What are the best tips for migrating phone systems?

Migrating phone systems can definitely be tricky! One approach is to set up temporary numbers with your new provider first. If you need to, you can use outbound spoofing with your main number. It helps to port that number over first and then forward calls from the old system to your new setup. You can do this all at once or in batches, depending on what you feel is best. Make sure to switch to the new numbers once everything's ported before dropping the old service.

I'm debating between 3cx and FreePBX myself. Both are solid options! 3cx is super user-friendly, especially if you're using Microsoft tools. FreePBX is more classic and might need some telephony know-how, but it's free until you want add-ons. If you’re dealing with a large environment like I am (1400 phones, yikes!), keep in mind other requirements, like safety lines for fire alarms, which could add complexity.

You might want to consider VoIPstudio if you’re looking for something cloud-based. It's pretty straightforward to port your existing number and their support team has been really helpful!

For anyone looking for a reliable service, we use SmartChoice.us for our Teams phones and it's been great! Their support is excellent. It might not be the cheapest, but the quality makes it worth it.

Have you thought about your specific needs for the new system? Are you looking for a cloud PBX, or do you need a contact center? Think about things like call recording or compliance features too. Let the requirements guide your choice!