When you're managing convergence-based networks across multiple locations, say 50 branch offices linked to two headquarters, you most likely have an ongoing migraine headache. There are always different ways to design such a network, but it's likely that management will want a centralized dialplan, easy office-to-office transfers, etc.
People who design and deploy complex, multi-site environments are always looking to unify and simplify their environments while keeping an advanced feature-set available to the users. Sure, you could contract a large vendor to architect a solution, but when you're working on a limited budget, it's hard to justify all of the 'fluff' that's built into such quotes (licensing, design services, huge maintenance contracts, etc).
With open-source-based appliances becoming more and more popular these days, it's getting hard to justify a large-vendor solution when a similar result can be achieved for a fraction of the cost. I recently wrote a post that attracted a lot of attention in regard to Asterisk-based appliances:
Appliances Run Amok
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/25408
With so many companies that are developing similar solutions, the playing field of vendors can be hard to navigate when it comes to send out RFPs. It's really important to note that the vendors ARE getting it right. They're delivering robust appliance-style systems that easily scale, are easy to manage, and integrate with other systems via standards-based protocols. Suddenly, it becomes a drop-and-deploy method of providing dialtone to remote users.
Digium's Switchvox offerings have recently included the release of a new batch of appliances that offer easy deployment, administration, and even hardware redundancy. I recently downloaded the Switchvox free version and was quite impressed. It really pays when a vendor can deliver advanced functionality under a simple and clean interface. The other vendors will likely be making vast improvements in the near future. Now, multi-site integration can really be simple.
What's the point? We're seeing a major 180 degree turn in where the telecom world is heading. But, for a while, it will still be difficult to convince the upper-level management that there ARE viable solutions outside of 'major telecom vendors', and that the cost savings will be significant. It's a slow process, but I always have a smile on my face when I call a company and don't hear Nortel or Avaya prompts. The times are changing.
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Absolutely Brilliant!
Absolutely Brilliant!