[Asterisk-Users] Help please

[Walker Haddock]

On Wed, Nov 19, 2003 at 09:52:13AM -0700, Michael Welter wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> My PBX/key system failed when building power was switched off and then 
> back on.  The service rep says the PBX unit is so old that it is not 
> repairable.
> 
> The unit has 8 incoming POTS lines and 12 multiline sets.  There are 
I have a client running 9 incomming PRI lines with their 768K internet all on one T-1.  Works very well.  I have another client with 4 pots lines.  Works OK, but you have some problems with call detection.

> voice mailboxes on each line.
Voice mail is excellent with Asterisk.  Very flexible.

> 
> Switching to Qwest's Centrex system would cost about $3800/yr.  My 8 
> business lines now cost $3320/yr, so the Centrex increment would be 
> about $480/yr.
With Asterisk you would be looking at an initial fixed price investment and about 20% of that per year for support.  The cost for pots lines vs. T1 for the PBX would be about the same.  You would need to check with LECs and CLECs to determine the most economical way to deliver the PSTN services to your office.
> 
> Purchasing a new PBX would run anywhere from $4K to $9K.
> 
> My questions are:  should I be considering Asterisk?  What type of 
> telephone set could I use with Asterisk?  Would I be able to conference 
> outside parties into a call?  Would I have voice mail?
Absolutely consider Asterisk.
You can use standard POTs style phones, some ADSI phones and SIP phones.  The Cisco 7960 is very nice.

You can set up Meetme conferences and you can conference many incoming calls to the same connection.  If you have VoIP channels you could conference them in as well.  The client I mentioned above using the T1 PRI does depositions on the conferences.  We've had conferences up for 7 hours!

Yes, Voicemail is very good and flexible.
> 
Walker
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********   DataCrest, Inc. -- Technically Superior   ******************
Walker Haddock                       http://www.datacrest.com
DataCrest, Inc.                    e-mail:  wh at datacrest.com
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