New PABX

G

greggpb

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2005
Messages
1,818
Reaction score
0
Location
Cape Town
I am looking at a new PABx for my office

What are the current recommendations in terms future proofing

about 15 extensions.
 
Depends what you want to future proof for?

If you don't want to own anything other than a phone there are many hosted options to choose from. Bear in mind that if your connectivity to the provider fails your phones go with it.

If you want to own a PBX and plan on large growth an Asterisk based PBX solution could work or even a nice shrink wrapped one like SwitchVox. With either of those you can mix VoIP and fixed line telephony so you still have some coms when one of the two go down.
 
morkhans said:
Depends what you want to future proof for?

If you don't want to own anything other than a phone there are many hosted options to choose from. Bear in mind that if your connectivity to the provider fails your phones go with it.

If you want to own a PBX and plan on large growth an Asterisk based PBX solution could work or even a nice shrink wrapped one like SwitchVox. With either of those you can mix VoIP and fixed line telephony so you still have some coms when one of the two go down.
Click to expand...

I think we would like to own our own hardware.

Additions would grow into would be
- voicemail
- email notifications
- recording of calls
 
Freeswitch is also a great alternative to Asterisk if you want to run your own PABX server on site.
 
greggpb said:
I think we would like to own our own hardware.

Additions would grow into would be
- voicemail
- email notifications
- recording of calls
Click to expand...

You can do all that on Asterisk and SwitchVox.

If you like drop me a PM and I'll get someone to contact you.
 
greggpb said:
I am looking at a new PABx for my office

What are the current recommendations in terms future proofing

about 15 extensions.
Click to expand...

Could you provide a bit more information about your setup.

How many incoming lines do you have?
Are they analog or ISDN?
Will you continue using these lines or do you plan on going purely VoIP?
Do you have analog extensions or SIP extensions?
 
We currently have a normal analog pbx
10 lines( 1 fax, 1 adsl, 8 analog)
Approx 15 extensions all analog.
Currently every desk has a 100mb network point, we are thinking about adding an additional 1gb point to eachdesk on a differnt switch and then using the 100mb network for ip phones.
 
greggpb said:
We currently have a normal analog pbx
10 lines( 1 fax, 1 adsl, 8 analog)
Approx 15 extensions all analog.
Currently every desk has a 100mb network point, we are thinking about adding an additional 1gb point to eachdesk on a differnt switch and then using the 100mb network for ip phones.
Click to expand...

You have a number of options:
Convert all but the ADSL line to ISDN. Each ISDN line gives you 2 channels so you can halve the amount of lines. That or drop them alltogether and go with a pure VoIP service.
If you want to keep your traditional fax machine then you can attach it to the ADSL line, otherwise you can receive them over ISDN and deliver them via email.
Many VoIP phones allow you to pass through the networking. So network cable goes into phone and from phone it goes to PC. This generally isn't ever a problem unless you are transferring huge files around all the time, which you probably aren't doing on a 100mb network. A switch with a bit more throughput capacity can't hurt though.
 
I would recommend using a MyPBX. It is a solid state, hybrid IP PBX which was designed for small to medium sized businesses.
They come in a desktop and rack mount format. Assuming you do not require call recording, you could use the below product:
http://www.yeastar.com/Products/MyPBX.asp
http://www.yeastar.com/Products/MyPBX-Pro.asp

You would need to install FXO modules to accommodate your incoming analog lines. You will need 4xFXO as each module will accept 2 lines.

If you are planning to make the switch to IP phones, you do not require any other modules as the PBX will accept up to 100 SIP extensions

If you want to add the fax line, you will need to add an additional FXO and one FXS (analog extension) to connect the fax machine.

They are also type approved by ICASA :)
 
Hi Greg,

One of the benefits of moving to IP is cost saving, if you plan to move to IP and still maintain your analogue lines the exercise will be futile - the interface cards are expensive and the line rentals are expensive.

Another benefit of IP based systems (open source) is that everything is there and you only switch on what you need

I would recommend that you go full IP and boot out telkom as far as analogue voice lines are concerned - this will save you money every month without even making a call ( 8 business analogue lines = R1427.04 |8 channel patton including access charges = R999.00 | you already save R428.04 and you have not made one call yet)

If you get someone to supply and install the opensource system you should expect the following charges
  • Appliance (RAID 1) - R5500.00
  • Screen based phone (desk) - R575.00 each
  • Screen based phone (reception) - R1145.00 each
  • Setup and install - R5250.00

Phones should all be POE, this makes things easier should you wish to use a UPS and desks are less cluttered as you do not need to power the phones via the adapter. POE switches run around R4000.00.


Cheers
 
Take a look at www.euphoria.co.za - save yourself the hassle and risks of running an in house system and get down to business. We use diginet for connectivity starting at R699 for 4 channels, fail over you can use ADSL in case the primary link goes down.
 
Last edited:
Scoop Distribution said:
I would recommend using a MyPBX. It is a solid state, hybrid IP PBX which was designed for small to medium sized businesses.
They come in a desktop and rack mount format. Assuming you do not require call recording, you could use the below product:
http://www.yeastar.com/Products/MyPBX.asp
http://www.yeastar.com/Products/MyPBX-Pro.asp

You would need to install FXO modules to accommodate your incoming analog lines. You will need 4xFXO as each module will accept 2 lines.

If you are planning to make the switch to IP phones, you do not require any other modules as the PBX will accept up to 100 SIP extensions

If you want to add the fax line, you will need to add an additional FXO and one FXS (analog extension) to connect the fax machine.

They are also type approved by ICASA :)
Click to expand...

Is it possible to receive faxes over analogue through the pbx? I've tried using the built in "fax detection" but it still sends the "call" to reception who then hangs up and kills the fax or i presume kills the fax.
 
Typically only T.38 faxes are supported so rather use a dedicated fax line or just get a fax to email service
 
Hi Greg,
I think now you can see by all the suggestions that a full IP solution is the way to go, so the the most important concideration here is your last mile connectivity , an ADSL will simply not make the grade. Stable last mile is the foundation on which you build VoIP. We need to be looking at leased line copper or preferably copper that can take care of both your voice and data needs. PM me i can assist you with this connectivity and also advise you on specific hardware that is available in the market.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X