Any telephony and VOIP suppliers / consultants out there?

[Submarine Washer]

Hello

I wonder if you can help me with my planning?

Existing situation:
I'm going to move to a London house that has a huge shed in the back garden. Well, I call it a shed, but it’s a centrally heated, double-glazed brick-built structure for playing snooker in. It’s solid enough to carry gym weights. I don’t play snooker and I’m not a body-builder, but I love doing biz.

The shed has electricity, but the broadband connection predictably terminates in a socket in the main house. It’s big enough for 4 people to work in.

I also subscribe to dropbox, which handles all my and my PA’s storage needs.


The goal:
To run up to five different businesses operating from this shed. All four people will work at all businesses.

I only want one phone system so that internal transferability between phones and also across all ten numbers is a must.
4 of the phones will be in the shed; one on each desk. One phone will be in the main house's sitting room. One will be in the main house's bedroom.

So, the phone rings.
LCD display shows that 0207 000 0001 is being called.
I pick it up and say "ABC Trading, can I help you?"

LCD display shows that 0207 000 0002 is being called.
I pick it up and say "DEF Trading, can I help you?"

LCD display shows that 0207 000 0003 is being called.
I pick it up and say "GHI Trading, can I help you?"

LCD display shows that 0207 000 0004 is being called.
I pick it up and say "JKL Trading, can I help you?"

LCD display shows that 0207 000 0005 is being called.
I pick it up and say "MNO Trading, can I help you?"

Questions:
1. Do I use the broadband coming into the main house and simply run a 30-metre ethernet lead to the shed? One end goes into the wireless router, so does that mean that I need to shove the other end into a patch panel? Although there’s enough space, I don’t want a patch panel and a separate PC to be the server. Aren't patch panels with big fans soooo last decade?

I want to store docs written on any PC into my dropbox account, so no need to network the 4 PCs. Notwithstanding the long Ethernet cable from the main house, shouldn’t I get a separate broadband anyway, maybe one more compatible with VOIP?

Do I buy broadband from you or someone else?
If someone else, then who is your preferred London UK provider?
As far as I’m concerned, this “Up to 20Mbs” is pure bull.
As far as I’m concerned this “Fair usage policy applies” is pure bull.
Reason I want a wired connection: Wireless is bull when your livlihood depends on it.
A single connection is bull - a rodent may chew through the broadband line. Can I have two?

2. Can I have ten sequential numbers, eg 0208 000 0001, 0208 000 002, 0208 000 0003 etc?

3. Can I buy a phone system that will display which number is being dialled so I am able to program it with the company name displayed when I get an incoming call? That way, I know what my greeting should be because I will see which company is being called on the phone's LCD display.

4. Will you ever add any German or Austrian numbers? One of the company's name ends in “GmbH”. Why should this cost more in monthly fees?

5. Can I have a Manhattan 001-212 numbers? One of the company's name ends in “Inc”. Why should this cost more in monthly fees?

6. Can I have a 00 971 Dubai number? Why should this cost more in monthly fees?

7. Can I have call divert to my mobile phone? I understand that calls will cost more - which VOIP provider is the cheapest to dial mobiles?

8. Can I have caller ID?

9. Can I have that 1571 thing so that no physical answering machine is needed? Per telephone number?

9. If I add more phones (if I move bedroom to my loft conversion when it's done), can you come round to install new phone sockets? How long? How much? Heathrow area installation. Is it cheaper to get every upstairs and downstairs room socketed to start with (say ten or twelve sockets in total) and then simply not plug phones into the sockets?

10. If I add more staff, and if these staff work from their own homes, can they call me for free using an internal transfer (i.e. add them as an extension) on the phone system? So you would be supplying a new phone and new VOIP line to each new member of staff?

Phew! That took me ages to think up, let alone write up! I need a cuppa now!

 

[JamieLewis]

Hi,

Only got a few minutes but I'll try and answer what I can.

Recommendations for VoIP .... callagenix, they are nearer the top end of the market price wise but I have found the service to be exceptionally good.

A cheaper alternative I also use is Soho666 ... again pretty good service, although I have had a few teething problems ... but you get what you pay for at the end of the day.

The setup you describe would be very easy to setup, especially with callagenix you could do some pretty clever stuff. Both companies and most out there will allow you to buy pretty much any country/area number and sequenced groups.

Calling VoIP to VoIP is free and calling landlines is greatly reduced etc.

Another alternative would be to run your own Asterisk VoIP server, generally once you get this setup it will run quite nicely with next to no maintenance ... we actually used this as a secondary system to callagenix as it gives you a safety net if either system fails ... few route changes and you can be back up and running in minutes.

In regards to setting up your network then I would run a ethernet cable rather than moving your connection point ... it will be a much quicker and cheaper route to go and you can just simply bury the cable. A patch panel isn't required, you can simply stick it into a hub etc. or if you have multiple NIC's on your server then you could also use that for routing.

Getting a second broadband connection for redundancy purposes would be a very good idea for the setup you are describing.

In regards to diverting to mobiles ... yes you can do that, but it is generally slightly more expensive to do so. You can setup things like group diverts to try extensions in a certain order or all at once etc.

Answer machine ... you will be able to setup so voicemails will just get emailed to you (or you will also have ability to check them like normal answer machines by dialing a number)

Caller ID ... again this will be fine, you should be able to configure how it is treated by your phone systems and setting it to forward the callers ID would be what you are looking for.

Hope that helps a bit, let me know if there is anything that I missed or didn't make sense.

 

[estwig]

I do something similar with my garden office, all be it on a smaller scale. Using snom phones, voipfone and an ethernet cable from the router in the house.

Works like a dream and everything you ask for is doable.

 

[stugster]

Works like a dream

I wish it didn't. Maybe he'd call us more often.

 

[Submarine Washer]

So far, so good. I now have the confidence that it's all do-able and that I'm not asking for magic.

I invite pm's from pros who sell it for a living (and who doesn't?)

 

[estwig]

So far, so good. I now have the confidence that it's do-able and THAT I'm not asking for magic.

I invite pm's from pros who sell it for a living (and who doesn't?)

Why not discuss it on open forum??

I'm always looking for new opportunities, to make better use of and expand on my phone system.

Doing it via pm, kinda defeats the point of a forum.

 

[Submarine Washer]

Er...dunno how.

Shall I find the forum and then cut and paste my question?

 

[estwig]

Er...dunno how.

Shall I find the forum and then cut and paste my question?

Just carry on here, it also offers the opportunity for others to, voice opinions and suggest ideas.

It's up to you, it's not compulsory, yet!

 

[stugster]

Gradwell are quite nice in that everything is included in one small monthly fee. Unlimited* UK and International landline minutes: £25.00 per month (think it's 4000 mins to landlines).

Having said that, they've been a bit flaky the past three months dropping off once every few weeks for an hour or so.

 

[Submarine Washer]

I'll stay 'ere then, as moi syder 'as started to take effect (he said, with visions of the rolling hills of the West Country)

 

[Submarine Washer]

Gradwell are quite nice in that everything is included in one small monthly fee. Unlimited* UK and International landline minutes: £25.00 per month (think it's 4000 mins to landlines).

Having said that, they've been a bit flaky the past three months dropping off once every few weeks for an hour or so.

Free landline calls is bull - who do you know who doesn't have a mobile?
90% of my calls are to mobiles.
Pricing structures based on landlines are bull.

 

[stugster]

Almost all my calls are to landlines, those that aren't are only 6 per minute or something. Not trying to sell you it, just making you aware of an option.

My phone is set up with three different inbound DDI numbers, I answer in "Easy PC Scotland" "Consider IT" etc. If i'm not around, it forwards on to my telephone answering service (landline - so free) and they answer the call.

My mobile's set to forward to my Gradwell if i dont answer it, and thus to the call answering service if i dont answer the landline.

Voicemail is only ever used outside business hours

 

[Submarine Washer]

Dude, your end result sounds good to me, but mine are 95% to 07 numbers...

I got my pen poised over my cheque book - hello pros out the trawl? If I don't spend it on you, I'll spend it on someone else!

(Bladdy English - maybe the title of the post shoulda bin "Who Wants Some? - It's a Quick Easy Job")

 

[stugster]

Send PM to cjd. He's the daddy.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

1. Do I use the broadband coming into the main house and simply run a 30-metre ethernet lead to the shed? One end goes into the wireless router, so does that mean that I need to shove the other end into a patch panel? Although there’s enough space, I don’t want a patch panel and a separate PC to be the server. Aren't patch panels with big fans soooo last decade?
All depends on your adsl speed. If you arerunning from your house, do not extend the phone line (always keep that as short as possible). Use a router and a long lead to a switch. The best solution would be either a good second connection for the business or, best of all, one line for internet, the second for telecoms.


I want to store docs written on any PC into my dropbox account, so no need to network the 4 PCs. Notwithstanding the long Ethernet cable from the main house, shouldn’t I get a separate broadband anyway, maybe one more compatible with VOIP?
Yes, and they all SHOULD be compatible with broadband

Do I buy broadband from you or someone else?
Who is you? Is this a cut/paste question?

If someone else, then who is your preferred London UK provider?
As far as I’m concerned, this “Up to 20Mbs” is pure bull.
As far as I’m concerned this “Fair usage policy applies” is pure bull.
Reason I want a wired connection: Wireless is bull when your livlihood depends on it.
A single connection is bull - a rodent may chew through the broadband line. Can I have two?
What?


2. Can I have ten sequential numbers, eg 0208 000 0001, 0208 000 002, 0208 000 0003 etc?
Yes - speak to your VoIP supplier about that

3. Can I buy a phone system that will display which number is being dialled so I am able to program it with the company name displayed when I get an incoming call? That way, I know what my greeting should be because I will see which company is being called on the phone's LCD display.
Yes - these can cost from a few hundred pounds or you can build one yourself, if you have an old PC!


4. Will you ever add any German or Austrian numbers? One of the company's name ends in “GmbH”. Why should this cost more in monthly fees?
More cut/paste?

5. Can I have a Manhattan 001-212 numbers? One of the company's name ends in “Inc”. Why should this cost more in monthly fees?
Speak to a VoIP supplier


6. Can I have a 00 971 Dubai number? Why should this cost more in monthly fees?
Speak to a VoIP supplier

7. Can I have call divert to my mobile phone? I understand that calls will cost more - which VOIP provider is the cheapest to dial mobiles?
Yes
8. Can I have caller ID?
Standard
9. Can I have that 1571 thing so that no physical answering machine is needed? Per telephone number?
?? Voicemail should be a nor cost standard on modern VoIP systems

9. If I add more phones (if I move bedroom to my loft conversion when it's done), can you come round to install new phone sockets? How long? How much? Heathrow area installation. Is it cheaper to get every upstairs and downstairs room socketed to start with (say ten or twelve sockets in total) and then simply not plug phones into the sockets?
You can - but you need network sockets

10. If I add more staff, and if these staff work from their own homes, can they call me for free using an internal transfer (i.e. add them as an extension) on the phone system? So you would be supplying a new phone and new VOIP line to each new member of staff?
Yes
Phew! That took me ages to think up, let alone write up! I need a cuppa now!

 

[acraven]

Hi

I've just been having a look over your posts and I'm very confident that I can give you a solution to all your questions.

If you're free for a chat at any point, please let me know as I'd be more than happy to discuss your requirements. My direct number is 01244 458599.

Many thanks

Andy

 

[akirk]

I would again support voipfone who are members on here - who we use (though not as complex a set up) they have been very good.

Alasdair

 

[Businesswise Solutions]

I will post my solution tomorrow when I get back to the office

Regards

 

[cjd]

That's all pretty doable and mostly simple.


The goal:
To run up to five different businesses operating from this shed. All four people will work at all businesses.

>>>>OK


I only want one phone system so that internal transferability between phones and also across all ten numbers is a must.
4 of the phones will be in the shed; one on each desk. One phone will be in the main house's sitting room. One will be in the main house's bedroom.

>>>>OK

So, the phone rings.
LCD display shows that 0207 000 0001 is being called.
I pick it up and say "ABC Trading, can I help you?"

LCD display shows that 0207 000 0002 is being called.
I pick it up and say "DEF Trading, can I help you?"

LCD display shows that 0207 000 0003 is being called.
I pick it up and say "GHI Trading, can I help you?"

LCD display shows that 0207 000 0004 is being called.
I pick it up and say "JKL Trading, can I help you?"

LCD display shows that 0207 000 0005 is being called.
I pick it up and say "MNO Trading, can I help you?"

>>>>That's simple. You use the free feature of our system called Line Presentation. That sends the number that your caller dialled to your phone. You add the number plus the business name into the directory of each phone and, voila, the business called pops up on the phone's screen

Questions:
1. Do I use the broadband coming into the main house and simply run a 30-metre ethernet lead to the shed? One end goes into the wireless router, so does that mean that I need to shove the other end into a patch panel? Although there's enough space, I don't want a patch panel and a separate PC to be the server. Aren't patch panels with big fans soooo last decade?

>>>These days you just use a small switch. You don't need a server. If you can, you should run a CAT 5 or 6 cable. Otherwise experiment with ethernet plugs that use your mains electrical circuits (BUT if your shed has its own consumer unit - it may not work.)

I want to store docs written on any PC into my dropbox account, so no need to network the 4 PCs. Notwithstanding the long Ethernet cable from the main house, shouldn't I get a separate broadband anyway, maybe one more compatible with VOIP?

>>>>For 5 phones and 5 PCs using the internet you absolutely must have two broadband connections and use one just for the PCs and one just for VoIP

Do I buy broadband from you or someone else?
If someone else, then who is your preferred London UK provider?
As far as I'm concerned, this "Up to 20Mbs" is pure bull.
As far as I'm concerned this "Fair usage policy applies" is pure bull.
Reason I want a wired connection: Wireless is bull when your livlihood depends on it.
A single connection is bull - a rodent may chew through the broadband line. Can I have two?

>>>>You can buy broadband from anybody. As you need two, I'd recommend dual sourcing. If you bought the VoIP broadband from us, you can guarantee our end to end support - otherwise we'll just blame your ISP if you have a problem (no we won't)

2. Can I have ten sequential numbers, eg 0208 000 0001, 0208 000 002, 0208 000 0003 etc?

>>>> Yes, no problem.

3. Can I buy a phone system that will display which number is being dialled so I am able to program it with the company name displayed when I get an incoming call? That way, I know what my greeting should be because I will see which company is being called on the phone's LCD display.

>>>> Yes, no problem

4. Will you ever add any German or Austrian numbers? One of the company's name ends in "GmbH". Why should this cost more in monthly fees?

>>>>We already have German numbers. They cost £1 per month more than a UK number (which costs £1.99). They cost more because they cost us more....


5. Can I have a Manhattan 001-212 numbers? One of the company's name ends in "Inc". Why should this cost more in monthly fees?

>>>>Nope. Can't do that yet. But we do have US freephone numbers

6. Can I have a 00 971 Dubai number? Why should this cost more in monthly fees?

>>>> VoIP is illegal in Dubai......

7. Can I have call divert to my mobile phone? I understand that calls will cost more - which VOIP provider is the cheapest to dial mobiles?

>>>>>Yes. We charge 12p per minute for a divert. We're not the cheapest and you don't want to use the cheapest.

8. Can I have caller ID?

>>>Yes, so long as you own the number.

9. Can I have that 1571 thing so that no physical answering machine is needed? Per telephone number?

>>>>Yes, it's free with every number. Plus the messages are sent as MP3 files to your email.

9. If I add more phones (if I move bedroom to my loft conversion when it's done), can you come round to install new phone sockets? How long? How much? Heathrow area installation. Is it cheaper to get every upstairs and downstairs room socketed to start with (say ten or twelve sockets in total) and then simply not plug phones into the sockets?

>>>Nope - installation of local networks is down to you - we provide the services to plug into them. But for internal home use, a better solution is to use wireless - VoIP plus DECT.

10. If I add more staff, and if these staff work from their own homes, can they call me for free using an internal transfer (i.e. add them as an extension) on the phone system? So you would be supplying a new phone and new VOIP line to each new member of staff?


>>>>Yes. Simples.

You've got a lot to think about here, I suggest you have a look round our site and forums, then give us a call on 020 7043 5555 and talk it through with one of the guys/gals.

Some info:
Our prices: http://www.voipfone.co.uk/prices_new.php
VoIP PBX: http://www.voipfone.co.uk/switchboard_and_hosted_PBX_services.php
Line Presentation: http://www.voipfone.co.uk/Line_And_Number_Presentation.php
Broadband:http://www.voipfone.co.uk/broadband.php

 

[andy@telecomhelpcouk]

Questions:
1. Do I use the broadband coming into the main house and simply run a 30-metre ethernet lead to the shed? One end goes into the wireless router, so does that mean that I need to shove the other end into a patch panel? Although there's enough space, I don't want a patch panel and a separate PC to be the server. Aren't patch panels with big fans soooo last decade?

Needs a survey ideally. We can move the BT line to either position using proper external cable, at least one external Cat5 cable run will be needed.

I want to store docs written on any PC into my dropbox account, so no need to network the 4 PCs. Notwithstanding the long Ethernet cable from the main house, shouldn't I get a separate broadband anyway, maybe one more compatible with VOIP?

Easy to do, can be combined on a dual port Router for redundancy, prices start at £18 pcm for business class aDSL

Do I buy broadband from you or someone else?
If someone else, then who is your preferred London UK provider?
As far as I'm concerned, this "Up to 20Mbs" is pure bull.
As far as I'm concerned this "Fair usage policy applies" is pure bull.
Reason I want a wired connection: Wireless is bull when your livlihood depends on it.
A single connection is bull - a rodent may chew through the broadband line. Can I have two?

See above. Broadband should be supplied based on quality not speed. All cabling needs to be external grade with redundancy. Wireless and VoIP = disaster

2. Can I have ten sequential numbers, eg 0208 000 0001, 0208 000 002, 0208 000 0003 etc?

Yes. Our preferred Supplier gives you 10 sequential numbers for free, these can be tagged on the phones with the relevant company name.

3. Can I buy a phone system that will display which number is being dialled so I am able to program it with the company name displayed when I get an incoming call? That way, I know what my greeting should be because I will see which company is being called on the phone's LCD display.

Yes, how about referencing a companywide database and 'screen-popping' the caller's name.

4. Will you ever add any German or Austrian numbers? One of the company's name ends in "GmbH". Why should this cost more in monthly fees?
5. Can I have a Manhattan 001-212 numbers? One of the company's name ends in "Inc". Why should this cost more in monthly fees?
6. Can I have a 00 971 Dubai number? Why should this cost more in monthly fees?

Yes, have to check cost depending on what variant you want (Intl Freephone, Lo-cost, etc).

7. Can I have call divert to my mobile phone? I understand that calls will cost more - which VOIP provider is the cheapest to dial mobiles?

Calls to mobiles start at 6ppm, however I'd set you up with a company mobile contract with a spare SIM plugged into a GSM Gateway. Calls within plan will be free, you choose the correct plan for the minutes needed.

8. Can I have caller ID?

Comes as standard or can be restricted on a call by call basis.

9. Can I have that 1571 thing so that no physical answering machine is needed? Per telephone number?

We'll install personal and company wide voicemail, which can be forwarded to email as .wav attch for archiving, copying or pickup via Blackberry/Android/Internet browser.

9. If I add more phones (if I move bedroom to my loft conversion when it's done), can you come round to install new phone sockets? How long? How much? Heathrow area installation. Is it cheaper to get every upstairs and downstairs room socketed to start with (say ten or twelve sockets in total) and then simply not plug phones into the sockets?

We're phone and IT Engineers based in Twickenham so very close, A proper survey needed to ascertain how difficult it will be to hide the cabling in your house. We're fully experienced cabling office buildings to Grade 1 listed properties.

10. If I add more staff, and if these staff work from their own homes, can they call me for free using an internal transfer (i.e. add them as an extension) on the phone system? So you would be supplying a new phone and new VOIP line to each new member of staff?

Remote workers can be placed anywhere with an internet connection, even using a dialler on their Smartphone to call to and from your lines. Outdialling Caller IDs can be flexible to match that of the company represented for that call.

Can I come around for a survey before you put your chequebook away? I can have you a demo setup working tomorrow (Thursday 30th). Andy