Open-Source Telephony
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Open-source VoIP PBX systems offer small and medium enterprises a cost-effective way to deploy a VoIP phone system without outsourcing. Examples of open-source PBX systems mentioned are Asterisk, Pingtel SIPxchange ECS, and Signate Telephony Server 5000. While these systems provide full PBX feature functionality comparable to expensive proprietary systems, choosing an open-source solution requires in-house support resources and the ability to act as your own systems integrator. Experts disagree on whether open-source or proprietary systems are most accessible for enterprises adopting VoIP, but open-source solutions are gaining impact in the communications market over time. For small enterprises considering an open-source PBX, ensuring support from the open-
![Tech & Trends Click To Print
General Information
June 9, 2006 Vol.28 Issue 23
Page(s) 28 in print issue
Expand Your SME鐃s VoIP Telecommunications
Infrastructure
Open-source VoIP PBXes (Private Branch Exchanges) offer small to medium-sized enterprises a
cost-effective entry point into deploying a VoIP PBX within their enterprise. Such PBXes could
especially be an attractive option if you dont want to outsource your VoIP PBX to a third-party
provider.
Open-source PBXes such as Asterisk 1.2.7.1 (www.asterisk.org), Pingtel SIPxchange ECS
(www.pingtel.com), and Signate Telephony Server 5000 (www.signate.com) offer the full suite of
PBX features rivaling their expensive commercial cousins. Each of these IP PBXes is backed up by
a vendors support and professional services organization.
Choosing Open-Source Telephony For Your VoIP PBX
Kevin Fleming, senior software engineer and co-maintainer of Asterisk at Digium, points out the
benefits of an open-source PBX solution. Through an open-source solution, a company is able to
establish a telephony platform that is cost-effective and far more flexible than a commercial
solution, especially in migrating to VoIP by enabling a hybrid solution. Through open-source
applications, there is faster evolution of the product and increased compatibility. The core basis of
the open-source telephony platform is the built-in compatibility with other vendors products (as
opposed to being limited by a commercial solutions provider to purchase specific products). The
open-source model can also prove to be a highly cost-effective way to migrate to VoIP.
Brian Riggs, principal analyst for enterprise communications for Sterling, Va.,-based Current
Analysis, an industry analyst firm, offers a counterpoint. I would argue that VoIP is actually more
accessible to the enterprise without open-source PBXes. IP PBXes of the non-open-source variety
are mature, stable, highly scaleable, tightly integrated systems that are available from a wide range
of vendors. In terms of making IP telephony more accessible [and] easier to deploy, open-source
PBX software muddies the water.
However, Riggs does foresee open sources impact on the communications market. There is little
doubt open-source PBX software will have far-reaching impact on the communications market. In
the near term, however, its impact on the enterprise will be minimal. Enterprise software
developers and IT staff will download the software and play around with it, but if they choose to
deploy it, they must be prepared to be their own systems integrator, interoperability tester, and
product developer. It will take a well-trained, dedicated IT staff for such an endeavor.
Understanding The Risks Of Open-Source Telephony
Open-source PBX solutions do have their risks, and Fleming advises, 鐃The risk involved would be
to make sure there is a person who can understand the technology. Solutions like Asterisk
Business Edition come packaged with support, so if a company has a basic understanding of the
technology, this access to support can mitigate much of the risk. An open-source telephony
package supported by a company could bring the best of both worlds to an SME seeking the
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Open-Source Telephony
- 1. Tech & Trends Click To Print General Information June 9, 2006 Vol.28 Issue 23 Page(s) 28 in print issue Expand Your SME鐃s VoIP Telecommunications Infrastructure Open-source VoIP PBXes (Private Branch Exchanges) offer small to medium-sized enterprises a cost-effective entry point into deploying a VoIP PBX within their enterprise. Such PBXes could especially be an attractive option if you dont want to outsource your VoIP PBX to a third-party provider. Open-source PBXes such as Asterisk 1.2.7.1 (www.asterisk.org), Pingtel SIPxchange ECS (www.pingtel.com), and Signate Telephony Server 5000 (www.signate.com) offer the full suite of PBX features rivaling their expensive commercial cousins. Each of these IP PBXes is backed up by a vendors support and professional services organization. Choosing Open-Source Telephony For Your VoIP PBX Kevin Fleming, senior software engineer and co-maintainer of Asterisk at Digium, points out the benefits of an open-source PBX solution. Through an open-source solution, a company is able to establish a telephony platform that is cost-effective and far more flexible than a commercial solution, especially in migrating to VoIP by enabling a hybrid solution. Through open-source applications, there is faster evolution of the product and increased compatibility. The core basis of the open-source telephony platform is the built-in compatibility with other vendors products (as opposed to being limited by a commercial solutions provider to purchase specific products). The open-source model can also prove to be a highly cost-effective way to migrate to VoIP. Brian Riggs, principal analyst for enterprise communications for Sterling, Va.,-based Current Analysis, an industry analyst firm, offers a counterpoint. I would argue that VoIP is actually more accessible to the enterprise without open-source PBXes. IP PBXes of the non-open-source variety are mature, stable, highly scaleable, tightly integrated systems that are available from a wide range of vendors. In terms of making IP telephony more accessible [and] easier to deploy, open-source PBX software muddies the water. However, Riggs does foresee open sources impact on the communications market. There is little doubt open-source PBX software will have far-reaching impact on the communications market. In the near term, however, its impact on the enterprise will be minimal. Enterprise software developers and IT staff will download the software and play around with it, but if they choose to deploy it, they must be prepared to be their own systems integrator, interoperability tester, and product developer. It will take a well-trained, dedicated IT staff for such an endeavor. Understanding The Risks Of Open-Source Telephony Open-source PBX solutions do have their risks, and Fleming advises, 鐃The risk involved would be to make sure there is a person who can understand the technology. Solutions like Asterisk Business Edition come packaged with support, so if a company has a basic understanding of the technology, this access to support can mitigate much of the risk. An open-source telephony package supported by a company could bring the best of both worlds to an SME seeking the http://www.processor.com/editorial/PrntArticle.asp?prnt=1&article=artic... 1 of 2 12/29/2009 4:13 PM
- 2. flexibility of an open-source IP PBX but with the security of vendor support. Moving To Open-Source Telephony Fleming advises the following for SMEs seeking an open-source telephony solution: Entry into open-source telephony is basically done by purchasing a package from a company that includes it. It is important to choose a packaged solution that is backed by a company that will give you the support and direction that you need. Using an open-source product that is supported by a company like Digium will ensure the best quality and reliability. In addition, open-source technology can be found in products like Asterisk Business Edition, which include professional regression testing and certification of compatibility with third-party products, increasing the level of support the customer can expect from their provider. Implementing an open-source PBX such as Asterisk requires that your SME have the right mix of vendor support and internal resources to make a successful go of the project. by Will Kelly Packet Island Solve the VoIP service management problem www.Processor.com/PacketIsland Signate Telephony Server 5000 The industry's first high-performance PBX or softswitch built for the open-source telephony environment www.Processor.com/SignateTelephony Switchvox SMB Phone System Advanced voice and data integration and call monitoring and recording www.Processor.com/Switchvox6 View the chart that accompanies this article. (NOTE: These pages are PDF (Portable Document Format) files. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view these pages. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader) Copyright 息 2009 Sandhills Publishing Company U.S.A. All rights reserved. http://www.processor.com/editorial/PrntArticle.asp?prnt=1&article=artic... 2 of 2 12/29/2009 4:13 PM