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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I didn’t get many responses from libraries that have installed VoIP systems, but I did get a LOT of responses from other libraries interested in doing so!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are some take-aways from the responses I did get:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Verify your current phone system’s functions before proceeding. E.g. Does it tie in to any security systems, fire alarms or elevator?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Verify that you have a high enough internet connection for VoIP, which is probably most easily done by contacting your internet service provider or OPLIN, depending on how you get your connection.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Someone who has not yet delved into the world of VoIP but has been also looking into it said they are looking into companies like <span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="http://ringcentral.com">http://ringcentral.com</a> </span>and<span style='color:#1F497D'> <a href="http://www.asterisk.org/home">http://www.asterisk.org/home</a> </span>for obtaining PBX services (i.e. “private branch exchange” system, or in other words your line extensions). Ring Central is a “hosted” service that you pay a certain amount of $ per user per month and Asterisk is a PBX system that has VoIP capability and requires hardware and the purchase of VoIP capable phones.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>***<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I ended up calling the company that installed our current phone system to see if they could explain any of the VoIP to me. (Note: we currently have a box that controls our voice mail and 14 extensions which is supported by a computer that is from circa 1985 and had recently died, but was semi-resurrected to get us through until we installed a new system.) Please forgive me if my explanation of VoIP is not 100% accurate, I am no expert.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He explained that there are two types of VoIP, as was touched on from my responses from other libraries. There is a “hosted” service (such as Vonage, Ring Central) which requires either adapters for your current phone or an IP capable phone. There is also an IP telephone system (PBX system) which is the installation of hardware and IP phones (sort of like what we have at our library now) only it works on our internet lines – not the phone lines. This system ties into our phone lines which are serviced by a local phone carrier and transfers that data so that it can be transmitted over our CAT 5 internet cables. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Why would I want to do this, I asked? He explained that we could put a phone anywhere we have a computer. (They make switches that allow both to be connected at the same location.) The benefit of this for us is that we do not have a phone line that runs to our meeting room, but we do have a CAT 5 cable, thus saving us the hassle and cost of running a line. Another benefit is that if we did want to add extra phone extensions, we wouldn’t need additional “cards” installed in our system, but rather he could remotely give us an additional “license” to add the line and we’ll be good to go. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Similarly, the switch over from the old to new phone system would go smoothly without down time if we chose to go from our current phone system to VoIP, rather than updating to another plain old telephone system (or POTS, as I was informed by a responder!). The new IP telephones would also have their own MAC addresses so it would be easier to move extension locations – say for example, I moved my office and wanted to take my extension with me, it can be easily done via computer. We can also update our holiday hours, current phone messages, etc. via any computer. So if we have a bad snow storm and have to close for the day, it allows me to update the phones with our emergency closing message from the comfort of my own home. (We can probably do this with our current phone system by calling in and dialing a lot of codes, though it is very complicated and I have not figured it out yet…)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can also take this VoIP system further by adding additional computer software which allows you to get voicemails via e-mail, transfer calls to your cell phone, establish and quickly enable fast messages – such as “out to lunch” or “at a meeting” messages – which are customizable for each extension. This would be great for a larger library. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finally, there is an option to go for the FULL VoIP service called SIP (“Session Initiated Protocol”) Trunking, which eliminates use of your telephone lines all together. These are hosted by Internet Telephony Service Providers (ITSP), such as AT&T or other companies that offer this budding service. It is currently available in major metro areas, but not in more rural locations, since it is such a new technology. I cannot say much more about this service since it is not available in our area. Though I was told that if we installed the PBX system for VoIP service, we would be prepared for this future technology if we were so inclined to adopt it years from now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As far as pricing, he said we were looking at investing approximately $1,500-$2,500 more in the VoIP system at our location, over the cost of a system like we currently have. I don’t know how that price would vary for anyone else.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Not sure if any of this is helpful for anyone, but I hope it sheds some light on the mystery of VoIP systems. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best of luck!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Richelle<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Richelle Klug, <i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Library Director</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>St. Clairsville Public Library<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>108 West Main Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>St. Clairsville, OH 43950<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>P: (740) 695-2062<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>F: (740) 695-6420<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.stclibrary.org/"><span style='color:blue'>http://www.stclibrary.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>