[asterisk-biz] PBX Functionality for Less than the Price of a KeySystem (3Com Asterisk IP Telephony Appliance)

[Jay R. Ashworth]

On Tue, Jun 03, 2008 at 02:45:16PM -0400, Steve Totaro wrote:
> On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 2:17 PM, Jay R. Ashworth <jra at baylink.com> wrote:
> > On Tue, Jun 03, 2008 at 12:01:08PM -0400, Steve Totaro wrote:
> >> > On Tue, 2008-06-03 at 10:02 -0400, Jay R. Ashworth wrote:
> >> >> I would assume that's retail, yes.
> >> >>
> >> >> Computer people, and in my experience even Asterisk people, tend to
> >> >> forget how high the markup is on packaged telephony gear -- and more to
> >> >> the point, *why* it's that high.
> >> >
> >> > ok, why not providing some information since we all forget why its that
> >> > high, can you provide some information regarding that?
> >>
> >> Because that has always been the status quo.  "We are the Big Ole
> >> Expensive Phone Company".
> 
> >> But in this case, 3Com has distribution chains established,
> >> advertising materials, sales people, rent, insurance, entertainment
> >> budgets, retirement packages, VIP salaries....
> >
> > And those people who you can call for tech support at 3 ayem when your
> > hotel can't take calls anymore...
> 
> Sure, if you buy a support agreement, which BTW does not come with the
> system.  At least that is the way it worked with the NBX stuff.  And
> no, you could not call 3Com directly, you had to call your dealer....
> Huge money maker, 24/7 support contracts.
> 
> Moot point since the package is the Asterisk Appliance, it might
> support the "No Tell Motel" but a far cry from a real hotel.
> Obviously, you didn't read the thread....

You didn't read what *I wrote*.  I'm discussing telephony markups
(40-50%, traditionally) vs PC markups (10%, on a good day, downhill,
with a tailwind).

> >> If not, I can use 3Com's sales material to prove Asterisk is "Ready"
> >> and out sell that little box with a real server, more functionality,
> >> customization, and profit to me time and time again.
> >
> > As long as you enjoy being up at 3.am, as the email address has it...
> 
> No, I will be sound asleep, I will outsource it to Uganda or the
> Philippines (regular business hours there) to techs that are very
> knowledgeable and charge a very high premium for 24/7 support.  No
> skin off my back, 8 hours of sleep and free money!  what else can you
> ask for?

Yeah, cause that's working so well for Dell...

And, um, how are they gonna recrimp a pulled-out cable?  Concorde
doesn't fly anymore...

Cheers,
-- jra
-- 
Jay R. Ashworth                   Baylink                      jra at baylink.com
Designer                     The Things I Think                       RFC 2100
Ashworth & Associates     http://baylink.pitas.com                     '87 e24
St Petersburg FL USA      http://photo.imageinc.us             +1 727 647 1274

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