Phone Systems

[interactive]

Hello,
Figured this would be the right place to put this. I'm sure you guys have all used one of those phone systems liek when you call a big company. Like they give you options like "1 for customer service". Is there any software program out there that would do this? Or could I find this type of equipment on Ebay? What type of phone line would be needed? Thanks

[1000rpm]

There's a piece of software called SuperVoice that allows you to do this. Quite old though...

[interactive]

Alright. Any idea what type of line I would need? PRI?

[Robert]

Most companies that provide Toll Free 800# provide a service such as that.

[Chicken]

There's a few ways to do it. There are outsourced companies that can provide it (completely outsourced, like mention above), or hardware solutions (in house), though for initial startup, I'd think something outsourced would be best. Buying a phone system to do this in-house can get expensive.

I know http://www.kall8.com/ can set this up, but some others:
http://www.virtualpbx.com/
http://www.accessline.biz/landing/1/smartOffice/
http://www.callfidence.com/features.asp

[NACmwinship]

www.bizfon.com offers some relatively low cost phone systems, or if you are a one man show looking to replicate that big business feel, tiger direct had a pc based phone system the other day, i'm sure its still there.

[interactive]

Hey NAC, could I get a link for the thing over at TigerDirect? Searched their site couldn't find it.

[jbiz718]

Hey, where i work we use CISCO IP Phones, 7960's. We use a service called Appia, its extremely cost effective.

VOIP is they way to go.

[interactive]

Looking into it now. Thanks Jbiz

[interactive]

BTW Jbiz what sort of a connection is required for that? Just a digital line of some sort or what? Thanks

[NACmwinship]

I guess tigerdirect stopped selling the system. I can't find it either. Try taking a look into: http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/telephones/multiline_systems.asp

[jbiz718]

Well in my home office i simply have a cable connection and its pretty stable.
They recommnd a t1 but you can get away with about a $100 dsl line.

It is very cost effective.

If you want the whole plan and what not i can send u a email.

[interactive]

Sure Jbiz PM it or email me. Thanks a ton dude!

[Jay Suds]

JBiz - Please send me the VOIP info as well :) We use AccessLine now, but I wouldn't mind bringing all that stuff in house.

[racklmy.com]

The Avaya Partner systems are pretty good and can be picked up for less than 1K

[interactive]

Hey rackmy which model would you recommend? Thanks

[Adam]

PBX Systems aren't too pricey although yeah admittedly if you're just starting out - outsourced services would be better for you.

[tim_p]

Originally posted by 1000rpm:

There's a piece of software called SuperVoice that allows you to do this. Quite old though...

heh, I had SuperVOICE back in the olden days of 95-96. It came free with my skinkin' (back then) $100 modem, lol

I have yet to find anything as simple and cheap like it, that does what SuperVOICE could. It was great!

[ats-tech]

We use an Altigen phone system that can do everything you requested including VoIP. Runs on a standard 2k box. Very easy to manage.

[jmweb]

Originally posted by jbiz718:

Hey, where i work we use CISCO IP Phones, 7960's. We use a service called Appia, its extremely cost effective.

VOIP is they way to go.
I second the VOIP option, here we use the Cisco 7940s for our VOIP.

[Matt]

We use Acatel's OmniPCX office solution which is based around voip. Very good, but not cheap.

[jmweb]

At $400 a phone, the Cisco Phones aren't cheap. And with numerous phones your expenses surely skyrocket. But the benefits are unreal. Like the age old saying, you get what you pay for :D

[PaulBeau]

We use Arisofts, http://www.artisoft.com/ TeleVantage system... Very nice. All computer based. It is a very nice system

[GlobalStephen]

www.TollFreeLive.com is who we use, nothing but the best!

[RemoteAdmin]

check out

www.asterisk.org

free open source PBX software

[lyndonw]

check out

www.asterisk.org

free open source PBX software

Beat me to it..... I couldn't believe that the thread had got this long without someone mentioning asterisk. Theres a web front end available for it now too - runs on pretty basic PC hardware and you can get FXO cards (to plug into a standard voice line) for a few quid/bucks on ebay.

voicemail, auto attendant, all the usual features and more... Plus if you co-lo the box then you can get your remote staff to connect and have an awesome pbx...

Voicecalls can be run over any number of SIP/IAX voip providers. also check out voip-info.org for LOADS of info...

[stevec]

Depending on what you need, a hosted system can provide you with all the features and functionality of an expensive corporate system for a low monthly fee. And it all works with off-the-shelf phones or even your cell phone.

You should be able to find a local provider that doesn't charge long distance fees. Look under Voicemail or Answering Services in your local yellow pages or search "voicemail + your area".


Steve
www.TopAnswer.com

[dj180]

I have been using www.halloo.com (http://www.halloo.com), which is a good deal if you are just starting out. You can get 800 numbers, local numbers and you can upgrade to record live calls.

Jennifer

[geraldoramos]

I use trixbox and a normal FXO line mixed with some other VOIP lines.

[orderdynamics]

We've used the Asterix systems with virtual PRIs and the Cisco IP headsets with Polycom IP conference phones. This all seems to work very well. Office links are only 3Mbps and the Asterix Servers are hosted.