3CX and Patton Solve your Communication Problems – Part 1

3CX Windows-based phone system is quickly becoming one of the most popular IP PBX solutions available today. And why not? You don’t have to buy new hardware, you can run 3CX on just about any Windows machine.  3CX is easily scalable, you buy the license to cover your maximum number of concurrent calls with no recurring licenses to purchase (although upgrade insurance is recommended).
3CX phone system includes all the standard features you have come to expect from an IP PBX… call switching, routing, queing, presence, call waiting, caller ID, transfer, hold, 3 way calling, softphone ability and a fax server. 3CX is managed via a web console, making extension management a point-and-click event. Most importantly, when using 3CX, you can use any standard SIP IP phone so that you are not tied to one brand or very few models. 3CX works seamlessly with Cisco, Polycom, Yealink, Aastra, snom, Panasonic and many more.
So with this ‘Eagle-eye’ view of the 3CX phone system, I am sure you want to rush out and buy it! But of course there is so much more to installing a new phone system such as connectivity – how are you going to get dial tone to your phones? Also, what are you going to do about all those older analog phones you just bought not that long ago? Even though 3CX is much less expensive than some of the alternatives like Avaya, Shoretel, or NEC, ripping out an old phone system and installing all new phones is not cheap.  To solve these problems, 3CX has partnered with Patton to provide your solution for connectivity.
3CX Windows-based phone system is quickly becoming one of the most popular IP PBX solutions available today. And why not? You don’t have to buy new hardware, you can run 3CX on just about any Windows machine.  3CX is easily scalable, you buy the license to cover your maximum number of concurrent calls with no recurring licenses to purchase (although upgrade insurance is recommended).

3CX phone system includes all the standard features you have come to expect from an IP PBX… call switching, routing, queing, presence, call waiting, caller ID, transfer, hold, 3 way calling, softphone ability and a fax server. 3CX is managed via a web console, making extension management a point-and-click event. Most importantly, when using 3CX, you can use any standard SIP IP phone so that you are not tied to one brand or very few models. 3CX works seamlessly with Cisco, Polycom, Yealink, Aastra, snom, Panasonic and many more.

So with this ‘Eagle-eye’ view of the 3CX phone system, I am sure you want to rush out and buy it! But of course there is so much more to installing a new phone system such as connectivity – how are you going to get dial tone to your phones? Also, what are you going to do about all those older analog phones you just bought not that long ago? Even though 3CX is much less expensive than some of the alternatives like Avaya, Shoretel, or NEC, ripping out an old phone system and installing all new phones is not cheap.  To solve these problems, 3CX has partnered with Patton to provide your solution for connectivity.

PSTN Connectivity

Patton gateways are all made in the USA and come in many configurations to solve your most specific connectivity problems.  Patton FXO gateways such as the Smartnode 4114 offer you 4 connections to your PSTN to connect your 3CX system to the local telephone company that you know and love.  Some SMB’s may have trouble with finding or trusting a new VoIP Service so using a Patton FXO gateway you can connect to the PSTN instead of using VoIP trunks, or better yet, in addition to using VoIP trunks. PSTN connectivity allows you low-cost local calling and failover in the event that your VoIP Service Provider has a lapse in service.  Using a Patton SN4114 gateway, you can also migrate to VoIP slowly, at your own pace. Start by connecting your 3CX server only to the PSTN using the FXO ports. Then gradually add SIP trunks and update your call routing to start seeing the immediate cost savings of Voice over IP.

Bridging Legacy Equipment

Perhaps the last IT guy at your company just spend thousands less than 5 years ago on all new analog phones for your company. Everyone knows the interface and they are not broken, so it would be a shame to rip them out and pay for all new IP phones (even though we all know IP phones are way cooler).  Using a Patton FXS gateway, such as the Patton SN4118 FXS, you can connect your existing analog phones, fax machines, and modems to the 3CX server and use them as though they were IP phones. This way, you get all the cool features of an IP phone system while still using your good analog phones. As the phones begin to fail or age, replace them with IP phones to get the maximum benefit from the 3CX VoIP phone system.
(Part 2 will include more connectivity solutions)

Configuring a 3CX System with a Patton Gateway

If this post has helped you figure out how to solve your connectivity problem with a Patton gateway and you are sold on the cost savings and cool feature set of 3CX, you are not alone, but you are also not done yet. Configuring a gateway to work properly and do what you want it to do can be near impossible if you are not technically savvy. Even if you are a tech geek, it can get really tricky. 3CX tries to remove the guesswork for you when it comes to Patton gateways.  The preferred Patton gateways are listed in the set up dropdown box on your 3CX system, simply choose the gateway you will be using and it will configure the 3CX system to work with it. I know what you are thinking – it is never that simple. For this reason, Patton offers FREE post sales tech support 5 days a week! Getting free help on your gateway is not something to take lightly… it is rarely available and when it is, it usually isn’t that good. Patton certified engineers are all in the US and answer quickly. Not only are they experts on their own gateways and connectivity in general, they are also 3CX experts and can help you configure both your 3CX system and your Patton gateway to work in unison to solve your problems and get you communicating right away!

3CX Preferred Patton Gateways

The current Patton gateways that are tested and certified to work with 3CX are as follows:

View  Part 2 which talks about other connectivity problems, such as remote offices and survivability.