Outgrowing our phone methodology

[HCHTech]

We are running our small, 3-person company 100% on mobile phones. Our main company number is a cell phone (answered by our main scheduling person), and both of the techs have cells. We have a single VOIP line through Comcast that we use solely for remote service calls.

We are in the process of acquiring another business, and we intend to keep their number so their existing customers will not have to learn a new number. We will be bringing on their existing receptionist for some period of time to help with the transition as well. Their existing number is a land line and they just forward that to the receptionist's mobile when she needs to be on duty but not on site.

The current owner of the 2nd business will be involved for a couple of years, so we need the ability to bring his cell into our loop as well.

I'm thinking it it time to upgrade to a better system. Maybe a virtual PBX, but not having done this before, I'm not sure where to start. I think it would probably be useful for either receptionist to be able to transfer calls to anyone, although techs don't usually take calls when in the field, only when they are in the shop working on stuff there.

I guess I'm looking for suggestions on what the end result might look like and the steps necessary to get there. I appreciate the advice.

 

[MotzTech]

If you looking for something cloud based, Ring Central is a good option.Whatever you do though, stay away from jive!

If you decide to go with Ring Central, I would appreciate if you let me send you a referral through their system. You can PM me if you want.

 

[allstarit]

In my full time job - we use 3CX (http://www.3cx.com) with our choice of Voip Provider- We ported our numbers over to our voip provider so we could keep our original nunmbers.
We then setup an IVR or Digital Receptionist - press 1 for sales, 2 for support type setup and works pretty well.
its self hosted on a PC and very easy to setup/maintain.
There is a 3CX softphone app where you can install it on a PC and you can also setup a 3CX app on your smartphone to accept incoming calls to your mobile/cell when your out of the office.


For my part time business- i am using a local Australian based company called Mvoice and they offer Hosted PABX which i just provision a voip phone to point to the Hosted PABX - This is dead simple no settings just works type setup which suited me as i dont have time to maintain the PABX box. It also has the softphone app where i can install it on my PC.
Been pretty happy with them and their pricing is good- there is probably plenty of other PABX providers in your local area too.

 

[discipulus]

Setting up a self hosted PBX with a couple different VOIP providers is not difficult. If you like to read and do research, check out nerdvittles.com

 

[HCHTech]

If you looking for something cloud based, Ring Central is a good option.

Do you use RC? How do you like it? What are it's pros and cons? $ or $$?

 

[HCHTech]

check out nerdvittles.com

I'll take a look, thanks. Unfortunately research time is in pretty short supply these days...

 

[MotzTech]

Do you use RC? How do you like it? What are it's pros and cons? $ or $$?

I do use it and recommend it to clients as well. I've been using them for years and like any service there have been hiccups, but overall I'm very satisfied. What I really like about it is it's really flexible. I can make or take calls from my computer, my desk phone, or my cell phone. No matter which I choose the called ID looks the same to my clients. The support could use some work, but that's pretty much true for any cloud service these days. I suppose price is subjective, but for my purposes, it's very reasonable. I'm not sure it would be a fit for a huge company, but for smaller shops I think it's a great contender.

 

[TAPtech]

If you need phones to ring at multiple locations you're much better off with a cloud hosted PBX. Voip.ms has very low rates and comes with some great "pbx like" features for no added costs.

 

[E Bell]

How about a Google Voice account and an Obihai device(s) (http://amzn.to/1MQMEj2).

We use GV and an OBi202 (http://amzn.to/210o2KM) at the main office and an OBi200 (http://amzn.to/210o7Ow) at a remote location or use cell phones. The OBi202 has 2-line capability. We use one for voice and another for fax (yes, fax for those clients that just can't get away from it).

Google Voice can ring multiple locations/phones/devices at once or you can setup calling times. One cool feature about the Obihai devices is that you can call device to device. No monthly costs and you own the equipment.