Jun 12 2008
Asterisk Appliance vs Asterisk Card, key factors in choosing your approach
Asterisk based appliances are readily available from many sources these days so it begs the question, when should a developer/reseller of an Asterisk based PBX solution consider using one? Specifically, how does it compare to using a traditional Asterisk card and PC. I’ve talked to a few Asterisk developers/resellers about this exact question and would like to share their thoughts and a few of my own about some of the key factors in making this decision.
At this point I would like to define what I believe to be an Asterisk based appliance as there is some discrepancy out there. In my opinion an Asterisk appliance is an embedded system with the single purpose of running Asterisk. There are some out there that call their product(s) an appliance but I personally consider those solutions as an integration service that would otherwise have to be done by the developer or reseller. A value add yes, but not an appliance in my mind. Let me know what you consider a real appliance to be? It’s always an interesting discussion.
On to the key factors:
Density:
At the risk of stating the obvious, if you need to be delivering higher density systems, the typical Asterisk based appliance is not the solution for this segment of your business. There is no clear cut line here on density but for the sake of argument lets say small is about 1-8 trunks and below 50 extensions and large is…well…bigger than that. The more complicated issue with density is what if you cater to both segments. Your % split between segments and consideration of the other key factors should help you decide if it is worth carrying two solutions.
Your Cost:
Your costs are always important but never of greater importance than in the low end system. The feedback I hear is that it is very hard to deliver to the low end (increasingly difficult as you get smaller) and maintain margins with an Asterisk card and PC approach. That approach simply costs you too much to deliver. In general, Asterisk based appliances should allow you to venture into the lower density segment and still preserve some margin.
Integration efforts:
The appliance approach has a clear advantage when it comes to minimizing your ongoing integration efforts. Sourcing your own affordable small footprint PC, hardrive, memory, etc. etc. is simply a big pain in the ass (read time consuming/expensive). If you have ever tried to keep up with constant changing components and interoperability issues you will know exactly what the developers I spoke to are talking about. The hardware included with an Asterisk based appliance was designed to work together, and when done correctly by your chosen manufacturer, integration issues should be greatly minimized.
Initial development effort:
This factor is clearly slanted in favor of the Asterisk card. It’s just easier to go this route, primarily because most people have experience when dealing with standard PCs and readily available software components and they don’t with embedded systems. These two are different beasts from a development standpoint, let me assure you!
The look:
If your solution has the look and feel of a PC it may carry with it a stigma of “this will not be as reliable as the proprietary PBX I am using”. You do not want your customers to immediately infer the reliability of their home PC to the PBX you are trying to sell them….ouch. An Appliance’s look will generally work in your favor. Most models of Asterisk appliances I have seen are not recognizably a desktop PC.
Key features:
As Stephan Monette from Unlimitel has pointed out to me on many occasions, virtually all of the customers he and his resellers will approach with their newly developed VoIP phone system will already have a legacy one in place. Their motivation to consider a new PBX may be the benefits that Voip can bring, but they will be loathed to give up some of the most basic features they perceive as very important. One example is power fail transfer or life line capability as it is sometimes referred to as. You don’t get this with any Asterisk card to my knowledge but it is available on several Asterisk based appliances. How do you sell these folks a new PBX if one of the features they may value most is missing?
So is there a clear winner? No, not really. Both the Asterisk based appliance and Asterisk card have their sweet spots for delivering well targeted Asterisk based PBX solutions. I hope these key factors that others have considered will help you when faced with making your own decision.
sounds like a Phd thesis Davis- lots of words, little content and no conclusion. You lost me as a visitor to yoru blog.
Pat
Too bad I lost you Pat. I hear your feedback and agree I could have concluded with a stronger message. To be more specific in my conclusion, I should rephrase it as:
Appliances are the best solution for the low end (smallish) system if you are a developer that can handle the challenges that come along with working in an embedded environemt. If your solution requires substantial density, you might as well stick with the card and PC approach. Its simpler, and can provide you with a viable solution with enough margin to make a bit of coin.
David
VoNets Technology has long term experience on manufacturing VoIP ATA, IP Phone and developing Softswitch, now we are developing our whole new IP-PBX, Asterisk PCI Card.We will provide best price and support for our resellers in their own market to help them succeed in their local market.