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Modern phone systems have truly become fully integrated components of business networks. Many customers have had problems with regular vendors, not the least of which are high costs and unnecessary contracts. This drove us to start looking at alternatives and the solution that has crystallized over the last few years has proven immensely popular, so much so that all our contract customers who use a business phone system have now moved to this solution.
In a nutshell: We use a free product called FreePBX running on a tiny Intel PC combined with Cisco small business phones to talk to an internet phone service provider to create a solution that has proven to be more reliable, costs less to purchase and WAY less to operate than other phone systems and has no contracts.
There is no recurring cost for the system itself and the cost for phone service from the vendor we use is typically less than $30 per month for an average company ($1.75 per number plus one tenth of a cent per minute for usage, regardless of how many handsets you use).
FreePBX supports a huge list telephones but we have had by far the greatest success with the Cisco SPA-525G2. This is a color screen phone with excellent build and audio quality that even supports connecting over WiFi.
Typical cost for these phones is ~$130.
We can use any PC to run the FreePBX software but have had the best results using the Intel NUC PCs, as shown in the picture, these units are very small so they fit anywhere and have proven to be one of the most reliable computers we have ever worked with.
Typical cost for the configuration we use is ~$280
Most customers will typically purchase some of these accessory products:
AC power supply for telephones (if your network infrastructure does not provide power over Ethernet (PoE)) ~$10
Extended dial pad for high usage users like receptionists. ~$70
Handset management software, makes configuring the phones a snap. $174
Analog line adapter to allow connection of analog devices like Fax machines. $50
Additional Features:
The FreePBX system supports literally hundreds of features, but these are the most popular ones:
The need for only one number - All your handsets may be used simultaneously, you don't need extra lines for concurrent calls.
Voicemail to email - Along with being able to easily access your voicemail from any handset, you may also have your voicemail delivered by email with full caller ID details and an attached audio file containing the message.
Time/Date based states - Automatic business hours/after hours/holiday states can be configured.
Customization - Adding your own on-hold music and your own company logo (on supporting handsets) is easy.
Transferring calls directly to voicemail is supported, as well as regular transfers.
Follow me - Have your calls automatically forwarded to your mobile phone if you are away from your desk.
Auto call redirection - Automatic redirection of calls to an alternate number in the event of internet or power outage.
Remote users - Handsets in satellite offices or home users is supported as well as the use of mobile phones as handsets.
Conferencing - A full conferencing service is included.
Reports - Extremely granular reports on call activity can be generated.
Final thoughts:
A typical initial setup can be completed in 4 to 8 hours.
The process of transferring your old numbers into the new system normally takes about 5 business days but the new system can be fully functional from day 1.
We support this product because we believe it's a great product, we have no agreements with nor do we have any arrangements, financial or otherwise with any of these vendors.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions relating to this solution.
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