One thing that Cisco reps mention when the NBX comes up is that 3Com's solution is voice over ethernet, rather than a VOIP solution. Then they admit that Cisco doesn't play well in the small implementation market (less than 50 phones) unless there are some unusual requirements that are tailored for VOIP. TTFN, Bill
-----Original Message----- From: Bill Carter [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 8:18 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Cisco AVVID vs. 3Com [7:33705] My company is a Cisco Voice partner and a 3Com Voice Partner. The office I work out of uses the 3Com NBX for about 20 phones. It works, no real complaints. Some of the earlier versions of code were pretty bad. Downsides, NBX has 1 hard drive, if it goes we are down. No way to backup. 3Com may be providing a new solution, I'm not sure??? Here is our position when selling to a customers. If they are a small office (0-30 phones), with no need for VoIP connecting different offices, 3Com is probably the best choice. Cost is a lot less than Cisco solution for same customer and customer wants basic features (voice-mail, auto-attendant, call-park, call-transfer, speaker phone). For customers with larger offices (40+ phones), the potential for VoIP with branch offices we go Cisco. We end up selling Cisco to 95% of our customers. In-line powered phones is a big advantage. Power outlets at the desk are usually filled, it's nice to avoid power strips at every desk. I see 3Com has a price advantage and Cisco has a Technology advantage. Support from Cisco is excellent. Lots of time the problem people have with the Cisco solution is the complexity. Cisco VoIP can work in many different environments, 3Com is more positioned for the standard/simple small office. Don't forget data integration with IP phone system. XML applications to the phone are a very good thing. Some applications on the phones our customers like are phone directories, time-clock sign-in/sign-out (for hourly staff). You have to look at the survivability of the company. 3Com has problems turning a profit. Networkers hate 3Com NICs, 3Com has exited the core switching market. They now sell NICs (most professionals hate them), modems (commodity), low end switches (commodity), home broadband routers (Cable/DSL commodity), and a low end phone system. How long will this model work???? Will they dump the NBX in the next 12 months??? -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Stull, Cory Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 9:48 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: OT: Cisco AVVID vs. 3Com [7:33705] Does anyone have any working experience or good opinions on Cisco's IP Telephony solution compared to 3Com? I'm trying to make a buying decision and right now am very up in the air. 3Com has a nice and more cost effective solution that even would allow me to (coming soon) be able to use my existing legacy Lucent/Nortel phones with their NBX system. But 3Com doesn't have IP to the phone yet and they seem to have some proprietary voice over ethernet... Their inline power is also consisting of power patch panels or the power coupler.. not pretty. Any comments? Thanks Cory Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=33813&t=33705 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
