A USB/IP phone..

[snootalope]

Hello

At the moment, our compnay has a number of remote users that work from home/small office and connect to our home network via cable, dsl, and satellite (so fairly fast connections). I know Cisco makes the IP Communicator software, which I've used a few times.

Is it possible to use an actual handset/phone with a remote user though? Say they launch IP Communicator (or whatever Cisco software is best) and it actually controls a phone plugged up to their PC via USB. Of course this phone will be managed by our internal Call Managers. Does Cisco have anything like this?

I wasn't to impressed with the IP communicator, so I'm a bit nervous about that. I ran into a number of voice quality issues.

Just curious about the best setup though. If it's even possible. Or is it just best to stick to their land lines..

Thanks
-scott

 

[VoIPFANATIC]

yes it doesnt have to be cisco. just has to be cisco approved

here is a nice list of all kind of plantronics devices.

http://www.headsetsdirect.com/headsets/usb_voip_headsets.html

bluetooth, legacy adaptors to usb, usb sound cards (which i like becuase i set the speaker up on the embedded card and the headset up on the usb device.

The adaptor i use is altec lansing, my boss has a blutooth headset with his.

 

[whykap]

The issue with voice quality lies on the internet connections and not the IPC software. Even with a USB handset there is no guarantee that the voice quality will be there. So beware before you drop a lot of money with no resolution. The USB handsets work great by the way, but still rely on IPC to operate.

 

[VoIPFANATIC]

ours work great on sites connected thru our corporate wan.

when vpn thru the internet. we have experienced some degradation. typically dependant on what size connection and if the user is downloading music, emails, etc.

we even run the Unified video advantage and most cases it looks good.

 

[Planetmaker]

We use the Clarisys i750 usb phone - the only issue is that the usb cable comes out at the top of the phone and isn't very flexible.
Eutectics do cordless and standard desk usb phones which is are good too. Both are compatible with IPC - alot of usb phones aren't apparently.
We have experianced the same degredation you experienced for the same reasons also so you are not alone.

 

[HmmG3]

To help improve the voice quality, make all calls use G.729 and not G.711. While it lowered the overall quality to "cell phone like", it will prevent lots of jitter and cutoffs as it uses less bandwidth. We do this by putting the IP Communicator profile into a specific device pool. This has a location setting that forces all calls to G.729. You can also do this by having the user check the "Optimize for low bandwidth" box in the IP Communicator audio settings.

Ultimately you are at the mercy of the user's home ISP connection. Also make sure they understand that they should avoid WiFi connections like the plague! I don't know how many users I've had to deal with that don't understand that just because their 2.4Ghz phone works great means that VoIP will work just fine over WiFi too.

 

[angler4life]

Another great headset is the Plantronics CS50-USB. It is not bluetooth, but really wireless, and has a range of 150 feet. I have tested it with my softpone, and it works great! I deployed this to a user who also has a softphone, and he can go anywhere in his 2 story house and retrieve calls. Its really portable and comfortable to use. You have to install some additional software (supplied on the dvd), and then you can remotely answer and end calls. You only have to install the software if you want to place/end calls from the headset. Just my 2 cents worth....

Angler