asterisk users - Jun 2005 - Voice quality of Softphones vs. IP Phones an d Gateways.

In our experience, the total cost of softphones(money, reduced sound quality
and lower reliability) in a large call center environment is actually
greater over time than the cost of a channelbank and cheap analog
headphones. We've tried 2 softphones, 2 kinds of SIP VOIP hardphones, 2
kinds of SIP analog adapters and we've tried channelbanks over the last 3
years. Right now we are half done with our conversion at all of our
in/outbound telemarketing rooms to channelbanks. The first 2 we installed a
year ago have never gone down. which is a much better track record than any
of the other VOIP devices we used.

I will note however that the second most cost-effective and reliable
solution was Sipura SIP Analog adapters, partially because they use cheap
analog phones and you can hide them under a desk where they will not get
ruined when an agent spills their half gallon of Mountain Dew all over.

MATT---


-----Original Message-----
From: Cenk Yabas [mailto:cenk.yabas@globalyayincilik.org]
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2005 10:03 AM
To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com
Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Voice quality of Softphones vs. IP Phones and
Gateways.


I've tried almost any softphone available on the market with many different
PC, soundcard, headphones combinations.
None of them prooved production reliable in a call center environment. 
I've also tested many IP Phones and Gateways. Even the cheapest one supplies
much better quality. 
Is this a fact or am I missing a point. 
I would certanly prefer a softphone because of cost and simplicity in CTI
applications.
Cenk.