Effective phone communication setup for a new business

KeepitSimpleIT · #1 (**Link to this post**) 12-08-09

Hey all,

Been around for a while, recently started my own business. One of the most common aspects I noticed in speaking/consulting to over 3,000 businesses was the fact when starting up, obtaining effective phone services, including phone systems was expensive!

So I have come up with a few brilliant ideas, but would love to hear from the room what they have come up with and what has worked for you?

In short, I have found a complete phone system hosted, $49 setup fee, get a free 1300 number and free premium local number at cheap rates.... plug in an IP phone and away you go! Anyone got any better ideas or suggestions?? Even some feedback?

Glenn

www.frankstonkisit.com

FionaFell · #2 (**Link to this post**) 13-08-09

That is an intersting proposition.

I am interested inmoving to a VOIP solution, but am half way through moving locations, so may look to set it up for my new office space.

At the moment though I shall continue to run from my mobile phone.

Archaic $49 handset, $30 prepaid credit from one of the big boy Telcos.
(This at the moments, works brilliantly)

KeepitSimpleIT · #3 (**Link to this post**) 13-08-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by FionaFell

That is an intersting proposition.

I am interested inmoving to a VOIP solution, but am half way through moving locations, so may look to set it up for my new office space.

At the moment though I shall continue to run from my mobile phone.

Archaic $49 handset, $30 prepaid credit from one of the big boy Telcos.
(This at the moments, works brilliantly)

Hi Fiona,

Great point you make there, that you use a pre-paid mobile phone to run your phone communications. Let's be honest, it is damn cheap and has ZERO committment levels to it, noting the pre-paid thing.

I suppose it all comes back to what message you want to give out publicly. For instance if I am rining a 1300 number or a premium local number for a business service, I am likely to feel that they are established and know what they are doing. If I am ringing a mobile, I instantly know before ringing that they are a 1 man/woman shop. So if you are seeking clientele who would prefer to see a landline or 1300 number, then you need to migrate from the mobile phone.

That being said, the mobile phone works brilliantly!

In answering the point of you moving, well what I am referring to as a great solution, is the VOIP system is not something you buy and put somewhere, the equipment is hosted, ie someone else provides you the service! So this is perfect for moving! You simply need internet access at the new end, plug in the phone, it will start ringing, that simple!

I was a long fan of the big Telco's until I got on the very internal workings and well, was truly astonished at the profits being made and the inefficiencies of their business models. So apart from being a dad, my second priority in this life is to see businesses be alerted to REAL, AFFORDABLE & SIMPLE alternative solutions to the big Telco's. Whilst it has taken a while to find the good ones, they have been found!

If you wanted to know something in specific, don't hesitate to buzz me at any time, happy to refer you for free in the right place!

Cheers,
Glenn

BelindaJaneVideo · #4 (**Link to this post**) 13-10-11

Hi Glenn,

I currently have a VOIP phone system and hate it, it constantly drops out and we have to continue to reset our phones...also when the internet goes down, guess what else goes down with it !!! Yep the phones.

We are about to move offices and now think it's time to get a proper phone system set up and no more drop outs. Can you recommend anyone ? We would need 4 phones with at least 2 to 3 lines coming in. Any suggestions ?

Belinda

Ytelco · #5 (**Link to this post**) 13-10-11

Cheapest isn't always best although sometimes it's good enough!

IP telephony is really where the industry is headed. A lot of businesses are ditching their old systems for the lower call rates and greater flexibility. Remote access, fax to email, Outlook integration etc etc etc.

VOIP/Hosted Voice systems can be brilliant if they're set up correctly. If not, users can experience all kinds of issues (eg the call drop outs that Belinda mentioned).

Ideally, voice and data should be connected on separate ADSL connections. Whilst not always necessary, this is particularly important for businesses with high data use to avoid interference between the two.

BelindaJaneVideo · #6 (**Link to this post**) 13-10-11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ytelco

Cheapest isn't always best although sometimes it's good enough!

IP telephony is really where the industry is headed. A lot of businesses are ditching their old systems for the lower call rates and greater flexibility. Remote access, fax to email, Outlook integration etc etc etc.

VOIP/Hosted Voice systems can be brilliant if they're set up correctly. If not, users can experience all kinds of issues (eg the call drop outs that Belinda mentioned).

Ideally, voice and data should be connected on separate ADSL connections. Whilst not always necessary, this is particularly important for businesses with high data use to avoid interference between the two.

I never actually thought of having 2 seperate lines before...that certainly might help clear things up...do you think it's worth sticking with the VOIP phone system ? it's hosted by Fonaity.

gossipism · #7 (**Link to this post**) 13-10-11

sup?

hosted voip is tops.

if your voip provider is also your ISP, better again.

for the soloists, this solution is brilliant.

for more people, youd need a good modem with QoS and maybe its own adsl connection.

not a fan of the voip boxes (asterisk, etc) and would much rather have a hosted solution all round.

its the best solution for satellite offices.

people that have voip issues usually have config or adsl line problems. but it gets better (and cheaper) each year.

wait till nbn kicks in, itll all be video internet phones then.

re: your offering, i think you should have some cavaets in regards to performance and minimum line speeds, better yet a trial phone (that im using with a client at the moment) is the best way to get some followers

dEx

Ytelco · #8 (**Link to this post**) 14-10-11

Quote:

Originally Posted by gossipism

sup?

if your voip provider is also your ISP, better again.

dEx

Spot on! Wherever possible, get your voice, broadband and handsets from the one provider. This might not be the cheapest option but it can save a whole lot of issues down the track.

Doing this means that if anything goes wrong, you won't have the issue of the VOIP provider blaming the ISP blaming the hardware etc... All issues need to be dealt with by the one provider.

nduncan · #9 (**Link to this post**) 14-10-11

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeepitSimpleIT

Hey all,

Been around for a while, recently started my own business. One of the most common aspects I noticed in speaking/consulting to over 3,000 businesses was the fact when starting up, obtaining effective phone services, including phone systems was expensive!

So I have come up with a few brilliant ideas, but would love to hear from the room what they have come up with and what has worked for you?

In short, I have found a complete phone system hosted, $49 setup fee, get a free 1300 number and free premium local number at cheap rates.... plug in an IP phone and away you go! Anyone got any better ideas or suggestions?? Even some feedback?

Glenn

www.frankstonkisit.com

Hi Glenn,

The $49 deal sounds like a great price. When I set up my office I went with a relatively cheap landline system however the call rates have been incredibly expensive.

VOIP systems have come a long way in the last few years, whenever I travel overseas or have to make a long call overseas I use Skype (using the Skype out option) and the quality of the calls is great 90% of the time.

As my office expands I will definitely be looking at putting in more of a commercial grade VOIP system.

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Effective phone communication setup for a new business