Frequently asked questions about VoIP

Isn't VoIP more expensive?

At the contrary.
The initial investment is already lower than the conventional solutions. In addition, VoIP offers you the flexibility to use multiple providers. For example, if you are calling a lot to France, you can use the cheapest provider specifically for that country. You can save a lot on both national and international calls.

What's the difference with Skype?

3CX uses the open SIP protocol which means that the quality of the system continuously improves. This also provides a greater compatibility and a free choice of phones; this in comparison to Skype that is not compatible with other services or competitor material. You can also use Skype to call a classical landline but also here you're stuck to tarrifs which can be freely decided by Skype.

Should my people then start calling via their PC?

Your collaborators can call through their PC and even their smartphone. And these 3CX clients are completely free.

This doesn't mean you can't also use a fixed or portable DECT IP phone.
All fixed phones using the SIP standard can be used with 3CX.
Supported phones can even be automatically configured (provisioned) through the 3CX management console.

Even classical analog phones can be uses provided you add an analog gateway.

Make sure to contact us if you have any more questions on the subject..

Is VoIP always calling via Internet?

Not at all. You could perfectly continue using classical analog or ISDN landlines.

That being said these technologies are slowly fading out. More and more people choose SIP (calling over the internet) because this is cheaper and more flexible.

Even the big national providers have now started moving their customers to SIP trunks.

Is it really reliable, because you hear so many bad stories about VoIP?

VoIP and SIP calling (internet) are very relianble and provide higher sound quality than classical lines. Partly because of that and because of cost cutting the big phone providers are now replacing their analog and ISDN lines by SIP trunks.

Given the fact that Fly By Wire now already has over 100 customers working with 3CX and SIP lines, you can count on this being a reliable solution. Otherwise we would have dropped it for years :-)

Doesn't a PC/server break down faster?

The computer or server on which you install your 3CX PABX hardly gets stressed because 3CX requires very little from this machine. And your hardware easily lasts 5 years.
Add to that that many customers use virtual servers. In that case the IT department decides when to buy new hardware to run these VMs.

Also the reinstallation of 3CX on a new machine and restoration of the configuration from a backup is very easy and fast.

If however your big (huge) classical PABX has a prolem after about 5 years you need to bring a technician on-site to replace hardware and more. Add to that the higher purchase cost of these PABX solutions.
 

Should I replace my whole network?

Not at all.

The 3CX PABX and phones can simply be added to your existing network and can even communicate with the 3CX Phone on your computer.

Many phones even have an internal gigabit switch so you'll only need one wall patch for both your phone and computer.

Will I be calling via Voice over IP?

VoIP actually represents your internal system.
Your 3CX centrale, phones and soft clients are connected to your computer network and are thus indeed 'voice over IP'.

That doesn't mean however you also need to call over the internet (SIP).
You could perfectly stick to ISDN or analog.

Should I replace my fax when I change to VoIP?

As far as faxes are still used today you could keep the machines for incoming and outgoing faxes.

However consider the following.
Isn't it more practical to have incoming faxes delivered as a PDF in a shared mailbox?
Adn what if you could send outgoing faxes right from your computer from Word or a scanned document?

What will change for me as a user when I make the switch?

Actually very little changes.

At the same time you get a lot of functionality you didn't have before. Whether you use these or not is completely up to you.

A nice advantage of a 3CX PABX for example is that you no longer have to dial a 0 or 9 for an outside line.
3CX recognises internal numbers. If the dialled number is not reconised, 3CX will check its 'outbound rules' and place the call through the desired route.
Could it be any simpler?

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