Review : Open Source IP PBX (note : FREE)

Welcome to the world of open source, where solution comes for free..

My online friends recommend me about another product today, an IP PBX solution. He ask me to go to http://www.asterisk.org/

What is exactly IP PBX ??
PBX or Private Branch eXchange (it also known as PABX : Private Automatic Branch eXchange).

Taken from SearchVoip.COm : http://searchvoip.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid66_gci214278,00.html

A PBX (private branch exchange) is a telephone system within an enterprise that switches calls between enterprise users on local lines while allowing all users to share a certain number of external phone lines. The main purpose of a PBX is to save the cost of requiring a line for each user to the telephone company's central office.

The PBX is owned and operated by the enterprise rather than the telephone company (which may be a supplier or service provider, however). Private branch exchanges used analog technology originally. Today, PBXs use digital technology (digital signals are converted to analog for outside calls on the local loop using plain old telephone service).


Asterisk, as they say, is the most popular and extensible open source telephone system in the world, offering flexibility, functionality and features not available in advanced, high-end (high-cost) proprietary business systems. Asterisk is a complete IP PBX (private branch exchange) for businesses, and can be downloaded for free.

Yup completely free. Welcome to the opensource where everything is free...


But...
Yup, for every ultimate solution, there is always but. But we need hardware, not just the software. The CPU must be equipped by card to connect to your telecommunication provider, and cards to connect to your desk phone. The cheapest for telco card is about US$500 for 8 analog line. In Indonesia, a small PBX, just need about 5 mill to have small pabx.

In my opinion, Asterisk is only usefull for Middle & above corporation. It is not suitable for start up and small/micro enterprise. The cost will also increase if you count training, setup, & maintenance cost. But it is still a good option to have such a complete solution for your office.


Solution is sound by bos_asep.