For many people, open source is the best way to go. However, we all know that there are some issues when it comes to open source software – particularly in regard to the execution. The whole idea of going open source suits most everyone except that in certain areas, software glitches and support can be a problem, especially where stability and reliability is concerned.

This is, in fact, one of the main points of those who have concerns about open source VOIP. This sector believes in the concept of open source VOIP but have doubts as to whether or not open source VOIP can meet the needs of businesses. Still, it seems that open source VOIP proponents do not have much to worry about – at least according to Carl Weinschenk of ITBusinessEdge. He posted an article on how open source VOIP continues to gain momentum on the 21st of February. He writes:

VirtualHosting.com provides some help with a look at what it considers to be the top 50 open source VoIP applications. The categories are Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) proxies; SIP clients; H.323 clients; inter-Asterisk (IAX) clients; Private Branch Exchange and interactive voice response platforms, stacks, and libraries; developers; and miscellaneous. The editors provide brief definitions of each category.

He also presents an example in Garrett Smith, an executive in the realm of VOIP, saying:

VoIP systems are selling like cyber hot cakes. While he doesn’t distinguish between open source and proprietary products, it’s clear that a good deal of what is selling is the former. A year ago, he says, one or two VoIP deals of 200-plus seats would be made per week. In a two-day span in mid-February this year, Smith said that he saw three 200-plus seat contracts, “a handful” of 50- to 75-seat deals, and deal of more than 4,000 seats in 26 locations. In addition, margins are better and deals are easier to close. He offers three reasons this may be happening: the technology is better trusted, businesses are better educated and sales people are doing their jobs better.

More so, BPOs and call centers are quickly looking into open source VOIP as a solution. In any case, if this article is any indication, then we can expect open source VOIP to become a major player in the realm of communications in the near future. There will always be detractors, of course. After all, you cannot please everyone.

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