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

[Steve Totaro]

I don't have an iPod or i(anything).  I am not complaining about the
price, I like the price, it means I can offer a telephony platform
that is validated by 3Com, use the nice glossy tri-folds and then sell
them my solution after making obvious comparisons and make more money.

I would still sell a 3Com V3000 over the 3Com Asterisk appliance if it
fit the customer's needs (SoHo).  Let's face it, VXworks and onboard
DSPs are much better compared to Asterisk and Digium hardware and
right around the same price point.  3Com can be MAC based only
requiring one IP for the server and the phones provision themselves
and download the latest firmware when booting up.  You can setup
templates for different groups or specific phones and program the
buttons directly through the V3000's GUI.

And yes, I am a "3Com Certified Network Telephony Specialist" :)

Thanks,
Steve Totaro

On Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 6:26 PM, Craig Lawrence <craig at mytel.net.au> wrote
> I really don't agree with the comments that suggest the 3com unit is
> overpriced.
>
> I'd except that a 3com certified reseller would be proposing a couple of
> different 3com systems to each customer. A standard key system and a
> VoIP system possibly. The margins and pricing on the traditional system
> would be as they usually are and the margins on the Asterisk system will
> need to be similar in order for the reseller and 3com to be compensated
> equally / similarly whichever unit is sold.
>
> If you're suggesting the pricing is too high you're really complaining
> about the ability of an established brand such as 3com with a track
> record and a distribution channel to be able to secure margins which
> cheaper and less established brands fail to achieve.
>
> Don't you own an iPod - if you do, you've accepted that a brand has
> value and is worth something to you more than the value of the actual
> device.
>
> Cheers
>
>
> Craig Lawrence
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: asterisk-biz-bounces at lists.digium.com
> [mailto:asterisk-biz-bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Steve Totaro
> Sent: Wednesday, 4 June 2008 9:20 AM
> To: Commercial and Business-Oriented Asterisk Discussion
> Subject: Re: [asterisk-biz] PBX Functionality for Less than the Price of
> aKeySystem (3Com Asterisk IP Telephony Appliance)
>
> That is what I would expect to pay for a real server with same day
> support (not an appliance) that can handle hundreds of calls and
> extensions.  Add more for T1 or whatever.
>
> Then without running ABE, I can upsell all kinds of integration (even
> things the customer never thought of) and be a true VAR, not just a
> guy that sells a box.
>
> Thanks,
> Steve Totaro
>
> On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 7:07 PM, Craig Lawrence <craig at mytel.net.au>
> wrote:
>> I assume you're looking at this pricing - See page 25 -
>> http://www.3com.com/other/pdfs/solutions/en_US/wsca_price.pdf
>>
>> The verison without phones and with 4 FXO 4 FXS is $1400 wholesale.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Craig Lawrence
>>