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| RMS implements a WRAP-based PBX system |
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| Using a WRAP 1-2 and a WRAP 2 Indoor for a cost effective and powerful PBX system |
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I currently work as an IT manager for a computer software company based in Melbourne with branch offices in QLD, UK and India. As such we provide a customer support desk consisting of around 13 employees spread around all 4 offices.
Up until we implemented the solution below our 4 offices all had separate phone numbers and no ability to route or transfer support calls to staff in other offices.
Having investigated the Open Source Asterisk IP PBX system for several years I became convinced that we could utilise a combination of WRAP systems and Asterisk to not only replace our ageing Commander PBX system but to also extend the phone system to our interstate and overseas offices without incurring the complexity and costs associated with traditional PBX systems.
Having toyed with standard PC's running Linux and Asterisk I found that it was entirely possible to set up a 100% VOIP phone network offering features only available to PBX systems costing upwards of $30,000.00 (not including leased lines between offices etc).
At this point I was considering several important factors.
- Stability and reliability
- Overall cost
- Physical size
After experimenting with a WRAP 1-2 with ASTLINUX installed I was easily able to replace a full size PC which was (up until then) acting as the main PBX.
The stability of the system is so good that I have only needed to reboot it once in 6 months. Having absolutely no moving parts (Hard Disk Drives, CPU Fans etc) makes this platform extremely reliable (and gives me much needed peace of mind).
We then installed a WRAP 2 Indoor into our interstate office in QLD and also installed ASTLINUX. The two systems were then interlinked over a dedicated 512/512 ADSL link at both ends.
The total ingredients for our network include:
Some of the features that we utilise from the Asterisk system running on the WRAPs include:
- Completely customisable IVR (menu) system
- Music on Hold - Streamed from MP3 tracks saved onto the CF Card
- Customisable Dial Plans
- Hunt Groups
- Call Queues
- Voice Mail
- Conferencing
- Interlinked Servers allow us to route support calls to any one of our 4 offices depending on the time of day and specific requirements as needed.
For a total outlay of only $7000.00 including handsets, or around $1000.00 excluding handsets, we now enjoy a fully functional, reliable and cheap phone system that has the added benefit of being completely customisable as our needs change and allows us to take advantage of extraordinary cost savings using VOIP for our external calls.
What was costing us around $5000.00 per month for between 3000 and 4000 phone calls now costs around $500.00.
ASTERISK running on WRAP 1-2 supporting 33 SIP IP phones 
The WRAPs are a fantastic platform that can be used for so many applications where stability, reliability, cost and features are paramount.
Great stuff, Yawarra.
- Tim Curtis, IT Manager, RMS Australia / Owner QuickSwitch PBX Solutions
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