Response Point, Microsoft's other approach to VoIP, has its first Service Pack (SP1) available. SP1 was announced at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2008 in Houston TX. I first discussed Response Point in my blog, "Microsoft's Response Point, Good for the Enterprise?" Response Point is Microsoft's software based small IP PBX.
Response Point, Microsoft's other approach to VoIP, has its first Service Pack (SP1) available. SP1 was announced at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2008 in Houston TX. I first discussed Response Point in my blog, "Microsoft's Response Point, Good for the Enterprise?" Response Point is Microsoft's software based small IP PBX.Response Point is not a medium or large PBX, so it does not fit the bigger offices. However there may be scenarios within larger enterprises in which individual offices are Response Point candidates. I have had two clients, one a product installation and service organization and the other a financial services company, that have large headquarters and regional offices that do not qualify for Response Point. However, both have hundreds of small remote offices that have data network connections to the larger offices. These offices' telephone calling patterns show that there are very few calls from the remote offices to the larger offices. Most phones calls are local; therefore placing the calls on an IP network is not cost effective. These remote offices are candidates for Response Point. An enterprise does not need to have a large remote server controlling the remote telephone communications for the small remote offices.
SP1 is available as a free download for existing customers. You need a broadband connection because of the file size, otherwise the download can take hours to complete. SP1 offers more features including:
These additions are not new to the industry, but are new to Response Point.
Microsoft does not offer the hardware; therefore Microsoft has OEM partners D-Link and Quanta that produce the entire system. Aastra Technologies has announced its Response Point based system AastraLink RPtm. It comes preloaded with SP1. The Aastra system has a starter package which includes the base unit, three phones (one is cordless) and an analog telephony adapter for about $2,400. Additional phones range from $139 to $399.
There's a new outlet for the sale of the Quanta Computer Syspine Digital Operator Phone Systems, at Costco.com. Some analysts are not impressed with this move. I am a member of Costco and am impressed by the number of small businesses that buy from Costco, so I think this sales avenue will be productive.
Microsoft has partnered with Cbeyond Inc. and New Global Telecom Inc. Both provide SIP trunking and other VoIP services along with the Response Point IP PBX. The partnerships enable the channel partners to offer a CPE-service bundle for small businesses. These two VoIP providers have passed interoperability testing with the Microsoft IP PBX and are included in SP1. Junction Networks also offers SIP trunking as a VoIP service provider.
As a side note, Response Point does NOT work when there is a power failure unless there is a separate UPS. Also, check the information for 911 and E911 recommendations. Since Response Point is a multi-line system, E911 regulations apply in many states. You may need a PSTN link for 911 and E911 separate from the Response Point system.
Response Point does have some prerequisites that the customer must provide:
Response Point is not alone offering these features and functions. Avaya, Nortel, Cisco, Mitel, Vodavi, Toshiba plus many others compete in this space. Because Response Point comes from Microsoft, it cannot be ignored. Look at it and compare Response Point to the other products. Do not assume Response Point is the only viable product on the market.
These additions are not new to the industry, but are new to Response Point.
Microsoft does not offer the hardware; therefore Microsoft has OEM partners D-Link and Quanta that produce the entire system. Aastra Technologies has announced its Response Point based system AastraLink RPtm. It comes preloaded with SP1. The Aastra system has a starter package which includes the base unit, three phones (one is cordless) and an analog telephony adapter for about $2,400. Additional phones range from $139 to $399.
There's a new outlet for the sale of the Quanta Computer Syspine Digital Operator Phone Systems, at Costco.com. Some analysts are not impressed with this move. I am a member of Costco and am impressed by the number of small businesses that buy from Costco, so I think this sales avenue will be productive.
Microsoft has partnered with Cbeyond Inc. and New Global Telecom Inc. Both provide SIP trunking and other VoIP services along with the Response Point IP PBX. The partnerships enable the channel partners to offer a CPE-service bundle for small businesses. These two VoIP providers have passed interoperability testing with the Microsoft IP PBX and are included in SP1. Junction Networks also offers SIP trunking as a VoIP service provider.
As a side note, Response Point does NOT work when there is a power failure unless there is a separate UPS. Also, check the information for 911 and E911 recommendations. Since Response Point is a multi-line system, E911 regulations apply in many states. You may need a PSTN link for 911 and E911 separate from the Response Point system.
Response Point does have some prerequisites that the customer must provide:
Response Point is not alone offering these features and functions. Avaya, Nortel, Cisco, Mitel, Vodavi, Toshiba plus many others compete in this space. Because Response Point comes from Microsoft, it cannot be ignored. Look at it and compare Response Point to the other products. Do not assume Response Point is the only viable product on the market.
Response Point is not alone offering these features and functions. Avaya, Nortel, Cisco, Mitel, Vodavi, Toshiba plus many others compete in this space. Because Response Point comes from Microsoft, it cannot be ignored. Look at it and compare Response Point to the other products. Do not assume Response Point is the only viable product on the market.
