Home Forums Phone system

I have an old Panasonic phone system and am looking to replace it.
Need to have one that accepts 2 incoming lines, has 'automated attendant' at least 3 voicemail boxes with good memory capacity , 3 in office phones with ability to page any phone from another
Be reasonably priced i.e. not $2000, and be programmable by me and easy to install i.e. DIY.
Any suggestions out there?

Hi koby,

I have a 15 year old PBX that is maxed out, but free now. If I needed to upgrade I would look into VoIP, especially if I had reliable and fast Internet.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/260859/voip_buying_guide_for_small_business.html?page=0

http://www.voipreview.org/best-business-voip-system

http://business-voip-review.toptenreviews.com/

Koby, you get what you pay for. For VoIP, I would at least look at a hosted version. You don't uses lines, you have seats, which would be difficult to explain. But, it will do everything you are talking about and MORE. But, it could be pricey

Koby,

We had a new phone system installed not too long ago. We have about 8 phones, voice mail system, automated attendant during lunch and night hours. I think we got the most basic system and there was no way we could have installed it ourselves. Even setting the configuration of the phones, attendant and VM was not easy - the phone people did it and looking through the manual afterwards, it was not something you want to do yourself.

They did hook the phone system up to our network, so we could change the attendant & VM settings through the computer instead of navigating through the buttons on the phone.

That was my experience. I don't know if there's another simpler system that has all those features aside from using an internet one like Onebox. (Looked into it but could not port our numbers and really did not want new phone numbers.)

I had an old Panasonic system that I loved. When it died 3 years ago, I replaced it with a similar system. It is a standard phone system, not VOIP. It is an Avaya Partner system. We have had no problems with it. It has many modules that can be added to the central box, depending on your needs. I have 3 lines and 6 in office phones. It cost about $1600 with installation. I think you can buy these online and self install if you are handy enough.

I am a little reluctant to do VOIP as I like having a system that is still usable in case of a power outage. Although, I am increasingly tired of the ever rising Verizon bills.

I use 8X8 for my voip and we like it a lot!

koby,
I've been using a bizfon 680 POTS system with 2 incoming lines and 6 extensions for the last 10 years. It has auto attendant and voice mail boxes. eBay has these systems frequently - you could likely get a used system for $500-$1000

If you want to play tech:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AT-T-Merlin...ne_Sets_Handsets&hash=item27d5e28611

I have been using a Merlin 410 system for 30 years and had good luck overall. Replaced the main unit with used from eBay a year ago.

Greg

I like Serene's.

It depends exactly what you're looking for (which I know you listed). It's like anything else. There are auto-attendants and then there are auto-attendants. Some have a queue (which is extremely nice), some don't. With VoIP, you have unlimited voice mail. If you connect the phones to a Power Over Internet switch and connect the switch to a high wattage backup, you don't lose your phone service either. (Until 90 minutes or so). The things you can do with VoIP are VERY helpful and very cool. I know you don't want to pay for cool.

One of the coolest things ever is being able to take a phone and plug it into Internet in Japan and it is a local extension phone. Can be used at home. Problem is every phone is a monthly charge.

If it has to be installed, it is probably a very good phone system.

CAVEAT: Just one side of the story. I am sure all of the other suggestions can work just as well. Not trying to belittle them.

When I opened the office, I installed an "AT&T 1070 small business system". I think I got this at Best Buy. I have since expanded by added more phones. They have intercom, 4 lines, and the phone company set me up with mailboxes. This was a few hundred dollars, whereas the phone company wanted thousands to set up their system.