VoIP & Samsung iDCS PBX

[bernie321]

Hi

We have a Samsung iDCS100 system in our head office and wish to allow another small office to use the same system remotely.

We have a broadband connection on each site.

Are there any systems available that will allow the advanced functionality to be transferred to the telephones on the remote site. For example we have Do Not Disturb functionality, access to the Voice Mail attendant.

I have seen a number of systems from both Samsung and other suppliers, but Samsung seem to push for a VoIP gateway and another PBX on the remote site (a little excessive for 3-6 users) - I am not totally sure if this will even pass the above functionality inter-site.

Can anyone suggest the options available to me.

Thanks B

 

[GoTellBigDaddy]

The reason Samsung is pushing the gateway cards and another system at the remote site is because it's a highly proper thing to do.

Not that it can't be done differently but the main concern is having LOCAL dial tone at the remote site. Imagine that you didn't install local dial tone there (not just a fax machine) and the WAN connection goes down and you need E911 services.

SOundz like you want to utilize the same voice mail and features. You really need to address the local dial tone issue and concerns. If the PBX has a modifiable dial plan then it shouldn't be a big deal to create interoffice calling / dial-ability using 2,3,4 digit dial plan in harmony with one another. Talk more to Samsung and get specifics of what they propose, how it will work, how the features will interleave, limitations, etc... before you invest in new gear.

Work with what you have first and maybe the learning experience for you and your company will justify moving up into a new solution but with new awareness. That's not a bad thing to do.

 

[gshaheen]

I agree with gotellbigdaddy. Just so you get the all the facts, Samsung will be adding VOIP to the iDCS100 by end of year or beginning of next year. This will enable you to add off premise Samsung VOIP phones to your existing system with software/hardware upgrades to your existing system and the purchase of the Samsung IP phones. However, as gotellbigdaddy stated, you will have to consider a local dial tone backup plan in case your WAN goes down and for 911 calls.

The Samsung IP phones work great. I have a demo VOIP phone in my office connected to Samsung's main DCS-500 system in Texas and the sound quality is the best I have heard over IP so far.

If you can't wait that long, then have your vendor upgrade you to a DCS-500, allowing you to reuse your existing Samsung phones and possibly the voice mail depending on which one you have.