Networked Computers & Office Phone

[CustomMarbleGraniteToo]

Sarah has been working on our options for networking our computers... We need a minimum of 2 office workstations sharing data and programs... and possibly a laptop..

What are you guys doing for networks? I am getting quotes for about 4 -5 k for this set up?

How are you handling phone systems? Are you buying phone packages with multi lines? We need 3 lines plus a fax, wanted two desktop phones with two portables..

The quotes we are getting are really high too like 3 -5K (Avaya 5K)

Any thoughts, suggestions, tips?

[Aladd1n]

Both of those quotes are waaayyyy high.

For the network, you can get a wireless router with 4 to 8 physical ports for around $50-$100. With the newer versions of windows you pretty much have to just plug the computers into it and enable them to share files and thats it. If you cant get them physically plugged in to the router, you can buy a wireless adaptor for each of the desktops for about $30 each.

I just set up a phone system at our new office. Staples / Officemax etc.... carry a 4 line phone from RCA that also has expandable wireless handsets in addition to the desk phones. About $500 for 2 desk phones and 2 cordless extensions.

You can also go with a Voice Over IP (VOIP) solution like ringcentral.com. Might be a little more expensive but you can have a lot more features like individual voicemail boxes, voicemail to text via email, call forwarding to cellphone etc.

[CustomMarbleGraniteToo]

Thanks Alladin..

[Carmine Pantano]

Alladin nailed it I think.

We have 5 computers hooked up together. All through the network. We're not wireless, we just have LinkSys as out network hub. As far as sharing, you have a program that SHARES files, like purchasing 2 different licenses of QuickBooks so you can use them at the same time & it updates on both CPU's everytime someone saves something. To share files, say Excel & Word type files, you just have to make them in a folder that is shareable to all CPU's. Then each CPU has access to those files.

No phone system here. 1 Line is enough.

[Miles]

If you can do it yourself and avoid dealing with an IT guy, you will be much better off. Trust me.

[Todd Luster]

I have a small business server networked with 5 workstations, laser jet printer, 4 laptops, phonesystem, all that bs. I can't tell you what I paid for it, as my brother did it all.

In my opinion, its too much, and anytime you have to have an IT guy to set it up, you are gonna have to have him back to keep it running. I agree, try to set the stuff up yourself. With the new computers running Windows 7 and such, sharing file is a snap.

With all of the stuff I have, we have even stopped hosting our own mail server, website and run a windows based version of quickbooks. For the cost of it, I prefer this way now because I don't have back issues or security, spam issues now plus the ease of access from remote locations.

If I started over, I'd have 1 phone line too. 80% of my stuff is done on my cell, and on my laptop.

My brother will talk to you if you need though, and can probably answer anything you need to know, as that definitely his expertise.

[CustomMarbleGraniteToo]

Thanks everyone... great to know I have so many options... and save money too..

[Matt Lansing]

We just put in a Toshiba 12 phone system with a remote phone in another city running through two VPN routers, for those that know what that means, which is a pretty detailed system. Had them patch it into the stereo system running in the shop for paging back there. Total system plus installation and set up was under $4,000.

Networking computers is fairly easy to do as the others have said.

[CustomMarbleGraniteToo]

Sounds detailed..

I am not sure what was included, I do know that one quote was the from Avaya and the other was from a local business phone system company.

[Dan R.]

We had Avaya do a simple system and it was was very priced, but it was part of a a family obligation. When you owe a favor, you have to oblige.