asterisk users - Sep 2005 - A few questions before final proposal...

I am attempting to assemble a proposal for a client of mine that is 
looking to replace their phone system. I think it's a good first 
installation with 4 POTS incoming and 15 extensions, with an overhead 
paging system. I also think that it would make a good case for OSS 
applications in general.

Being new to * I have a few more questions, but won?t flood the list 
with them. I?m not new to Linux, but new to *. I am a bit hesitant to 
push * as a solution for this client, mostly due to my limited knowledge 
of * and its features, I am concerned that 1.) The phones I chose will 
not fit their needs, and 2.) * will not provide the features that they 
need. Things like shared line appearances. 3.) Phone Compatibility; The 
Bugetone 2000 has been highly recommended, but I'm still looking at 
Polycom (501) and Aastra phones (9133i). How are your experiences with 
these phones? Is there a better model for supporting advanced features? 
Features like FollowMe, Share Line Appearances, etc?

Being my first install, should there be anything that I should keep in 
mind? I have read voip-info sections regarding rollouts, but as always, 
help from the community is greatly welcomed.

What are the general thoughts on the O?Reilly book?

~kurth
Kurth Bemis
AIM: Evil Santabot

On Mon, 2005-09-05 at 01:31 -0400, Kurth Bemis wrote:
> I am attempting to assemble a proposal for a client of mine that is 
> looking to replace their phone system. I think it's a good first 
> installation with 4 POTS incoming and 15 extensions, with an overhead 
> paging system. I also think that it would make a good case for OSS 
> applications in general.
> 
> Being new to * I have a few more questions, but won?t flood the list 
> with them. I?m not new to Linux, but new to *. I am a bit hesitant to 
I would suggest that you find a local asterisk 'consultant' who is
willing to help you get your feet wet. Maybe you can budget an extra
couple of hundred dollars, but it will be worth it having someone to
turn to for assistance.

As far as handsets, I'd suggest the Polycom IP600 (since it has more
line appearances that the IP500, and it just looks a little nicer).
Otherwise, I've never used them, and I really like the polycom's, but I
keep hearing that the snom phones handle shared call appearances really
well, and they have more of them etc....

The only other issue I'd be wary of is all the echo issues associated
with analog lines.

Oh, and the overhead paging could get a bit tricky depending on the
specific requirements (I've never done any paging at all, so I'm not so
sure about that).

So, from a feature point of view, asterisk can do most anything demanded
of it, and usually so much more, but things like shared line appearances
are easier using FOP than a led on a phone....

Regards,
Adam

Adam,

Thanks for your help.

Does anyone know or is anyone an * guru in the New Hampshire/Vermont area?

how about this example.

User1 sits at his desk, a call comes in.(doesn?t matter how the call 
gets to his phone, DID or exten) he needs to go into the warehouse to 
look at something.  He places the call on hold, notes the line and goes 
to the warehouse.  Once there, he picks up another handset, presses the 
button for the line he would like to pickup.  How is this done with 
FOP?  Everyone has access to FOP, not just the system operator?  Would 
the user be better off transferring the call to that phone in the warehouse?

How have others implemented this feature?

~kurth

Extensions.conf: include => parkedcalls
Features.conf:

; Sample Parking configuration
;

[general]
parkext => 700                  ; What ext. to dial to park
parkpos => 701-720              ; What extensions to park calls on
context => parkedcalls          ; Which context parked calls are in

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com
[mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] Namens Kurth Bemis
Verzonden: maandag 5 september 2005 8:14
Aan: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
Onderwerp: Re: [Asterisk-Users] A few questions before final proposal...

Adam,

Thanks for your help.

Does anyone know or is anyone an * guru in the New Hampshire/Vermont
area?

how about this example.

User1 sits at his desk, a call comes in.(doesn't matter how the call 
gets to his phone, DID or exten) he needs to go into the warehouse to 
look at something.  He places the call on hold, notes the line and goes 
to the warehouse.  Once there, he picks up another handset, presses the 
button for the line he would like to pickup.  How is this done with 
FOP?  Everyone has access to FOP, not just the system operator?  Would 
the user be better off transferring the call to that phone in the
warehouse?

How have others implemented this feature?

~kurth

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