| we're opening a new office and need a phone system.
let me first explain what I want it to do and then what someone try's to sell me.
there are 5 voice lines (1 main and 4 rollover numbers) and 2 fax lines coming in.
we are 5 employees in the office.
when the customer calls, he should be able to dial the main number, and an extension and get the designated employee.
if that employee is not by his phone, anyone can pick up the call after 3 rings or so, or a mailbox of the designated employee picks up after 5 rings and the customer can leave a message for that employee.
anyone can pickup any line and forward to anyone else.
caller id would be nice but not necessary.
the customer should be told what the names and extension numbers are (by something like an automated attendant)
if the customer doesn't know an employees extension or name (new customer) he can dial 0 for the operator.
now, this is what someone wants to sell me.
norstar CICS 6.1 with caller ID, module to expand to 8 lines and 14 phones.
CallPilot 100 with Automated Attendant and 10 mailboxes (up to 40)
6 phones T7316E phones
total price $2500.00
someone wants to charge me $500.00 to install, configure and give me the basics about the system.
someone else told me that I could use a DataLabsUSA Voice Exec DL-424-2 system with add on module for additional 4 lines and then just buy some cheap regular phones.
this system is under $1000.00 plus whatever phones.
I'm very confused and have no idea about these systems.
there is one more thing.
we use a software called ACT.
we have our customer database on it and when we want to call a customer, we just click on the customers number we want to dial and pick up the phone. the computer then dials the number.
I just found out that this would be a problem because of something like digital phones in the norstar system.
any advise is greatly appreciated.
if you know about a good used or older system that I should look for, and someone who could help with the installation in the broward county area (florida) that would be great too. |