I need help!! I am trying to compare some different VoIP systems and I can not find any helpful info.

The systems that I interested in are:

toshiba ip telephones
allworx VoIP Phone system
altigen max1000 VoIP phone system
comdial mp5000 media platform

If anybody has any feedback on these systems, I would greatly appreciate it!

I've installed one Allworx and it seems to just fine. Of course, it's a basic system with no special apps other than 1 remote phone. I used to work on Altigen systems a few years ago and hated them. I'm not sure how much they may have improved on them since. As for Toshiba and Comdial, I have no exposure.
Why Voip? Are you networking 2 or more sites? Do you want remote phones. What bells and whistles are you looking for that have you interested in Voip.

yes.. I am networking 3 locations locally with a 4th one out of state. the people that i am workig for are requesting the VoIP. We need to be able to transfer calls between locations, intercom between locations, have our security cameras broadcast from all locations to one central location. Is there a different way to go about doing this? We are proposals for systems that tie into our computers and systems that dont... i just dont what makes one better than another...

please excuse the typos!!! its been a frustrating friday!!

All Voip systems, provided they are set up properly, should be able to transfer calls to other sites as well as intercom, along with email integration, which sends voice mail messages to you inbox. The set up can be very expensive on your network as all voip phones have to belong on the network. Another option (and perhaps less expensive) may be a hybrid system, meaning the phones themselves are the tried and true digital keysets while the system itself is a part of your network, allowing for voice traffic to pass between sites.
As for the security cameras, I ve had no experience with them although I've seen such an application in banks where the video feed was transmitted to one central location. Again, that was a separate app.
Perhaps some else can chime in with some opinions on other equipment.

I sell and install/service the Comdial MP5000 product line. The IP networking between sites works well. You would end up with a standard digital TDM system that is tried and true and the individual sites but would communicate between the locations via the IP networking functions. Very feature rich.

Thank you for your help. Any and all info is greatly appreciated. We have a quote for a hybrid system which, honestly, isn't any cheaper. Which is why I am having such difficulities trying to determine how and why one is better than the other.

Guess it boils down to ...is your decision based on price or dependability. Going for low price is often false economy if the system is as unstable as Amy Winehouse.

out of those ive only worked on Toshiba, its super easy to admin and the voip is very flexable,
Some systems require a vpn for remote ip phones and for qsig networking, the Toshiba will work with public or internal ip addresses and ive seen it work really well on both...

Let's not forget to check the references of the companies bidding. Find out how many other jobs like yours they've done and find out from those customers how the job went.

toolgirl !!!

You have come to the right place for information. And great advice.

All VoIP is just not a mature technology, incurs licensing fees that ruin the ROI on a system, usually requires a major investment in upgrading your network(s) to meet even the basic QOS, and is unpredictable in operation unless (and not always then) you have a dedicated private data WAN between sites.

A TDM system is the "old faithful" designed for "5 9s"....99.999% up-time that works every time...sorry, no VoIP can do that. Now add some more processing power and you have the hybrid TDM system that gives you the best of both worlds without "putting all your eggs" in the VoIP basket.

You will pay either way, but do the cost factoring...the Return On Investment. The up-time vs. lost revenue for downtime. On and on and on...until your checkbook squeals. The bottom line tells it all.

Remember the last time your telephone system quit? When was the last time you had to reboot your computer? 'Nuff said!

These guys not only are giving you great technical advice, but the best project advice. The system you decide on is no better than the installation and support company. Get references. Check references. How long has this company been around? You are getting "married" to this company for many years to come. Make sure they do a demo or can take you to a customer site to demo the system that you will be using. Licensed? Insured? Professional or the droopy pants, unshaven, unkempt, and un-bathed? Computer Geek or Telecom Professional? There is a big difference.

Good luck, and let us know how this comes out.

Allworx has been an excellent product for our clients, many of whom are connecting multiple sites. It's one of the easiest systems to administer and to set up, and any QOS issues you would encounter with this system, will be the same with any system. There are no licensing issues, so the price point is very good. Just do your homework and choose your vendor wisely (you've heard this before).

We have installed both the MP5000 and Allworx systems in multisite enviroments. I would make a recommendation based on application needed and your roadmap. How many phones per site, how much traffic will be between sites, what cabling is in place (CAT5 or CAT3), what features are needed and required. Both the Allworx and MP5000 work great and we have had a rock solid track record on both.

Edit to remove link to different website

Regards,
Seth
www.electsys.biz
"Creating a new world of ip opportunities!"