With its focus on the channel, ChannelWeb reviewed small business VoIP offerings in a "bake-off" of gear from Cisco (Smart Business Communications System), Fonality (PBXtra), Avaya (Quick Edition), Nortel (Business Communications Manager 50), and Adtran (NetVanta 7100), and named products from Avaya and Fonality as the most attractive for small businesses. ChannelWeb recommended Avaya's "ability to use existing networking infrastructure, speedy deployment and easy-to-use management interface," and the Fonality product's ability to "work with existing switches and supports several phone brands. Fonality's flexibility in offering the product as a pure software offering allows solution providers to reuse existing machines for higher margins." ChannelWeb said Cisco "edged out Adtran into third place" because of its profit potential to channel partners. (Compare VoIP products using Network World's IT Buyer's Guides.)

According to ChannelWeb:

SBCS and Adtran's NetVanta were both compelling products for different reasons, and reviewers had difficulty ranking them. Adtran's management interface was cleaner, better laid out and more comprehensive than Cisco Configuration Assistant. Reviewers preferred the flexibility of Adtran's browser-based interface over Cisco, as well. However, Cisco Configuration Assistant, by virtue of its network monitoring capabilities, provided information about the phone network that none of the other tools did, such as the topology map showing how the phones were connected to the system. The ability to work offline was also a plus. Both companies are extremely channel-focused and have many channel-friendly initiatives in place.

Do you agree with ChannelWeb's conclusions?

Related reading:

* Cisco converged products target small businesses

* Network World Clear Choice Test: Fonality's PBXtra 3.5 Professional edition

* Nortel reinforces SMB gear with stackable switches, VoIP

* Branch offices get multifunction devices

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