 N9MDToo busy to chatPremium
join:2005-10-08
Boca Raton, FL
kudos:5
 ·Callcentric
·VOIPo
·voip.ms
| reply to jeffbaygents
Re: Geek setup = Technical setup said by jeffbaygents:Yes; I stand by what I said before that a Geek is req'd for setup. Why? Because I've been around the IT block in Fortune Companies as consultant, employee, and management. And, more specifically, because of the following:
1. Selecting an ATA device.
2. Knowing to buy an unlocked ATA device.
3. Knowing that you have to printout and compare every single setting on the CallCentric device recommended settings.
4. Knowing that this is way beyond selecting Tools | Preferences for modifying settings.
5. Knowing how to make decisions because the CallCentric settings shown are a very old version and some of the newer settings have different names and available options.
6. If there are any tech issues, the verbiage of the support request MUST be technically written. I KNOW that all IT Support has a common issue with non-savvy users reporting their initial issues with not enough information and incorrect information.
7. Knowledge of how to update firmware.
8. Experience to know to reset the device to factory settings upon receipt. And knowledge of how to reset the device to factory settings.
9. Many portions of instructions are technical in nature.
10. Firewall blockages and ports are in instructions.
11. Modifying any settings on the home router. Most consumers make zero changes on their router, much less ever access it. C'mon, most people require a CD with a wizard to setup their router for home and that's the end of it.
Jeff, while I totally respect your background and your depth of knowledge, I find myself disagreeing with just about every one of your points that would seem to make setting up a BYOD an "impossible" task for a newbie. Your comments will only serve to scare off lots of potential VoIP BYOD customers ... for no real reasons.
Responses to your points:
1. A newbie could simply review the CC set-up page and purchase one of the listed adapters.
2. This is a valid point ... given the number of fraudulent units coming out of China ... we have even seen very tech-savvy Forum members (and top level VoIP providers) who have wound up with "bad" ATAs. Caveat emptor!
3. Actually, I have used the default settings ... out of the box ... with every one of my multiple adapters (mostly PAP2s and PAP2Ts with a scattering of Grandstreams and a Linksys SPA8000) ... except for the "Line" setup page. And all I needed to do, as per CC and Voip.ms on-line instructions, was to type in a Proxy Server, an Outbound Proxy (for some providers), a UserID and Password, an AuthID for some providers (the same as the UserID). I then set a few parameters to Yes or No ... as recommended on the providers' sites. And I am in business. I have never had to modify the default dialing plan. 98% of the settings on my adapters have never required attention or modification.
4. What Tools|Preferences does this refer to? I bring up an adapter's URL, click on Line 1 (or whichever I'm registering), make a few entries and yes/no choices, click save ... and I'm in business.
5. Sorry, I must admit that I'm not aware of settings on "newer" devices that would confuse newbies. I would not expect a non-technical person to purchase a highly technical, complex device. The "simple" devices recommended by CC will do for non-techies.
6. Simply stated "issues" (without deep technical knowledge) in TroubleTickets submitted to BYOD providers either got me a quick resolution to my problem ... or an easily understandable request for more information, without using jargon beyond my skills ... and I'm a gastroenterologist with profound Greek & Latin language skills. 
7. In the years I've been using VoIP, starting a while back with SunRocket (RIP), I have never ever updated an adapter's software. "If the system ain't broke, why update it?" is what most newbies would say.
8. I have never ever had to reset a BYOD unit to factory settings upon receipt. They have all worked out of the box. And, if I ever did need to reset a device to factory settings, a simple Google search such as "reset PAP2T" would quickly provide me with the available reset methods ... physically pressing the reset button while powering up or using the dial-in method 73738#.
9. The CallCentric instructions shown for the various devices, in my view, are very easy to follow without the need for a college degree in software programming or telecommunications technology. CC gives step by step, clearly written instructions.
10. I have never ever fiddled with or adjusted firewall and DMZ and port settings ... except for using a different SIP-Port for Line 1 and Line 2 on the same device and 8 different SIP-Ports 5071-5078 on my 8-line SPA8000. I always leave the default DHCP at "active".
11. I am one of the "most consumers" who has made zero changes on the four routers which I currently have in use at two residences and and two business locations. I do, however, access the routers ... after a power failure ... to obtain the DHCP re-assigned IP addresses for my many devices (ATAs, printers, etc.).
My goal in this post was not to demean the opinion of the reviewer; rather, it is to show potential BYOD/VoIP customers that the setup process is not as daunting as suggested by jeffbaygents ... even if they've never been to a site such as the BBR Forums. |
