Moving From Cloud Based VOIP to InHouse VOIP

I

iceman23

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2007
Messages
954
Reaction score
2
Hi guys, Just needed some advice / help on our VOIP system. We currently use Switchtel and have about 20 users (soon to be increased). We have a 10MB ADSL line dedicated for VOIP. If I wanted to ditch the online provider and do it ourselves what would I need to do? Some sort of PBX decive (myPBX).

Remember, all our phones are VOIP. We do have some analogue phones which can be used as well but we dont have any telkom lines other than ADSL.

Where do I go from here? Will I save money by bringing it back inhouse?
 
Hi

I think your terminology is a bit incorrect. You probably mean, you use Switchtel as your VoIP Gateway provider as well as a virtual PBX ?

Don't even bother going Yeastar MyPBX route, especially with 20 users. It loves to bomb out which requires a manual reboot. I've tested pretty much all of the VoIP devices/software etc stuff out there and my personal preference is 3CX, which is a Windows Software compatible software PBX. It allows PC and Outlook integration (e.g. make calls from your PC - softphone) & Android also has a "3CX" app, which allows users to phone you directly on your cellphone via a landline number, forward calls from your PBX & transfer local calls on the PBX. Supports VoIP & analogue phones but i recommend you use ATA's on the analogue phones.

If you want a quote on 3CX just pm me.

Further more, for your VoIP gateway provider, contact Interworks, byron[at]interworks.co.za - 021 200 1810. I use them for my VoIP gateway & Internet (20mbps/10mbps). Crystal clear quality, sounds better than a CD. If you're in the Cape Town area they will also supply you a wireless link for VoIP directly to the Data centre so no need for ADSL and you pay a fixed free per month, except for the air time. They also cheaper than switchtel.

Regards
 
Last edited:
the telephony world is moving towards Cloud. However in digital telephony, you need to have the complete solution well designed and setup correctly.

For one, 10 users going on to 20 should not be run over ADSL, no matter what. ADSL, whether boosted by any technology or not, should not be used for VoIP. It is not a carrier grade connection and will certainly do more harm than gain to your business, from financial losses to frustration.

Cloud PBX has its advantages and disadvantages. If you HAVE multiple branches, staff working from home, or any need for off-site telephony, then Cloud is the way to go. It has other advantages too, like backup, etc, but the main uses are as I stated.

If you do not need any of the above functions, then go On-Site with a SIP Trunk from a provider who can offer you a good backhaul connection so your business does not suffer. A very good switch is Digium's Switchvox, which is sold by www.miro.co.za

If you are looking at options, PM me your contact details and I'll ask a few Channel Partners to contact you for a clear and competitive quote.
 
if you're clued up with your Asterisk and just want breakout, then visit www.cheapcall.co.za
You can have a 30 day trial too.

if not, and you will need assistance from a specialist, then PM me your contact details, location and requirements, i'll ask a few Channel Partners to contact you directly.
 
j@w, I like how you dis MyPBX and then punt your 3CX (I guess you're a reseller) , the major problem with 3CX is 1. it runs on windows based machine 2. there are licencing fees applicable based on simultaneous calls, for the price of 8 calls he might as well go for MyPBX or even FreePBX.

The SIP client on your cell is not unique to 3CX, you can use their free app to link to your asterisk systems.

How do you suppose the OP is going to connect the analogue phones he has to the 3CX box, ATA or interface cards or buy IP phones all at a huge expense.

I have been deploying MyPBX for a couple of years now and the only problem comes when you use ISDN and 9/10 times its because the incorrect codec was used uLaw/aLaw and the refresh interval, other that that it is rock solid - the support from the guys in China (Michael and Jason Chan) is always first class

The standard and pro version of the product can handle 100 extension and 22 simultaneous calls for a once off price.

I recommend the following:
1. www.scoop.co.za and get a price online for what you need
- 1 X MyPBX standard or pro ( pro would be better if you plan to rack mount)
- 1 FXS module for every two analogue telephones you plan to connect ( 8 cards max = 16 analogue phones)

2. you don't need a dedicated outbound line per user, you can work on a ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 so for every 3 or 4 extensions you have you need 1 outbound line ( this ratio does not work in a call center environment)

3. you have various options when it comes to SP's
-either go for a pure SIP only account I know ECN offers these at a once off charge of R500.00 (15-20 simultaneous calls)
-or go for a gateway solution from ECN R999.00 which includes all hardware, IPC link (adsl) (15-20 simultaneous calls)
 
Thanks guys for all the advice. Yep, I am not very clued up on this sort of stuff.

We do have remote offices in JHB and CPT (We are based in DBN).

So far I get that ADSL is bad? but what are the alternatives. I currently have a 1MB fibre line that costs 16K per month. We have moved our servers to the cloud so I will be cancelling that as soon as the contract is up. Cant keep as it is just too expensive...

I was thinking more along the lines of what InfinityMVS is speaking about. Buy a a device, use current ADSL line and get a provider at a much cheaper rate than switchtel. I guess its not so easy though :)

1) I checked scoop and they have 3 options, 1 for 2650 (embedded), 3100 (rack mount), and one for 8000. Which would be the best option?

2) outbound line as in ADSL line?, does it change if the line is a 10 Mb line

3) both these options sound really great. ECN: is that a name of a company? Are they in DBN?

Thanks for all the help guys.
 
ADSL is not bad, just don't expect it to replace a PRI, for the average customer out there it works great.

The embedded and rack mount is the same internally, its entirely up to your application which one you choose, the 8K option includes a PRI interface, and the option to increase storage capacity by adding a hard drive as well as blanket call recording (the other two only offer this on a ad-hoc basis), the processor is also slightly better meaning you can accommodate a larger number of extensions and calls ( see www.yeastar.com)

The ADSL line does not change, if you have dedicated it for voice and you are willing to pay telkom directly for it they (ECN) will adjust their monthly fee to exclude the cost of the ADSL if you go for the gateway option, if you go for the SIP only option no gateway if required, but there is also no guarantee on voice quality and because you are using the public realm there is a risk of your system being compromised if you use standard passwords.

ECN is Nashua-ECN ( www.nashua-ecn.com) , you can call the main contact number or I can put you in touch with a a local rep.

if you are unsure they do offer a proof on concept where you can test the quality etc for 90 days.

Either way it would be best to get your own onsite solution (hardware), that way you are not locked to a vendor and if ECN does not work for you you can move to another carrier with a few clicks of a mouse.

ECN Rates as follows: (pure per second billing)
local 27c
national 37c
blended 34c
Vodacom / MTN 85c
All other 95c
On nett 15c

cheers
 
WhichVoIP.co.za

bekdik said:
Who offers SIP trunks and what connection do they have?
Click to expand...


Try our Site: WhichVoIP.co.za for a listing of most SIP Providers. We have it all listed - Technical and Commercial. And of course, able to connect you with most of the providers you see. We offer unbiased and objective advice - go for it.

BUT, as if it was even a question, VoIP has become a viable solution for businesses of all sizes. As for the posters question - i think there is more to the story. Why would you want a Premise based solution. Judging on that answer, it may be due to management or functional enhancements, or simply the desire to have some onsite redundancy or resiliency which can be solved quite quickly - without having to go with a on-premise solution.

Mitch
 
Would cost be one of it? the fact that internal calls need an active internet connection (not sure)?
 
Yep. Ours dont. When our internet connection goes down (very rarely), we cannot dial internally. Just feel like it was a waste of bandwith and a waste of capacity on the line?
 
Get PBX in a Flash (www.pbxinaflash.com). Get an old computer with 1-2Gb RAM. Send me your ADSL number so that I can do a SNR and attenuation test. I have 25 businesses doing more than 2000 minutes per day on ONE ADSL line. Everyone says it isn't possible just don't know how to setup their systems properly using QOS, staggering and VLAN's. I'll help you with this. I also recommend ECN. We are using them. Fantastic quality service at a great price.
 
All internal calls will be handled internally - why should you not be able to make an internal call when one of your SIP trunks are down? If you need failover get a Grandstream FXO/FXS unit. Works like a bomb.
 
I work as a developer for call centre software (among other things) in an insurance company (one of the largest in the country). Our call centre is over 1000 agents and we just use a server with CentOS and Asterisk (yep 1 server for over 100 concurrent calls).

We never have problems with the Asterisk server going down, we do however experience problems with outside lines (no matter who you go with, it happens).

Personally we've tried all these small providers and their quality, expertise (big problem) and reliability all suck. We've gone with one of the large Cell phone companies now. Fail over is with Telkom PRI x4 which is the most reliable (but more costly).

Personally I doubt you could beat Telkom BRI and Asterisk for a small business top quality PBX solution.

2c, from someone not trying to sell something.
 
Last edited:
iceman23: Switch Telecom's call rates are decreasing significantly on 1 May 2011. Hold out for a few more days and you should receive the notification of the new rates via email.
 
Thanks guys. yep I heard about the switchtel decrease from a fellow very helpful forumite who took the time to call me. Thanks for that.

Superspeed. The exchange is across the road, the noise and attenuation are at very good levels. I will post those tomorrow.

Also, we dont have a current onsite pbx so internal calls are routed out and then back in. That is one of the reasons we want to move in house.

Thanks for all the help guys. really appreciated from a VOIP newbie.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X