[asterisk-biz] Typical quotes for small business VOIP setup

[Chris Bagnall]

> 4-5 hours to download and install software.
> 2    hours to program
> 1    hour to test
> 1-2 hours for training and fine tuning.

Of course that's only taking account of the time to set up the server itself. We routinely find that most of the time taken on an install is physically connecting the phones, since it almost always involves moving people out of the way, then disconnecting their old phone, then connecting the new one. Quite often one has to rearrange half their desk furniture (in-trays, PC, photos, etc.) so the phone's in a usable position.

> If you compare this to a traditional TDM digital telephone system, I have seen
> anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 for installation, programming and training.

We generally find installs to a "typical SME" (10-30 users) takes 2 days and is around 1600 GBP.

Installing asterisk is no cheaper than installing TDM - you still have to physically plug phones in.

(of course, if you can use the clients' existing phones or they're plugging in their own phones, the situation is very different)

Regards,

Chris