So others are saying, go out and get yourself a T1 "To Start A Answering Service.. < 200 accounts
I say get yourself a strong Internet company and Voip provider ..maybe
And about how many SIPs you need to handle your traffic, the number of operators
What is a T1 line?
http://www.carrierschoice.com/what_is_a_t1.html
My take on this...
Your don't need a T1 line...24 lines at the same time to start a telephone answering service business. I had a client a while back with 8, another another with 12 incoming hardwired DID lines.. I think 600 and 900 accouints respectively... they were busy. My largest install was 9 workstations.. Most are 1-3 stations.. 4 or 5 DID lines...
Lets say 80% of all TAS have less than 200 account.. DID# -- here say over the years
Lets say of 500 + TAS systems started, all the owners thought they have more accounts than the real number. Be conservative unless you have their contract in your hand....most new service started with 4 lines, buttons on your phone, aks, trunks .. the 5th call would get a busy.. Then you start addsing more lines or SIPs, if Voip, even another operator station.. You can have 1000 DID# pay rent for each per month, its all about how many times you fill up those incoming call and your clients callers get a busy sound, Right? . And it about how many operators.. if your paper system or paperless. With 80-100 clients right NOW, you can start answering with 4 lines.. but I recommend 5 SIPS, getting two 6 SIP IP phones. Say Poycom 650's. Maybe a 3rd phone for home. Theres lots of configuring options in Voip, ACD functionality (features) built in a VOIP Asterisk base PBX phone system, you can do wonders... I have a contact provider we've choosen, compared to the many others out there with out of the ball park prices. Figure SIPS are 20$/mon and DID# are about 55cent each. And you get so many minutes per SIP per month .. and grow from there.
Nowhere is this approaching the cost of a T1. and I know T1 price have come down from that +1000$ range. Just get a bunch of DID# that your clients forward to... if you move you can take those#'s with you... some providers charge pretty for transfer existing. Its all about who your dealing with, I see a big variance.. if you don't think my way would hold your client traffic... as per the explanation how much water goes through a 1/2" pipe compared to 1" pipe.You can always add as you grow up... its sad to over kill... especially for starting up. And that's the phone side.
Kisstar will handle your messaging and delivery.. there a full demo available from me.. come back into your conversation after you check my story out..
Now if you have 80 clients. and each one is equal to being a Dell or Century 21 with lots of traffic. I ask my internet provider to provide.. extra SIPS,, now I can hjandle more of that traffic.. Let they worry about T1's..how to solve your bandwidth... the Asterisk surely can handle many many more IP phone..
Hope to here from you again..
Rod MASTAR |