VoIP Phone Systems
What Is Asterisk?
Asterisk is a complete PBX in software. It runs on Linux, BSD and MacOSX and provides all of the features you would expect from a PBX. Asterisk does voice over IP in multiple protocols, and can interoperate with almost all standards-based telephony equipment using relatively inexpensive hardware.
The name Asterisk refers to the * symbol which is a wildcard in most computing languages, denoting a high degree of versatility. The Asterisk architecture implemented host based TDM (time division multiplexing) and DSP (digital signal processing) rather than the traditional approach of hardware based TDM and DSP). The architecture also allows for multiple protocols and APIs making Asterisk a true Wildcard in converged communications.
Why Asterisk?
Asterisk has a number of core strengths which set it apart from alternative telephone solutions:
- Price: An Asterisk system can typically be installed for about 10-30% less than a traditional system.
- Features: Asterisk is fairly robust and offers a broad feature set including unified messaging, desktop integration and more.
- Integration: Asterisk can be integrated into your existing business systems such as MS-Outlook, CRM and ERP systems. Asterisk is both a complete solution and a set of tools, it will integrate with any application, process, solution, or system you have, period.
- VoIP: Asterisk was built from the ground up for handling VoIP calls. Significant savings can be had by using Asterisk to send all inter-office calls across the internet.
- No lock in to proprietary systems. Obtain support, accessories and upgrades from a variety of sources. Telephone handsets are standards based (SIP) and can be reused on other SIP based solutions.
- Any size organization. Advantage Voice Solutions offers Asterisk solutions for any size organization. Ready made packages designed for specific needs. Contact us for more details.
Why
AVS Asterisk?
There is nothing more important to a business than reliable telephone communications. AVS brings extensive experience with VoIP, including identification of where VoIP is inappropriate. AVS understands VoIP, the required infrastructure and network design for it, and offers full services to implement and support it. Our staff is available 7x24x365 with VoIP expertise.
As with all open source software, there are advantages and disadvantages. The biggest limitation to Asterisk is likely the command line interface, which is powerful but not intuitive. AVS includes a Graphical User Interface on all implementations. There is no simple way to cluster Asterisk, and larger scale implementations tend to favor commercial PBX systems since AVS offers both we can make appropriate recommendations. Another concern with Asterisk is version control. Open source solutions can quickly and accidentally lead to an island of independence. AVS solves these issues with our partnership with Four Loop Technologies and the Switchvox controlled releases along with Digium approved hardware.
Asterisk represents an entire new world of complexities never before seen with telecommunications. Thousands of permutations exist between available versions, hardware, networking options, applications, and integrations. With so many options, a need for an expert quickly emerges. Consider Advantage Voice Solutions for Asterisk implementations and/or professional support for existing systems.
• Graphical User Interface
• Tested and supported Hardware configurations
• Digium releases and hardware
