Fonality is a simple VoIP solution that works.
Updated October 14, 2016
Fonality is a simple VoIP solution that works.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Fonality
Fonality is being used across the whole organization. It meets our VoIP requirements. We are able to create new users, set up extensions, and menus through the web interface. The system, as well as the phones, have worked with limited interruptions. If I ever have any issues, they are available via chat or a phone call.
- Web interface is easy to use.
- Setting up new phones and users is quick.
- Fonality provides good support if there are ever any issues.
- Quality service and easy to work with.
- Sometimes the account managers take longer to respond when dealing with account issues.
- Should have access to add a new phone directly through the web, but Fonality needs the MAC address to do that.
- Setting up the company directory could be more straightforward.
- Pricing is good for our company with the amount of users we have.
- Relatively low maintenance costs.
- Hardware and software support is available when needed.
I have used Nortel systems in the past, and those interfaces were more cumbersome and not as easy to use. Fonality is more straightforward with their web interface and set up of phones. It is easier to use and quicker for users to learn how to maneuver around the system, as well as the phones.
NetFortris Feature Ratings
Using Fonality
30 - We have various departments in our organization and the majority of them use the phone system.
This includes: management, accounting, IT, marketing, and human resources.
Everyone that needs the ability to communicate quickly and efficiently has access to the phone system.
It is important that it is readily available and assists them in their daily functions.
This includes: management, accounting, IT, marketing, and human resources.
Everyone that needs the ability to communicate quickly and efficiently has access to the phone system.
It is important that it is readily available and assists them in their daily functions.
1 - In order to support the phone system you need a technical background.
Since this is a VoIP based system, you need to know how to configure firewalls and switches to pass phone traffic to the SIP provider.
In addition, the ability to set up VLANs is important since network segmentation is key when it comes to voice traffic.
Since this is a VoIP based system, you need to know how to configure firewalls and switches to pass phone traffic to the SIP provider.
In addition, the ability to set up VLANs is important since network segmentation is key when it comes to voice traffic.
- Dealing with customers on a daily basis.
- Setting up conference calls and taking part in meetings.
- Working with internal employees to achieve the quickest response times.
- Using HUD to message employees when they are not available.
- Conference calls are quick and easy.
- Menu system setup is straightforward via the web interface.
- Using conference calls when employees are on the road.
- Sending messages to mobile phones.
- Voicemail to email is convenient.
Evaluating Fonality and Competitors
Yes - Replaced an older POTS. We needed a VoIP system that was easy to use and configure.
The older system was cumbersome and difficult to add new users and phones.
It was also not as cost effective due to higher phone and operating costs.
Fonality made sense both on a technical and financial level.
The older system was cumbersome and difficult to add new users and phones.
It was also not as cost effective due to higher phone and operating costs.
Fonality made sense both on a technical and financial level.
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Product Reputation
- Prior Experience with the Product
- Vendor Reputation
- Existing Relationship with the Vendor
- Positive Sales Experience with the Vendor
- Analyst Reports
- Third-party Reviews
The most important factor was features and usability.
We needed a straightforward system, both from an admin and user perspective.
The ability to add new users and phones was important, as well as users being to able to learn the system quickly.
All the features that the system has were important to us (voicemail to email, conference calls, directory).
We needed a straightforward system, both from an admin and user perspective.
The ability to add new users and phones was important, as well as users being to able to learn the system quickly.
All the features that the system has were important to us (voicemail to email, conference calls, directory).
The process would stay the same when choosing the system.
We knew the features that we wanted in the system and we chose the best system based on them.
Being able to use various phones was important, rather than being forced to use one provider so that was key in the evaluation process.
We knew the features that we wanted in the system and we chose the best system based on them.
Being able to use various phones was important, rather than being forced to use one provider so that was key in the evaluation process.
Fonality Implementation
- Implemented in-house
- No major issues but just assisting users with the daily usage of the phones.
- No major issues but just assisting users with the daily usage of the phones.
- No major issues but just assisting users with the daily usage of the phones.
Fonality Training
- Online training
- In-person training
- Self-taught
For people who have used business phone systems before, the phones were easy to use. There was nothing unique in this aspect.
The menu system for each individual phone was a little different, depending on the phones that people used in the past.
But overall, most people did not need training and the self-taught approach worked.
The menu system for each individual phone was a little different, depending on the phones that people used in the past.
But overall, most people did not need training and the self-taught approach worked.
Configuring Fonality
Since the system is relatively easy to set up and use, there are no best practices for configuring it.
I would recommend to read the online manuals if you have any issues.
However, if you have had experience with VoIP systems then you know that you can experiment with configuring various options without any issues.
I would recommend to read the online manuals if you have any issues.
However, if you have had experience with VoIP systems then you know that you can experiment with configuring various options without any issues.
Some - we have done small customizations to the interface - The main customizations that were done to the user interface were menu related.
We have various menus set up when someone calls in to the main extension.
It was straightforward to set up and Fonality was able to assist in this.
It did take some learning to figure it out but overall not difficult with their assistance.
We have various menus set up when someone calls in to the main extension.
It was straightforward to set up and Fonality was able to assist in this.
It did take some learning to figure it out but overall not difficult with their assistance.
Some - we have added small pieces of custom code - We have had some custom code added in order to forward older phone extensions.
Fonality was able to assist in this and test the process after the initial install.
It did take a little work and testing, however they were readily available to assist.
Overall, they were patient and it worked out adding this feature.
Fonality was able to assist in this and test the process after the initial install.
It did take a little work and testing, however they were readily available to assist.
Overall, they were patient and it worked out adding this feature.
We also added the ability to forward desk phones to mobile phones.
This was a nice feature that allowed staff to be away from their desk and still receive calls.
It was easy to set up as well, and convenient for employees who were out in the field and could still communicate with office staff.
This was a nice feature that allowed staff to be away from their desk and still receive calls.
It was easy to set up as well, and convenient for employees who were out in the field and could still communicate with office staff.
Fonality Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
Yes - We pay for yearly technical support and maintenance. This includes phone and chat support.
If an issue ever arises, I can place a call and open a trouble ticket.
This is typically resolved the same day since the support staff is available during regular business hours and helps with any and all issues.
If an issue ever arises, I can place a call and open a trouble ticket.
This is typically resolved the same day since the support staff is available during regular business hours and helps with any and all issues.
We recently purchased new phones for a new office setup. Fonality was available to assist in the configuration and setup throughout the entire process.
There were specific changes that needed to be made to the phones in order to gain access to the network.
They assisted in a quick and helpful manner.
There were specific changes that needed to be made to the phones in order to gain access to the network.
They assisted in a quick and helpful manner.
Using Fonality
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- Dialing and company directory.
- Conference calls and meetings.
- Voicemail to email interface.
- Nothing is difficult or cumbersome.
- Nothing is difficult or cumbersome.
- Nothing is difficult or cumbersome.
Yes, but I don't use it
Fonality Reliability
Integrating Fonality
- Microsoft Outlook
- Windows OS
- HUD Web
Integration with Microsoft Outlook is relatively straightforward.
Fonality provides a plug-in that allows users to dial directly from the Outlook interface.
It integrates well with the address book and picks up numbers and names.
Fonality provides a plug-in that allows users to dial directly from the Outlook interface.
It integrates well with the address book and picks up numbers and names.
- Revenue Control System
- HR system
- Access Control System
We have not looked into the integration of this system with other vendors.
- File import/export
- Single Signon
Most of the integration technologies have been covered here.
Fonality support is available if any integration needs to take place.
It is never an issue with getting their technical support staff to assist.
Even if it is a new concept, they will still look into and attempt to assist in the implementation.
It is a configurable system if you are looking for added functionality.
It is never an issue with getting their technical support staff to assist.
Even if it is a new concept, they will still look into and attempt to assist in the implementation.
It is a configurable system if you are looking for added functionality.
Relationship with Fonality
Our main terms were server and phone costs, as well as the maintenance contract.
They were able to provide detailed information on all of this, which made it easy to see all the costs.
The negotiating was relatively straightforward, and it was not difficult to receive the service and cost that we wanted.
They were able to provide detailed information on all of this, which made it easy to see all the costs.
The negotiating was relatively straightforward, and it was not difficult to receive the service and cost that we wanted.
Dealing with the vendor is easy when you know exactly what you want.
As long as you have all your numbers in front of you and present them in a clear and concise manner than the rest will work itself out.
In this case, the number of users as well as features that we expected were important in the overall sales process.
As long as you have all your numbers in front of you and present them in a clear and concise manner than the rest will work itself out.
In this case, the number of users as well as features that we expected were important in the overall sales process.
Upgrading Fonality
Yes - We have upgraded to a new release of Fonality several times through the past 5 years.
It was a quick process (typically less than 15 minutes).
There is a web interface that has an upgrade option and it takes care of the update automatically and provides a log through the entire process.
It was a quick process (typically less than 15 minutes).
There is a web interface that has an upgrade option and it takes care of the update automatically and provides a log through the entire process.
- Server stability improvements
- Phone feature improvements
- Call quality improvements
- Added phone features
- Added server functionality
- Added user features