Don't Hang Up On Asterisk

It has already started. Much in the way that Microsoft once dismissed Linux as a competitive threat, some traditional networking companies are telling their customers that Asterisk–the open source VoIP system–is software that businesses can’t trust. That type of attitude could backfire.

During an Interop panel discussion on May 23, one editor suggested that small businesses should make at least three phone calls when exploring voice-over-IP solutions:

When an editor mentioned the Asterisk option, one of the big vendors on the panel suggested that Asterisk solutions won’t stand the test of time and are poorly supported by the channel. Hmmm. Didn’t Microsoft say the same thing about Linux about seven years ago?

Clearly, some traditional networking companies are trying to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) to make sure customers embrace closed-source solutions. But Asterisk’s momentum can’t be denied. Digium is one of the networking industry’s fastest-growing companies. And customers have made more than 75 million phone calls using Fonality’s Asterisk systems, according to AllAboutAsterisk.com.

Some VARs are lining up to support Asterisk. Hundreds more will surely do so in the months ahead. Why? Because it’s a low-cost, reliable platform. Plus, VARs can contribute back to Asterisk’s open source code base, introducing additional value-added components that wouldn’t be possible in a closed-source solution.

Big, traditional networking companies will try their best to hang up on Asterisk. But savvy VARs and their customers certainly won’t.