Hi all, I need help setting up my business call system.
We want to set up a VOIP PBX system (I think that is what it’s called.)
Basically, we are looking for a system that can transfer calls to another phone in the office for example; Front desk to IT, Having a calling queues when lines are busy and have waiting music. We are looking at one main base unit where you can transfer calls and the rest are wireless handset units.
In this case, we could host FreePBX on our own server right and the VOIP phone just connects to our POE switch? I’m very new to this.
Our budget is $500 if possible. Thanks
Need Help Setting up Business Phone System
No Username on 09/04/2019 - 10:20
Comments
Thanks will do. We are a small business and are willing to buy used equipment.
This is the current plan.
Host FreePBX on our EXSI Server
Buy 3 Gigaset C530HX
Buy 1 Cisco 8961 CP-8961 POE
Total cost: $352.50This is all the equipment we need right?
We already have servers and PoE switches.
FreePBX should run fine on ESXi if there's enough resources. Plenty of people run it on a Intel NUC & the smallest Sangoma System 40 appliance is tiny - Quad core celeron, 2GB of RAM, 120 GB SSD and that supports 40 users / 30 calls.
I believe Cisco 8961's will work but as they aren't designed to work with other PBX's apart from Call Manager you might be in for a step learning curve about how their XML based config files, DHCP options & TFTP all work together. FreePBX's end point manager is supposed to support them, haven't used them with FreePBX, but EPM isn't free unless you have Sangoma or Digium phones. It's $149 for 25 year license or $75 for 1 year license.
The Gigaset C530HX is just a DECT handset that needs a Gigaset base station to work. I've got a couple of C530H's & a older C47H handset that talk to C530A IP base station. I bought this kit from here: https://www.ryda.com.au/gigaset-c530ip-cordless-handset-twin…. Currently $198. The C47H was from my previous Gigaset base station that died. Note that while the base may support 4 handsets it only supports two calls in parallel. Also not all Gigaset DECT base stations support VoIP.
Your budget is tiny. It also appears like you have no idea about any of the tech. You're going to be on the receiving end of a lot of shouting if you try to setup and maintain a system on that budget.
Tell your boss to stop being a tightass.
I use MyNetPhone virtual pbx. It's been reasonable. Still better than a regular phone line with Telstra customer support but that isn't saying much.
Check out the FreePABX 101 playlist on YouTube by Crosstalk Solutions for version 14. It's a series of 25 shortish videos. 5 to 30 minutes depending on the topic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTtql5lMeKk&list=PL1fn6oC5nd…
$500 isn't a large budget though if you don't already have phones. A basic Yealink or Sangoma handset is going to cost around $80 each for a 10/100 model. If you've got a solid Internet connection you could also look at using a hosted PABX system from a VSP like MyNetFone, SIPCity etc. Some VSP's will also lease phones.