need VOIP recommendations.

[fkong777]

VOIP telecoms experts please give me an opinion. Our firm is thinking about going Voip. what is the best way to go? latest and greatest and wont break the company's bank? I'm have not kept up with VOIP since our CEO always fought against it. but it seem we are looking now.

We have 5 office in the California. and about 250 users.
about 3mbps or greater connections to each location.
HQ is running a 100mbps fiber connection.
We are on a digital Nortel phone system. basically a old legacy system that need to be changed out.
Company runs Exchange 2007 if we can get some outlook integration w Voip

We dint have Power on Ethernet switches so I know that is an issue already.

I usually do the research for Technical upgrades but I dont have a clue where to start.

I know its a lot to Ask.. Thanks for your advice.

 

[queenlives]

VOIP telecoms experts please give me an opinion. Our firm is thinking about going Voip. what is the best way to go? latest and greatest and wont break the company's bank? I'm have not kept up with VOIP since our CEO always fought against it. but it seem we are looking now.

We have 5 office in the California. and about 250 users.
about 3mbps or greater connections to each location.
HQ is running a 100mbps fiber connection.
We are on a digital Nortel phone system. basically a old legacy system that need to be changed out.
Company runs Exchange 2007 if we can get some outlook integration w Voip

We dint have Power on Ethernet switches so I know that is an issue already.

I usually do the research for Technical upgrades but I dont have a clue where to start.

I know its a lot to Ask.. Thanks for your advice.

so much information out there, here's a basic starting point (likely very redundant but just in case...):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_Internet_Protocol

several of my clients are asterisk users (open source voip) and love it:

http://www.asterisk.org

 

[Rtype1206]

I've used and implemented "Shoretel IP systems". Why Shoretel? Well definitely for the simplicity and TCO (Total cost of ownership). But you can check out this video on youtube for more info...

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[jond]

My logic in IT has always been, you might get yelled at once for spending 20% more money that someone else, but you'll get yelled at for the next 10 years if you put in a POS system. Cisco is the only choice IMO.


.

 

[slebidia]

We implement and run Shoretel as well. We also do a little bit of Avaya. For easy of management and installation I would go Shoretel. I would steer totally clear of Cisco.

 

[queenlives]

you might get yelled at once for spending 20% more money that someone else, but you'll get yelled at for the next 10 years if you put in a POS system.

man, that applies to soooooooooooo many things in life, doesn't it?

 

[jond]

I would steer totally clear of Cisco.

Why do you say that? Bad experiences with cisco voip?

 

[fkong777]

Shoretel looks good.

My company seems to be interested in Verizon Hosted IP Centrex. with Unlimited local and domestic long distance calls..