NFR for private use

[Basti M.]

Hi,

i installed the free version of 3CX at home a while ago and tinkered a bit with the system.
Now that there are more feature limitations in the standard edition from V16 ongoing (link call queuing), i'd like to know, if there is a way to get a NFR key for private use?

Or is there any alternative config of having a ring group with 2 extensions (both unregistered) and have the caller getting a ring tone instead of voicemail or busy or redirected?
This was possible in the V15.5 via call queuing, but for private use, 219€ per year is not an option.

Thanks

 

[JohnS_3CX]

Hi Basti M.

I you wish to use the advanced features you will have to buy a Pro license.

The NFR keys are exclusively allocated to 3CX Partners/Resellers for testing/demo/internal use purposes.

 

[leejor]

If this is for home use, and neither of two extensions is registered (for some reason), and you don't wish to add a third, that is registered, then why not simply send the caller to voicemail, or forward to another (outside?) number? It is home use after all
.If no one is home...you go to voicemail

 

[Basti M.]

Thx for the answers, so simply not possible. And no i do not want voicemail and also not the voicemail is not enabled prompt

 

[Alphabetic]

Ring group - If busy/no answer go to IVR > IVR plays ringtone.wav for x seconds then end call???

 

[Basti M.]

Thanks kieferschild. Good idea, but not what i was looking for.

Problem is, that i've been using a GSM to IP (with multi-sim) device to have my mobile available in my room in the basement. So when i am there and the 3cx client is connected, everything is okay, but when i am not in the basement, i want to use my regular mobile phone. This does not work, as the 3cx ends the incoming call when 3cx client is not connected. Your solution would accept the call and also takes it away from my mobile. With the call queues it was possible to just let it ringing, even if no one would even answer the call via 3cx. I've used this now for quite a while and now since the update it is useless for me.

Maybe i will try FreePBX now, because several hundred euros each year only for having this is quite a lot and there is no other usable benefit for me.

 

[Alphabetic]

What about if you try this option?



Or you could make an additional extension and have a forwarding rule on that extension to ring your mobile number.

If no one in ring group available > forward call to ext A > Ext A forwarding rule set to call your mobile

 

[Basti M.]

1st would lead into a second call to my mobile, so i would need to activate call waiting at my provider and would probably end up in a loop.

2nd would end up in a loop.

I use multi-sim, so one number, multiple sim cards assigned to it and acts like one virtual sim card.

 

[Alphabetic]

With the call queues it was possible to just let it ringing, even if no one would even answer the call via 3cx

You state here you dont mind letting it ring if no one answers the call. So why cant you just let them sit at an IVR and have the ringing tone play for 2 hours until they hang up? If its not getting answered anyway what difference does it make? Are you wanting to be able to pick it up by opening the 3CX Client again?

Make a loop that goes IVR xx seconds > hunt group xx seconds > IVR xx seconds

if your EXT becomes available when it polls the group then you'll get the call

 

[Basti M.]

Because a soon as the IVR kicks in, the call will be answered and i wont be able to take it on my real mobile.

I want to be able to pick up the call on my mobile when not in the basement and on the 3cx client when in the basement.

 

[cobaltit]

Sounds like this free vesrion won't work for you so it's time to find something else free that will. Good luck!

 

[leejor]

Originally you had mentioned that the extensions are not registered. Why is this? If they were, then you could have the call tg to ring group 1, set 101 and 102, no answer, then go to ring group 2 set 102 and 101. Same sets, two ring groups. this would extend the ring time long enough for you to answer on your mobile.

 

[Basti M.]

If no "phones" are connected to a 3cx extension, it will become unregistered/offline/whatever. And no you will create a loop and it will fail.

@cobaltit: You mean anymore, since v16 everything was fine

 

[cobaltit]

@Basti M.

Well yes, that is basically the basis for your thread. I'm sure 3CX did the math and unfortunately you fall into the small percentage of folks where it doesn't make financial sense to upgrade.

 

[leejor]

If you are using a 3CX App on your mobile, and that is why there are no extensions registered, go buy a two line ATA and plug in a cordless phone, in one of the lines, to use in the basement.

Depending on the output from your GSM to IP device, you could go direct to a cordless phone, or to an ATA, then cordless. Bypass 3CX entirely.

 

[Basti M.]

@leejor It is the fact that there are ways to achieve, what i want. What makes me rethink off 3cx use case is, that you have a working product (private or commercial use) and the manufacturer changes it to a non working state. I mean what do companies make? They all need to upgrade and pay more even if they do not need all the pro features.

So for now, no recommendation for this product for commercial use.

 

[leejor]

You have to look at it this way. 3CX is in business to make money, as the vast majority of companies are. Home use usually doesn't generate revenue, business use does. Products evolve to provide requested changes/additions and to compete with other products that are doing the same thing. Many times that means that features that used to be available, but were not widely used, or profitable, are dropped.
You will find the same thing in other tech products.

 

[Basti M.]

I am now not speaking for my home usage, but for enterprise usage.
They did not drop a feature here, they just put it at higher price tag.

If it would be a new feature in v16, okay but it is an "old" feature.

It is like Samsung updates their mobile phones and you now are no longer able to make calls with them, until you purchase Samsung Plus...

 

[leejor]

Windows 10 did the same thing with a number of, what used to be "standard features", on previous windows versions.

 

[Basti M.]

Correct, but that does not mean, that i am happy with this business model and would recommend it to others