Trying to clairify the confusing world of VoIP

I'm working with a business that is using a hosted IP service called Worksmart. We provide the physical phones which are Polycom VoIP phones. We configure our phones to work over a T1 line to their server and it functions for the most part.

As our business is scaling up and we hire more people, the cost effectiveness of this solution ($25+minutes for each user) is starting to not look so good.

I'm trying to see about setting up an inhouse solution comprised of whatever hardware and software is required, and see if we can't come up with a more economical way of doing it.

So far i've seen a number of solutions, but in the end, all of them seem to require a $XX/month per user in order to connect to normal telephone numbers.

From what I understand:

I need a server that runs special software, and the software itself
I need the standard router/switch/cables etc,
I need VoIP phones or normal phones hooked up to some other peice of hardware.
I need some way to connect to the internet (T1)

Do I really need to pay somebody a fee per user in order make and receive phone calls from the normal phone network?

If it's just 1 or 2 real digit phone numbers, and everything else is just an in-house extention, is there any way to do it without involving having to pay per user?

Am I understanding all this right? Am I missing something?

I can't edit the above as it's been too long, however, let me try and simplify my questions:


Is it possible for me to setup a system for under $50k or so that does not require a third party to connect me to the PSTN?

Hi jmattison

Welcome to voipuser.

Ok lets start from the top.

Yo will need to pay someone for your PSTN numbers and outgoing calls but nowhere near $25 per user. what you need is a DDI range of numbers, these are a sequential block of numbers with one per extension. then you will need outgoing trunks, often these are free if you use the suppliers incoming service.

As to cost you dont mention how many users so its hard to say if $50K would cover it, But it should. you just need a IPPBX and phones.

basicly have a google you will come up with many solutions, you just need to work out which one suites your needs

Ian

Thank you for your reply.

I have about 15 users and want to scale up to closer to 50.

$25/user at that rate is a little higher than i'd like, and we wanted to see if we could get a more flat-rate setup.

I've googled many solutions so far (even ended up finding this site in my research) but none seem to be a flat-rate setup.

Do you know off hand if such a flat-rate deal is realistic, or is it standard to do a $$/mo/user setup for VoIP?

If per user/per month is standard, what is a fair price?

The magic number of extensions to make hosted PBX systems cost ineffective is about 15. A few more to justify an all singing all dancing PBX in a call centre. A few less if you can do it yourself.

You have already justified installing your own PBX (of any flavour).

There is no substitute for getting pen, paper and calculator out and having at good look at what you actually have, are using and intend to have and use. But a few thoughts.

How many DDI's do you really need?
Sales departments and similar public facing departments are often better off with a single contact number and calls answered on a group basis.
Much over 20 extensions, the proportion of phones that are involved in external calls drops significantly and most calls are likely to be internal. It is pointless swallowing up external bandwidth for them or even paying for them.

Regarding a fair price and flat rate deals.
I can only offer what I do here in the UK. £50/month for all landline calls and 10 DDI numbers.