Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide. Focus Research March 2009

Transcription

1 Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research March 2009 Focus Research 2009

2 3Com Altigen Avaya Cisco 3Com NBX V3000 BRI-ST AltiServ IP Office Unified Call Manager/Media Convergence Server 7800 Series Features Outlook Integration Integrated Voice Response Included Included Optional via Voic Pro Included Yes, with optional add-on Multiple options with call-center software Included Included Call Center Basics included, advanced capabilities available with add-on With call center software Yes, with optional add-on Included Software Security-hardened Linux Windows-based IP Office release 4 Either Windows or Linux Hardware Proprietary V3000 NBX platform Proprietary Avaya Office IP 500 Cisco CallManager and Media Convergence servers ed Protocol(s) SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), H.323, 802.x and many more protocols supported SIP, H.323 and numerous other standards Management and Administration Browser-based interface supports provisioning, regular administration and management features and integrates with 3Com's enterprise networkmanagement suites User- and system-management software options Windows-based graphical systemmanagement tools and end user/client tools Suite of management and administration tools that support functions across groups of phones as well as single phones Phone Multiple third-party SIP devices Two proprietary, IP hardphones, one softphone and analog phone support Numerous hard SIP phones Analog Phone Yes, built-in Yes Yes Yes Focus Research

3 Digium Fonality Intuitive Voice Mitel Asterisk Business Edition PBXtra Evolution PBX V2.3 SX-200 IP Communications Features Outlook Integration Integrated Voice Response Call Center Click-to-dial available as plug-in Included Included Included Included Included Included Requires significant configuration Included with Call Center Edition No Included Software Open-source, Red Hat Linux based, with extensive customization Based on Asterisk, true Web-based GUI; extremely intuitive for adminstrators and users alike Open source Asterisk Proprietary integrates with common network systems Hardware Pretty much any Linux server Pretty much any Linux server Preinstalled on customized Linux servers Proprietary ed Protocol(s) Management and Administration Good encrypted VoIP, phone authentication and management security Standard Asterisk administration Ships with two management tools: MyAdministrator & IP Phone Analyzer; MACs are simple to execute Phone 40+ hardphones supported; numerous softphone clients Six IP hardphones supported; one IP softphone (bundled); also supports analog phones Polycom, Linksys, Cisco and Counterpath phones s very wide range of SIP phones and IP devices Analog Phone Yes Yes Yes Yes Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

4 Nortel Networks Pingtel ShoreTel Siemens Communications Server 1000 Release 4 SIPxchange Shoretel 9 IP Phone System HiPath 3500 Features Outlook Integration Integrated Voice Response Call Center Software Hardware ed Protocol(s) With integrated conference bridge Not available Included Included with HiPath Expressions Included Included Available Included with HiPath Expressions Included Included Included With HiPath Pro Center Compact VXWorks Linux VXWorks Proprietary Proprietary Standard Linux servers Proprietary ShoreTel Shoregear switches Proprietary SIP and H.323 SIP and H.323 SIP and MGCP Management and Administration Windows and Web-based management tools, including traffic analysis, configuration of Meridian digital and IP telephones, and performance of call tracking and billing functions Web-based GUI is intuitive with simple navigational structure; management of phones can be challenging Through one browser, you can manage all the sites including the PBX, voice mail, automated attendant and desktop applications. Lacks integrated interface; individual tools are effective; good monitoring and look for deployment tool Phone Nortel IP phones and softphones Dozens of IP phones and devices via SIP Shoretel telephones and softphones Most SIP phones, plus analog phone support. Siemens' own phones are among the best. Analog Phone Yes s all SIP compliant FXS gateways Yes, plus third-party SIP, wifi, DECT, mobile phones Yes Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

5 Sphere Switchvox TalkSwitch Whaleback Sphericall Switchvox PBX 48-CVA CrystalBlue Voice SMB 1500 Features Outlook Integration Integrated Voice Response Call Center Included Included Included Included Included Included Included Included Included With add-on Yes No (integrates with third-party vendor.) Software Windows XP Web-based administration and user portals Proprietary Proprietary Hardware Industry-standard servers Proprietary tower servers Proprietary Proprietary ed Protocol(s) SIP and MGCP Management and Administration Sphericall comes with Web-based and Windows-based tools for managing and administering the system. Easy Web-based tools for administration. Windows Based TalkSwitch software to provide management and administration Part of service provided by vendor Phone End devices from Aastra, Eutectics, Grandstream Networks, Polycom and SpectraLink All SIP compatible phones Works with Polycom and Grandstream IP phones Polycom IP phones Analog Phone Yes Yes Yes Yes Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

6 3Com Altigen Avaya Cisco 3Com NBX V3000 BRI-ST AltiServ IP Office Unified Call Manager/Media Convergence Server 7800 Series Security Encrypted VoIP, strong phone authentication and strong management security No VoIP security hybrid system Encrypted VoIP, strong phone authentication, strong management security Excellent encrypted VoIP, phone authentication and managment security IP Station Capacity Expandable up to 1,500 lines 48 users per box with multiple boxes overall system supports up to several hundred users Starts at 32 lines, expandable to 270 lines Up to 7,500 phones per server and 30,000 phones per cluster Modularity/ Expandability Highly modular/expandable. Good integration with 3Com network products. Modular and expandable, with units suitable for main offices and branch offices Modular and expandable with options for main and branch offices Modular and expandable with cards/ additional units; lots of additional modules for extra features Reroute to PSTN (public switched telephone network) on failure Full failover No but does explicitly include backup and disaster-recovery options Yes Yes Documentation/ Enterprise level documentation and support levels Enterprise-class support and documentation Excellent support and rich documentation for both users and administrators Enterprise level documentation and support levels Pricing Starts at approx $20,000 for 50-user system Up to $18,000 depending on reseller and precise features and configurations selected. $16,900 Starts at approximately $20,000 Ease of Installation Flexible solution from 3Com that can connect directly to PSTN as well as IP networks. But it is also a complex system that requires professional help to install. Flexible system with lots of configurable options; is managed by AltiAdmin software Installation straightforward; configuration cumbersome at some points Complex system that requires extensive analysis and testing before deployment Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

7 Digium Fonality Intuitive Voice Mitel Asterisk Business Edition PBXtra Evolution PBX V2.3 SX-200 IP Communications Security Encrypted VoIP, moderate phone, management and authentication security. Add-ons can extend security. Encrypted VoIP, moderate phone, management and authentication security. Add-ons can extend security. Encrypted VoIP, moderate phone, management and authentication security. Strong encrypted VoIP, phone authentication and management security IP Station Capacity 40 simultaneous calls/server; 240 simultaneous calls/server with upgrade 300 Up to 240 lines 248 plus additional desktop stations and analog lines Modularity/ Expandability Expandable and modular low cost makes it easy to upgrade for branch office Expandable and modular low cost makes it easy to upgrade for branch office Expandable and modular low cost makes it easy to upgrade for branch office Allows expansion up to more than 600 users Reroute to PSTN (public switched telephone network) on failure No No No Yes Documentation/ Includes Asterisk user manual and quickstart guide; free support for one year Responsive support with fast response times; 'open-source' style documentation Offers support and services ongoing. Documentation is basic and straightforward. Enterprise class support and documentation Pricing Starts at $995 Starts at $995 Starts at $995 $12,000 Ease of Installation Integrated installation now much improved. At heart, a simpler system than the complex proprietary solutions but still not plug and play. Intuitive GUI streamlines installation; delivered as appliance; up and running in 30 minutes Asterisk-based turnkey system that is easy to install and operate. Straightforward installation via MyAdministrator application Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

8 Nortel Networks Pingtel ShoreTel Siemens Communications Server 1000 Release 4 SIPxchange Shoretel 9 IP Phone System HiPath 3500 Security Strong encrypted VoIP, phone authentication and management security Good encrypted VoIP: strong phone authentication and management security Strong AES-encrypted VoIP Encrypted VoIP; strong phone, management and authentication security IP Station Capacity Can be scaled up to 16,000 Up to 5,000 users per site Scales from 1 to 10,000 users 192 Modularity/ Expandability Modular and expandable system using additional cards/clustering Software scales extremely well, additional Linux servers and instances make system readily expandable. Voice Switches with no forklift upgrades required Reroute to PSTN (public switched telephone network) on failure Yes, with survivability gateways Yes Yes Yes Documentation/ Enterprise-class support. Instruction available in classroom, Web and workbook formats team responsive via phone and ; useful, well-organized documentation Provides support services, training programs and professional services. Live help and guides and tutorials available on the web. Enterprise-class support and documentation Pricing Gateway alone starts at $6,000 but cost for a system is significantly higher Starts at $995 (software only) Varies depending on requirements most basic system (hardware and software) costs approximately $500 per user $16,000 Ease of Installation Complex and powerful system requires coordination of several systems and pre-deployment testing. Vendor provides assistance. Straightforward, easy setup; 35-minute installation (note software only runs on basic Linux servers) Plug n Play Installation-IP Phones are configured and only need to be plugged in. New users can be added in seconds with only a browser Straightforward installation and configuration Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

9 Sphere Switchvox TalkSwitch Whaleback Sphericall Switchvox PBX 48-CVA CrystalBlue Voice SMB 1500 Security Has been submitted for testing by the U.S. Department of Defense and National Security Agency and has met all the requirements of these tests Encrypted VoIP, good management and phone security Encrypted VoIP, good management and phone security Yes, encryption border session control, built-in IP Station Capacity Scales to 30,000 Unlimited' in practice that means several hundred 32 extensions per office location Up to 1,500 Modularity/ Expandability Modular and expandable using standard servers and components Limited can add more servers to add more lines Can be expanded to slightly more than 100 lines Easily expanded at any time Reroute to PSTN (public switched telephone network) on failure Yes No No No but is externally monitored to optimize uptime Documentation/ Enterprise level documentation and support levels Good support and documentation, online support center Excellent support and documentation Good documentation support part of vendor service Pricing Unusual pricing model more similar to hosted solution - $199 per user license Starts at $995, including hardware Starts at $595, including hardware $49.95 per line, so $999 for 20 lines connection cost included Ease of Installation Sphere Communications' installation and cut-over services include the installation of the Sphericall product, endpoint installation and testing, trunk testing and on-site customer troubleshooting. Straightforward, software-based system built on top of Asterisk that runs on a standard Linux server. Package comes preinstalled on the server. Easy customer install with PC-based interface and plug in to LAN Installed and managed by vendor as part of hybrid managed system/service Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

10 3Com Altigen Avaya Cisco 3Com NBX V3000 BRI-ST AltiServ IP Office Unified Call Manager/Media Convergence Server 7800 Series Target Business Size Medium to large enterprise SMB (small- to medium-sized business) SMB Large enterprise VoIP-News Comments A scalable and powerful proprietary solution that integrates well with other 3Com products. Most advanced features require add-ons, and it is recommended that installation and configuration services be used to make best use of the product. Older company with very robust system that continues to be extended; featurerich Award-winning. Good choice for reliability and performance. A highly scalable, powerful and extremely extendable solution. Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

11 Digium Fonality Intuitive Voice Mitel Asterisk Business Edition PBXtra Evolution PBX V2.3 SX-200 IP Communications Target Business Size SMB Medium enterprise SMB SMB VoIP-News Comments Digium adds valuable commercial license, support and documents to already robust Asterisk Low-cost, all-inclusive system. Good for hybrid IP/analog setup requiring easy maintenance Low-cost Asterisk system clear pricing and support options. High-end communications system with very many unified communications features, including integration of mobile devices Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

12 Nortel Networks Pingtel ShoreTel Siemens Communications Server 1000 Release 4 SIPxchange Shoretel 9 IP Phone System HiPath 3500 Target Business Size Medium to large enterprise Medium enterprise SMB to large enterprise SMB VoIP-News Comments Proprietary, rich solution with lots of features and complexity Straightforward, open-source-based PBX solution running on standard Linux boxes Straightforward, relatively easy to install but proprietary solution. High-end system with good security. Siemens can deliver systems all the way up to enterprise level. Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research

13 Sphere Switchvox TalkSwitch Whaleback Sphericall Switchvox PBX 48-CVA CrystalBlue Voice SMB 1500 Target Business Size Medium to large enterprise SMB SMB Medium businesses VoIP-News Comments Open-platform based, powerful solution. In particular has powerful features for building custom SOAP and XML applications. Low-price, all-inclusive system. Flexible range of options. Straightforward hybrid system for the very low end of the SMB market turnkey systems Unusual system on-premise but completely managed by the vendor. Very aggressive pricing Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide Focus Research