you regularly use all 8 channels simultaneously? Do you mean you actually need more handsets, not more channels?
Beauty of an IP system is that you have one good quality high capacity data line and then just add "channels" by adding new desktop IP phones.
BT have announced that in the early 2020's they will be ditching ISDN lines. so this will speed the move to IP/Hosted/Cloud telephony.
Hosted system will be ideal, we had similar project 6 years ago and been great since,,.
Various handsets that have set extensions that can be plugged in a network cable anywhere in the world and will just work
Free calls between handsets anywhere in world
We have "ported" our landline to a virtual number, meaning it is no longer tied to an exchange
Ensure that you have enough bandwidth for a new system, might need a new ADSL link or increased Fibre pipeline
Various handsets that have set extensions that can be plugged in a network cable anywhere in the world and will just work
Free calls between handsets anywhere in world
We have "ported" our landline to a virtual number, meaning it is no longer tied to an exchange
Ensure that you have enough bandwidth for a new system, might need a new ADSL link or increased Fibre pipeline
Vodafone one?
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/business/solutions/integ...
Works well, you can have a mixture of desk and mobile and landline numbers for mobiles also.
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/business/solutions/integ...
Works well, you can have a mixture of desk and mobile and landline numbers for mobiles also.
Don't go with Voda One Net.
You need to widen the scope and ask what you need the phone system for. How do staff work - homeworkers, mobile, all office based etc. How do you communicate with clients and suppliers? Can this be improved? What challenges do you have at the moment? What IT infrastructure is in place? What is your broadband like and can it be improved to FTTC?
You should note that cloud based Skype for Business is coming out this year and that will disrupt the market somewhat.
Ignore the technology initially and focus on user and business needs. Then get in three suppliers. Because of the size of business expect to get salesman trying to sell you rubbish.
As a guide - Hosted platforms should cost you up to £20 a month maximum (depending on what you need I would expect £15 as a top price) and you shouldn't have to pay for phone calls with the new system except to premium numbers. If you sign a three year deal then I would expect free handsets as well. Install on hosted of that size should take no more than 2 days including training.
You need to widen the scope and ask what you need the phone system for. How do staff work - homeworkers, mobile, all office based etc. How do you communicate with clients and suppliers? Can this be improved? What challenges do you have at the moment? What IT infrastructure is in place? What is your broadband like and can it be improved to FTTC?
You should note that cloud based Skype for Business is coming out this year and that will disrupt the market somewhat.
Ignore the technology initially and focus on user and business needs. Then get in three suppliers. Because of the size of business expect to get salesman trying to sell you rubbish.
As a guide - Hosted platforms should cost you up to £20 a month maximum (depending on what you need I would expect £15 as a top price) and you shouldn't have to pay for phone calls with the new system except to premium numbers. If you sign a three year deal then I would expect free handsets as well. Install on hosted of that size should take no more than 2 days including training.
Innowaybored said:
Don't go with Voda One Net.
You need to widen the scope and ask what you need the phone system for. How do staff work - homeworkers, mobile, all office based etc. How do you communicate with clients and suppliers? Can this be improved? What challenges do you have at the moment? What IT infrastructure is in place? What is your broadband like and can it be improved to FTTC?
You should note that cloud based Skype for Business is coming out this year and that will disrupt the market somewhat.
Ignore the technology initially and focus on user and business needs. Then get in three suppliers. Because of the size of business expect to get salesman trying to sell you rubbish.
As a guide - Hosted platforms should cost you up to £20 a month maximum (depending on what you need I would expect £15 as a top price) and you shouldn't have to pay for phone calls with the new system except to premium numbers. If you sign a three year deal then I would expect free handsets as well. Install on hosted of that size should take no more than 2 days including training.
Thanks for that. Useful info.You need to widen the scope and ask what you need the phone system for. How do staff work - homeworkers, mobile, all office based etc. How do you communicate with clients and suppliers? Can this be improved? What challenges do you have at the moment? What IT infrastructure is in place? What is your broadband like and can it be improved to FTTC?
You should note that cloud based Skype for Business is coming out this year and that will disrupt the market somewhat.
Ignore the technology initially and focus on user and business needs. Then get in three suppliers. Because of the size of business expect to get salesman trying to sell you rubbish.
As a guide - Hosted platforms should cost you up to £20 a month maximum (depending on what you need I would expect £15 as a top price) and you shouldn't have to pay for phone calls with the new system except to premium numbers. If you sign a three year deal then I would expect free handsets as well. Install on hosted of that size should take no more than 2 days including training.
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