Host Gator vs FluentStream Technologies

Our needs weren't particularly easy. Two small companies at one location operating separately and answering the phones with 2 business names (with shared personnel), using an old phone system in a small office, in an industry that doesn't always welcome technology changes! Going to VOIP from Analog was the challenge of trying to make something newer - look more like the older system in order to minimize the technology pushback. We purchased Cisco SPA508G phones (not password protected), all with Attendant Sidecars (maybe not ideal since programming options can be more advanced), but they work well for us, were affordable, and we mostly use the basics anyway. We also have a warehouse speaker paging system. I'm not a phone guy - but decent with technology. We got by with only me doing the change out and with a little help from our contract IT guy to prioritize call quality and make sure our firewall ports were set correctly. FluentStream and more specifically Kaitlin, not only did an outstanding job of working with us to get where we needed to be - but they also cut our monthly bill by about 2/3. Are there cons... sure - very minor ones. I'm pretty sure they aren't (yet), a technology giant with unlimited funds - but - every need we had and that mattered - they met with a GREAT attitude and with AMERICAN customer service that was easy to understand. Actually, my view is that their setup options for he $ spent are VERY advanced. We tried two others before deciding - one of the LARGEST Voip companies out there, and one very small 2-3 person company. NO COMPARISON - even from the large company. They had no flexibility and hard-to-communicate with overseas people for support. Those we work with at FluentStream take time to listen and solve issues that are important to us. What is that worth? Every penny that we saved - and every $200. - $300. monthly that I feel we overpaid CenturyLink and 2 other companies over the last 6 years - for below average, often grouchy time-taking customer service. If you are like us, you will save thousands per year and for small businesses, and more importantly for large businesses, that can be significant. I really can't believe how much we are saving and how adaptable their system has been for us. We would definitely do this again and again and again!