6/5/00 Computer Reseller News 35
2000 WL 2162921
Computer Reseller News
Copyright 2000 CMP Publications Inc.
Monday, June 5, 2000
897
CRN Test Center
Editors' Choice
Say Or Press 1 For Flexion
The CRN Test Center gave Editors' Choice to BusinessGuardian X300
from Flexion Systems Inc. Cleverly designed to make a client's existing
LAN and phone infrastructure smarter, Flexion also delivers a
soup-to-nuts program that eases solution providers into the complicated
CTI field and provides strong continual support.
In some ways, this Editors' Choice was a battle between the 3Com
Corp. NBX 100 Communications System and the Flexion product not unlike
the Great Cola Debate. The preferred technological flavor determines
the ultimate solution. (The natural metaphoric extension is that the
Artisoft Inc. TeleVantage 3.0, a software product, is the Uncola. It
also is a highly profitable solution.)
Flexion's partner program blends traditional channel elements with
high-octane e-commerce. Flexion works with a business-to-business site
that routes leads to solution providers. In addition, Flexion has
partnerships with dozens of competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs).
A service plan offering that continually monitors a client's LAN and
phone system also impressed the Test Center.
Flexion offers a true example of convergence. Tightly integrated into
Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Windows NT, this product offers a
best-in-class solution for small-to-midsize businesses. The product
lacks only Voice over IP (VoIP) communications capabilities and advanced
call accounting; both deficiencies will be addressed in an upcoming
software release.
3Com takes a different course, requiring an existing network to carry
voice, but not needing other network integration. Integrators
comfortable with legacy PBXes will find a lot to like in 3Com's
products, including excellent execution of VoIP technology, while
relying on TAPI to drive third-party contact managers.
3Com, which won Editors' Choice last year in a similar roundup of LAN
telephony, smartly targets the telephonically underserved small- to
midsize-business sector. The strength of this product is that it is
infinitely customizable. As a pure Ethernet product, the solution
provider also gets intimately involved in the network.
3Com offers a terrific array of support ranging from free technical
training to regional sales representatives. Partners also have access to
free backup phone support, special demo programs and MDF. The company
does require partners to provide 24x7 phone support and be able to send
a trained technician to the end user within four hours of a major system
failure.
Very much like the Linux craze, Artisoft embraces open standards,
selling only the software portion of a LAN-based PBX. Partners will have
to come up with appropriate hardware solutions to integrate Artisoft's
product into either a new or existing network. A solution such as this
provides integrators with opportunities to create vertical-market custom
solutions.
crn.com
June 05, 2000
---- INDEX REFERENCES ----
COMPANY (TICKER): 3Com Corp.; Artisoft Inc. (COMS ASFT)
NEWS SUBJECT: World Equity Index; High-Yield Issuers; Education (WEI HIY EDU)
MARKET SECTOR: Technology; Consumer Non-Cyclical (TEC NCY)
INDUSTRY: Communications Technology; Telecommunications, All; Software; Networking: Equipment Manufacturers; Consumer & Household Services; Consumer Products & Services (CMT TEL SOF INEM CSV HOU)
PRODUCT: Telecommunications; Consumer Products (DTE DCP)
Word Count: 421
6/5/00 COMRSNWS 35
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