“Jeremy how big a deal was it to set up the PBX to accept a line from Skype?"

"Adding the extra line to the hunt group was just a matter of marking the port as 'in service' and then adding it to the list so that the handsets know the line is available. The PBX is programmed via some windows View image">friendly software via USB it's not a chore! It took about 2 minutes to set up the PBX."

"Mind you it's a bit Heath Robinson at the moment due to the extra PC involved that isn't rack mounted like the rest of the kit and of course there are wires everywhere. But the system does work, and work very well so far!”

Bill: “Why did you connect Skype to your PBX?”

Jeremy: “We intend to move all our lines to VoIP when we believe it is viable - this is the first step. We can try it out cheaply.

And, yes Bill, we now have a Call Transfer function. But we like better is that it gives us an extra line out - 4 lines instead of 3. If we asked BT (British Telecom) for another line they want £100 setup, plus £50 per quarter plus VAT... Skype has no setup fees and lower call rates than BT too.
We have 70 employees and about 30 of them have their own PCs. I am not sure of the cost savings but the VoSKY Internet Telephone Wizard cost us £40 then there is the cost of the PC."

Bill: "What are the advantages for your customers?"

We tell people that they can call us for free using Skype they love it, we've done something for them, made it easier for people to get in touch! Employees, potential employees and of course, customers.

However - we are not cutting our BT lines just yet - Skype has got to prove itself and prove itself in the medium/longer term - we don’t know if it will continue or how it will be in a year’s time.

"Our Contact Us page on our Web Site View image
is creating excitement with customers because they can call our switchboard via Skype."

"Also some of our staff are from overseas, Czech republic, Australia, etc - and they like it as they can now call home for free - and are spreading the Skype VoIP word at the same time."

Thanks Jeremy for sharing your story with our readers.

After spending a few hours over a couple of days with Z-Tech I found they are what their web site touts them to be, "A YOUNG BUSINESS and, like all youngsters, we’re full of energy.” Very creative energy at that.