[asterisk-biz] Setting up a VOIP Provider

[Alex Balashov]

I'd say the real problem is the same as it is in making as business 
model as a service provider of anything.

Most people who are enthused about Asterisk can solve a great deal of 
the technical challenges;  what is lacking is developing effective, 
scalable business processes, including provisioning, customer care, 
interop, administration, training, collections, sales, marketing, etc.

These are essential in order to be able to make the operations support 
growth by lending a replicability and decomposition to the day-to-day 
things involved that allow you to hire and train others and create 
streamlined workflows at decreased (ing) marginal cost.

I'd say that's where the service failing you're describing comes from. 
Even for organisations with great technology and support, it may be that 
nobody will ever know about them unless you invest heavily in marketing 
- the right kind of marketing, too.  I've seen tons of those;  good 
providers full of knowledgeable engineers and top reliability, who might 
as well be operating out of their parents' basement as far as the 
outside world is concerned.

It's getting those things right that costs money and time, and demands 
an objective experience and a certain art.  The actual technological 
challenges are simple in comparison, if not necessarily trivial.


Joe Antkowiak wrote:

> The problem isn't setting it up -- anyone who knows a bit about linux and is 
> capable of learning a few networking concepts can do so, that's why there are SO 
> many out there.  The problem instead is managing it and resolving problems 
> without having an aneurism.  ITSPs are like ISPs were in the late 90's, the few 
> who manage to keep customers happy and keep growing are the ones that will survive.
> 
> Lane Sullivan wrote:
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>>  
>>
>> I love reading all the posts here and have learned tons in the last few
>> months. I have successfully setup 2 dealerships with Asterisks and am on my
>> 3rd. I wanted to ask this question for information purposes so I can see
>> everyone's view on the subject.
>>
>>  
>>
>> I have a buddy with an ISP that provides me with SIP service through his
>> upstream provider. Problem is he is slow (VERY SLOW) and so far the support
>> sucks. I ordered a few 800 numbers months ago and still don't have them, my
>> caller id still does not work since he setup the account.
>>
>>  
>>
>> My question is this: How hard is it to setup a VOIP provider to the people
>> here in my area since the competition sucks?!?!? 
>>
>>  
>>
>> The obvious next question is costs involved. I understand setting up a
>> system like Vonage etc. is HIGH dollar but what about a smaller setup?
>>
>>  
>>
>> Thanks in advance and I look forward to the reading material,
>>
>>  
>>
>> Lane 
>>
>>
>>
>>
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-- 
Alex Balashov
Evariste Systems
Web    : http://www.evaristesys.com/
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