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

[Steve Totaro]

On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 3:12 PM, Jay R. Ashworth <jra at baylink.com> wrote:
> 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).

You obviously were off topic since this thread is about the 3com
Asterisk Appliance and you never addressed the question that Trixter
posed for this product's price....  Do you have an answer?

>
>> >> 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...

Another moot point.  Dell tech support is scripted and the techs don't
know the material.

You better believe that developing countries are all about Asterisk.
I know several of these Asterisk/Linux shops that really know their
stuff.  I mean, think about it logically.  Poor country, Asterisk is
free......  I have been to many African countries and have met a great
deal of Asterisk Gurus.  Guys that can do more than devs in the good
old USA (for the price)

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

That generally doesn't happen at 3AM but a contingency plan is to make
several cable and leave them in the rack just in case.  Again, common
sense.

>
> 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
>
>             Those who cast the vote decide nothing.
>             Those who count the vote decide everything.
>               -- (Joseph Stalin)
>

Thanks,
Steve Totaro