We are bombarded with companies trying to sell us VoIP solutions as an alternative to our under-used and very mature Norstar system.
So a couple of months ago we decided to consider an offer from a company we know for VoIP solution and we liked what we saw. Reduced cost, good functions, back office integration. At the same time we got the local BT reseller to come in (I know they pretend they are BT but we know 😉 ) to give us a new solution based on whatever platform they wished with no knowledge of our VoIP enquiry.
To cut a LONG story short BT proposed a new and expensive Norstar system. When we fessed up and said we were looking at a VoIP solution they came back with a cheaper hybrid solution but still based on Norstar hardware. When I said that we were pretty much 100% committed to the VoIP route I was told that BT did not do a VoIP solution as the internet was not ready yet. Which I took their for - why shouldn't I? A quick Google later and I found out to the contrary. Very odd.
Later I got a call from the manager at the BT reseller and I again stressed our preference for VoIP and he said that was not a good idea as I would need a lease line and that would be too expensive. This is for a maximium of 3 lines so I was a bit surprised at that.
So my question is? Why is my local reseller so keen to stop me going to VoIP to the point where they will not return my calls? Is is a sales thing that there is more money in a 5-year lease on some Norstar kit than they could get on a VoIP system? Do they not have faith in VoIP? Any other experiences like this?
