Microsoft Response Point

We recently went to a Microsoft Response Point phone system. Before, we were using a Trixbox with open source PBX Asterisk.

Asterisk worked OK, but was difficult to setup and upgrade. If you know Linux very well or get an integrated solution, it is not as bad. It does have a bunch of nice features.

Since we don't have all the time in the world, we decided to change phone systems and after looking around we went with a Microsoft Response Point from Aastra.

I must say, I am happy with it. It is very easy to setup. It does not have all of the features a large phone system has, but we don't need all of the advanced features. It has voice recognition, so you can say dial James or dial Voicemail. You can also program your hours and fax number and the Response Point will tell it to callers.

It can also email your voice mails to you, so you can get your voicemail from anywhere.

You have numerous options when making outside phone calls. You can hook it up to traditional analog phone lines. You can also hook it up to SIP Trunks. We are using a SIP Trunk over the Internet and the sound quality is very good. The up time on the Phone system is also very good.

It does have a few draw backs. It does not work for a Wide Area Network or WAN environment. It is also limited to about 50 handsets.

If you are looking for a nice phone system or PBX, this is a nice choice. It runs about $3,000 with about 5 phones.

If you are Interested in learning more about this phone system, call the office or follow the URL here http://www.microsoft.com/responsepoint/.