[asterisk-biz] DIDX Query

[Fred Posner]

On Nov 4, 2010, at 8:49 AM, Steve Totaro wrote:

>>> Alex Balashov <abalashov at evaristesys.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Now, now, why all the negativity?  Dan's plight warrants our empathy:
>>>  he is using DIDX.
>>> 
>>> The fact that he thought it faster - and perhaps liable to be more
>>> accurate - to ask the list than DIDX itself is not his fault;  it's a
>>> symptom of a whole problem in itself, which is that this is the state
>>> of DIDX support.
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Alex Balashov - Principal
>>> Evariste Systems LLC
>>> 1170 Peachtree Street
>>> 12th Floor, Suite 1200
>>> Atlanta, GA 30309
>>> Tel: +1-678-954-0670
>>> Fax: +1-404-961-1892
>>> Web: http://www.evaristesys.com/
>> 
>> --
> 
> 
> On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 3:49 AM, Dan Journo <dan at keshercommunications.com> wrote:
>> Alex,
>> 
>> Do you think Didx should be avoided?
>> If so, where do you go for dids?
>> 
>> Can you recommend a better provider?
>> 
>> Thanks
>> Dan
> 
> Dan, I went ahead and fixed your top post, the same practice you
> scolded me about.  I only really top post to questions that can be
> answered easily, or flat out off topic, especially when the answers
> are easily obtained through Google or the website.
> 
> Personally, I would avoid DIDx.  Do some of your own leg work.  Search
> the archives.
> 
> Are you just looking for DIDs to port somewhere else, or are you
> looking for service as well?  Did you cost out the usage based on your
> historical or expected usage?
> 
> Things like this make me raise an eyebrow.
> http://blogs.didx.net/2010/08/honest-review-of-didx-by-member-since.html
> 
> First, when someone says "honestly" or " to tell you the truth" that
> is a big red flag to me.  Why the need to qualify something as honest
> or truthful?
> 
> The second part of this is that it is B2B and a very close
> relationship between DIDx and Comtel which was acquired by Astraqom,
> the company that posted "Honestly" about DIDx.  The Comtel acquisition
> was done in March of this year (2010).
> 
> Max failed to disclose pertinent information.
> 
> Here is an excerpt from Max Glucksmann's resume (
> http://www.scribd.com/doc/25124119/Max-Glucksmann-2010-01-DB-PBX-Web-Mail-IT-Manager-Resume
> ) with no disclosure in the "Honest" testimonial:
> 
> DIDx. Pensacola, FL
> 12/2007 - Present
> → Worked as an API integrator, building web pages to use and display
> the APIs for DIDx DID number purchasing and management
> through Comtel Networks' website.
> → Sold DIDs to Comtel Networks' clients through the API integration seamlessly.
> → Attended different conference shows representing DIDx as an API
> Integrator and customer support agent. Helped accrue new DIDx
> members and helped them during the sign-up Inter-op process. The shows
> attended include: NXTComm 08, ITExpo 08 & 09,
> Astricon 08, CTIA Wireless 09 & VON 09
> 
> Wow, it looks like the testimonial was written by  a person employed
> by DIDx and Astraqom/Comtel.  Even if he was not getting paid, this
> close alliance should have been disclosed, but I would bet a steak
> dinner that he is employed by DIDx in some manner, whether it is free
> minutes or a paycheck.  I seriously doubt that he loves DIDx to do
> this with no strings attached.
> 
> I am sure it is just pure coincidence that both businesses are in
> Pensacola, FL..  I will research addresses later if I have time, they
> don't seem to be posted.  For some reason, I think they may even share
> office space or are next door neighbors.
> 
> They have always come across to me as a shady company and I refuse to
> do business with them partially because of that and the fact that
> everytime I out them, I get constant calls from Suzanne Bowen.  There
> is a very long history there and I hope this example of their business
> practices helps you.
> 
> They are excellent at SEO, so search the users and biz archives.
> 
> Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
> 
> 1.  Do I really want to go with the cheapest provider?
> 
> 2.  Can I port my numbers at anytime or do they really belong to
> someone else?  Does DIDx hold them or some 3rd party.
> 
> 3.  Who is the RespOrg for the DIDs?
> 
> 4.  If it is taking so long for DIDx to reply to your questions and I
> didn't see a phone number, why would you even consider them?
> 
> 5.  Are you looking for VoIP services as well as DIDs?   Have you
> checked the rates?  A few dollars of savings on one piece of the
> equation can amount to large expenses in another.
> 
> I like Vitelity personally and often recommend Junction and VoicePulse.
> 
> Thanks,
> Steve Totaro

For domestic DIDs, I am a big, huge fan of flowroute. Had voicepulse, but much happier since I moved to flowroute.

I also had trouble getting things started with DIDx, but that being said truly like some people at the organization such as Suzanne Bowers. Also, my company helped with a charity call center and DIDx provided the DIDs... they worked fine for 20+ simultaneous calls (no complaints of sound quality).

For intl, I've been using didww with mixed results. A mexico number I have is perfect, 0 issues. Colombian DIDs drop like flies... but that might be more of a Colombian issue than DIDww.

---fred
http://qxork.com