Help with VoIP/PBX and using laptops as phones.

[ChocolateBadger]

I'm hoping someone can help with this idea I have but I'm not sure how to word it, hence googling the issue very difficult.

Basically I have a VoIP solution in the office hosted with Bitco with an onsite PBX server connected to our network.

We have 4 PoE phones scattered around the office and we need to add more but VoIP phones are quite expensive. So I was thinking, because most of the staff use laptops and have headphones, whould it be possible to use some form of software to access and use the VoIP service that is on the network via a laptop. Basically using your laptop as a phone?

My knowledge of VoIP is quite limited so I don't know of this can be done but because everything is connected on one network, I thought maybe there could be a way?

Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

[Centronix]

Howzit,

There's a lot of free softphones on the net that you can use.

They are pretty easy to register with the PBX as well.

Are you using Asterisk PBX?

Check this link:
http://www.voipsupply.com/blog/voip-insider/free-sip-softphone-roundup/

My issue with most softphones is you can't prioritize voice traffic leaving the PC.
If you are FTP-ing a big file and try to make a call at the same time, you might have voice quality issues.

 

[digitalp]

I used laptops recently as voip phones and it didnt go well. i will suggest you get proper handsets for your users

 

[Clarotech]

Take a look at ZoIPer or xlite. Both work well, but be aware that the quality of your headsets can haven an impact. Mic volume being to loud can also cause issues. As mentioned if you are pushing large amounts of data through your machine it could cause problems, but if you stick to ensuring the machines are on LAN rather than WiFi and your network is up to spec you shouldn't have issues.