So, how does one compare Asterisk and legacy PBX systems ?
Asterisk is open source, software based PBX system which have all the functionality, features that any high end legacy PABX systems offer, at fraction of the cost of those legacy PBX ( Private Branch Exchange) systems. That is a powerful statement, one might have read in many forums discussing about PABX systems, VoIP on internet. And that should have wiped out all legacy PBX by now. But it has not happened so far and I am not sure if it is ever going to happen.
Here are few points, why Asterisk may not be alternative to legacy PBX machines:-
1. Asterisk is free
Yes, Asterisk is free and now a days supported by large developer community as well as many CTI hardware manufacturers. Digium is the original Asterisk company. But, to a user, does it matter whether the technology is open source or free! It is already a private exchange, supposed to be used inside a a premise and the users avail telephony services free of cost. So, the most important factor for a private telephony system may not be the cost, but support and maintenance. Being older, legacy PBX have developed a very good support network for troubleshooting and rectifying any problem and ensuring their PBX systems operate round the clock without failure world wide! The same can not be said about Asterisk based phone systems as of now!
Hopefully, Asterisk users and support systems would grow and match those of legacy PBX systems.
2. Building large voice networks
Legacy PBX systems have been widely tested, proven to be capable of building large voice networks across diverse geographical areas. They work on their own without needing to run on computing power of a PC. The legacy machines can be just powered off normally as in any electronic device and when powered on, it will start working normally.
While Asterisk PBX systems may not work like a normal electronic device and installing at remote places is a big risk proposition.
3. Rich Media service and CTI features
Most probably, Asterisk scores over legacy PBX system in computer telephony integration as well as media gateway. Asterisk may also be more suitable for call centers where tight integration with PC and various intelligent computing are required. For example, in a cal center, automatic call distribution, agent management, management information etc. are very important apart from voice call handling. Here legacy systems can not perform without computer power of PC through CTI (Computer Telephony Integration).
Now a days, there are many value added services in telephone like voice portal, voice based value added service, where Asterisk may be more suitable and much cheaper than legacy PBX systems. And these VAS systems are not required to operate in remote areas without qualified technical manpower!
So, for voice network and host of other phone systems, I feel legacy PBX systems still is better choice while Asterisk seems a cheaper and better choice for Telecom VAS (Value Added Service) and call center applications. Just my thinking!
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