1 vonage line, office with 3 phones/extensions... how?

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 08, 2006 Posts: 1

I'll just lay it all out:

I have 1 Vonage line as my phone service.

I want to have a phone at every desk. 3 right now.

I want each phone to have an extension, NOT its own actual number.

I want each phone's extension to have it's own voicemail box, NOT the Vonage voicemail, my internal phone systems voicemail.

I want my secretary to be able to answer the call, and then send it to my extension. But also, If she's not there, I'd want my phone to be able to answer and transfer calls too.

How is this accomplished? Do I need special Voip phones? or can I get a small phone system and just plug the Vonage line into it, and it will handle the extensions. Either way, are there some phone packages out there I can look at buying?

Thanks ahead of time.

Posts: 52 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 21, 2004 Posts: 52

Eflowers:

To do this you are really looking at installing a PBX/KSU system.The problem is most of these are pricey - especially when you add voiec mail.

Here is a small system I have used in residences:
Panasonic PBX/KSU
This system does not include vociemail.

for voicemail modules on PBX/KSU systems expect to spend 300-600$ more, plus the KSU will probably be larger.

Plus remember that you must use specific phones paired with the PBX/KSU and special wiring - 4-8 wires-(expensive)

For 3 extensions and 3 voicemailboxes you might
consider "hybridizing"
just get a multi-line/multihandset cordless - that has an internal answering machine with multiple mailboxes.
like:
vtech

I use this at home - I have 5 Vonage lines (1 is a fax)

Panasonic 4 line cordless

The problem with the cordless solution is usually all phones will ring on incoming calls - and you might have conflicts with other wireless equipment (wi-fi)
The higher end ones have a Do not disturb functions but then usually you lose the mailbox capability

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:26 am Post subject:

You're looking at getting a PBX. The Panasonic systems were my favorite for a long time, but alas, Panasonic seems to be discontinuing them (except for the smaller ones), which is a shame. I'd still buy one, but it's disappointing that they don't see the value of them.

As an alternative, you could try to do an Asterisk PBX or one of the cheaper IP PBXs. Both Aastra & Linksys have IP PBXs with voice mail that are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Asterisk requires a bit of setup, but the price is right -- free for the software/voicemail/etc, but you'd still need to buy phones or analog adapters for each extension.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 05, 2006 Posts: 2

Panasonic is most certainly not discontinuing their phone systems!

We have just added the newest panasonic phone system: KX-TA824

this model is a much appreciated upgrade of the KX-TA624 (which we used here in our office). The TA824 improves upon the TA624 by including GUI PROGRAMMING! No more messy hyperterminal, nor using the phones keypad to program. EVERYTHING, including logging and intial setup, can be accessed via the included windows software.

We love it!

And we thank you for linking to us (how I found this thread)

Here is a coupon code for 10% off any purchase at SmartHomeUSA:
SH103106 (expires 10/31/06)

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:29 pm Post subject:

I was thinking of their KX-TD series, which I've installed a few dozen of (and really liked)... but alas, they've discontinued those. I've mostly gone to Asterisk (Trixbox) for everything now. Can't beat the $30/extension cost.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 05, 2006 Posts: 2

Ok, that series we are currently not carrying.

Thank you for the information though; if they are discontinuing the products, we will look into purchasing some stock. So look for the KX-TD at close out prices on our website in the near future. www.smarthomeusa.com

thanks again