CJ Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Right then - so here I am running a business that has 9 seperate offices along the M4 corridor. Each of these has internet / adsl access and I was wondering if this VOIP could be a way of saving the not inconsiderable cost of my current normal phone bills! I also have 5 field based sales people who also spend an extortionate amount of money on the phone too! Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Peace Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Skype is an internet based telephone system which is free when used between computers but you can also connect via the main telephone network. I havent yet tried it myself..but some friends use it all the time and say its very reliable with very good qaulity full two way conversations..only problem is your computer needs to be switched on (thats all) How this would work in your business envioronment I'm not sure...but worth looking into. Orange and other mobile networks were due to launch a PTT (like a walkie talkie service ) on mobile phones that could cut costs down between mobiles as you only would have to pay for the seconds you use and you get discounts for a selected 'User Group'..They have this system in the US on Nextel but we are still waiting for it here despite the fact it was supposed to have been launched in September last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 CJ, if you are looking for a solution that connects: - your multiple offices together - and also links you in with the PSTN what routers are you running in each office? if its Cisco, then there is a very easy way to enable PBX functionality on the routers themselves without the need for seperate platforms / servers, etc using Cisco IP Phones (like a traditional phone system, but on IP) and you can then use softphones, hardphones, etc. etc. If interoffice calling is all thats required, then Skype, vonage, MSN, Netmeeting, Yahoo - any of these services will do the job. mind you, if you use the internet for voice, then you cant really guarantee the quality - but if youre happy with that, then thats fine. I personally use Softphone over my Zen connection and provided my laptop is NOT running something stupid like outlook at the same time, the quality of voice is fine. There is a lot of interesting things that can be done on a cisco network to prioritise traffic.... and yes, i work for the company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 A proper VOIP system appears identical to a standard phone system, there are plenty of solutions for this kind of thing. CJ, now this is my cup of tea, give me a bell and I'll explain a few scenarios for you.. SKYPE is not true VOIP, it is a bodge system. If you have ADSL, it is possible to get ADSL routers which have got VOIP systems built in, which will make things easier. Gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Peace Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 SKYPE is not true VOIP, it is a bodge system. Gav Ah I knew someone would be a long to give you much better advice... Interesting stuff Gav. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 A proper VOIP system similar to the one I have at home is actually very good.. I've got an account over the US, with a VOIP adapter, which I've got a cordless phone plugged into. I simply pick up the phone and dial, just as I would with any normal phone except my calls on that line originate from the US, so I get cheap calls for international stuff.. I seem to remember my US rates are 1c/min. And I know for around £10 I spoke to my mate in South Africa for about 3.5 hours. Gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_y3k Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 CJ, I've also a good friend who deals in voip - writes his own software etc. I'll try get his details for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Without jumping the gun too much... I reckon CJ is after a nice simple solution, the kind where it is simply a phone on a desk each office so that the people in the offices just pick up a phone and hit the relevant number.. CJ, please correct me if I'm wrong... Gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted May 25, 2005 Author Share Posted May 25, 2005 Without jumping the gun too much... I reckon CJ is after a nice simple solution, the kind where it is simply a phone on a desk each office so that the people in the offices just pick up a phone and hit the relevant number.. CJ, please correct me if I'm wrong... Gav You are not wrong my friend. I would like to connect each of the print centres via VOIP so that our internal call charges are free (if poss)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 You are not wrong my friend. I would like to connect each of the print centres via VOIP so that our internal call charges are free (if poss)! Question is, are you happy to make those inter-office calls over a softphone (using your PC) in which case use Netmeeting, MSN, etc. (relying on your windows PC, with all other apps running the in the background) If you prefer to use a HARDPHONE then what I suggested earlier on is what i would recommend that you look into. I run this across all our family homes (well three actually) I have several customers and resellers doing this. Regards imi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted May 25, 2005 Author Share Posted May 25, 2005 TBH Imi, I read your post and didnt understand a word of it You have to remember that i am not an IT person nor a telephony type either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Imi, After chatting to CJ on a mobile phone *grin*, it will be for staff in the offices, and trying to run a business with the issues that MSN, SkyPE and those kind of things introduce, it is better to go for a proper VOIP adapter and good old standard phone. Saves re-training any staff on how to use the software. Gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 You don't necessarily need VoIP to get free calls between sites. Depends what your current set up is. From what you said it's prob not ideal for it though. What do you have now exactly? Standard BT phones or a PABX? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 CJ...sorry about the confusion (im on a crappy internet connection that keeps dropping out, so that was a rushed reply) You have 8 offices that need to be linked together. Tell me more about your existing system. either here of if you want over email. I need to know how you use your current system today, before recommending a solution for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_y3k Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 TBH Imi, I read your post and didnt understand a word of it You have to remember that i am not an IT person nor a telephony type either. I think you need an IT mangler my friend ... I'll send the CV over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 One thing I will definitely say VOIP in the enterprise is nothing like doing it at home... (not making a dig at anybody btw), things such as bandwidth reservation needs to be taken into account.. the amount of times I've seen people throw VOIP at an already saturated network and suddenly go 'VOIP is shit, there is too much drop out....' However the technology is good stuff, I'm not 100% sure what Oftel's take is on it yet, I know it was up in the air a while back, but hey anything that helps lower costs is good by me.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted May 25, 2005 Author Share Posted May 25, 2005 You don't necessarily need VoIP to get free calls between sites. Depends what your current set up is. From what you said it's prob not ideal for it though. What do you have now exactly? Standard BT phones or a PABX? OK, each of the offices runs it's own BT lines. Each has a couple of phones attached to that line for switching amongst personell. Does that make sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Yup, in which case what I had in mind isn't applicable! Not sure about smaller scale stuff, I've only been involved with multi-site installs of 2000+ users. I'm sure you don't need that level, cos it costs a LOT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted May 25, 2005 Author Share Posted May 25, 2005 Yup, in which case what I had in mind isn't applicable! Not sure about smaller scale stuff, I've only been involved with multi-site installs of 2000+ users. I'm sure you don't need that level, cos it costs a LOT Cost is not my favourite C word - Cheap is and I only have 65 people working for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cashpoint Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Cheap solution AOL IM has a voice option and a Video conference ability. So i'll only cost the amount of the equipment. We used it and still do for partner in south America and there on 56k modems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted May 25, 2005 Author Share Posted May 25, 2005 I have talked to another member and his solution would be to run VOIP routers in all the centres that would allow us to plug in "normal" phones and have free inter company calls. Now that sounds good to me so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 I have talked to another member and his solution would be to run VOIP routers in all the centres that would allow us to plug in "normal" phones and have free inter company calls. Now that sounds good to me so far VOIP is the way to go, if you go for our routers then you can do everything that you are asking for at a price designed for the small business (makes sense even more if you have multiple offices that need to be linked). I can put you in touch with one of our resellers should you want a proper design and price. Ive got many customers ,both single site and multi-site running our networks for both data and voice. If you need more help on this then feel free to drop me an email. I am actually responsible for this technology for our company throughout EMEA (europe middle east and africa) I run the system at home, purely because i am responsible for these products throughout EMEA and wanted FIRST HAND experience of our own products.. Its an overkill for my HOME requirements but then hey, i dont have to pay for it now do I plus its reliable, resilient, and feature rich. plus ive got one router that does EVERYTHING. regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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