[Asterisk-Users] Features you'd like to see in a GUI?

[Senad J]

> If your intention is just to build a GUI for Asterisk, read no
> further.
> If your desire is to build something more purposeful, your best bet
> would be to see the existing commercial GUI/HostedPBX offerings like
> Pbxware and Switchware from bicomsystems.com
> ( http://www.bicomsystems.com)
> and Thirdlane Technologies (http://www.thirdlane.com/opensource.htm)
> and
> the Open Source software like AMP and try to emulate (or preferably
> improve upon) them.
>
> My suggestion is to create a "VOIP Business in a Box System" that has
> inter-alia following list of modules:
>
> 1) GUI To configure Administer Asterisk Extensions across many servers
> 2) Postpaid and Prepaid Billing modules with realtime call progress
> detection and call cut-off
> 3)CRM Module for customers to register and provide their information
> for
> recurring billing.
> 4)Web based conference room management module
> 5)Web based click to dial and callback module
>
> Many of these modules are already available on Open Source like
> SugarCRM, AsreskiCC etc., and Asterisk at home CD contains AMP and
> SugarCRM
> at this time, besides other Open Source utilities like PhpMyAdmin.
>
> Here is the bottomline:
> ----------------------
> The real need is for a commercially deployable solution that can
> create
> a business, without too many additions to it.
>
> Bicom Systems has promised for too long that their Pbxware and
> Switchware can fullfill this need to create a business, but they never
> deliverd their promise. PBXware and Switchware have been a total and
> expensive disappointment to me and for the few who invested in them.


I would not normally reply on a post like this, but since you are publicly
expressing your opinion on products and services that we offer, I must
defend our years of work.

We have PBXware and SWITCHware deployed at many locations around the globe -
all working just fine. The combination of SWITCHware and other applications
(Billing, CMS, Products & Services Database, Media Proxy, SER, Cluster
servers etc) form what we call "Telco in a BOX". We have deployed such
solutions in North America, Europe and shortly Asia. Our clients are small
to medium and some of largest blue chip corporate companies in the world and
even Chip Manufacturers. Our distributors include approved Digium
distributors
and have been deploying our products with no major issues.

As for "expensive disappointment" ... What is expensive ?
If you mean a small switch costing several thousands or complete solutions
costing several hundred of thousands. Take your pick  ...

In addition, our clients we deal on regular basis do not "disappear". Each
and every client is looked after by us. They do not, "install" the software
try it and then come back after several weeks/months and start the install
process all over again... That is not a workable model for anyone.

Our "installed" clients certainly do not try to look into our source code
and then say "it is not working".

As for putting "Business in a BOX"  and any of the many other projects
together of which this list has had to endure from you in the past 24
months, we wish you the best of luck and trust that they neither have proved
too expensive or disappointing to discourage you further.



Senad Jordanovic
www.bicomsystems.com