Buy your IP PBX at Costco

Doug Mohney — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:07:53 -0400

Small businesses can now go to Costco.com for an IP PBX. The membership warehouse wholesaler better known for its discount prices and free food samples will be selling Quanta Computer's Syspine Digital Operator Phone System loaded with Microsoft's Response Point phone system software..

Selling a small business phone system through Costco might seem to be a bit of a risk, but Microsoft seems confident enough in its product's easy setup and voice recognition system to give it a try. The Syspine includes a base unit appliance with a four line analog phone adopter, four desktop phones and Response Point software. Businesses can ad up to 50 Syspine IP310 business phones to create a complete small business phone solution without additional license fees. If a small business does need help, Microsoft is more than happy to point out their searchable-by-zip-code list of Response Point specialists is available on line.

Microsoft isn't the only company to jump into mass market channels. Earlier this year, Fonality partnered with Dell to make Fonality's Small Office software available in an IP PBX bundle on Dell hardware.

For more:
- Microsoft's Costco.com IP PBX announcement

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Microsoft announces VoIP partners for Response Point

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

Microsoft has announced that Cbeyond and New Global Telecom (NGT) will offer its SIP services for the Microsoft Response Point phone system for small businesses. Microsoft is bragging it has conducted thorough tests of Cbeyond and NGT's service and will take advantage of their channels to provide a complete VoIP solution to small businesses. Support for the two companies will be included in the release of Response Point Service Pack 1 later this year.

Announced in October 2007, the Microsoft Response Point Phone system consists of Microsoft software delivered on hardware from D-Link, Quanta, and Aastra. As many as 50 users can be supported without purchasing additional licenses. Advanced features include configuration wizards, speech recognition functionality, and a customizable automated receptionist. Suggested list price for a base unit, a four port ATA, and four to five phones is around $2,500, with a "typical" complete 20 phone system under $5,500.

CBeyond and NGT were selected as partners because of their nationwide coverage, high quality of voice service, and customer satisfaction. Each service provider will roll out unique partner programs for VARs to boost their ability to reach and service small businesses with Response Point; in addition, both companies will participate in Microsoft's upcoming 12 city road show.

While the initial response to Microsoft's PBX offering has been lackluster, it should be noted that the company tends to plug away at improving its product offerings over time. Adding easily installable SIP trunking can't hurt.

For more:
- Microsoft's Response Point Provider press release
- ZD Net's View of Response Point's latest