I self implemented FreePBX system. I knew nothing about VOIP before starting, but am quite technical. We were using cloud based SIP system Jive, which previously we could qualify for federal discount, The discount went away and the phone cost was the driver for looking at new phones system. I looked at a few including 3cx but I was keen to have on premise control. We were lucky enough to be able to keep all our Jive Polycom phones, so zero phone cost was a great start.
I learnt all I needed to implement from crosstalk solutions excellent youtube series of FreePBX videos. I set out doing a proof of concept, using an old Dell optiplex 790 (still running our live FreePBX 3 years later).
We contracted crosstalk solution for a once over before we went live and made a few minor changes, but good peace of mind. The number port was the most stressful part of it and didn't go smoothly, mainly because Jive subcontract out the SIP Trunk service to someone else so took a while to trace down where our number was registered and get it released. Luckily we did it over summer so super low call volume.
We reduced phone cost going from a fix monthly per extension to per minute usage billing. We went from ~$600/month to ~$70/month. We now have full control and ownership over our configuration. We do use a SIP Trunk service from Flowroute. We have 4 DIDs but only use 1 main number and IVR to direct calls. There are no restrictions on number of outbound / inbound calls (lines) we just pay per minute.
I plan to upgrade to Sangoma hardware appliance and PBXAct to get all of the additional modules for future expanding. I am also going to re-look at sipstation/faxstation for fax support, because T38 is a big black hole I could waste alot of time in.
