Take a look at trixbox (asterisk) http://www.trixbox.org/downloads , it's easy to install has all the basic functionality you need. You can also setup the IVR to route calls to specific people. I replaced a windows t1 voice system with this for 25 people, 8 were remotely connecting to it over SIP. If you don't feel like managing your own setup go with a hosted service.
Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
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Re: Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
#12Take a look at trixbox (asterisk) http://www.trixbox.org/downloads , it's easy to install has all the basic functionality you need. You can also setup the IVR to route calls to specific people. I replaced a windows t1 voice system with this for 25 people, 8 were remotely connecting to it over SIP. If you don't feel like managing your own setup go with a hosted service.
Phones you can use http://www.polycom.com/support/voice/soundpoint_ip/soundpoin...
Re: Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
#13Take a look at trixbox (asterisk) http://www.trixbox.org/downloads , it's easy to install has all the basic functionality you need. You can also setup the IVR to route calls to specific people. I replaced a windows t1 voice system with this for 25 people, 8 were remotely connecting to it over SIP. If you don't feel like managing your own setup go with a hosted service.
Seconded, sort of. For bigger installations, I stay away from trixbox and just use asterisk and sometimes freepbx on top. To get up and running fast, trixbox is certainly one way to do it. Also look at PBX In a Flash as a potentially better alternative.
Our company is similar to yours in size - 15 people. Call volume is a little higher - 162 calls today according to the logs, and we have very few problems. We've had boxes die in the past so backups are key, but don't cheap out on the hardware even though you can. We use both TDM cards and SIP providers and both work well.
I should say this is only viable if someone is going to take the time to learn the basics of the system, install it, and support it. But you do not need a huge amount of experience to get a full featured system up and running.
We have all the features we need or want, plus many options on physical phones. Mostly we use Aastra but have used and tested Polycom, Grandstream, Cisco, and a few others.
The best part is the freedom - add as many extensions, mailboxes, etc. to the system as you need. Have it email your messages, page you, forward to a custom application. And we are opening a branch office so we will be trunking between them to reduce costs on long distance, all basically out of the box.
Re: Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
#14Communigate
Re: Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
#15I used to maintain PABXs for small businesses. Pre-VoIP PABXs are expensive, inflexible and expansion often traumatic. Enterprisey VoIP systems from major vendors are over-priced and they get you on the extras. I recommend hosted VoIP for those who don't want to administer their own phone system and in-house VoIP for those who want a bit more control. FreeSwitch is very good solution as well. Don't get any POTS lines, use the money you save to get a fatter IP pipe into your office. Most VoIP handsets are fine, I don't think CISCO being worth the premium.
Re: Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
#16Asterisk. Most of the SMB-targeted VOIP systems are hellishly awful. Asterisk won't be any easier, or less stupid, but at least you can work around the brain damage.
Look at www.freeswitch.org - much improved over Asterisk.
Re: Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
#17What about for a mostly Mac-based small business?
RingCentral looks good, but seems heavily Windows-centric.
Re: Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
#18Onebox. Happy with it. Flailed for awhile with Asterix.
We use Onebox as well. Simple to manage, forwards to our cell phones when we're not home. But it's not like we're getting lots of calls yet, so I can't speak to how it scales.
Re: Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
#19Onebox. Happy with it. Flailed for awhile with Asterix.
We use Onebox as well. Simple to manage, forwards to our cell phones when we're not home. But it's not like we're getting lots of calls yet, so I can't speak to how it scales.
It's true, and I missed the part in the post about call volume. Onebox doesn't do much for you if your real problem is getting phones on 20 people's desks to make outbound calls with. But it did totally solve our inbound call problem.
Re: Ask HN: What phone systems do you use for your business?
#20I used to maintain PABXs for small businesses. Pre-VoIP PABXs are expensive, inflexible and expansion often traumatic. Enterprisey VoIP systems from major vendors are over-priced and they get you on the extras. I recommend hosted VoIP for those who don't want to administer their own phone system and in-house VoIP for those who want a bit more control. FreeSwitch is very good solution as well. Don't get any POTS lines…
I'd like to talk to you more about your experience maintaining phone systems, but your contact info isn't in your profile :) Mind dropping me an email? nixme at stillhope dotcom. Thanks!