[Asterisk-Users] Receptionist Phones (was 3Com Phones)

[Daniel Hazelbaker]

We may end up using a software solution, but there are two main  
issues with a software solution (for us at least):

1) For us in particular, our receptionists have ALWAYS (for the past  
15 years at least) used a physical switchboard style for "routing"  
and seeing availability.  From past hardware->software changes we  
know that it will be very frustrating for them.  For us, it is much  
more worth it to spend $1,000 to buy each of the two receptionists a  
really nice phone that supports these features rather than get a  
cheap software (though very nice) solution.

2) Having a software solution can cause grief and frustration to an  
already overworked receptionist.  Just a few examples (these are not  
as uncommon as one might think): User quits web browser after  
finishing looking something up on-line, doesn't realize they just  
closed out their switchboard until they need it and it is not there.   
User "gets lost" trying to find the right window while trying to not  
sound like an idiot to the person on the phone.  Computer has frozen,  
or otherwise has problems, and must be rebooted.

I do like the look of Asternic, it is very "old-style" and easy to  
get used to, but we would still prefer a hardware solution if  
possible.  We may end up having to say, "sorry but you need to deal  
with this for a while until some bugs in the system are resolved  
(i.e. the 7 line problem), but as soon as a hardware solution is  
available we will switch you back to it."  Hopefully we can find  
something before we switch, but if not it is good to know that  
software solutions are a viable alternative.


> Have you looked that the flash operator panel?
>
> http://www.asternic.org/demo.html
>
> I know you mentioned not wanting a software solution because of  
> confusion
> but I think that would be pretty easy to understand.
>
> Curt
>
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