Barracuda Launches CudaTel, an Open Source VoIP
Barracuda Networks announced the launch of CudaTel, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that will bring to market the CudaTel Communication Server, a new VoIP PBX offering for businesses of all sizes. Based on – and in collaboration with – the open source FreeSWITCH project, the new CudaTel Communication Server will feature an expansive feature set that includes conferencing, follow-me, automated attendant services, and more, controlled by an easy to use Web interface.
Speaking on the occasion, Sean Heiney, director of new product initiatives for Barracuda, stated that they are starting off with a slow release with the first boxes being shipped to qualified partners. They hope to be in full throttle by the fall. The CudaTel Communication Server technology is based directly on the FreeSWITCH code repository and is compatible with any session initiation protocol (SIP) device and provider, and can be pre-configured for use with both analog and digital telephone networks. With an expansive feature set and no per user or phone licensing fees, the CudaTel Communication Server is equipped and priced for organizations of any size.
Heiney said the CudaTel Communication Server will be trickled into the channel, starting first with existing Barracuda partners and then widening into VoIP VARs. The voice market continues to evolve, Heiney said, and CudaTel will create opportunities for partners to sell a PBX alternative. Currently, Barracuda has roughly 3,000 partners globally. System setup takes minutes, with streamlined, automated installation of phones and devices. Configuration is intuitive with a Web-based interface. Customers can set up automated attendants, conferences, calling groups, queues, and telephone company integration, in minimal time. The Web-based user interface allows administrators to deploy phones automatically with native hardware provisioning. The CudaTel Communication Server’s Active Directory integration can quickly tie the customer phone system to an existing Windows or Novell user database and administrators can automatically deploy phones and assign extensions by group or rganizational unit.
The CudaTel Communication Server is available in four models and pricing starts at $1999 with no per user, per feature or per phone licensing fees and is available now in North America only. Each model includes unlimited user capacity, no hard set limits, and support for 10-250 concurrent callers, depending on model. While concluding, Heiney said Barracuda’s new CudaTel VoIP line will capitalize on eliminating some of the inherent complexities of VoIP while offering a low-cost alternative to other systems. “We’ve made probably the easiest-to-use phone system with a price point that’s going to be hard to ignore.”
Barracuda Networks Inc. built its reputation as the worldwide leader in content security appliances by offering easy to use and affordable products that protect organizations from email, Web and IM threats. Barracuda Networks has leveraged its success in the security market to offer networking products that improve application delivery and network access as well as world-class solutions for message archiving, backup and data protection.
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