Small Business VOIP Service

I’m trying to understand what a PBX or Asterisk server is. I don’t understand the explanations I’ve found on websites via Google or wikipedia because they use too many technology words I’m unfamiliar with (eg. voip gateways, IP-PBX, conference servers etc…)

Basically, I told a friend that I have a small business with 10 freelance programmers. It would be great if my business had one phone number like 111-222-3333, and each freelancer can have an extension that routes to their cell phone. That way, freelancers never have to expose their personal phone number to the clients. My friend told me to look into setting up an Asterisks server. But in my research, I can’t tell if Asterisks will do what I need.

Can someone explain to me, as if I were 12 years old, what an Asterisk is and whether it will do what I need? Are there other "cool" things an Asterisk server can do for my business?

Asterisk is simply an open-source implementation of a PBX or virtual PBX phone system. See Wikipedia or visit Asterisk’s website for more info.

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Hi I’m planning to open a small call centre for Uk process and I need to know who can provide voip services in delhi . I need a UK virtual toll free no. to which call can be diverted , outgoing calls and conference facilities and any other which is required to run call centre smoothly . I don’t have a registered pvt ltd company and I want to invest as much minimum amount as possible . I have surfed net to search for voip providers but I found that they provide for individual uses . I need a full set up for atleast five seatings . Please reply me if any of u have knowledge or someone doing the same business . I’ll be thankful to you .

Please contact nearby BSNL office.

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As amandatory part of my thesis i am reqired to make a tachnical appendix describing (Typical VoIP Solutions) for Home and Small, Middle, Large businesses, and i am facing difficulties trying to create such a thing because simply i have no idea how form that appendix and where to get some resources, any help/suggestions?

google.com
wikipedia.org
yahooanswers.com
wikianswers.com

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Hello,

I am looking into a PBX solution for a small business.
It appears that most virtual PBX solutions provide you a toll-free or a local number which ‘forwards’ the calls to your actual phone.

The problem is I do not want a ‘new’ number, because most callers would call to the existing phone number.

Is there any virtual PBX that work with an existing phone number? i.e. to set it up in a way that callers call to the existing business number and they are greeted with the extension option of the PBX.

Please share your inputs. Thanks!

Yes, companies are required by law to allow you to transfer your number to any carrier, however, it’s in my experience that local numbers do little for companies. It’s great to have one if you’re a small little shop in a small little town but if you’re looking to grow your business a toll free number is the only way to go. In my experience the top providers of your most basic service plans would be AT&T, Opex or TollFreeNumber.org. If you’re looking for a more complex system with extensions or other features VirtualTelecenter.com has that covered with some of the industry’s lowest rates. I hope this helps. I believe all of those providers can also port local numbers but you might want to call and find out. I work for Verizon but the major phone providers have been shying away from toll free numbers for the last couple of years in favor of their own cellular plans otherwise I’d recommend us.
Hope that helps!

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What’s the best VOIP service for a small business?
Anyone have any advise to give on this topic?

Can anyone find any comparisons?

Thanks so much!

I run a small business and VOIP.com is great, I have a friend that they run everything on Packet8 and that works great for him too. Here is a good place to compare:

http://www.voipcheck.org

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I would like to start up a small business for extra sidecash while im doing tafe (or college for you americans =) ).

It would be a home networking business (i do network engineering at tafe). Offering anything from setting up peoples broadband to integrating voip and multimedia into thier home network.

Do you think this would be successful? would you know anyone or would you yourselves use a service like this?
Im just trying to decide if its feasable to make money off this, if people would use it or not
what materials? what hourly rate?
its just myself.
I will charge them for everything they need.
no i would be simply plugging in cables and configuring rotuers etc for silly people who dont know how to use comptuers. I am not selling programs etc.

i’m a bit confused here, you said you set up the broadband but doesn’t the companies do that now?

so you supply voip software at a fee? did you write these programs? is it legal to sell other peoples software or are you just charging for setup?

multimedia? what kind and what do you mean by a mutlimedia network?

you should prolly focus on one and excel in it etc.

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Hi I’m planning to open a small call centre for Uk process and I need to know who can provide voip services in delhi . I need a UK virtual toll free no. to which call can be diverted , outgoing calls and conference facilities and any other which is required to run call centre smoothly . I don’t have a registered pvt ltd company and I want to invest as much minimum amount as possible . I have surfed net to search for voip providers but I found that they provide for individual uses . I need a full set up for atleast five seatings . Please reply me if any of u have knowledge or someone doing the same business . I’ll be thankful to you .

In my opinion, the part of the investment on which you should *not* save is learning about the technology you will use. Your surfing the web and asking the question here is a very good first step, but just the first step… you still have a way to go.

If you want to manage everything online (without having a server physically there in your calling center) you can hire a hosted pbx (or a hosted full server, but that would require a higher investment). Search for "hosted pbx" and you will see what I am talking about.

Then again, check on this forum http://www.dslreports.com/ what do they think about doing it yourself without expertise (I am not trying to discourage you at all, all I am sating is, think about hiring a specialist or get ready to learn. Everything is possible)

I also include a link to a general article on voip for business that can give you some ideas.

All the best,

Marc

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I am starting an at-home business and wondering which phone will be best. I need quality reception but cannot use my cell phone as it does not provide enough minutes. Plus I don’t want to have to worry about minutes any more than I already do.

We do not have a landline currently, which is $20 per month plus tax — too much to spend just starting out in this.

With Verizon (our cell co) we can get another line for a smaller price, BUT still have to pay for the additional minutes. I’ve heard VOIP (Internet phone) is "getting there" but still not good enough quality for a long phone interview.

************* Is a $20+ per month phone line my only option or is there something cheaper? **************************

Thanks for any suggestions.

straight talk wirleless
for $30.00 a month you get 1000 minutes and texts and unlimited 411 and some mobile web
for $45.00 you get unlimited minutes and texts and unlimited 411 and web
their cheapest phone is a lg flip (very basic) and it’s $29.00 their second is the Motorola W385 (better and bluetooth) for $79.00 and their best phone is a blue razr v3a for $99.00

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Well this is what I’m looking at. 15 people at the business. Main program we use is a Web based Application. Have like a hybrid VoIP system. VPN is being done every now and then, but just for work outside the office on weekends, by an employee or two. And we are experiencing slow internet problems.

We currently have a T1 connection, and to get another T1, its twice the price, nearly $750 a month w/ router. And that doesn’t include the Phones. So im looking at a Business class DSL. With the DSL I can get 22 up and 5 down for a fraction of the price. The only things I’m curious about is how that works with the VoIP and VPN, any problems or what not. Being as small as we are, I don’t see for needing the benefits of T1 over DSL… any incite?

I agree T1 is overkill for your. If anything just get fiber run in there.

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i know it’s far from perfect but any suggestions would be greatly greatly appreciated! if you want to email me back any changes my mail is nfrank89@gmail.com

here’s the AD im responding to http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/sad/1106300052.html

Hello! My name is Nick Franklin and I am responding to your craigslist ad for an IT Support Specialist. The thing that really caught my eye from your ad was not the title; it was the “jack-of-all trades” statement as that is what I have always considered myself to be! Reading further only added to the excitement as line by line I read about the perfect job for me!

I currently work part time for a small startup IT/Customer support business in Seattle called In City Networks, LLC. I have a great relationship with my boss and my clients but the business is on the back burner right now and we are not actively acquiring new clients so there isn’t quite enough work to pay the bills. However, I love the job. In City Networks is similar to Best Buy’s Geek Squad, we provide Hardware and software support, peripheral installation/support, we even help setup home theater systems. And all of our services are provided remotely or in person. I am also familiar with documenting my work and using that as a tool to troubleshoot future problems and keep track of steps already performed so I do not waste time and money implementing steps and procedures which have already taken place. As I said before, I am a jack-of-all trades. Not only in the IT field though, have my skills ranged from automotive repair to cooking to just about anything! I am motivated to succeed at any task that is thrown my way and I do so very thoroughly with attention to detail. Whenever I come across a problem that I cannot troubleshoot on my own I put my research skills to work. I use all tools made available to me to find the answers to any question or solve any problem I may have. I also provide excellent customer service and communication, two things I learned while working as a cashier at QFC. Throughout my educational career I have served as both a great team player and leader. As a team player I do my part to make sure all that is expected of me is organized and completed on time. As a team leader I use my communication skills to keep in touch with all group members and to motivate those who may be slacking or having trouble.

I’ve covered some of my knowledge and skills but I’ll focus more on that now. Problem solving is not only a skill, but a hobby of mine. I enjoy the challenge and the praise after solving problems. I like to feel that what I do is important and helpful and this motivates me to work harder. I can see that this position is one of importance and I believe that I will perform well. I am quite familiar with traditional phone systems and less, but also familiar with VoIP systems. (Nothing a little research can’t fix!) Again, my main duty with In City Networks is to provide customer service and technical support so I am already experienced with remote and in person assistance, contract negotiation, and procedure documentation. Another thing we believe in at In City Networks is teaching our clients as we go and helping them prevent future problems. Bringing this skill to your company can definitely increase productivity over time by helping employees understand how to solve and prevent common issues. And finally, I am familiar with network devices such as AP’s and firewalls. I can easily research or be trained to use any equipment that I am not familiar with.

I am currently unable to finish college due to lack of funds but still wish to begin my career. Please consider my application. If the position is no longer available then I would be interested in an internship if that is something you can offer. Anything I can do to get my foot in the door because this job seems to be exactly where to begin my career.

Thank you very much for your consideration,
-Nick Franklin

One thing to be careful about:
you don’t want to keep saying that if you don’t know an answer then you will do some research.

it’s fine to mention it once.
But don’t give the impression that you only ever solve a problem by doing research. There are many skills that you have that you can apply without having to remind yourself or having to check online what other people have done.

Also, there is no need for too much personal story. It’s great to say that you love your current job but business is down. That’s really positive and that you get on well with your current workmates. But you don’t have to tell them that you can’t afford to go to college right now. They can’t give you a job from any sense of pity, it must be on merits of your resume and interview.
You don’t have to say ‘please consider this application’ - they will obviously consider anything that gets sent in.

But I do like describing your personality and it does come through and show you in a good light. But less written would make more of a positive impact.

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