Newby Needing Help

[Richard Kokoski]

Everyone,

I need some guidance. I am an MSP operating in the mid-atlantic area. I am looking at adding VOIP services to what I offer my clients and I am seeing alot of potential with 3CX. BUT all of this is new to me and how 3CX can and does fit into this picture. I need some help on the sales/service side so I can get technology savvy on how all of this works and how I can offer it as a service to help me clients utilize this. I have many clients using old phone systems and paying Verizon huge amounts of money every month and want to help them make a change in equipment and MRR.

Where do I turn? How do I get started? Who can I talk to to help educate me so I can become a valued partner with 3CX?

 

[Mark Adams]

Hi Richard I am pretty new to 3CX as well, but have been selling on-prem VOIP for a few years. Do you have a background in on-prem phone systems?

Have you spun up a 1 year trial of 3CX? Bought a couple phones and setup a lab? That's what I have been doing. I am a 2 man shop and I just finished migrating our phone system into 3CX.

Best way to learn is to get your hands dirty. Tell us more about your background so we know where to start.

 

[Saqqara]

Good place to start , follow the exams videos -

https://www.3cx.com/3cxacademy/videos/basic/
https://www.3cx.com/3cxacademy/videos/intermediate/
https://www.3cx.com/3cxacademy/videos/advanced/

Also check out https://www.3cx.com/support/ where you have the admin manual along with details on supported gateways, ip phones

 

[Richard Kokoski]

Thanks. Time to do some homework on my side. What I manage is msp based network servers, internet, email etc. VoIP is very new to me.

Let me do my job and learn but I do have hopefully an easy question. Let's say I have a typical client with 15 employees and they have an on prem phone system paying Verizon $400/month. What is a typical approach to reoutfit them with a solution and what do they expect to see in costs from this point forward in a VoIP solution?

 

[VoIPTools]

Hi Richard,

First, I think adding VoIP to your portfolio is a good idea, and 3CX is a great idea. 3CX can be installed on-prim or in the cloud, using either Windows or Linux. From a cost perspective, in my view, 3CX cannot be beat (including so-called "free" phone systems). As a long time 3CX Partner, and IT Consultant, VoIP can generate some of the easiest revenue opportunities out there for an MSP.

3CX regularly hosts free Partner training events typically around September (and other times during the year). Check for the next available training classes on the 3CX website (Blog --> Events). These events are a great opportunity to be a sponge and absorb experience and knowledge for many partners that have been implementing 3CX for years, while getting some great training at the same time. Don't skip the training videos too because there is a wealth of bite-sized videos that will make you a very capable implementer if you just invest a little time.

I also agree with Mark, that there is no substitute for getting your hands dirty. Fortunately, 3CX makes getting started about as easy as it could be with the free editions of 3CX. As crazy as it sounds, 3CX offers a 16 simultaneous call phone system with Enterprise level features... for free. So you have nothing to lose (invest) but a little bit of your time.

 

[Matt Stephens]

I imagine it's just going to a flat rate for your services to install, then an hourly rate for changes made in the future or troubleshooting.

 

[VoIPTools]

Hi Matt,

I'm not sure I understand your comment. I was under the impression you were looking to become a 3CX partner and start selling 3CX solutions. Assuming that is true, different partners take different approaches to pricing 3CX solutions. Some count the number of extensions, IVR, queues, etc. and work out a labor fee by counting the items. Others ask general questions and simply use their gut and experience to estimate the labor costs. Every 3CX Partner should be offering a support agreement to cover on-going maintenance and adds-moves-changes. But these pricing approaches are very much up to the 3CX Partner and how they choose to run their business. My suggestion, however, is that you fold your 3CX solutions into an umbrella agreement that includes your customers' IT infrastructure and follow the typical Managed Services approach to monthly billing. If you are looking to outsource your 3CX support, that is a much different discussion.

 

[Matt Stephens]

I was not the original poster, and no, I'm a system admin in a network where 3CX is already in place and I took over managing. I'm sure there are many ways to price it, I just shared what our experience was with the provider who set it up for us.

 

[YiannisH_3CX]

Hello @Richard Kokoski

Let me add that there are also live webinars you can follow and they are a great way to learn the system. Once you feel confident enough you can also test your level of knowledge by taking the certification exam