It can do either. With the release of OCS R2 it does work very nicely as a standalone phone system (they even make an OCS handset if you want them for users), while it can also be used tied to a different VOIP or PBX system. I wouldn't recommend OCS and the sole phone system for a +1000 installation, but for an SMB it would work great. The interconnection with other phone systems depends greatly on the other system in question. Some systems (Nortel for sure) OCS will connect to with little to no work at which time your OCS client on your PC can become your actual phone/extension. With others there is more work and/or it won't work at all. We use OCS with our Cisco VOIP system and we can use it to place and receive calls from our PCs, but OCS is still just taking our actual phone off-hook via a mediation server. Theoretically, once Cisco's system can handle call forking then users could choose whether they wanted a phone on their desk, or if they preferred just using a headset connected to their PC for their phone. The whole thing is very vendor specific at this point. TVK
From: Jon Harris [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 12:31 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: ?? on VoIP Not to hijack this but will OCS do IP phones or do you need an actual phone system of some kind in place and then it works with it? I will be looking into doing something soon for call accounting. A lot of federal grants require call accounting if you are billing them certain ways and we will most likely bill that way. Jon On Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 1:02 PM, Tim Vander Kooi <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: I don't use them myself (our darned Cisco guys got a hold of our VOIP project before I got to vote). I have used their products at former companies and they have great systems. One of the things I really like about Shoretel is the fact that they play nicely with others, i.e. - you can use Cisco VOIP phones on a Shoretel system, this can save you thousands over time. Also they have a very nice tie to OCS for IM integration with the VOIP system. Just a great product all the way around. TVK From: Cesare' A. Ramos [mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>] Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 11:52 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: ?? on VoIP Hellos all. Anyone worked with, heard of, familiar with, recommend, etc etc. Shoretel? Hope you have a great weekend. CAR ________________________________ This e-Mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this e-Mail in error please notify the sender via returned e-Mail. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this e-Mail are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Although IDF operates anti-virus programs, it does not accept responsibility for any damage whatsoever that is caused by viruses being passed. ** Think before you print this message. ** ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
