Voip Service for Business

[rushter]

Could someone see if things make sense as far as what I am doing to get my company's PiaF O-tron system setup.
1 - dell SC440 ordered and on the way
2 - the phones - 2 Aastra 57i's, 1 Aastra 57i CT, and 4 GXP2000 Grandstreams. Also order a Sangoma 2FXO/2FXS card to use as both our backup POTS and dedicated fax line (if I can get the PiaF system to do fax correctly and easily for our employees great) - redundancy is good practice IMO.
3 - This is the part that I am a bit fuzzy on and where I think that we need the most help on. Setting up our provider for VoiP. I originally had looked at the offerings on NerdVittles and asked a few people about that and was not given, what I feel, was very straightforward information. I think asking here will give me a better idea. Here is our current setup pre-voip: 4 incoming pots lines - 1 main number rolls over to two others (3 total pots there) and 1 dedicated fax line. I talked with a rep at Voipsupply and they suggested that I should go with bandwidth.com to get (if I am trying to keep the 3 lines) 3 DID's for those numbers - main and two rollovers for $30 per month each with pretty much unlimited everything (at least US and Canada). Cancel those numbers with AT&T and port them over. They said that the issue with getting what you offered online through Vitelity was only one DID and w/two channels only and that I could not mix and match them to obtain a voip that is comparable to what our pots is now. As I said I am somewhat vague about these things and needed some advice. We are a company that has been in business for approx 12 years now and making sure the phone lines continue to work thru the transition is paramount. If anyone knows of another alternative or way to look at this please let me know. If what I have been told is reasonable then let me know that also. cost savings is important but having working phones is more important.

Scott - Voip NUBEE
Redline Performance Motorsports, Inc.

 

[TheShniz]

...Ditch the GXP's if possible, otherwise fine.

Carrier selection is a whole 'nother can of worms. I wouldn't ever use Bandwidth.com myself... all I can recommend is you to maintain your 2x analog lines for automatic failover (always wise).

 

[jehowe]

One common strategy is to use both POTS and VoIP. One example would be to keep two ATT POTS lines (one for the main number, and one for the fax). Then forward all (or on busy) incoming calls from the main line to a multiple channel VoIP DID. In the former Bell South territories, ATT will forward 10 simultaneous calls for free. Outbound calls can be routed over VoIP, and you will be able to alter the callerID to match the main number. This lets you keep the reliability of copper while taking advantage of cheaper termination rates and extensibility that VoIP offers. Another benefit is that you don't have to port. And you can try out multiple VoIP providers and find which one works best for your business, without the fear of losing your number.

It is true the Vitelity deal includes two channels, which probably won't work for you, but you can add more for $20mo each. I'd also consider VoicePulse. They have been around a while and have a pretty good reputation. They charge more than Vitelity for DID's, but they start you off with 4 channels and have excellent outgoing rates. Bandwidth.com will have solutions as well.

You're looking good hardware-wise. One thing though, people either love or hate the GXP-2000. Make sure you and the users can live with them, and at least consider the newer 2010 or 2020 models if you want to stay with Grandstream. I'd be tempted to go all Aastra and replace them with the 9143i. This model supports xml and I believe gets you the same plug-and-play setup the 57i offers.

 

[jroper]

Hi

I would agree with Jeff, in that I would leave the telephone numbers where they are, and do a divert on busy to a DID of your choice.

In terms of outbound calls, using the PBX in a Flash VoIP service described here - http://pbxinaflash.com/community/threads/fonica-voip-service.2252/?t=2252

It allows you to send out whatever Caller ID you own, so you can send calls out via VoIP, with the caller ID of your standard POTS lines, and recieve calls over the landlines.

Joe

 

[jmullinix]

Scott,

Here, I have to use POTS lines. There are no voip carriers that can provide local DID's. I would set up the system as you have it with a couple of POTS lines, the Sangoma card (add their hardware echo cancellor). Bring your primary line into the Sangoma card and have your telco put call forward busy, multiple channels, and point it to your VOIP number. Buy your VOIP service from Joe Roper or Aretta and get a DID from them for your area. Make the second line into your Sangoma card your fax and come off of one of the FXS ports on the card to your fax machine.

This setup gives you PSTN when your Internet goes TU and keeps your fax on POTS lines. The phone server will handle loading on the outbound stuff.

Feel free to call if you like.

 

[rushter]

Voip Service for business...cont...

My issue, if it is one, is that we currently are paying close to $300 per month avg. for our 4 lines. I have promoted this, hopefully not too prematurely, as being another way to cut costs.
I think this part of setting up your own pbx is the most confusing and I am very excited about it really. I would also like to share all of the steps I took here to help other newbies - of course, that is if the pros here don't mind.

So if I gather correctly - you suggest that I use the 2-port card first for my main number as the incoming main line which in turn would 'roll over' to the different channels I have set up through whichever voip provider I decide to use. Would that mean that I would still have to keep my main line number and pay ATT the full $50 (or will the call forwaring busy thing just send it right to the voip system) per month plus the 2nd port on the card for dedicated fax (which I have asked about to ATT and that would be only $13.60 plus a few pennies per minute - we do not do a whole lot of faxing - after all we are a motorcycle shop)

The sangoma that I ordered does not have the echo cancellation - the reason is that I felt, worst case scenario, that we would only have to use it as a backup. Does this make sense? Is the echo cancellation a bandwidth issue or a pc performance issue?

I am sure that I will have more to say and I will be calling you tomorrow John.

Scott