subject: How Voip Service Can Help Reduce Your Calling Costs - Recession Or No Recession [print this page] . There are a variety of reasons that a new ShoreTel installation might need to integrate with the old, in place or "legacy" PBX phone system. You might be installing the ShoreTel at the first location of a multi-site installation with the rest of the sites coming on line as older equipment leases expire.
PBX's typically use a tandem tie-line to join systems together. The ShoreTel, in this instance, would know the dial plan of the other PBX extensions and know which users lived in which PBX. If a ShoreTel user dials and extension number or receives a call for an extension known to live across the tie-line, the call is sent to the other PBX. The tie-line is typically define as part of a trunk group that outlines a list of "off-premise extensions". The ShoreTel can also provide digit translation and manipulation to accommodate over lapping dial plans.
MAIN FEATURES Skype must be used with a computer, but this also allows simultaneous sending of files and even chat and free video calls. The downside is access to some 911 and 411 services. Other services like voice mail are offered for a fee. You can get a local number using the Skype Out service. Skype is downloadable to smart cell phones and many Wi-Fi and cordless phones already have Skype built in. Vonage is feature rich and advertises their features as the reason why users should want to pay $24.95 a month because they get call waiting and forwarding and have access to emergency (911) and information (411) services. The Vonage $24.95 monthly fee includes 25 features such as voice mail, caller ID blocking, caller ID with name, call return and many others.
To avail the services, the user just need to register on the websites by submitting some of his details and after that he can enjoy making cheap international calls. Moreover, the user can also seek the help of various service providers which offers cheap calling plans. Some of the service provider offers free internet calls. With the ease of such facility, the user can easily make free calls along with utilizing the various calling features like call waiting, call conference, video call.
-Billing/customer service Skype leads the way with prepaid call credits for the infrequent international caller while heavier users can choose among a number of packages. Skype offers live computer chat and e-mail support. Vonage has a toll free line available to speak to a real live person, although you may spend a significant chunk of your life waiting for one to come on the line. As with any telecom provider, one must always be ready for billing errors, bill cramming, early termination fees, rebate cancellations, etc. And worse, to try and resolve these problems users will often be speaking to a customer service rep in reading from a script and has little ability to interpret what is actually going on or what the issue is.
ShoreTel as VM is a powerful migration strategy and a win/win for both client and vendor. Finding someone, however, that has a demonstrated competency in legacy integrations for both ShoreTel as PBX and ShoreTel as VM, complete with a client list that can be referenced is an essential element of a successful solution and implementation.
