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New Business Trends  Internet Business
Asterisk: Open Source touches Telephony
The rebellion, the struggling underdog versus the big corporate machine - an age-old tale of David versus Goliath with a 20th Century twist. On one side, we have Linux fighting for the freedoms of open source software in opposition to the Microsoft giant; on the other, we have VoIP declaring war at the doorstep of telephony service providers – different struggles, similar ideals.
Upon joining forces, these underdogs saw the birth of the David of the telephony world – an open-source telephony system named Asterisk.
Asterisk software runs on GNU/Linux, FreeBSD and other Unix-like operating systems with built in Voice-over-IP (VOIP). Using Asterisk, one can connect into traditional phone networks with a Digium interface card that is readily available through local distributors Connection Telecom and their resellers.
Asterisk was originally developed by Mark Spencer, CEO of Digium Inc, in order to serve his own company's needs. Since that time, developers from all around the world have been contributing to the project, resulting in an exponential growth.
Asterisk provides all the functions of even the most expensive traditional PABXes simply with software running on an ordinary PC. It provides inter-office "free" calling, and very inexpensive international calling. In every case, Asterisk based solutions are a fraction of the cost of the traditional equivalents.
In South Africa, Connection Telecom distributes Digium equipment to over 100 system integrators who are using the technology for call recording, for both small and large call-centres, for voice conferencing, in CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) and many other innovative ways that entrepreneurs can imagine.
The company was established in October 2004 when founders Rob and Steve were given the distribution rights for Digium products in Africa. This was the result of an established relationship with Digium, which was formed by extensive development contributions to the Asterisk project.
The company has consistently doubled their turnover in the first two years and has been profitable from the first year of operation. Their tremendous success, coupled with the fact that it is a business successfully built on open source technology is an indication as to the popularity of “alternative” telephony and the widespread acceptance of open-source technology here in South Africa.
In the last twelve months over 660 Digium telephony interface cards, (which equates to 9500 ports connecting the PSTN) were sold by Connection Telecom. If there is an average of 20 users per system with one of these cards that is close to 13,200 users via one distributor alone!
Within the local SMME market, companies like Time Freight, Intercape Mainliner, Miro Distribution (five branches), and Pathcare have integrated Asterisk into their daily operations, as well as major corporates such as Metropolitan Health Group, Neil Harvey and Associates, and a key call centre in Bellville (Platinum Africa) with 300 agents.
As far as local support and resources go, information is widely available as forums and mailing lists regarding Asterisk and VoIP abound - at http://www.asterisk.org/za you'll find the home of the South African Asterisk community, or can send a mail to majordomo@internet.org.za to get signed up to the local VoIP mailing list.
If you are interested in getting hold of Asterisk, Digium cards are purchasable locally by visiting http://connection-telecom.com/ or by contacting Connecttion Telecom’s sales team on 021-657-5160 for Cape Town and 011-621-2270 for JHB.
Storm Buckingham
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section specialist
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Shawn Hancock
Shawn graduated with a diploma in multimedia design in 2002 and has been working in the online industry ever since. In 2003 he developed Flash based e-learning software for a Cape Town based company before landing a junior web designer position at BizAssist Technologies in October 2004. Shawn has been involved any many improvements to the BizAssist brand over the last 5 years, including his involvement in all the SA Guide publications and the redevelopment of BizAssist.co.za. In 2008, Shawn was promoted from designer to general manager of the company but still continues to design in various media on a daily basis. |
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