Getting Started

1. Introduction

Alpha Data Cloud PBX is a multi-tenant PBX that is based on a robust open-source framework for voice communication over the internet. The service is offered on a pre-paid subscription basis. This guide explains how to start using the system.

2. Administrator

A company wishing to use the service would designate an employee as the company's PBX administrator (admin). The admin works with Alpha Data to sign up and pay for the service. For more information about signing up, please send an email to support@alphadatasolutions.net .

3. Signup

Visit alphadatasolutions.net.

Click "See Pricing" button.

In the next page, click the "Get Started" button of a plan; plans are: Free, Basic, Standard, Ultimate.

Complete a form. Provide required information (company name, email, subscription plan duration, number of extensions, etc). Click "Save Changes" button. An email would be sent.

NOTES:

• The information provided would be used to create an admin account in the PBX.
• Subsequently, the admin would setup an account for the extension of each user.
• Minimum number of extensions is five (5).
• The subscription plan defaults to the plan chosen in the prior step.
• Time zone and currency fields are automatically populated based on country.

Check for an email from support@alphadatasolutions.net with subject "Alpha Data PBX Service Signup". If email not seen, please check the spam mail folder.

Click a link in the email to confirm email address. In a form that opens up, provide a username and password. Click "Save Changes" to complete signup if subscription plan chosen is the free plan. For non-free plans, an online payment page is presented to make payment and complete the signup process.

After a successful signup, the admin is automatically logged into the client portal; see screenshot in "Portal Welcome Page" section below.

4. Create Extensions in PBX

Within the client portal, the admin would create an extension by clicking "Phone-User" menu item in the left panel and selecting "Extension User" to open a page in the right panel. Then click "Add" button at the top left corner to open a form. In the form, provide the required information, namely:

1. Customer
2. Extension number, e.g., 1001. Extensions should preferably be four digits long.
3. Title, e.g., Mr. Mrs.
4. User First Name
5. User Last Name
6. Email address

Accept the default choices to generate QR code, email QR code and send voicemail to email.

Click "Save" to create the account.

The person for which the extension was created should receive an email to which a QR code in png format is attached.

5. Activate Extensions in PBX

After creating all extensions, please the link that says "apply the change". The link is in the rectangular yellow box at the top of the page that lists all extensions. In the screen that follows, click "Apply Changes" button.

6. Install Grandstream Wave Soft Phone

Click here for instructions of how to install the Grandstream Wave soft phone.

7. Create Extension in Grandstream Wave Soft Phone

The Grandstream Wave soft phone can scan or select a QR code to create an account.

To use the app to create an account by scanning the QR code, please follow the instructions here.

Alternatively, to use the app to create an account by selecting the QR image, please follow the instructions here.

Alternatively, to create an account by entering data, please follow the instructions here.

NOTE: Other soft phones that have been tested with the PBX include

• ABTo
• Groundwire
• MizuDriod
• PortSip
• Zoiper

See "Connection Info" section below for the information needed for configuring the Grandstream Wave and other soft phones.

8. Install Grandstream Wave Soft Phone

Click here for instructions of how to install the Grandstream Wave soft phone.

9. Soft Phone Connection to PBX

After an account is created in the PBX and in the soft phone, the soft phone would try to connect to the PBX. A successful connection is indicated by the status light in the soft phone turning green or the soft phone otherwise shows a connection has been established.

If no connection, please ensure that the information used to setup the soft phone is correct and that the mobile phone has a good internet connection either through WIFI or phone data.

10. Testing

After soft phone successfully connects to the PBX, dial any of the following numbers and follow the prompts to test the system:

• *97 - setup a reminder call
• *98 - voicemail
• *99 - quick conference call
• 555 - get system information
• xxxx - call another extension, e.g. 1002

For unknown information requested by any of the prompts, please contact your admin.

11. SIP Trunk and DID Numbers

To connect to the PSTN like GSM and land lines, Alpha Data PBX can provide SIP trunks and DID numbers. This costs extra. Calls to the PSTN are billed per second. Costs are pre-paid and account balance can be announced before each call.

Call detail records can be viewed in and downloaded from the client web portal.

Clients that prefer to use their own SIP trunk and DID numbers should provide the following trunking information:

1. SIP trunk server IP or FQDN
2. SIP trunk server port
3. SIP trunk authentication type: IP or user/password
4. DID numbers
5. Endpoint extension numbers to link to DID numbers

For information requested by any of the prompts but not known, please contact your admin.

12. Support

Please send an email to support@alphadatasolutions.net.

13. Reset Password

The admin can login to the client portal to configure telephone extensions in the PBX for all client users.

To login for the first time when password for the client portal is unknown, please proceed as follows:

1. Go to the home page: https://alphadatasolutions.net.
2. Click “Account” in the top menu.
3. Click “Login”.
4. In the new page, click the “Forgot your password?” link.
5. Enter your email address.” link.
6. Click “Send password” button.
7. A message that says “An e-mail has been sent to you which explains how to reset your password” should appear.
8. In your email application, look for the email with subject “Password reset on Alpha Data”. Please check spam folder if not found.
9. Follow the instructions to click a link to reset password.
10. In the page that appears, enter and re-enter the password. Then click “Reset password” button.
11. A successful reset of the password is indicated by the message that says “You can now signin with your new password”.
12. Login with your email and the new password.

14. Connection Info

15. Portal Welcome Page

16. Abbreviations