"Upgrading" from Google Voice

[kisk]

GV has served me well... been using it as our main business # for 6 years and never had a problem. I love the web interface, easy on an android, and its free! Of course Google and others have always said that it was not meant/recommended for business use. I'm in a position now where an upgrade to a "premium/paid" service might be a possibility and I'm curious what options are out there. I've done research on my end but curious what others have found that I might have missed.

A few quirks: Looking for something that ties in well, and has an app, with Android (incoming/outgoing options) as far as numbers displayed. I currently have actual incoming numbers showing up which works well with GV. Something that has a web interface similar to GV where I can see, respond, dial, text, .. directly from the web. GV does a great job with this. Additionally, looking for more advanced options like an API that I can call from my software to send SMS notifications, etc to clients.

What's available these days, and what would we be gaining and/or losing??

Thanks!

 

[MotzTech]

We use RingCentral and we love it. However I've recommend it before here and I know at least one person had major issues. For us it has always worked well. I think of lot it depends on how complex your phone system needs to be and how good you internet connection is. I'd suggest trying it out, but don't get tied into anything before testing it out yourself. If you do decide to go with it, I would appreciate if you could use our referral link below.

http://refer.ringcentral.com/USCA/a...a6c-ab3d-4f33-92aa-546801034ff0&type=ShareUrl

 

[acscva]

I am a partner with RingCentral and use their service with my office and also have had excellent results. If you have any questions please contact me directly and would be glad to help!

 

[1on1 Computer Services]

I run FreePBX/Astrerisk on a Digital Ocean VPS. Costs $5.00 per month, but another $10.00 or so for my Flowroute SIP trunk and lines. I have several DID's and a Toll Free to play with, Minutes are cheap.

It's amazing what FreePBX can do once you get the hang of it.

 

[HCHTech]

I was the "major issue" guy.

If you have desk phones and good internet service, I would say go for it and give them a try. They have a very configurable system, once you figure it out. If, on the other hand, you have only mobile phones, then stay away - far away. That is unless you enjoy unrelenting frustration, a never-ending string of support calls with overly-polite, heavily-accented offshore personnel, and having your customers be unable to consistently reach you. I was going to name my ulcer after the sales guy, but thankfully, I went back to cell phone service and healed up quickly thereafter.

 

[kisk]

Yes 99% of calling would be done via mobile.

I received a call-back from a sales rep yesterday and it didn't go well. The rep was constantly saying, what, huh, you're breaking up real bad. Hello, hello. I look down and have 5 bars. This is the first time anyone has said I was breaking up in 2 years. I only assume they use their own platform so it didn't give me a good feeling about the service.

For mobile use do they use actual voice relays like GV or is more VOIP using data?

 

[acscva]

There is a lot of things that can affect VOIP usage but I use my cell phone app with Ring Central every day and works great.

 

[allanc]

GV has served me well... been using it as our main business # for 6 years and never had a problem. I love the web interface, easy on an android, and its free! Of course Google and others have always said that it was not meant/recommended for business use. I'm in a position now where an upgrade to a "premium/paid" service might be a possibility and I'm curious what options are out there. I've done research on my end but curious what others have found that I might have missed.

A few quirks: Looking for something that ties in well, and has an app, with Android (incoming/outgoing options) as far as numbers displayed. I currently have actual incoming numbers showing up which works well with GV. Something that has a web interface similar to GV where I can see, respond, dial, text, .. directly from the web. GV does a great job with this. Additionally, looking for more advanced options like an API that I can call from my software to send SMS notifications, etc to clients.

What's available these days, and what would we be gaining and/or losing??

Thanks!

I am going to lean the other way with RingCentral and have had many issues with both my desk phone and cell.
Their tech support 'seems' to try really hard to resolve issues but I have found that they actually resolve very little.
Most of the time I either have to research and fix the problem myself or live with the problem.
I have also had admin type problems with my account.

 

[MikeLierman]

We're still using Google Voice here, and as much as I would like to get something else, the money is better used elsewhere. I'm fairly happy with our setup. I have the obi200 with 3 cordless phones connected to my GV account for the shop. GV also rings my cellphone without caller ID, that way I know when it's a shop call vs a personal call, and I answer accordingly. Been doing this for years without issue. Eventually I'll have to upgrade to something else, but that may not be for a while!