Can Magix use VOIP for outbound dialing? 5

[TheatreGuy]

We could potentially save many dollars if our Magix could use VOIP for outbound dialing (long distance). Has anyone ever done this on a Magix?

 

[merlinman]

I use it all the time as one of my 3 lines on my MAGIX.

The other two are a Copper Line & a Line made out of my Cell Phone.

One caution however, I would keep 1 real copper line 'cause I can't use my VOIP Line to access other systems with WINSPM.

Now that I have put a DSL Filter on it, it works, but it is not very reliable.

Thus, you would need it in case you needed someone to "DIAL INTO" your system to do programming or trouble shooting.

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman

 

[TheatreGuy]

The scenario is that we are looking at a PRI incoming but our phone company cannot give us a break on the long distance unless we can do VOIP outbound. So the inbound PRI lines would have local calling ability but no long distance. I am hoping that I can put the VOIP on another button. We use the 4406 and 4412 phones. Is this a complicated setup? We use POTS lines now. At some point should we switch to the IP OFFICE system from AVAYA?

 

[papagigo1]

I install 2-4 VOIP extensions into the Magix as trunks.
They come over the INTRANET from a center stage AVAYA CM 3.0 switch in another state and get converted at the site using the MultiTech MVP 130 unit. Very reliable unit and easy to program static or DHCP..
It gives 4 digit dialing between all sites and added diversity in calling out.The only thing it can't be used for is 911 calling..

Mike

 

[tdaugirdas]

Since you have analog ports available - I would just get a few Vonage VOIP lines or something similar - and program ARS to use that line pool for all long distance and international calls.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[TheatreGuy]

What would be the advantage of staying with the analog ports? My impression is that it would be cheaper to add lines with a PRI. Is VONAGE a better option than staying with our local phone company?

 

[tdaugirdas]

PRI long distance rates vary - depending on package options. Vonage lines offer free long distance in the US and Canada - and many free international calls. So it depends on your volume of calls and the rates you can get. Full T1/PRI service is in the $350 to $700/month range. The break-even point is usually around 8-11 POTs lines. If your existing POTS lines are adequate for your needs - and all you need are a few cheap long distance lines - Vonage or a similar VOIP service would probably be cheaper than T1/PRI service

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[Westi]

and PRI is not VoIP, Magix won't do "real" VoIP

Joe W.

FHandw., ACS

If you can't be good, be good at it!

 

[TheatreGuy]

We are at 11 POTS lines now and are adding two new building to our organization. We have had a few people complaining about getting a busy when they go to place a call. We are in the vicinity of 4500 outbound long distance minutes a month now and I would assume that will increase. The current system has 3 lines coming to the receptionist, 3 lines going to an auto attendant for those people who know the what extension they want and 5 lines going to our box office for ticket sales. The main question has been answered and I thank all of the experts out there who have helped me. I am sure I will be back with more questions.

Thank you!

 

[tdaugirdas]

At 11 analog lines and complaints about line availability - you probably should get quotes on full T1/PRI service. On some contracts you can get up to 10,000 free LD minutes/month - with additional minutes in the .01 to .04 range. T1/PRI will give you 23 digital voice channels for outbound/inbound calling and they ususally throw in anywhere from 20 to 100 DID numbers (direct inward dialing numbers) that you can use to route certain ouside calls directly to extentions, departments or whatever.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[TheatreGuy]

Do you have a company that you would favor for this service? We have a quote from our local telco but it doesn't include everything you are suggesting that they should.

 

[tdaugirdas]

You can do a Google search for T1/PRI voice service providers in your geographic location. Make sure they understand that you have a Legend/Magix phone system - because they need to setup the circuit to match your system. Not all providers have good reputations - so it's worth googling them for complaints/issues. Your local Telco will tend to be the highest cost. As for options - ask for them - and they will ususally include them. Contracts vary in length - usually the longer the contract - the more goodies thrown in - and the lower the monthly rate.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[TheatreGuy]

That is the big question, finding the service that fits our needs and can do it well for the least amount. Thanks!!

 

[merlinman]

Westi - I know Magix is NOT VOIP, but it can use VOIP Lines.

Theatre - I would see what kind of deal the PRI VENDOR wants to cut you.

And yes, it's a jungle out there for the end user, with out a consultant or their own knowledgeable phone person to figure out the best way to set up lines on a system of any size at all.

http://home.comcast.net/~merlinman

 

[TheatreGuy]

Our current phone company wants $650 a month for the PRI without long distance or DID's. They want .05 per minute for long distance and we can burn about 4,000 minutes per month. That makes it more expensive than what we have now with the POTS lines. Yes, we have more channels but I got a quote from another company that will include 11,500 minutes per month long distance and 100 DID numbers for $700 but how do I find out how reliable their service is and what their support is like when we have a problem? Maybe this should be a different thread.

 

[tdaugirdas]

What company is it? Check Google for complaints. The amount still sounds a little high - but it depends where you are located geographically - and how many vendors are out in your area competing for business. Just make sure they can configure PRI for Legend /Magix (ideally 5ESS with AT&T Custom protocol); or DMS 100 with NI-1 protocol (less diserable). The quote should drop when you talk about longer contract lengths - more than 12-months.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[TheatreGuy]

Our local telco is Verizon. The other quote is from Packet8. We are located in southwest Wisconsin.

 

[tdaugirdas]

Are those the only two available vendors? I have had no personal experience with Packet8 - maybe someone else on the Form has??

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[TheatreGuy]

With all of the expertise here in this forum I have been made aware of the fact that I could possibly find another vendor other than our telco. Packet8 called me yesterday (they must have been monitoring this forum to see if they could help us out. I am now in the process of searching for others. Thank you.

 

[Dexman]

If the decision is made to establish service with Packet8 or Vonage, keeping some traditional copper lines might be worth the expense. Maybe send local and toll-free calls to copper and everything else to the other provider. The copper will also allow you to make and receive calls should your Internet access fail.

If it ain't broke, I haven't fixed it yet.