In preparation for porting here is an updated guide to help you move from Blueface efficiently and easily.

1. Prepare your devices.
   Note the name, extension, email, model, MAC, IP for each device in a spreadsheet.
   To find the IP address of a phone press the Menu key, scroll to System Settings -> Status -> IPv4 Settings -> IP Address
2. Contact Blueface on +353 1 524 2000. 
    Provide the MAC addresses of the telephones to be removed from the Blueface system.
3. Factory Default the telephones.
   Press Menu – scroll to System Settings, hit enter.
   Type #136 and a confirmation should appear on screen.  Select Yes.
4. Enable the Web Interface of the device.
    Press Menu – scroll to System Settings -> Network Settings -> Embedded Web -> Set this to On. 
   You should now be able to log onto the web interface of the device using http://ip_address.
     The default username is ‘admin’ the default password is ‘adminpass’.
5. Programming
   Editing the function keys on each handset can be a repetitive and tiresome task, so we’ve written a simple script you can use to autofill the configuration.
   Log onto the phones web portal, click the heading ‘Telephone’, then select ‘Flexible Key Settings’.
   Press F12 to launch your browsers developer tools, and under ‘Console’ paste in the below code. 
   N.B. On Chrome you need to enter ‘allow pasting’ before the code can be executed.

 /* 
 1. Edit button values in the array below 
 2. Open console and paste the entire code 
 3. Hit enter 
 4. Save the page. 
  
 Don't use inspector to drill down into the html: Panasonic uses multiple documents in frames, 
 if the wrong document is selected with inspector the script will fail. Fix: Select the 
 top html tag in inspector to ensure the main document is selected. 
 */ 
     
 (() => { 
   //Define key values  
   let buttons = [  
     {type:'line', parameter: 1, label: 'Line 1'},  
     {type:'line', parameter: 1, label: 'Line 1'},  
     {type:'park', parameter: '701_tenant101', label: 'Park 1'},  
     {type:'park', parameter: '702_tenant101', label: 'Park 2'},  
     {type:'blf', parameter: '222_tenant101', label: 'Joseph Dredd'},  
     {type:'blf', parameter: '223_tenant101', label: 'Johnny Alpha'},  
     {type:'dial', parameter: '016190619', label: 'Speechpath'},  
   ];  
  
   //Map type to value for select  
   let values = {dial:1, blf:2, line:3, park:16};   
  
   //Find content
   let content = document.querySelector('frame[name="contents"]').contentDocument;
   
   //Find & filter dss key rows
   let trElements = content
     .getElementsByTagName('form')[0]
     .getElementsByTagName('tbody')[1]
     .getElementsByTagName('tr');

   let trs = Array.from(trElements)
     .filter(tr => !!tr.lastChild.getElementsByTagName('input').length );   
  
   //Clear all inputs  
   trs.forEach(tr => {  
     tr.querySelector(`select option[value="0"]`).selected = true;  
     Array.from(tr.querySelectorAll('input')).forEach(input => input.value = '');  
   });  
  
   //Insert values  
   buttons.forEach(button => {  
     let tr = trs.shift();  
     let typeValue = values[button.type];  
     let textinputs = tr.querySelectorAll('input');  
     tr.querySelector(`select option[value="${typeValue}"]`).selected = true;  
     textinputs[0].value = button.parameter;  
     textinputs[1].value = button.label;  
   });  
 })();

Cloud Telephony vs. In-House PBX Systems: Which is Right for Your Business?

In today’s fast-paced business environment, communication is crucial. Companies need reliable, scalable, and cost-effective phone systems to stay connected with clients, partners, and employees. Two primary options dominate the market: cloud telephony and in-house Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems. Each has its own advantages and challenges, and the right choice depends on your specific business needs. Let’s dive into the key differences between these systems to help you make an informed decision.

What is Cloud Telephony?

Cloud telephony, also known as hosted telephony or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), leverages the internet to manage and deliver phone services. Instead of maintaining physical hardware on-site, businesses subscribe to a service hosted by a third-party provider. Calls, messaging, and other communication services are managed through cloud servers.

What is an In-House PBX System?

An in-house PBX system is a private telephone network used within an organization. It requires physical hardware, including servers and telephone lines, installed and maintained on the company’s premises. The system routes incoming and outgoing calls through the business’s own network.

Key Differences Between Cloud Telephony and In-House PBX

1. Cost

• Cloud Telephony:
  • Initial Investment: Low. There is no need for expensive hardware or infrastructure.
  • Ongoing Costs: Subscription-based, usually per user or per line, with predictable monthly expenses. Maintenance and upgrades are typically included in the subscription fee.
• In-House PBX:
  • Initial Investment: High. Requires significant upfront capital for hardware, installation, and setup.
  • Ongoing Costs: Includes maintenance, potential upgrades, and staffing for system management. Costs can be unpredictable due to hardware failures or necessary upgrades.

2. Scalability

• Cloud Telephony: Highly scalable. Adding new users or lines can be done quickly and easily through the service provider’s portal. Ideal for growing businesses or those with fluctuating needs.
• In-House PBX: Scaling can be complex and costly, requiring additional hardware and potential reconfiguration of the existing system. Suitable for stable business sizes.

3. Flexibility and Mobility

• Cloud Telephony: Extremely flexible. Employees can make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection, using various devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops). This supports remote work and mobile workforces.
• In-House PBX: Limited flexibility. Typically, employees need to be on-site to use the system, although some advanced systems may offer remote access with additional configurations.

4. Maintenance and Support

• Cloud Telephony: Maintenance and support are handled by the service provider. This reduces the burden on the in-house IT team and ensures regular updates and security patches.
• In-House PBX: Requires in-house expertise for maintenance and troubleshooting. Businesses need to handle updates, repairs, and security measures themselves.

5. Features and Integrations

• Cloud Telephony: Often offers a rich set of features such as call forwarding, auto-attendant, voicemail-to-email, CRM integration, and analytics. Providers frequently add new features and integrations without additional costs.
• In-House PBX: Features depend on the specific hardware and software installed. Adding new features or integrations can be costly and complex, often requiring new hardware or software licenses.

6. Reliability and Quality

• Cloud Telephony: Relies on internet connectivity. High-quality internet service is essential to ensure clear and uninterrupted calls. Redundancy and backup systems provided by the service can enhance reliability.
• In-House PBX: Can offer excellent call quality and reliability, as it operates on dedicated lines. However, reliability depends on the quality of the on-site infrastructure and maintenance.

Which One Should You Choose?

The decision between cloud telephony and in-house PBX depends on several factors:

• Budget: If you have a limited budget and prefer predictable monthly costs, cloud telephony is more appealing.
• Business Size and Growth: For rapidly growing businesses or those with remote workers, cloud telephony offers unmatched scalability and flexibility.
• Control and Customization: If you need complete control over your phone system and have the resources to manage it, an in-house PBX might be preferable.
• Reliability Needs: Businesses in areas with unreliable internet might benefit from the dedicated lines of an in-house PBX.

Conclusion

Both cloud telephony and in-house PBX systems have their unique strengths. Cloud telephony is perfect for modern businesses that value flexibility, scalability, and lower upfront costs. In contrast, an in-house PBX system suits businesses that require robust control over their telecommunication infrastructure and can afford the associated costs.

Carefully assess your business needs, budget, and future growth plans before making a decision. In many cases, the enhanced features and ease of management of cloud telephony make it the preferred choice for forward-thinking businesses.