Hello,

I am looking for looking for an IP phone solution for a small business that only has maybe 2 or 3 small locations in different cities or in the same.

I am looking for a system that can start as analog and then grow when the company grows to go to IP. Looking for inexpensive.. but who isn't

Thank for any idea's

Egad! Not 3com. Seriously, I have had several customers pull these out after just a few months. We do not sell them, but I have seen them in action. The vmail is seriously archaic compared to he cheapest flash based digital out there. Stay away from 3com, IMHO. Perhapse it is just a case of poor dealers in the area that do not know how to program them, but I have not seen good things.

"Small" is relative, how small are these systems you are thinking about? In my opinion I would say that in your scenario to look at a hybrid system rather than full IP. There are a lot of great hybrid systems out there...Vodavi, Samsung...etc. If you need a full IP system that is cheap and good...well that does not really exist yet. Cheap, yes...good, no.

Linksys (cisco) has an IP system that looks pretty nifty, but I do not have direct experience with it. Check it out though. It is inexpensive and at least has a name to back it...whatever that is worth.

Steve

Wow, did not realize there were hybrid systems. I will look into the one's you have mentioned. I appreciate any more information or recommendations you may have on "hybrid" phone systems.

Thanks!

Troy:

Steve mentioned Vodavi, and I can assist you with details about their systems. Their XTS family of systems are full hybrids and use traditional telephone system architecture. This is especially useful for installations where there are multiple systems that need to tie together or where remote users exist. Both scenarios are easily handled with IP, while using much more reasonably-priced phones and cards.

The XTSc-IP can provide up to 44 stations and 28 trunks. In it's basic configurations (without IP), it prices out very well. Since it comes out of the box as 4 x 8, plus two analog extensions, it's ideal to support the small office sites.

The XTS-IP can provide up to 376 ports of trunks and or stations (one port each). There are certain limitations there.

The XTS600-IP can provide up to 600 ports of trunks and or stations, again one port each, with maximum limits of trunks or stations.

Systems can be networked together via VoIP to create literally thousands of stations and trunks. We have even done this with two systems within the same closet to expand capacity.

The same VIOP cards and phones can be added to any of the above systems, so growth can be easily managed. They are definitely worth looking into.

I mentioned both Samsung and Vodavi, but I gotta agree with Ed here, I like the XTSc-IP better than a samsung. They are really a great system that is cost effective and has just about every feature you could ask for!

Steve

What about warranty and the service? Any information on these subjects would be very helpful.

Troy:

Vodavi warrants all parts on the XTS series, except the voice mail, for five years. Most dealers only extend a labor and support warranty for one or two years. After that, the parts warranty doesn't cost the customer (except possibly an exchange fee for the defective part from the dealer). The dealer would still need to be paid for labor unless there is a maintenance contract established to cover this.

You can get plenty of information on their Web site (www.Vodavi.com). If you need to contact their regional manager for your area, let me know and I will get you their contact information.