astTECS is planning to expand its market by adding channel partners to its portfolio and hopes to ensure awarness of Asterisk in the EPABX market. Devasia Kurian shared his thoughts on the company's future plans

A brief about astTECS.
astTECS is a telecommunication products and solutions distributor with the single objective of popularizing Asterisk EPABX; to move Asterisk from a niche product to a mass product. Asterisk is a very powerful IP EPABX based on open source software and is capable of competing with established players. Lack of its knowledge in the market forces the customer to continue buying highly priced products from traditional vendors. Asterisk, being an open source product by nature, demands high involvement of the channel in creating the awareness, educating the customer and supporting the product.

What are the market strategies adopted by astTECS to promote Asterisk PBX in India?
We are committed to delivering innovative solutions and outstanding support to our customers. We plan to be visible across all metros along with an extensive support system. Through our innovative telephony solutions and qualified partners, we plan to educate the industry and offer customers highly scalable solutions to drive efficiency and profitability. We have already undertaken initiatives such as training, roadshows and seminars to showcase and promote our telephony solutions and it is our intent to ensure that we understand exactly what the customer wants and prepare ourselves to offer that in the most effective and efficient manner.

Devasia Kurian MD, astTECS

How important are channel partners to the company?
Channel partners are vital in our marketing initiative. The main revenue stream of Asterik is the service provided to the customers. We enable our channel partners by training them in back-end support to provide the necessary to the end customers.

What are your current product offerings?
Currently, we have two main products. The ast e-series, which is an enterprise solution for subscribers with PRI, VoIP and GSM trunks, already configured with an IVR, CDRs, and billing. Also, the c-series - center solution - suitable for subscribers with PRI, VoIP and GSM trunks, which is configured with predictive dialing, voice logger, CRM etc.

We are launching a GSM card for Asterisk. This would help the Asterisk users to reap direct benefits of mobile to mobile cost saving. Our product line allows our partners and value-added resellers (VARs) to accelerate their growth, differentiate their business, and achieve greater profitability.

Which verticals does the company want to focus on?
We serve customers across verticals. Since solutions are tailored for enterprises across all categories, these can be easily scaled up to suit the requirements of large medium and small enterprises, manufacturing, BFSI, hospitality, sales, administration, health service, customer service, call centers and BPOs/ITeS companies, railways, airlines, logistics and etc. to name a few.

What are your plans for the future?
Our focus would be to create an awareness of the power and flexibility of Asterisk in the EPABX market. This year we would be looking at the expansion of our team, appointing channel partners, training of VARs and system integrators (SIs), roadshows and ensuring visibility of Asterisk

Lipsha Das
lipshad@cybermedia.co.in

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