atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums VOIP Phones & IP PBX VoIP & Cloud Phones, Hosted PBX, General IP Phones What's all this VoIP stuff anyway?

It has also been said that those who teach history are doomed to repeat it. :toothy:

So in my networking class we were talking about servers...and my teacher mentioned getting one of Microsoft's 'phone systems' to set up in the class. Lord help me...

Jeff, for Pete's sake keep your head down. John C.

In a nutshell...schools get lots of federal money for IT gear, but no money for telcom gear. VOIP is IT gear, analog intercoms and phone systems are not.

Like it or not, the RJ-45 jack is the future.

I wouldn't count on it. I remember years ago the new must have technology at that time was "digital". Most systems were digital in some way and all worked as well as another, but the ones that sold the best were the ones that said "digital" on them.

This just goes to show what the customer perception is. VoIP can mean different things to the educated but to the customer it means only one thing- it's something they should have. And as long as it has the VoIP tag on it that's what they want.

To answer your statement about schools getting federal money for IT gear, I doubt there is a list of approved phone systems. I think even a system with digital phones would qualify as long as it said VoIP somewhere on the box.

-Hal

There's no need for a list of approved systems.
If it is IP based, it qualifies for federal funds by default as it is IP technology.

This has been an industry approach for the last several years. The Cisco-Berbee relationship is a good example of this approach. Avaya also uses this approach. As previously stated, it's easier/quicker/less cumbersome for school systems to get technology funds than it is to submit request for new comminucation systems which tend to get lost in the red tape.

Basically, if it connects to a network, sends data, and is routed through a switch, it is catogorized as IP gear and qualifies for federal technology funds.

Just my two cents...

There's no need for a list of approved systems... Basically, if it connects to a network, sends data, and is routed through a switch, it is catogorized as IP gear and qualifies for federal technology funds.

I can do that with a Partner. Guess I'm missing some markets.


-Hal

Wow, that's strange to hear. My company just completed installing a TDM system in a new middle school this summer and will be installing two more for this school system over the Christmas holiday break. These will be our 31st and 32nd system installations for them and they have absolutely no interest in any form of IP system equipment. I guess things are different at the other end of the state. :shrug:

Hi, Rockmodule... to the BB.

Now then, I hope you have a thick hide and a good sense of humor because you just have to have your tongue so far out in you cheek you can't chew your cud....

VoIP is like waving a red flag in the bulls' pasture. RJ45 is a poor subject also. Could get you run out of Dodge on a hitching rail.

As an electrical engineer you should know the rules change every day. Federal money for IT? Apparently it is in VA but out here in the real world away from DC Inside the Beltway where pigs wear lipstick it is rare to non-existent. My school district hasn't seen any .... we paid for it when we remodelled the school.

Anyway, stick around, don't take anything personal, and have a good time....we may even "learn ya" something about telecom.

:scratch:

Thanks for the welcoming! I've been a lurker for quite some time, and chime in occasionally when time allows.

I'm not a big fan of VOIP, but accept the fact some people want it even when it's not the best solution. I liken it to optical patch cords some audiophiles use to interconnect their component audio systems that cost $200.00 each when any $2.00 sheilded patch cord with suffice.
:rolleyes:

Long live 1A2!!!