How to Choose an Asterisk-based PBX

According to a recent report published by the Eastern Management Group, Asterisk is the most popular open source telephony software by far, holding 85% market share. In addition, the report finds that 18% of North American telephony installations now include open source components.

Two Leading Reasons for Choosing Open Source

The two main reasons for choosing open source, provided by respondents to the survey conducted as a basis to the report, were:

1. The minimal investment needed to create an open-source telephony system (open source PBXs typically cost ~40% less than conventional telephone systems)
2. The higher flexibility of the systems, as compared to proprietary, for integrating software applications 

More Things to Look For...

We'd like to expand on these points, in an effort to provide tools for choosing the open source system that suits your needs. Keep the following in mind when reviewing your options:

1. Openness

One of the strengths of open source is the fact that the customer is less dependent on the vendor, that is, after the solution is implemented he has a variety of partners to work with for support, maintenance and upgrades. It is important to make sure that the system is not linked too tightly to a specific vendor. Some systems are based on open source, or have open source components, but as a complete system are “locked” to the specific vendor for any practical purpose. In today's economical atmosphere it is extremely important to know that even if the vendor goes through significant changes, the customer will still be able to get appropriate support from another company dealing with such systems.

2. "Parents"

Without contradicting the previous point, the customer should verify that the system they purchase has a good reliable vendor behind it. Since open source telephony, lead by Asterisk, makes it very simple to create an IP PBX, many integrators are tempted to do it all by themselves. Such "home-made" units may be well built, but they also may be unstable and hard to maintain for the long run. In this respect it is better to get a system that was produced by a manufacturer of open source IP PBX rather than a system built by the integrator.

3. Total Cost of Ownership

One of the most important drivers for open source telephony is the attractive price. However, it is important to do the right calculation and see what the total cost will be. Factors like additional network components (replacing a router, purchasing a new switch), maintenance costs and the like should be taken into account. One of the ways to significantly reduce the system's cost is to maximize usage of existing infrastructure such as wiring and handsets. This can have a significant effect on the overhaul system cost.

4. Good Integration Partner

It is important in any telephony system, but since open source systems are more flexible a good integrator will know how to take advantage of this flexibility and optimize the system.

5. Stability

Since there is a wide range of open source based offerings in the market today, and since the entry barrier for vendors is much lower with these new technologies than it was in the proprietary world, the customer should check references and talk to other end-users using the proposed system to make sure the system is right for him.

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