A few weeks ago I was researching Mac products for a couple of upcoming projects to test IP-PBXs on Apple and I came across the new Apple Mac Mini Server, only the product isn't exactly a new idea, since customers have been using the Mac Mini computer as a server for several years. Then I ran across Macminicolo, a company with a niche that offers co-location services in their spiffy data center that they play host to over 500 Mac minis and Xserve servers (see photo below).
For years I've resisted certain IT changes. All my IT buddies swear that I'm stubborn and just don't like servers. Well, they're partially right--I just don t want them on our payroll as permanent fixtures. Of course I'll get flack but let me continue. For the same number of years and this is my defense, I've been consistent in my complaints about all technology. The solution, whatever it is, must be affordable, easy to use-manage-and maintain and provide value to the customer.
Asterisk has been hot on the tail of every Interconnect for several years. In my previous post: VoIP: What About Apple? I questioned whether or not Apple would get into business voice by design and not by default. I still can't answer that Apple is in by design, but I can point out that there is a market or community of interest that is already using or wants to run Asterisk on their Mac servers, including me. What I can't say is will I replace our IP-PBX, but we are engaged in testing and trialing two products. I can also say that other Mac business customers in the SMB space are already using Asterisk in a couple of platforms. What I can't say is how many and we all know how this industry loves numbers.
My caution is to traditional players and to recent voice entrants--that numbers are just numbers until the information behind them discloses what's going on in the market. No manufacturer wants to reveal that they are losing market share and like it or not, many are losing something and Asterisk isn t going away. I also think that the size of the numbers in the case of Asterisk, leads me to also believe that these aren't "science experiments" or test installations sitting on the bench. We evaluate a number of RFQ/RFPs and continue to see requirements for Asterisk experience. A few recruiter friends have also pointed out to me in job requirements for CTOs and Architects that do require Asterisk experience.
Now getting back to the Mac attack that Apple is advancing by offering their new Mac Mini Server. If you know Mac Mini then you know that this tiny computer is smaller than a cigar box and it s no slouch of a computer. I've been researching multiple Apple forums and some users are replacing Xserve servers with Mac Mini Servers because of price and they are not taking cuts in performance. Thinking about Microsoft shops with the vast number of servers deployed over the years that weren t running any significant loads, these only resulted in years of wasted resources and now we're all thankful for VMware.
Does the Mac Mini Server need to be virtualized? No, because when I asked Brian Stucki, President of Macminicolo about this he said, "Virtualizing the Mac Mini Server would defeat the purpose." It can be done with a hack but there s no point to virtualizing the Mac Mini Server since it's already performing "green" and requires little footprint. Then, if you know telephony market presence, then you also know that a sizeable share of PBXs (whatever form they come in) are under 40 stations. Our new Mac Mini Server is en-route from China. I couldn't wait to tell Eric my reasons for ordering our first company server (this will be the 2nd server I've ever installed with the first already taken over and virtualized by those IT rascals).
The reasons we are getting an Apple server:
1) No server guy required (Easy to install and maintain) 2) Energy Star compliant (Small footprint, 14WATTS or less during idle) 3) Applications: voice, file sharing, eliminate NAS, backup (many to server vs. many to cloud--saves bandwidth since server backs up to the cloud) 4) Disaster recovery--image the MACs on the server, Server is Raid 1, cloud pushes backup to new Mac Mini Server or replacement, Mac computers can work independently 5) Low Cost (Mac Mini Server with OS X Server (snow leopard licensing) 6) Mac OS X provides other opportunities 7) We want to play with the other possibilities
My enthusiasm isn't that I think I'm going to overrun the world with Macs or come up with an all-in-one solution (I will, but it will still be hybrid). Now that may not sit very well with some folks, but let me explain: Business owners like me know it all comes down to the bottom line and what we perceive that we really need to run our businesses effectively and efficiently while remaining independent.
I'm an almost all Apple shop and maybe even an Apple zealot, but what I think is cool is that anyone, including me, can buy and deploy their own server. Sooner or later, users or developers of Asterisk, FreePBX, PBX-In-A-Flash and other forms of open source are going to figure out how to simplify the IP-PBX installation processes. This is exactly what the customers running pbxnsip on their Apple gear told me when they said, "Why doesn't Apple just provide the application (IP-PBX) in the applications folder so we can just turn it on?" Once there truly is "installation simplification" that matches Apple s methods of delivering, then you have to ask the question, "Why do I need an installing company or why do I need a proprietary solution?"
It may come across that either solution boils down to convenience and the promoters of "voice is just an application" may have some merit. Granted there are other areas that an installing company can assist those that want to remain independent. But the biggest barrier for Asterisk or any open source solution is to provide a near ready box that is plug and play. So for those of you that are negotiating the trials and tribulations of open source solutions, you are becoming the intermediary Interconnects for a season. IT progresses with change and once Asterisk and other open source solutions are morphed into the box that only requires simplified installation, the game changer is customers will need less and then the kicker is you become just like the Interconnects of old. For those of you involved in customization, you will carry the torch awhile longer but remember technology has a way of changing things. Because my server pals will be reading this I'll add that isn't it interesting that I can walk into my customers offices and offer them a "complete solution" or should I say, "an office in the box?" Gee--doesn't this sound familiar?
