I have a single-user account and am using RingCentral for Windows (softphone?) on my computer.
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.
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
Jan Ferguson, Channel Partner, Champion
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31,444 Points
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902 Points
Thank you Jan, but that does not answer my question, at least not directly or in a way that I can understand it.
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?
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?
Jan Ferguson, Channel Partner, Champion
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31,296 Points
Yes....that's exactly what I was talking about as well. You have a single user account and with it you should have one digital/direct line. Each "User" can have a phone (IP phone or ATA device) as well as one instance of the RingCentral for Windows (softphone) to make/receive calls.
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.
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
Well, thanks. That clears that up, except that it conflicts with what I think my Account Manager has told me. He indicated, I think, that a single User can have only one or the other, i.e., either a phone or softphone, but not both. I think he indicated that I would have to pay for a second User in order to use both.
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?
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?
Jan Ferguson, Channel Partner, Champion
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31,296 Points
No flags. That's the way it should be. Your laptop is most likely where you have the softphone installed.
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902 Points
That's correct.
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902 Points
Here is the kind of conflicting and confusing information I get from my Account Manager, paraphrased:
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.
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.
(Edited)
Jan Ferguson, Channel Partner, Champion
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31,296 Points
Your account manager is correct in that. That would be four users. Each "user" needs their own digital/direct line. As I mentioned in one of my replies, the digital/direct line is what gives the ability to use a desk phone and/or a softphone.
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.
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.
Jan Ferguson, Channel Partner, Champion
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31,296 Points
One thing I noticed, and didn't address it in my previous post, is that you say you have a "single-user" account. Yet when you asked your account manager about the different persons in the office, you were describing a multi-person (4 users) account.
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).
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
Thanks, and I understand. That makes perfect sense.
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.
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.
Jan Ferguson, Channel Partner, Champion
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31,296 Points
I'm glad it makes sense now. I am a RingCentral Partner (Authorized Dealer) and it's easier to explain these concepts to my clients in person rather than over the phone or in writing as I attempted to do with you in these posts.
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.
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
Being a new RC customer, I am trying to move wisely and cautiously and am not immediately tossing my company's existing telecommunications provider, setup and equipment and diving everything into RC all at once. Instead I am moving into RC a little bit at a time, starting as a single user, until I know that I'll be happy with it. Even if and when I move into RC further, I'm probably going to keep at least a small part of my existing system in place for at least several months just to be sure.
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.
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.
Jan Ferguson, Channel Partner, Champion
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31,296 Points
Understood. Makes good business sense. I've never been disappointed with RingCentral. With a good Account Manager you shouldn't be either.
Welcome aboard!
Welcome aboard!
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902 Points
I have an old AT&T 2-line regular office phone system (Model 2462) that I have been using for many years. The system is a wired base set with two cordless handsets.
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.
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.
Jan Ferguson, Channel Partner, Champion
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31,296 Points
I've never used an ATA so I cannot advise on your questions. Having said that, just as RIngCentral phones are configured for use with RingCentral, I would assume that an ATA would be in a similar situation.
Here is information copied from the RingCentral website:
http://www.ringcentral.com/office/voip-phone.html
For two line phones that would assume you have two digital/direct lines in use.
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.
(Edited)
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902 Points
We were using the old two-line phones at a different office location where we had two working lines (telephone numbers).
But of course a two-line phone doesn't require two lines to work. One can use it with just a single line.
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
Maybe someone else out there has some experience with ATAs who can tell me if the caller's incoming Caller ID comes thru and shows up on the regular wired phones.
RC-Installer, Champion
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26,906 Points
Hi Customer, sorry for the delay here.
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
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