Bake-Off: Small Business VoIP Contenders

Cisco Smart Business Communications System
Cisco integrates unified communications, systems management and networking into a single product, the Cisco Smart Business Communications System. Like the Adtran offering, SBCS offers more than just VoIP. However, SBCS goes beyond Adtran's NetVanta in that it includes messaging, switching, wireless LAN, firewall and security services.

Reviewers examined the Cisco Unified Communications (UC) 500 Series switch for up to eight IP handsets, Cisco Unified IP Phones, the Cisco Catalyst Express 520 switch (for expansion to support more users) and the Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point. The system starts at $699 per seat. Reviewers configured the UC 520 switch and Catalyst Express 520 with two phones, and then connected the access point to add a wireless phone. Deployment, while fairly straightforward, felt more complicated than it needed to be. To be fair, since the system handles so many other things in one interface, VoIP deployment on the SBCS should be more complicated.

After cabling the phones and the switches together, the system was configured through the Cisco Configuration Assistant, a Java-based interface installed on the management PC. Users were created, assigned to extensions and added to profiles and groups. Phones downloaded this information from the switch during the boot sequence. The management software can be accessed in offline mode if the network is inaccessible. Configuration Assistant discovers all of the relevant hardware and presented a topology map to show how everything is connected.

Cisco's Certified Partner Program has four levels. Partners interested in SBCS must be either SMB Specialized or hold one of Cisco's other unified communications specializations. All training for the SMB Specialization is available for free online. The online exam costs $20. Partners must renew the specialization annually. SMB Specialized partners qualify for MDFs. Qualified partners can also participate in Cisco's Value Incentive Program for back-end rebates.

Adtran NetVanta 7100
Adtran's NetVanta 7100 combines an IP-PBX, a 24-port PoE switch and a quality of service-enabled high-performance router. It can connect to an additional PoE switch to support up to 50 users. The NetVanta 7100 also offers T1, PRI and broadband WAN connectivity. Prices start at $545 per seat.

Reviewers configured the system via Adtran's Web interface. A Getting Started menu contains links to the necessary options.

Once the system has data connectivity, there are several steps required to add a new phone. First, a user account is created with a name and extension, either from scratch or by copying settings from an existing user. An account can be assigned to an analog, virtual or physical SIP phone.

Adtran provided several phones for review, including its Adtran/Polycom IP 430, IP 601, and IP 650, as well as its IP Expansion Module and IP 4000 conference phone. The NetVanta 7100 is ideal for businesses not ready to abandon analog lines. It offers direct support for up to 10 analog trunks or stations and enables full rate performance over the PSTN. It also supports fax machines and credit card readers without requiring adapters.

Adtran/Polycom IP phones are configured automatically from the NetVanta 7100. At bootup, the phones download configuration files, which are created with the user accounts and software updates to reflect any changes.

The management interface is jam-packed with capabilities, including adding new phones, setting up ring groups, and establishing voicemail settings, auto-attendant, paging, user directories and call coverage lists. A new phone can be swapped in and configured in a few mouse clicks. NetVanta 7100 licenses are bundled into the system. No additional licenses are required for adding phones or voicemail accounts, making it easy to grow the network. Firmware upgrades are also free.

Adtran's ADvantage Partner Program has three levels and optional specialties. Advantage Plus partners interested in reselling the NetVanta 7100 need the IP Telephony Specialization. While Registered partners have no revenue requirements, ADvantage partners have to commit revenue targets of $25,000, and ADvantage Plus partners to $100,000. Additional discounts can be earned through the company's opportunity registration program and through specialties.

Adtran also offers five-year warranties on its product, which is almost unheard of in the industry.

Nortel Business Communications Manager 50
Nortel submitted the BCM 50 with its Business Ethernet Switch 50 and IP Phone 1220/1230. The BES 50, a standard network switch, shares the same form factor as the BCM 50 for easy stacking. BES 50 can be managed through the same interface as the BCM 50. The IP Phone 1220/1230 handsets come preprogrammed with the most common telephony features, while advanced features can be unlocked through the management interface.

Supporting up to 50 users, BCM 50 offers a suite of preinstalled productivity applications, such as call center, unified messaging, auto-attendant, ad-hoc and meet-me conferencing capabilities, paging and text-messaging. A license key unlocks individual applications.

The Java-based Business Element Manager (BEM) manages both BCM 50 and BES 50. Users are created, auto-attendant and call groups are defined and voicemail features are configured all through BEM. The interface was easy to use but forced reviewers to hunt for some options.

BCM 50 is a hybrid system that supports IP and digital phones, giving VARs the ability to migrate existing Nortel Norstar users and their digital sets to BCM. Pricing for the BCM 50 depends on feature set, scale, applications and clients, and can vary from $200 to $500 per user.

Nortel's Partner Advantage is a three-tiered channel program. Program membership is required for accreditation, but not to sell BCM 50. Each tier receives discounts, annual training allowance, support from field representatives and lead generation scaled to that level.

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