The document discusses open source IP PBX systems and whether they are a niche product or disruptive technology. It notes that hundreds of thousands of businesses currently use open source telephony like Asterisk, and that major companies like Digium and Fonality offer commercial support options and certified hardware. The document argues that open source PBX systems have advanced features previously only available to large enterprises, lower pricing than legacy systems, and are easy for IT consultants to install, suggesting they are becoming a viable option for small and medium-sized businesses.

2. The Open Source IP
PBX
Niche Product or Disruptive Technology?

3. January 23-25, 2008 • Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, Florida USA
www.ITEXPO.com
3
Open Source in the SMB
Are you already using any open source software?
• Linux servers
– File servers
– Web Servers
– Mail Servers
– Desktops
• Applications
– SugarCRM
– MySQL
– OpenOffice

4. January 23-25, 2008 • Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, Florida USA
www.ITEXPO.com
More Common OSS Projects
• GAIM/Pidgin
• Firefox
• Thunderbird
• Filezilla
• VNC
• Bugzilla
• ClamAV
• Putty
• IPCop/M0n0Wall/pfSense/Smoothwall
4

5. January 23-25, 2008 • Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, Florida USA
www.ITEXPO.com
Open Source Telephony Projects
• SIPx
• CallWeaver
• FreeSwitch
• Asterisk
• trixbox / Elastix
• FreePBX
• VoiceONE
• VICIDial
5

6. January 23-25, 2008 • Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, Florida USA
www.ITEXPO.com
Can you rely on OSS Telephony?
• Stability / Reliability
– Hundreds of thousands of businesses running today
• Support
– Hundreds of certified support technicians
• Digium & Fonality both have training programs
– Paid support options from parent companies
• Digium & Fonality both have paid support options
• Certified Hardware
– Heavy duty testing ensures interoperability
• Enterprise-ready hardware
– Digium, Rhino, PIKA, Sangoma, Polycom, Aastra
6

7. January 23-25, 2008 • Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, Florida USA
www.ITEXPO.com
Is OSS Telephony just a fad?
• Are these just a niche or fad product?
– Huge investments by big companies
• Matrix Partners
• Intel Capital
– Companies are building commercial products on top of
the open source components
• Fonality PBXtra / trixbox Pro
• Digium Asterisk Business Edition
• Numerous appliances coming to market
– Fonality, Digium, 3Com, PIKA, Rhino, Xorcom
7

8. January 23-25, 2008 • Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, Florida USA
www.ITEXPO.com
Is it a disruptive technology?
• Brings Fortune 500 PBX features to the SMB
• Enables advanced features previously unavailable
– Branch offices
– Telecommuters
– VoIP Service Providers
– Queues / Conference Rooms / Follow-Me
– Softphones
• Intra/Extra Company Connections
• Pricing is far less than legacy systems
8

9. January 23-25, 2008 • Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, Florida USA
www.ITEXPO.com
Allows new class of resellers
• PBX systems have always been the domain of
legacy resellers/VAR’s
• IP PBX system can now be installed by IT Techs
– Systems are easy to install and configure
– Runs on existing data network
– Utilizes TCP/IP
– Uses commodity PC hardware
– Interfaces through existing switches and firewalls
– This is the domain of the IT Consultant!
9

10. January 23-25, 2008 • Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, Florida USA
www.ITEXPO.com
OSS PBX Systems Evolve
• Systems are evolving at a rapid pace
– New features
– Greater reliability
– Easier maintenance
– Easier to support
– VoIP quality is improving
– More companies providing training
10

11. January 23-25, 2008 • Miami Beach Convention Center • Miami, Florida USA
www.ITEXPO.com
All Roads Lead to OSS!
• Is OSS Telephony right for the SMB?
– Pricing is great
– Features are incredible
– Consultants are getting trained
– Parent companies offer support
– Parent companies certifying hardware
– Systems are getting easier to use
• The time is now right to consider an OSS
telephony platform!
11