Switchvox, a PBX and VoIP phone system provider headquartered in San Diego, CA, has tailored the Asterisk telecommunications open source software to develop two IP PBX solutions specifically for SOHO or SMB environments.
 Both Switchvox SOHO and Switchvox SMB are sold as a turnkey solution with server hardware and pre-installed Switchvox software (based on Linux and supporting the SIP or Inter-Asterisk eXchange (IAX) protocols). The basic hardware platform is a tower PC with a 2.4 GHz processor, 80GB hard drive and 256MB RAM (appropriate for up to 24 simultaneous calls). Alternate hardware options are available by special order that provide higher simultaneous call capacity, redundancy and rack-mount form factors.
While there is no real limit on the number of endpoints supported, and hardware and software can both handle more than a thousand handsets connected, Switchvox recommends considering the number concurrent calls desired when choosing the appropriate hardware configuration. As processors speeds improve, Switchvox capacity will also increase.
 Customers can utilize standard analog telephones, as well as SIP-compatible hard and soft phones. Switchvox recommends the Polycom SoundPoint line of IP phones which are used in most Switchvox deployments (Polycom (News - Alert) SoundPoint IP 601 pictured). Without any additional hardware, Switchvox enables telephone calling using nearly any VoIP service.
In addition, Switchvox systems can connect to analog and T1 trunk lines using Digium (News - Alert) telephony interface cards, enabling users to make and receive calls over regular analog or PRI lines. Switchvox systems support a CallEvent Notification Application Programming Interface (API) that enables integration of contact directories, other business databases or practically any piece of software.
Switchvox SMB offers some features and equipment not available for the Switchvox SOHO platform, including the Switchboard Web-based call control panel, Meet-Me conferencing, multiple internal paging groups, detailed reporting and more advanced IVR. The company’s Switchboard application works with a telephone to enable additional functionality such as call recording, drag and drop transfer, views of the status of other extensions and/or database records of callers and Microsoft (News - Alert) Outlook integration.
Switchvox SOHO customers who want the additional features can migrate from a SOHO to an SMB platform with a simple software upgrade that can be purchased online.
See the snapshot of Switchvox SOHO and SMB below for feature differences and visit www.telecomtactics.com for full details on features and functionality.
Switchvox recently joined the Digium Partner Program, allowing the company to take advantage of Digium sales channels and participate in joint marketing campaigns. Digium Inc. is the primary developer of Asterisk open source PBX software that works with Digium PCI telephony interface cards to provide a cost-effective TDM or VoIP platform.
|
Snapshot from TelecomTactics August 2006
For full details, visit www.telecomtactics.com
|
|
VENDOR:
|
Switchvox
|
Switchvox
|
|
MODEL:
|
Switchvox SMB
|
Switchvox SOHO
|
|
APPLICATION:
|
IP-PBX
|
IP-PBX
|
|
MANUFACTURED IN:
|
USA
|
USA
|
|
REGIONS WHERE SOLD:
|
North America, EMEA, CALA, APAC
|
North America, EMEA, CALA, APAC
|
|
INTRODUCTION:
|
2006
|
2005
|
|
RELEASE/REV. LEVEL:
|
6212
|
6212
|
|
SYSTEM CAPACITY:
|
|
Ports
|
No Limit
|
No Limit
|
|
Trunks
|
No Limit
|
No Limit
|
|
Stations
|
No Limit
|
No Limit
|
|
Simultaneous Conversations:
|
24 calls (basic hardware); 70 calls (custom hardware)
|
24 calls (basic hardware); 70 calls (custom hardware)
|
|
|
The software does not limit the capacity and is not licensed by number of handsets or trunks, and is instead licensed on a per server basis. Switchvox recommends considering the number concurrent calls desired when choosing the appropriate hardware configuration.
|
The software does not limit the capacity and is not licensed by number of handsets or trunks, and is instead licensed on a per server basis. Switchvox recommends considering the number concurrent calls desired when choosing the appropriate hardware configuration.
|
|
IP TELEPHONY:
|
|
LAN/WAN Interface
|
S (single onboard NIC for LAN/WAN)
|
S (single onboard NIC for LAN/WAN)
|
|
|
Switchvox can be deployed to use only VoIP, or use VoIP internally (over the office LAN for internal calls) and POTS/T1/PRI lines for inbound and outbound calls, or a combination.
|
Switchvox can be deployed to use only VoIP, or use VoIP internally (over the office LAN for internal calls) and POTS/T1/PRI lines for inbound and outbound calls, or a combination.
|
|
HARDWARE :
|
|
Number of Cabinets:
|
1+ (customer supplied server)
|
1+ (customer supplied server)
|
|
Processor:
|
Minimum 2.4 GHz Celeron, 256 MB RAM, 80 GB HD, CD-ROM, 1 Ethernet port (this most basic configuration is suitable for up to 24 simultaneous calls)
|
Minimum 2.4 GHz Celeron, 256 MB RAM, 80 GB HD, CD-ROM, 1 Ethernet port (this most basic configuration is suitable for up to 24 simultaneous calls)
|
|
Redundancy:
|
O (upgraded server)
|
O (upgraded server)
|
|
FEATURE DIFFERENCES:
|
|
Account Codes
|
S (No limit)
|
NA
|
|
Call Center
|
S (more advanced call center features and reporting)
|
S
|
|
Conference
|
S
|
S (1 conference room)
|
|
Meet-Me Conferencing
|
S
|
NA
|
|
Paging (Internal)
|
S (no limit)
|
S (1)
|
|
Attendant Position:
|
The Switchboard is a Web-based call control panel that can be used by any user on the system, but can be customized for the attendant to see the status of all phones on the system. The attendant can also drag and drop calls to transfer from the Switchboard, park and unpark calls and more.
|
The Polycom IP 601 with optional attendant module is recommended for the attendant in a SOHO environment.
|
|
Cost
|
Starts at $2,495
|
Starts at $995
|
|
Excerpt from www.telecomtactics.com 08-15-06 S=standard O=Optional NA=Not Available
|
Visit www.telecomtactics.com to compare Switchvox SMB and SOHO to other IP PBX systems on the market. Also new in TelecomTactics this month are Samsung OfficeServ 100/500 V2.63 (formerly iDCS 100/500), Samsung OfficeServ 7400 V3.13, Samsung OfficeServ Wireless, Samsung ITP 5100 Series Telephones, Inter-Tel (News - Alert) 5000 R2.0, Digium Asterisk Business Edition B-1.1, Panasonic KX-TAW848 and KX-TDA50 V3.0, AVST CallXpress 7.80 and much more!
Sandra M. Gustavsen is an analyst for TelecomTactics and Access Intelligence, LLC. To see more of her articles, please visit the TelecomTactics column page.
|
|
