Enterprise PBX Compare: Cisco v Shortel

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Enterprise PBX Compare: Cisco v Shortel

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Focus Research ©2009
Focus Research
March 2009
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide
2 Focus Research ©2009
3Com Altigen Avaya Cisco
3Com NBX V3000 BRI-ST AltiServ IP Office
Unified Call Manager/Media
Convergence Server 7800 Series
Features
Outlook
Integration
Included Included Optional via VoiceMail Pro Included
Integrated Voice
Response
Yes, with optional add-on Multiple options with call-center software Included Included
Call Center
Support
Basics included, advanced capabilities
available with add-on
With call center software Yes, with optional add-on Included
Software
Platform
Security-hardened Linux Windows-based IP Office release 4 Either Windows or Linux
Hardware
Platform
Proprietary V3000 NBX platform Proprietary Avaya Office IP 500 Cisco CallManager and Media
Convergence servers
Supported
Protocol(s)
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol),
H.323, 802.x and many more protocols
supported
SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
SIP, H.323 and numerous other
standards
Management
and
Administration
Browser-based interface supports
provisioning, regular administration and
management features and integrates
with 3Com's enterprise network-
management suites
User- and system-management software
options
Windows-based graphical system-
management tools and end user/client
tools
Suite of management and administration
tools that support functions across
groups of phones as well as single
phones
Phone Support Multiple third-party SIP devices Two proprietary, IP hardphones, one
softphone and analog phone support
Numerous hard SIP phones
Analog Phone
Support
Yes, built-in Yes Yes Yes
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 3 Focus Research ©2009
Digium Fonality Intuitive Voice Mitel
Asterisk
Business Edition
PBXtra Evolution PBX V2.3
SX-200 IP
Communications Platform
Features
Outlook
Integration
Click-to-dial available as plug-in Included Included
Integrated Voice
Response
Included Included Included Included
Call Center
Support
Requires significant configuration Included with Call Center Edition No Included
Software
Platform
Open-source, Red Hat Linux based, with
extensive customization
Based on Asterisk, true Web-based
GUI; extremely intuitive for adminstrators
and users alike
Open source – Asterisk Proprietary – integrates with common
network systems
Hardware
Platform
Pretty much any Linux server Pretty much any Linux server Preinstalled on customized Linux servers Proprietary
Supported
Protocol(s)
SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
Management
and
Administration
Good encrypted VoIP, phone
authentication and management security
Standard Asterisk administration Ships with two management tools:
MyAdministrator & IP Phone Analyzer;
MACs are simple to execute
Phone Support 40+ hardphones supported; numerous
softphone clients
Six IP hardphones supported; one IP
softphone (bundled); also supports
analog phones
Polycom, Linksys, Cisco and
Counterpath phones
Supports very wide range of SIP phones
and IP devices
Analog Phone
Support
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 4 Focus Research ©2009
Nortel Networks Pingtel ShoreTel Siemens
Communications
Server 1000 Release 4
SIPxchange
Shoretel 9 IP
Phone System
HiPath 3500
Features
Outlook
Integration
With integrated conference bridge Not available Included Included with HiPath Expressions
Integrated Voice
Response
Included Included Available Included with HiPath Expressions
Call Center
Support
Included Included Included With HiPath Pro Center Compact
Software
Platform
VXWorks Linux VXWorks Proprietary
Hardware
Platform
Proprietary Standard Linux servers Proprietary ShoreTel Shoregear switches Proprietary
Supported
Protocol(s)
SIP and H.323 SIP and H.323 SIP and MGCP SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
Management
and
Administration
Windows and Web-based management
tools, including traffic analysis,
configuration of Meridian digital and
IP telephones, and performance of call
tracking and billing functions
Web-based GUI is intuitive with simple
navigational structure; management of
phones can be challenging
Through one browser, you can manage
all the sites including the PBX, voice
mail, automated attendant and desktop
applications.
Lacks integrated interface; individual
tools are effective; good monitoring and
look for deployment tool
Phone Support Nortel IP phones and softphones Dozens of IP phones and devices via
SIP
Shoretel telephones and softphones Most SIP phones, plus analog phone
support. Siemens' own phones are
among the best.
Analog Phone
Support
Yes Supports all SIP compliant FXS
gateways
Yes, plus third-party SIP, wifi, DECT,
mobile phones
Yes
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 5 Focus Research ©2009
Sphere Switchvox TalkSwitch Whaleback
Sphericall Switchvox PBX 48-CVA
CrystalBlue
Voice SMB 1500
Features
Outlook
Integration
Included Included Included Included
Integrated Voice
Response
Included Included Included Included
Call Center
Support
Included With add-on Yes No (integrates with third-party vendor.)
Software
Platform
Windows XP Web-based administration and user
portals
Proprietary Proprietary
Hardware
Platform
Industry-standard servers Proprietary tower servers Proprietary Proprietary
Supported
Protocol(s)
SIP and MGCP SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more
protocols supported
Management
and
Administration
Sphericall comes with Web-based and
Windows-based tools for managing and
administering the system.
Easy Web-based tools for administration. Windows Based TalkSwitch software to
provide management and administration
Part of service provided by vendor
Phone Support End devices from Aastra, Eutectics,
Grandstream Networks, Polycom and
SpectraLink
All SIP compatible phones Works with Polycom and Grandstream
IP phones
Polycom IP phones
Analog Phone
Support
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 6 Focus Research ©2009
3Com Altigen Avaya Cisco
3Com NBX
V3000 BRI-ST
AltiServ IP Office
Unified Call Manager/Media
Convergence Server 7800 Series
Security Encrypted VoIP, strong phone
authentication and strong management
security
No VoIP security – hybrid system Encrypted VoIP, strong phone
authentication, strong management
security
Excellent encrypted VoIP, phone
authentication and managment security
IP Station
Capacity
Expandable up to 1,500 lines 48 users per box with multiple boxes –
overall system supports up to several
hundred users
Starts at 32 lines, expandable to 270
lines
Up to 7,500 phones per server and
30,000 phones per cluster
Modularity/
Expandability
Highly modular/expandable. Good
integration with 3Com network products.
Modular and expandable, with units
suitable for main offices and branch
offices
Modular and expandable with options for
main and branch offices
Modular and expandable with cards/
additional units; lots of additional
modules for extra features
Reroute to PSTN
(public switched
telephone
network) on
failure
Full failover No – but does explicitly include backup
and disaster-recovery options
Yes Yes
Documentation/
Support
Enterprise level documentation and
support levels
Enterprise-class support and
documentation
Excellent support and rich
documentation for both users and
administrators
Enterprise level documentation and
support levels
Pricing Starts at approx $20,000 for 50-user
system
Up to $18,000 depending on reseller
and precise features and configurations
selected.
$16,900 Starts at approximately $20,000
Ease of
Installation
Flexible solution from 3Com that can
connect directly to PSTN as well as IP
networks. But it is also a complex system
that requires professional help to install.
Flexible system with lots of configurable
options; is managed by AltiAdmin
software
Installation straightforward; configuration
cumbersome at some points
Complex system that requires extensive
analysis and testing before deployment
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 7 Focus Research ©2009
Digium Fonality Intuitive Voice Mitel
Asterisk
Business Edition
PBXtra Evolution PBX V2.3
SX-200 IP
Communications Platform
Security Encrypted VoIP, moderate phone,
management and authentication security.
Add-ons can extend security.
Encrypted VoIP, moderate phone,
management and authentication security.
Add-ons can extend security.
Encrypted VoIP, moderate phone,
management and authentication security.
Strong encrypted VoIP, phone
authentication and management security
IP Station
Capacity
40 simultaneous calls/server; 240
simultaneous calls/server with upgrade
300 Up to 240 lines 248 plus additional desktop stations and
analog lines
Modularity/
Expandability
Expandable and modular – low cost
makes it easy to upgrade for branch
office
Expandable and modular – low cost
makes it easy to upgrade for branch
office
Expandable and modular – low cost
makes it easy to upgrade for branch
office
Allows expansion up to more than 600
users
Reroute to PSTN
(public switched
telephone
network) on
failure
No No No Yes
Documentation/
Support
Includes Asterisk user manual and quick-
start guide; free support for one year
Responsive support with fast response
times; 'open-source' style documentation
Offers support and services ongoing.
Documentation is basic and
straightforward.
Enterprise class support and
documentation
Pricing Starts at $995 Starts at $995 Starts at $995 $12,000
Ease of
Installation
Integrated installation now much
improved. At heart, a simpler system
than the complex proprietary solutions
but still not plug and play.
Intuitive GUI streamlines installation;
delivered as appliance; up and running in
30 minutes
Asterisk-based turnkey system that is
easy to install and operate.
Straightforward installation via
MyAdministrator application
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 8 Focus Research ©2009
Nortel Networks Pingtel ShoreTel Siemens
Communications
Server 1000 Release 4
SIPxchange
Shoretel 9 IP
Phone System
HiPath 3500
Security Strong encrypted VoIP, phone
authentication and management security
Good encrypted VoIP: strong phone
authentication and management security
Strong AES-encrypted VoIP Encrypted VoIP; strong phone,
management and authentication security
IP Station
Capacity
Can be scaled up to 16,000 Up to 5,000 users per site Scales from 1 to 10,000 users 192
Modularity/
Expandability
Modular and expandable system using
additional cards/clustering
Software scales extremely well,
additional Linux servers and instances
make system readily expandable.
Voice Switches with no forklift upgrades
required
Reroute to PSTN
(public switched
telephone
network) on
failure
Yes, with survivability gateways Yes Yes Yes
Documentation/
Support
Enterprise-class support. Instruction
available in classroom, Web and
workbook formats
Support team responsive via phone
and email; useful, well-organized
documentation
Provides support services, training
programs and professional services. Live
help and guides and tutorials available
on the web.
Enterprise-class support and
documentation
Pricing Gateway alone starts at $6,000 but cost
for a system is significantly higher
Starts at $995 (software only) Varies depending on requirements
–most basic system (hardware and
software) costs approximately $500 per
user
$16,000
Ease of
Installation
Complex and powerful system – requires
coordination of several systems and
pre-deployment testing. Vendor provides
assistance.
Straightforward, easy setup; 35-minute
installation (note – software only – runs
on basic Linux servers)
“Plug n Play” Installation-IP Phones are
configured and only need to be plugged
in. New users can be added in seconds
with only a browser
Straightforward installation and
configuration
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 9 Focus Research ©2009
Sphere Switchvox TalkSwitch Whaleback
Sphericall Switchvox PBX 48-CVA
CrystalBlue
Voice SMB 1500
Security Has been submitted for testing by
the U.S. Department of Defense and
National Security Agency and has met all
the requirements of these tests
Encrypted VoIP, good management and
phone security
Encrypted VoIP, good management and
phone security
Yes, encryption border session control,
built-in
IP Station
Capacity
Scales to 30,000 Unlimited' – in practice that means
several hundred
32 extensions per office location Up to 1,500
Modularity/
Expandability
Modular and expandable using standard
servers and components
Limited – can add more servers to add
more lines
Can be expanded to slightly more than
100 lines
Easily expanded at any time
Reroute to PSTN
(public switched
telephone
network) on
failure
Yes No No No – but is externally monitored to
optimize uptime
Documentation/
Support
Enterprise level documentation and
support levels
Good support and documentation,
online support center
Excellent support and documentation Good documentation – support part of
vendor service
Pricing Unusual pricing model more similar to
hosted solution - $199 per user license
Starts at $995, including hardware Starts at $595, including hardware $49.95 per line, so $999 for 20 lines –
connection cost included
Ease of
Installation
Sphere Communications' installation and
cut-over services include the installation
of the Sphericall product, endpoint
installation and testing, trunk testing and
on-site customer troubleshooting.
Straightforward, software-based system
built on top of Asterisk that runs on a
standard Linux server. Package comes
preinstalled on the server.
Easy customer install with PC-based
interface and plug in to LAN
Installed and managed by vendor as part
of hybrid managed system/service
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 10 Focus Research ©2009
3Com Altigen Avaya Cisco
3Com NBX
V3000 BRI-ST
AltiServ IP Office
Unified Call Manager/Media
Convergence Server 7800 Series
Target Business
Size
Medium to large enterprise SMB (small- to medium-sized business) SMB Large enterprise
VoIP-News
Comments
A scalable and powerful proprietary
solution that integrates well with other
3Com products. Most advanced features
require add-ons, and it is recommended
that installation and configuration
services be used to make best use of
the product.
Older company with very robust system
that continues to be extended; feature-
rich
Award-winning. Good choice for
reliability and performance.
A highly scalable, powerful and extremely
extendable solution.
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 11 Focus Research ©2009
Digium Fonality Intuitive Voice Mitel
Asterisk
Business Edition
PBXtra Evolution PBX V2.3
SX-200 IP
Communications Platform
Target Business
Size
SMB Medium enterprise SMB SMB
VoIP-News
Comments
Digium adds valuable commercial
license, support and documents to
already robust Asterisk
Low-cost, all-inclusive system. Good for
hybrid IP/analog setup requiring easy
maintenance
Low-cost Asterisk system – clear pricing
and support options.
High-end communications system with
very many unified communications
features, including integration of mobile
devices
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 12 Focus Research ©2009
Nortel Networks Pingtel ShoreTel Siemens
Communications Server
1000 Release 4
SIPxchange
Shoretel 9 IP
Phone System
HiPath 3500
Target Business
Size
Medium to large enterprise Medium enterprise SMB to large enterprise SMB
VoIP-News
Comments
Proprietary, rich solution with lots of
features and complexity
Straightforward, open-source-based
PBX solution running on standard Linux
boxes
Straightforward, relatively easy to install
but proprietary solution.
High-end system with good security.
Siemens can deliver systems all the way
up to enterprise level.
Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 13 Focus Research ©2009
Sphere Switchvox TalkSwitch Whaleback
Sphericall Switchvox PBX 48-CVA
CrystalBlue
Voice SMB 1500
Target Business
Size
Medium to large enterprise SMB SMB Medium businesses
VoIP-News
Comments
Open-platform based, powerful solution.
In particular has powerful features
for building custom SOAP and XML
applications.
Low-price, all-inclusive system. Flexible
range of options.
Straightforward hybrid system for the
very low end of the SMB market –
turnkey systems
Unusual system – on-premise but
completely managed by the vendor. Very
aggressive pricing

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