Cisco's VoIP PBX product has reached its end-of-life, and is no longer available for sale.
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Sangoma Communications Platform
Score 8.9 out of 10
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Sangoma's Communications Platform, including the former Switchvox and Business Voice+ from Star2Star, is a UCaaS system, allowing users to simplify communications down to one solution delivered on-premise, on cloud, or via hybrid deployment.
I think it would have been better to use a real hardphone at the time I was working at the company. Cisco never managed to work and IT was struggling with it. The UI was also terrible in my experience, the buttons didn't display so we have to guess if something was clickable or not. The window was also very small, I don't remember having the possibility to have it bigger, but if so, this would look terrible seeing at the very old interface.
We can even use the switchboard option if we are completely online and not using the phone. We can transfer calls by using the online switchboard as well as see who is on the phone or not at that time.
As I have been working on Cisco VoIP PBX for the last 6 years, whenever there is any slackness, Cisco corrects it by bringing the next version of the product.
The only thing I believe can be improved is the log structure, while troubleshooting the issue, logs are a little cryptic, they take a little bit more time to go through.
I've installed quite a few of these systems for a number of customers, and I've found a number of times having access to the second Ethernet port on some of the larger systems, and the ability to do some sort of static routing, and firewall functionality. I would love to have the ability to connect one port to the carrier's cpe router, and the other port to the customer's network.
I've worked with Voip products for a number of years, and various asterisk iterations. I'd like to see more access to the asterisk cli for troubleshooting, and/or potentially some sort of shell access.
I'd like to see the Digum Switchvox phones have vpn functionality. It would be great to deploy a field office with a pre-provisioned phone that automatically connects back to the corporate network via a secure vpn tunnel from most internet connections. Currently we either use a softphone, manually program a Cisco phone that does have the capability, or deploy an semi expensive router that support a secure tunnel. It would be much easier to sell a customer on a remote office and a fancy Digium phone, if they didn't need the extra hardware.
All main features is very easy to access and use, only pressing a button or two (when you need to page up or page down the features set!) in the desk phone or a click of the mouse to place a call, start a chat, video call or a meeting. Very straight forward.
Cisco offers online instruction on the use of the VoIP but it has to be sought out. Likely, the do offer additional support but this is managed by our IT department so it is difficult to determine just how accessible Cisco has been regarding the implementation and ongoing support for this product.
Cisco has the most stable and reliable solution in our comparison with other vendors. The way Cisco handles the redundancy of the system makes our communications experience zero interruption problems, and that was very different from the other vendors we used before deciding to migrate to Cisco VoIP PBX. Another good point was the fast and easy implementation. Only two days were necessary to bring all systems up with all integrations we have (billing, AD, and MSFT Teams).
I've installed, and maintained a number of different phone systems over the last few years, including nationwide level Voip service providers relying entirely on custom built Asterisk systems, to SOHO systems connected to cloud level services. So far Digium Switchvox has been one of my favorites when it comes to ease of use, customer service, and over all reliability. While there are a few things I'd like to see done a little differently, updates are released frequently with fixes, and new features.
Can't provide the loved hard numbers regarding the ROI, but the flexibility from the business point of view regarding a rapid implementation of a new branch or even a headquarter, is a benefit that any solid company should aspire to have these days, and there aren't many options with these capabilities out there.
Our in house system has allowed us to grow as our needs have grown. It takes no time to turn up a new phone and get a fresh employee taking calls, and saves us a call to an outside consultant every time we want to make a change to the phone system.
Previously a receptionist's time would be utilized for directing incoming calls to their destinations, demanding the need for multiple staff member to handle call volumes. With Digium Switchvox we were able to implement a few Interactive Voice Response menus so callers could reach their intended destination without the need for human intervention, allowing us to better utilize the time of our employees.
Thanks to installing our own system, and enjoying it so much, we were able to take that knowledge and return it back to the company selling, installing, and maintaining Digium Switchvox systems.
