Rich Adamson wrote:
The traditional pbx vendors (back then) would "always" use the same words
that Kevin used, emphasizing the differences between key systems and
pbx's. However, many of the pbx manufacturers finally realized they
were loosing revenue due to those limitations, and began implementing
key-system-type functions in their pbx's. They were not trying to address
the key system market, but rather make their pbx products more valuable
from a user's perspective. Those that are influencing or controlling the
direction of asterisk haven't learned that lesson as yet, partially because
of the lack of functionality in the sip phones themselves and partially
because asterisk is being developed through the open source community
(limited development resources and no published long term plan).
Those individuals that have worked towards developing the sip rfc standards
have recognized some of the key system vs pbx needs, and have added to
the sip standards. However, it takes a while for the sip phone manufacturers
(and voip pbx manufacturers) to implement those standards, and in some
cases, the manufacturers purposefully leave out certain functions in their
sip products to protect their investments in proprietary products.
It certainly is not difficult to visualize how voip switching products
(such as asterisk or any of the commercial products) could be oriented
towards being a "switch" and address the needs of key systems, pbx's,
and central office switching in the same basic product. All of the same
functions are required in each case. Asterisk will get there, it will just
take a little longer since there isn't any published long term plan to
influence the short term development. (No offense intended to any asterisk
individual or group; just the nature of most open source development.)
I can also assure you that several large companies (most of those company
names likely wouldn't be recognized by many of the readers here) are
watching the asterisk development closely, and likely are in fear of various
open source products negatively impacting their core business. They will
adjust their product development (and plans) in an effort to remain one
(or more) steps ahead from a "marketing & sales" perspective.
Thanks for the history on PBX and key systems. History has a way of
repeating itself. I think Asterisk will have to implement features of a
"key system" in the near future. Just judging from the reaction from
friends and family who are fascinated by my Asterisk installation, there
is huge demand for this kind of system. Digium is just losing out on sales.
Is there an open source key system? What other alternative systems are
there? How about OpenPBX? Are they integrating any key system support?
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