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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Posts
    287

    Phone Systems???

    Can anyone recommend a very low end phone system (and cheap) that can handle extentions, voicemail, and is not a full blown PBX system.

  2. #2
    what country are you in?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Posts
    287
    USA.

    Does anyone have experience with the CallMaxx phone system?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Amherst, NH
    Posts
    241

    Merlin...

    Hey -

    In a previous life, I have used Lucent's Merlin system. Quite nice, but probably more than what your looking for.

    Checkout hellodirect.com for what they offer as well. I know they have Bizfon and Talkswitch, both of which you can find on there sites.

    I currently use a siemen's system with multiple extensions. Works good, since I don't get many calls. System's always up!


    Steve
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  5. #5

    lucent

    Hi,

    I would also recommend lucent. They have huge selection and they will work for most size businesses.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    AU
    Posts
    1,049
    I use Plain Old Telephone system with an advanced voicemail system which I have intergrated with my credit card processing for other-the-phone payments.

    I can transfer calls etc using standard phone lines.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    AU
    Posts
    1,049
    There is plenty of software out there which can manipulate your call handling which is a much more inexepensive solution.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2001
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    3,302
    We use AccessLine (www.accessline.com). Probably not the best system if all of your people work from the same office, but if you're spread across a the country, AccessLine would probably work quite nicely for you.
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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Boston Metro
    Posts
    345
    It doesn't get a lot of attention lately, but how about Centrex?

    I replaced a Merlin system with Centrex at a former employer's and it was great for us, because it doesn't require you to buy all the hardware.

    We have Centrex here, but don't use it now that we have a Linux-based phone system that queues our calls. That was a Godsend.
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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    1,745
    Our main office uses an NEC Electra system. A few years old but works well (it has optional voicemail but we didn't opt for this option as we have voicemail from the phone company).

    Voicemail can be the most expensive part of the system; in some cases it can cost more than the actual system itself.

    Of course recommendations depend on how many lines and extensions you need (and if you want proprietary handsets or the ability to use standard two-wire phones).

    The Panasonic KX-TD line of systems are quite popular and easy to use (and at reasonable prices). They start at a 308 configuration (3 lines, 8 extensions) and can go up to 1232 (12 lines, 32 extensions). You can even have two of the 1232 units for a 2464 config (24 lines 64 extensions). They're also hybrid meaning they support digital proprietary handsets, analog proprietary handsets and standard telephones. They also have a variety of optional features including ISDN, DID, voicemail, etc. The smaller systems can be installed by anybody with a bit of communications knowledge and a drill.

    There are some overviews of the Panasonic systems at http://www.ablecomm.com/sysinfo.htm

    Systems then go up the huge systems such as the Lucent Definity. I've used one of these systems in a building I was working in temporarily about 2 years back - it had approximately 7000 extensions and 1000 lines (with a cost to match the size).

    --Shaun
    Shaun Ewing
    shaun.net

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    5,014
    Has anyone here used any of the software solutions for this?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    89

    Software

    Hosticle or any body else.

    Can you recommend a software which is good for this.

    Thanks

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,126
    I got an old phone system sitting in the floor here. Works great. Has about 20 phones and support for 6 phone lines. I might sell for around 300.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    39
    You could try a Cybergenie off of e-bay. Lot's of great features but no support from the company since they folded. There is at least one peer support forum, though.

  15. #15
    angel.com

    cant beat $9.95 a month

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Amherst, NH
    Posts
    241

    Cool Cybergenie...

    Ok, so it's been a while since you put this request in...

    During that time, I actually put a bid in on Ebay, and won a Cybergenie phone system, and I've got to tell you... The thing is GREAT for a home office, or small business that only has a couple of lines. It actually calls me on my cell phone when I get messages. I LOVE that!

    Also, another SITE you can check out is, virtualPBX.com. They seem to have a real nice product as well.


    Hope that helps.

    Steve
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  17. #17
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    381
    Originally posted by justageek
    You could try a Cybergenie off of e-bay. Lot's of great features but no support from the company since they folded. There is at least one peer support forum, though.
    I owned a Cybergenie about 3 years ago when they were still in business. STAY AWAY! The phone system is garbage and will not grow with you.

    Why do you think they went out of business ? ;-)
    Alex B.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    381
    I would **HIGHLY** suggest Bizfon . I recently purchased one of these systems for one of our offices and it's the best bank for the buck. If any of you are seriousilly thinking of purchasing one of these systems email me and I can give you a contact that can get you the system for about 30% off of what they advertises on their site.
    Alex B.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Amherst, NH
    Posts
    241
    Originally posted by successful


    I owned a Cybergenie about 3 years ago when they were still in business. STAY AWAY! The phone system is garbage and will not grow with you.

    Why do you think they went out of business ? ;-)
    Well, yeah, of course it's not going to GROW with me... But, it is great for my business while it is small, and with 3 phones, and the base station it cost less than 100 bucks. Can't go wrong there, even it I don't use it for my business, I can also use it for the house.

    As for why they went out of business, I think that one is obvious. Didn't the system go for like 500 or 900 bucks? Not worth that, but definately worth 100.

    Steve

    And yeah, I like the biz phone systems, and will probably upgrade to one of those next year, or look into leasing a Lucent system, which I know well.
    Steven Santinelli
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  20. #20

    lucent

    I would recommend lucent / avaya - I work with those and they are really friendly and easy to use. I would get a merlin or a used definity

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