Enterprise PBX Compare: Cisco v Shortel

Focus Research ©2009

Focus ResearchMarch 2009

Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide

2Focus Research ©2009

3Com Altigen Avaya Cisco

3Com NBX V3000 BRI-ST AltiServ IP OfficeUnified Call Manager/Media

Convergence Server 7800 Series

Features

Outlook Integration

Included Included Optional via VoiceMail Pro Included

Integrated Voice Response

Yes, with optional add-on Multiple options with call-center software Included Included

Call Center Support

Basics included, advanced capabilities available with add-on

With call center software Yes, with optional add-on Included

Software Platform

Security-hardened Linux Windows-based IP Office release 4 Either Windows or Linux

Hardware Platform

Proprietary V3000 NBX platform Proprietary Avaya Office IP 500 Cisco CallManager and Media Convergence servers

Supported Protocol(s)

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), H.323, 802.x and many more protocols supported

SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more protocols supported


SIP, H.323 and numerous other standards

Management and Administration

Browser-based interface supports provisioning, regular administration and management features and integrates with 3Com's enterprise network- management suites

User- and system-management software options

Windows-based graphical system-management tools and end user/client tools

Suite of management and administration tools that support functions across groups of phones as well as single phones

Phone Support Multiple third-party SIP devices Two proprietary, IP hardphones, one softphone and analog phone support

Numerous hard SIP phones

Analog Phone Support

Yes, built-in Yes Yes Yes

Enterprise PBX Comparison Guide 3Focus Research ©2009

Digium Fonality Intuitive Voice Mitel

Asterisk Business Edition

PBXtra Evolution PBX V2.3SX-200 IP

Communications Platform

Features

Outlook Integration

Click-to-dial available as plug-in Included Included


Included Included Included Included

Call Center Support

Requires significant configuration Included with Call Center Edition No Included

Software Platform

Open-source, Red Hat Linux based, with extensive customization

Based on Asterisk, true Web-based GUI; extremely intuitive for adminstrators and users alike

Open source – Asterisk Proprietary – integrates with common network systems

Hardware Platform

Pretty much any Linux server Pretty much any Linux server Preinstalled on customized Linux servers Proprietary







Good encrypted VoIP, phone authentication and management security

Standard Asterisk administration Ships with two management tools: MyAdministrator & IP Phone Analyzer; MACs are simple to execute

Phone Support 40+ hardphones supported; numerous softphone clients

Six IP hardphones supported; one IP softphone (bundled); also supports analog phones

Polycom, Linksys, Cisco and Counterpath phones

Supports very wide range of SIP phones and IP devices


Yes Yes Yes Yes


Nortel Networks Pingtel ShoreTel SiemensCommunications

Server 1000 Release 4 SIPxchangeShoretel 9 IP

Phone System HiPath 3500

Features

Outlook Integration

With integrated conference bridge Not available Included Included with HiPath Expressions


Included Included Available Included with HiPath Expressions

Call Center Support

Included Included Included With HiPath Pro Center Compact

Software Platform

VXWorks Linux VXWorks Proprietary

Hardware Platform

Proprietary Standard Linux servers Proprietary ShoreTel Shoregear switches Proprietary


SIP and H.323 SIP and H.323 SIP and MGCP SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more protocols supported


Windows and Web-based management tools, including traffic analysis, configuration of Meridian digital and IP telephones, and performance of call tracking and billing functions

Web-based GUI is intuitive with simple navigational structure; management of phones can be challenging

Through one browser, you can manage all the sites including the PBX, voice mail, automated attendant and desktop applications.

Lacks integrated interface; individual tools are effective; good monitoring and look for deployment tool

Phone Support Nortel IP phones and softphones Dozens of IP phones and devices via SIP

Shoretel telephones and softphones Most SIP phones, plus analog phone support. Siemens' own phones are among the best.


Yes Supports all SIP compliant FXS gateways

Yes, plus third-party SIP, wifi, DECT, mobile phones

Yes


Sphere Switchvox TalkSwitch Whaleback

Sphericall Switchvox PBX 48-CVACrystalBlue

Voice SMB 1500

Features

Outlook Integration




Call Center Support

Included With add-on Yes No (integrates with third-party vendor.)

Software Platform

Windows XP Web-based administration and user portals

Proprietary Proprietary

Hardware Platform

Industry-standard servers Proprietary tower servers Proprietary Proprietary


SIP and MGCP SIP, H.323, 802.x and many more protocols supported




Sphericall comes with Web-based and Windows-based tools for managing and administering the system.

Easy Web-based tools for administration. Windows Based TalkSwitch software to provide management and administration

Part of service provided by vendor

Phone Support End devices from Aastra, Eutectics, Grandstream Networks, Polycom and SpectraLink

All SIP compatible phones Works with Polycom and Grandstream IP phones

Polycom IP phones


Yes Yes Yes Yes


3Com Altigen Avaya Cisco3Com NBX

V3000 BRI-ST AltiServ IP OfficeUnified Call Manager/Media


Security Encrypted VoIP, strong phone authentication and strong management security

No VoIP security – hybrid system Encrypted VoIP, strong phone authentication, strong management security

Excellent encrypted VoIP, phone authentication and managment security

IP Station Capacity

Expandable up to 1,500 lines 48 users per box with multiple boxes – overall system supports up to several hundred users

Starts at 32 lines, expandable to 270 lines

Up to 7,500 phones per server and 30,000 phones per cluster

Modularity/Expandability

Highly modular/expandable. Good integration with 3Com network products.

Modular and expandable, with units suitable for main offices and branch offices

Modular and expandable with options for main and branch offices

Modular and expandable with cards/additional units; lots of additional modules for extra features

Reroute to PSTN (public switched telephone network) on failure

Full failover No – but does explicitly include backup and disaster-recovery options

Yes Yes

Documentation/Support

Enterprise level documentation and support levels

Enterprise-class support and documentation

Excellent support and rich documentation for both users and administrators


Pricing Starts at approx $20,000 for 50-user system

Up to $18,000 depending on reseller and precise features and configurations selected.

$16,900 Starts at approximately $20,000

Ease of Installation

Flexible solution from 3Com that can connect directly to PSTN as well as IP networks. But it is also a complex system that requires professional help to install.

Flexible system with lots of configurable options; is managed by AltiAdmin software

Installation straightforward; configuration cumbersome at some points

Complex system that requires extensive analysis and testing before deployment


Digium Fonality Intuitive Voice MitelAsterisk

Business Edition PBXtra Evolution PBX V2.3SX-200 IP


Security Encrypted VoIP, moderate phone, management and authentication security. Add-ons can extend security.

Encrypted VoIP, moderate phone, management and authentication security. Add-ons can extend security.

Encrypted VoIP, moderate phone, management and authentication security.

Strong encrypted VoIP, phone authentication and management security

IP Station Capacity

40 simultaneous calls/server; 240 simultaneous calls/server with upgrade

300 Up to 240 lines 248 plus additional desktop stations and analog lines


Expandable and modular – low cost makes it easy to upgrade for branch office



Allows expansion up to more than 600 users


No No No Yes


Includes Asterisk user manual and quick-start guide; free support for one year

Responsive support with fast response times; 'open-source' style documentation

Offers support and services ongoing. Documentation is basic and straightforward.

Enterprise class support and documentation

Pricing Starts at $995 Starts at $995 Starts at $995 $12,000


Integrated installation now much improved. At heart, a simpler system than the complex proprietary solutions but still not plug and play.

Intuitive GUI streamlines installation; delivered as appliance; up and running in 30 minutes

Asterisk-based turnkey system that is easy to install and operate.

Straightforward installation via MyAdministrator application


Nortel Networks Pingtel ShoreTel SiemensCommunications

Server 1000 Release 4 SIPxchangeShoretel 9 IP


Security Strong encrypted VoIP, phone authentication and management security

Good encrypted VoIP: strong phone authentication and management security

Strong AES-encrypted VoIP Encrypted VoIP; strong phone, management and authentication security

IP Station Capacity

Can be scaled up to 16,000 Up to 5,000 users per site Scales from 1 to 10,000 users 192


Modular and expandable system using additional cards/clustering

Software scales extremely well, additional Linux servers and instances make system readily expandable.

Voice Switches with no forklift upgrades required


Yes, with survivability gateways Yes Yes Yes


Enterprise-class support. Instruction available in classroom, Web and workbook formats

Support team responsive via phone and email; useful, well-organized documentation

Provides support services, training programs and professional services. Live help and guides and tutorials available on the web.

Enterprise-class support and documentation

Pricing Gateway alone starts at $6,000 but cost for a system is significantly higher

Starts at $995 (software only) Varies depending on requirements –most basic system (hardware and software) costs approximately $500 per user

$16,000


Complex and powerful system – requires coordination of several systems and pre-deployment testing. Vendor provides assistance.

Straightforward, easy setup; 35-minute installation (note – software only – runs on basic Linux servers)

“Plug n Play” Installation-IP Phones are configured and only need to be plugged in. New users can be added in seconds with only a browser

Straightforward installation and configuration




Voice SMB 1500

Security Has been submitted for testing by the U.S. Department of Defense and National Security Agency and has met all the requirements of these tests

Encrypted VoIP, good management and phone security

Encrypted VoIP, good management and phone security

Yes, encryption border session control, built-in

IP Station Capacity

Scales to 30,000 Unlimited' – in practice that means several hundred

32 extensions per office location Up to 1,500


Modular and expandable using standard servers and components

Limited – can add more servers to add more lines

Can be expanded to slightly more than 100 lines

Easily expanded at any time


Yes No No No – but is externally monitored to optimize uptime

Documentation/ Support


Good support and documentation, online support center

Excellent support and documentation Good documentation – support part of vendor service

Pricing Unusual pricing model more similar to hosted solution - $199 per user license

Starts at $995, including hardware Starts at $595, including hardware $49.95 per line, so $999 for 20 lines – connection cost included


Sphere Communications' installation and cut-over services include the installation of the Sphericall product, endpoint installation and testing, trunk testing and on-site customer troubleshooting.

Straightforward, software-based system built on top of Asterisk that runs on a standard Linux server. Package comes preinstalled on the server.

Easy customer install with PC-based interface and plug in to LAN

Installed and managed by vendor as part of hybrid managed system/service


3Com Altigen Avaya Cisco3Com NBX

V3000 BRI-ST AltiServ IP OfficeUnified Call Manager/Media


Target Business Size

Medium to large enterprise SMB (small- to medium-sized business) SMB Large enterprise

VoIP-News Comments

A scalable and powerful proprietary solution that integrates well with other 3Com products. Most advanced features require add-ons, and it is recommended that installation and configuration services be used to make best use of the product.

Older company with very robust system that continues to be extended; feature-rich

Award-winning. Good choice for reliability and performance.

A highly scalable, powerful and extremely extendable solution.


Digium Fonality Intuitive Voice MitelAsterisk

Business Edition PBXtra Evolution PBX V2.3SX-200 IP



SMB Medium enterprise SMB SMB

VoIP-News Comments

Digium adds valuable commercial license, support and documents to already robust Asterisk

Low-cost, all-inclusive system. Good for hybrid IP/analog setup requiring easy maintenance

Low-cost Asterisk system – clear pricing and support options.

High-end communications system with very many unified communications features, including integration of mobile devices


Nortel Networks Pingtel ShoreTel SiemensCommunications Server

1000 Release 4 SIPxchangeShoretel 9 IP



Medium to large enterprise Medium enterprise SMB to large enterprise SMB

VoIP-News Comments

Proprietary, rich solution with lots of features and complexity

Straightforward, open-source-based PBX solution running on standard Linux boxes

Straightforward, relatively easy to install but proprietary solution.

High-end system with good security. Siemens can deliver systems all the way up to enterprise level.




Voice SMB 1500


Medium to large enterprise SMB SMB Medium businesses

VoIP-News Comments

Open-platform based, powerful solution. In particular has powerful features for building custom SOAP and XML applications.

Low-price, all-inclusive system. Flexible range of options.

Straightforward hybrid system for the very low end of the SMB market – turnkey systems

Unusual system – on-premise but completely managed by the vendor. Very aggressive pricing

Documents

Enterprise PBX Compare: Cisco v Shortel