Vicidial inside a VM + connect to landline

[B.lee2]

Hey there,

I got a new job and I have to make a lot of cold calls. I talked to my boss and I got the gist it was ok to setup my own thing as long as I didn't disturb other people (e.g. ask for a static IP address or extra equipment).

I want to have vicidial inside a VM on my laptop (at least in the beginning)...or bring my p4 to work eventually.

On my desk, I have one cat5 cable, one digital phone and one Rj-11. I know there is a PBX somewhere, but it doesn't work with IP phones. I don't think the rj-11 is connected directly to the phone company, but they can monitor agent call time and everything.

The PBX was setup half a decade ago and the IT guy is for all intent and purposes not there to help me

Ah, and also, I'm close to being broke, I have maybe 100$ top to spend in the next 3 months or so.

I'd like to use the company's landlines,
what would you suggest in this case???

[rsaaris]

You can use your old digital phones to call through asterisk via your old PBX but first you should where it is and how you can connect it to asterisk. If the old PBX uses T1/E1-lines it is fairly simple to set to call youtbound via asterisk but you'll need some kind of E1/T1-card to your asterisk server. And with VM and laptop it will get a little tricky...

[boybawang]

you can buy a fxo card and install it on your server so you can link your asterisk server with your existing pbx

[williamconley]

Use eBay to find an old digium card that will link to your landline. Then the tricky part will be connecting that PCI card to your VM. Alternately, of course, you could set it up to use VOIP, but then you'll save up front (no money spent to build and run the system) but you'll end up paying for Minutes until you're able to afford the digium PSTN card. Beware fakes. Always get something with a warranty from someone who has a good rating and has sold this item before. Alternately, you can search for various telephony sites that may sell one properly (with a warranty ...). In any case you'll also need a headset with a mic to use the soft phone (which will be your agent phone). This is because you'll be using the company phone connection to make outbound calls with Vicidial ... so you'll still need something to talk on! LOL