[asterisk-biz] Looking for Asterisk Platform

[Steve Totaro]

TOO funny!

Seriously though, its one ting for a guy to plug a couple POTS lines
into a server or a T1/E1 but even out of the guru pool, how many can
punch down a 25 pair cable on a 66 or 110 block and cross connect them
to the proper stations if analog is your solution (channel bank)? 

Then, turn around and configure QOS, VLANs, install, modify code, write
apps for asterisk.  Program the phones and get the dialplan just right
for the customer on the data side?

The "service" is charging a high premium, the service is not for the
customer, the service is for us, the consultants, to use a telephone
term the "interconnects".  The skills and knowledge are specialized, so
charge accordingly.   

If not, you will undercut your competition, get some business and then
shut your doors in a year or two to go work for a company that charges
higher prices.  Probably leaving the customer with a bad taste in him
mouth, even though he was the cheapskate. 

You don't want to be the cheapest or most expensive, you just want to be
in the middle in terms of pricing.  You want to be on top as far as
service and support or set yourself apart in some other way, even if it
just marketing.

Thanks,
Steve Totaro
http://www.asteriskhelpdesk.com
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cory Andrews [mailto:Cory at VOIPSupply.com]
> Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 12:54 PM
> To: Commercial and Business-Oriented Asterisk Discussion
> Subject: Re: [asterisk-biz] Looking for Asterisk Platform
> 
> Steve the labor pool is just flooded with Asterisk gurus these days.
> Harder
> to find a good lawnmowing service than a proficient Asterisk coder.  I
ran
> into this guy the other day on my way into the office
> http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=380717
> 
> Cory J Andrews
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Totaro" <stotaro at totarotechnologies.com>
> To: "Commercial and Business-Oriented Asterisk Discussion"
> <asterisk-biz at lists.digium.com>
> Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 10:17 AM
> Subject: RE: [asterisk-biz] Looking for Asterisk Platform
> 
> 
> I personally will not take on clients that lowball from the start.  I
> understand negotiating a better price but that is as far as I go.
> 
> It is always the customers that want to line item everything in a
quote
> and then go for a huge price cut that wind up requiring tons of tech
> support and changes.  All said and done, net-loss.
> 
> Networking is a pretty highly available skillset, telephony is a
highly
> available skillset, VoIP is a much more limited skillset, finally,
> Asterisk is a very narrow and limited skillset.  It demands decent
> hourly or per project compensation.
> 
> Thanks,
> Steve Totaro
> http://www.asteriskhelpdesk.com
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Mark Phillips [mailto:g7ltt at g7ltt.com]
> > Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 9:42 AM
> > To: Commercial and Business-Oriented Asterisk Discussion
> > Subject: Re: [asterisk-biz] Looking for Asterisk Platform
> >
> > Cheapskating from the get go.
> >
> > Why do people think that just because the code is free the
consultancy
> > should be too?
> >
> > Mark, G7LTT/KC2ENI
> > Randolph, NJ
> > http://www.g7ltt.com
> >
> >
> > > We will not pay any high setup fees nor will we pay
> > > high monthly fees. If your service has any setup fees
> > > or monthly fees please include them and we will
> > > consider the options. We are looking for more VPS
> > > style solution compared to full rental but you may
> > > additionally include these offers.
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com --
> >
> > asterisk-biz mailing list
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit:
> >    http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-biz
> _______________________________________________
> --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com --
> 
> asterisk-biz mailing list
> To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit:
>    http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-biz
> 
> _______________________________________________
> --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com --
> 
> asterisk-biz mailing list
> To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit:
>    http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-biz