Question: If I install an ATA adapter and use it to use regular wired telephones with my single-user account, will I be able to continue using RingCentral for Windows on my computer without paying extra? Or will I have to pay for two users instead of just one in order to use both the ATA and RingCentral for Windows?
Thank you.
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902 Points
Posted 3 years ago
J.B. Ferguson, Champion
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32,866 Points
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902 Points
I am talking about the number of "Users" with a capital "U", as in the number of Users on the account. I currently have a one-User account.
The device I am currently using for that one User is softphone on my laptop.
So, if I attach and use an ATA to my router so that I can use my regular wired telephones (i.e., not VOIP phones) to make and receive call via RC, then will I continue to be able to use softphone on my laptop without having to pay to add a second User to the Account?
J.B. Ferguson, Champion
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32,818 Points
In my situation I have one digital/direct line and with it I have one IP phone on my desk AND one softphone (on my laptop) which both use that one "User" account line. I can use both of those with a "single user account".
I hope that clears up any confusion.
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902 Points
When I log on to my ringcentral.com account and go to "Phones and Devices," then under "User Phones" it lists my direct line and Softphone and the name of my laptop as a device. Does that raise any flags?
J.B. Ferguson, Champion
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32,818 Points
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902 Points
CUSTOMER: Can I have one Main RingCentral number, but four people in this office, and all have downloaded and installed Softphone on their computer. Can we set up a different extension for each of the four people to work off of that same Main number?
ACCOUNT MANAGER: Yes you can but only one can do outgoing calls.
ACCOUNT MANAGER: The cellphone app is where you can have multiple people doing incoming and outgoing calls.
CUSTOMER: What if the other three people don't have cell phones? What if we have person 1 using a deskphone, person 2 using softphone on their computer, person 3 using another deskphone, and person 4 using softphone on their computer? Let's say they are all in the same office.
ACCOUNT MANAGER: That would be 4 users.
J.B. Ferguson, Champion
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32,818 Points
The best way to describe the capabilities of this would be:
Person 1 - Direct line of 954-555-1111: Deskphone at the office. Wants to work at home on his/her laptop or desktop. They would be able to use the softphone at home by using their digital/direct line (954-555-1111) to log in.
Person 2 - Needs their OWN digital/direct line to be able to log into their OWN softphone. They can't use "Person 1's" digital line because Person 1 is using it via their deskphone and it is assigned to their laptop at home.
Person 3 - Needs their own digital/direct line for their deskphone. They can't use Person 1's line (number) because it is already in use for Person 1.
Person 4 - Needs their OWN digital/direct line to be able to log into their OWN softphone. They can't use "Person 1's" digital line because Person 1 is using it via their deskphone and it is assigned to their laptop at home.
Essentially, one digital direct line is assigned to one "user". A user is a digital/direct line. Each user needs their own digital/direct line (a.k.a. "number"). It can then be used for one IP phone and one softphone for that user ONLY. Think of a user (i.e., one digital/direct line/phone number) the same as your cell number. You can use it but it cannot be assigned to another cell phone because it is yours/assigned to you. The only difference is that RingCentral allows for the use of the "softphone" by the same user on their computer. This allows the user to maybe use it at home or on the road while they don't have access to their deskphone.
J.B. Ferguson, Champion
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32,818 Points
Just as in most business office setups (i.e., not retail operations with a shared line), each person in their own office has their own phone number. Same here. The only difference is you can run the RingCentral for Windows using YOUR phone number on a computer at home or a mobile device (laptop).
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902 Points
What was confusing was what he told me in the beginning that four (or whatever) persons could download and use softphone for the one direct line, but would be restricted in that only one person could make an outgoing call at any one time. That evidently is not correct. What he was actually thinking at the time might have been correct, but he just didn't communicate it accurately. My account manager is a really nice person who works hard to serve and please but isn't the best at communicating.
J.B. Ferguson, Champion
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32,818 Points
I'm glad that you like your account manager. That is important and he/she is your best source of information. Many of us here on the forums are glad to assist but unfortunately don't know your particular situation.
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902 Points
My Account Manager and I were discussing hypothetical situations. The "four people" was hypothetical. It could have been two or ten or thirty or whatever.
J.B. Ferguson, Champion
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32,818 Points
Welcome aboard!
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902 Points
The wired base and the two cordless handsets all have Caller ID windows.
I am wondering if the caller ID name and number will successfully come thru the ATA device and show on the AT&T wired base and cordless handsets.
As for the ATA, I am thinking of trying a Cisco from Staples down the street from me. If I don't like it, I can easily take it back for a refund.
J.B. Ferguson, Champion
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32,818 Points
Here is information copied from the RingCentral website:
http://www.ringcentral.com/office/voip-phone.html
Cisco SPA-122 Analog Adapter (ATA)
Answer and place calls with your standard telephone or use your existing standard fax machine with this Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA).
- Connect analog devices such as existing cordless phones, fax machines, and more
For two line phones that would assume you have two digital/direct lines in use.
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902 Points
But of course a two-line phone doesn't require two lines to work. One can use it with just a single line.
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902 Points
RC-Installer, Champion
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27,170 Points
I have many ATA's in place and yes caller ID information will pass through to the "Old Phone connected"
Most of my implementations are a cordless phone. The display is small and it also depands on your plan.
Standard will just send through the number.
premium and up will send Enhanced caller ID which includes Text
Hope this answers your question
Thank you
Chuck
Certified RC Installer