Newbie: Skype, Asterisk and VOIP

[Dale Thomas]

I would love to be able to click on a contact name and have my VOIP ( Packet 8 ) dial the number.

I have seen Skype and Asterisk and am not sure how they work with Sugar. I know that may seem dumb. Just trying to e straight up.

I have searched around the forums and can't find any kind of "Dummies" guide to doing this.

Can anyone help a brotha out and break this down for me?

Dale

[chrisky]

I would love to be able to click on a contact name and have my VOIP ( Packet 8 ) dial the number.
I have seen Skype and Asterisk and am not sure how they work with Sugar. I know that may seem dumb. Just trying to e straight up.
I have searched around the forums and can't find any kind of "Dummies" guide to doing this.
Can anyone help a brotha out and break this down for me?
Dale

"Help a brother out??" ... LOL

To date, I've helped quite a few out (in regards to Sugar) and have no regrets;
however, all that helping didn't feed me or my family but rather took food from the table..

Now in awnsering your question:
I just enjoy throwing this out there, knowing that nobody will ever take me up on my offer..
You want a click to dial, Sugar and VOIP solution? We'll gladly fix ya up with it; however, not for free..

First, your asking your question in the WRONG place.
That question should be directed to Packet8..
Specifically, in the form of something like this:
"Is there any API or other method of initiating/dialing a call [utilizing my Packet8 VOIP service]?"

I'm making a wild ASSumption that you're 'SOL' (out of luck), based on my recollection of just one single detail, being that P8 utilizes locked APA's.

If you want even a fraction of a fraction of the VOIP/CRM integration and/or just plain'ol VOIP features in which you can dream up, then you'll have to do a little deeper than your local computer/electronics retail store!

Second, *hint* lose the joke of a so-called VOIP provider.. (real VOIP providers don't utilize locked APA's)

Third, you best figure out where to obtain an UNlocked APA; however, I'll be generous and suggest [if you're so poor financially with money that you can not afford the $100 more to buy a decent phone] you buy a GXP-2000 instead of an APA.

Another GXP-2k tip... Avoid [firmware] upgrades like the plague... This same theme applies to sugar in the advice 'don't touch a sugar update/patch/or upgrade with a ten foot pole unless you have a full backup of the sugar installation and sql db'!

At least with sugar, there is NO risk [if such is done on a COPY/DUPLICATE of the sugar installation & sql db]; however, with the GXP-2k, there is no going back nor any guarantee of such.. It's a nasty game of russian roulette..

On this note, they oughta be hung (Grandstream). They don't sell 'firmware' upgrades, they sell HARDWARE (phones). There refusal to provide open src firmware code [which would subsequently result in others improving and fixing bugs, completely free of charge, which would make there product (phones) a far better product and in much higher demand] opposed to their closed src which results in a worse product that is avoided like the plague by [first-hand GXP-2k] knoweldgeable and experienced admins, including myself.

If anyone is so broke that under $100 is not even in the budget, then the GXP-2k is for you, and is a superb & great phone for the price! But, if you're able to afford $200 or more, then don't even dream of considering a GXP!

Fourth, you best figure out how to use and/or install Asterisk.
Because, if you want VOIP and CRM integration beyond Sugar & Skype, well... Asterisk is a foundational element to such, just as oxygen is to humans.

Fifth, the best HINT, you'll ever recieve, though if you got off yer lazy behind and searched even just THIS forum, you'd have come across this already, as I KNOW, that I've at least mentioned or touched on this topic before.

voip-info.org

Visit that website, and spend at least a few weeks READING.

Sixth, save your self the time, hassle, and fingers (typing)!
You won't find the awnsers on this forum, and doubtfully anywhere on the net, as they don't exist... (well, they do.. but are not for sale..)
Asterisk click to dial with SugarCRM is the most you can hope for, unless you shell out the capital to have such developed.