[Asterisk-biz] * vs. Call Manager Express/Unity Express

[Jason Becker]

Hello All,

I'm hoping that someone that has experience with Cisco product can help 
me position an * solution against Call Manager Express/Unity Express.

The customer has decided to use Cisco routers so naturally a Cisco 
IP-PBX (integrated with IOS) solution appeals to them. My understanding 
is that CME is $750 US and CUE (required for Auto-attendant and 
Voicemail) starts at either $2500 US or $1800 US (which itself depends 
on whether a HDD or CF is used for storage).

I think our * based solution can compete on price and features with 
Cisco's solution, so if anyone can chime in on other pros and cons of a 
Cisco solution I'd really appreciate it. Is CME basically a "Loss 
Leader"? i.e. Eventually you'll end up using their Call Manager product? 
Is this how Cisco gets you to buy their expensive VoIP phones? Is 
CME/CUE disposable enough that someone buying Cisco routers can try it 
and if they don't like it then they'll consider buying a standalone IP-PBX?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

-- 
Jason Becker
Director & CEO
Coalescent Systems Inc.
403.244.8089
www.voxbox.ca