It has already started. Much in the way that Microsoft once dismissed Linux as a competitive threat, some traditional networking companies are telling their customers that Asterisk–the open source VoIP system–is software that businesses can’t trust. That type of attitude could backfire.
During an Interop panel discussion on May 23, one editor suggested that small businesses should make at least three phone calls when exploring voice-over-IP solutions:
- Hosted Service Providers: Certainly, small business owners should talk with service providers that offer hosted VoIP solutions. The options include traditional cable companies and telcos, Internet service providers (ISPs) and–increasingly–managed service providers (MSPs) that offer VoIP services.
- Traditional Networking VARs: Solutions providers that are now offering IP-based PBXs and telephony solutions from trusted, established networking vendors.
- Asterisk VoIP VARs: These solutions providers specialize in open source VoIP systems from companies like Digium, Fonality and SwitchVox.
When an editor mentioned the Asterisk option, one of the big vendors on the panel suggested that Asterisk solutions won’t stand the test of time and are poorly supported by the channel. Hmmm. Didn’t Microsoft say the same thing about Linux about seven years ago?
Clearly, some traditional networking companies are trying to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) to make sure customers embrace closed-source solutions. But Asterisk’s momentum can’t be denied. Digium is one of the networking industry’s fastest-growing companies. And customers have made more than 75 million phone calls using Fonality’s Asterisk systems, according to AllAboutAsterisk.com.
Some VARs are lining up to support Asterisk. Hundreds more will surely do so in the months ahead. Why? Because it’s a low-cost, reliable platform. Plus, VARs can contribute back to Asterisk’s open source code base, introducing additional value-added components that wouldn’t be possible in a closed-source solution.
Big, traditional networking companies will try their best to hang up on Asterisk. But savvy VARs and their customers certainly won’t.
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