PBX

PBX was Originally Posted on November 14, 2010 by lavarock

I downloaded a new version of the Asterisk PBX software and decided to replace my older system.

The new version makes it easier to use Google Voice to make free telephone calls. The system also gives me a chance to learn new technology and try to master yet another challange.

It used to be that you would pick up a telephone and dial a number and magic happened. After loading the software and doing some research, the whole process is quite understandable and fairly simple.

In simple terms, you configure a connection (trunk) between your own computer and another persons computer, or to a telephone service provider. In the case of a telephone provider, they will give you connection information and a plan which may be free or low cost. One provider may allow calls to a certain country for free and another provider may offer local calls to you at a low price.

The PBX software allows you top determine which connection to use based upon your preference and cost of the calls. You might configure calls to go to provider “A” if they are a certain area code and any 7 digit number might be routed to provider “B”. These are called OUTBOUND ROUTES.

These providers may also send you calls (and called ID) so that you can handle calls differently. For example, calls may come in t oyou rfom a toll-free provider you do business with. These calls might be routed to a specific telephone in the business. Other calls may be from a local provider and be associated with your home phone number. These could be routed to voicemail where you will review the calls later. calls to a business number may be routed to a call tree which ask the callers to press “1” for the service department and “2” for service.

Most people think this is somewhat complicated, but it does allow you to manage calls like a large corporation, yet the software is free and can run on a very inexpensive PC. Many of the services do not need hardware; you just need a high speed internet connection (which is always on). You may already have such a connection for your home.

For those who don’t want to play with hardware, there are still services similar to this that are free and designed for average users. Google Voice is one such provider and GV is now open to the public. Just sign up at http://google.com/voice. You can have a telephone number (or switch your old one into the service), make free outboud long distance calls, route calls based upon time of day or who is callingf, AND permanently have telemarketers forwarded to an out of service recording.

You may find it an interesting service and as I say, the price is right! Check out the What’s New page fro new enhancements and keep saying to yourself, it’s free!