Phone system 'specification'

[martynh]

We have a small office (<30 people) each with a PC connected via cat5/ethernet. We want a telephone system that will allow each PC to act as a phone, via a headset. We don't want separate phones and their associated cabling. Each PC would be assigned an extension number, and if the PC was not switched on (or the person has marked themselves as unavailable) the call would go to voicemail. I guess there would have to be an application on each PC to allow the user to use their 'phone' in the normal way.

Does anyone know if such a system exists and if so, is it available in the UK.

Regards

Martyn Hodgson

 

[biglebowski]

Have a look at skype, they have skype in & out and do voicemail as well. you call other users by clicking their name. its very good but I don't know how it would be for 30 users you may have to increase your bandwidth to your isp by quite a bit.

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

 

[computerhighguy]

You could do this with Cisco call manager. Actually, any major VoIP player will be able to do this with thier soft phone application.

I will say that you are brave. It looks like a good idea, but has some inherent flaws. Especially relying on a desktop operating system to run the phone. We have done this internally a few times with headsets and it sounds fine. You could probably just put a regular phone on the desk for only a few bucks more than a high quality USB hand/head set.


It is what it is!!
__________________________________
A+, Net+, I-Net+, Certified Web Master, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, CCNA, CCDA, and few others (I got bored one day)

 

[mforrence]

Avaya's IP Office will do this nicely. Worldwide product that is developed and manufactured in Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire.

 

[daffymd]

I would recommend the Splicecom Maximiser used with their PCS 50 application.

You could use the PCS50 either as a softphone as you described or alternatively put a cheap analogue phone on each desk and use the PCS50 as a "partner" to control the individuals phone.

http://www.splicecom.com

 

[biglebowski]

Or wait for the next MS outlook to be released it will have a built in softphone, supposed to be very good.

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

 

[jerryreeve]

there is a 3com system out there also.

----------------------------
JerryReeve
Communications Systems Int'l
com-sys.com

 

[johnpoole]

cisco is top of the line, nortel makes one, don't go there. three comm has a low end voip switch.. you need to decide ahead of time, if your going to use voip just inter office or voip back to the tdm world. for full voip you'll need a wideband phone service to demark a pri for that also

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[Delster]

3com NBX100 would fit this requirement nicely. it would give you the standard desktop handset, the PC based phone via software called PCxSet, also full IP service to other offices etc.

if you go for the desktop phone option then you plug the network cable that feeds your PC into the phone and another RJ45 lead from the phone to the PC, so no extra cat5 (etc) outlets required.

Administration on this system is via an easy to use web browser based system and is pretty easy to pick up. cost is fairly resonable.

Only hitch that i find is that each phone needs a power pack and therefore a mains point. This can be got round by having PoE switches.

we use this in our own office and install them for customers so if you need more info let me know at derek.bown@btinternet.com

Del

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umm,it IS supposed to do that, right??

 

[phones1]

I hate to say it but Avaya ip office IP403 (god i hate avaya)

 

[ISDNman]

So, if you use a softphone only, how do you call for support when your PC dies?

Seems to me a hardphone at every desk (even if it is not a feature phone) would be a good idea.

Just my opinion....

 

[phoneguy55]

You are putting yourself and company at risk for a lawsuit. Example. Power is out. Someone has a heart attack. How do you call 911? Put a hard phone at every desk. If you want to be fancy use IP phones.

 

[johnpoole]

that's been addressed, if the power is out, and someone needs 911, use a cell or a payphone. if it's a matter of life and death. i usually wouldn't try rebooting the server. i have worked in plants that allowed no outbound past 5, if it is a er, walk up to the security office. or page.. the company does not owe you a free phone call, voip systems are being installed 1000's a month

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[Delster]

about the 911 issue or 999 over here. It's a legal requirement to have some kind of fall back telephone in the case of power failure, at least over here.

Quite a few of the systems i've worked on have a power failure port on them and others you program in which phones should be the power failure ones.

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umm,it IS supposed to do that, right??

 

[phones1]

thats all well & good having power failure, but now days most company's run on ISDN services so unless they have an ISDN butt which would still be useless as their NTE/Mux would also be dead they see it as an additional cost. any how mobiles are bloody everywere.

 

[Delster]

this is why i normally stick ISDN NTE's onto UPS when i install a system

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umm,it IS supposed to do that, right??

 

[avayaconsultant]

I would suggest the IPOffice 406v2 with Phone Manager Lite (Softphone which is included)for basic use and for more advanced uses, you could upgrade to Phone Manager Pro. For Voicemail, if needed, it includes a basic voicemail system or you could upgrade to Voicemail Pro. Depending on your setup, I would suggest having at least one analog phone, which will work off the IP Office from Avaya to complete 911 calls if your network happens to die. If needed, the IPOffice will do exchange integration, etc... Let me know if you have questions...