Microsoft Response Point PBX vs. TalkSwitch

A comparison of small business phone systems, part two

By Kevin Selkowitz

Continued from previous

Response Point Hardware

Response Point currently has three hardware partners: Aastra, D-Link and Syspine. Aastra currently has the most flexible package - up to 20 phone lines versus 16 on the D-Link or only 4 or 8 on the Syspine. Aastra has four different phone options, while D-Link and Syspine just have one basic model. All Response Point systems support up to 50 users.

For the sake of comparison, I'm using Aastra's Response Point System as it’s the most flexible, has the best phone options, and is more scalable. The Aastra base unit handles the basic call handling, auto attendant, voicemail, and VoIP lines. The Aastra base unit doesn't include any phone line connections - separate gateways are available to connect the system to phone lines. Currently no analog ports are included for connecting fax machines, conference phones, or credit card machines.

TalkSwitch Hardware

TalkSwitch comes in a variety of models which can be selected or mixed to fit your exact need - a small office with just 2 phone lines or a larger office with up to 32 lines. TalkSwitch has a selection of seven different phones as well as compatibility with Polycom, Grandstream and Counterpath IP phones. TalkSwitch supports up to 64 users.

TalkSwitch systems include a minimum of 4 analog extension ports - making it easy to connect fax machines, credit card machines, conference phones and other analog phones.

2 Phone Lines, 4 Phones

Say you have a small office - two phone lines and four phones. This is a common setup for churches, small medical clinics, etc. To keep costs down, I've quoted both systems with their base model phones. An Aastra base unit, one gateway, and four 6751i is $2,524. A TalkSwitch 240vs with 4 9112i phones is just $1,171. While the TalkSwitch 240vs has an incredible price point, it is still fully featured - just smaller.

Before anyone deems this unfair, yes the Aastra system has 4 lines - but many small offices have only two lines and paying over $1,300 more for lines you don't need doesn't make sense. TalkSwitch is not only more affordable for 2 lines, but should your needs grow, adding 2 more lines is still less expensive than the Aastra. TalkSwitch is a significantly more affordable entry point.

8 Phone Lines, 12 Phones

This is probably the most common size for our TalkSwitch installs. An Aastra base unit, two gateways, and 12 midrange 6757i phones is $4,555. One TalkSwitch 840vs and 12 midrange 9133i phones is just $3,643. TalkSwitch delivers more features and $900 more dollars in your budget.

VoIP Lines, 12 Phones

For the office looking to do VoIP lines instead of phone lines, this is the comparison for you. While VoIP takes more installation experience, it often has less expensive long distance packages, direct inward dial, and lower equipment costs. An Aastra base unit and 12 6757i phones is $3,971. A TalkSwitch 248vs and 12 9133i phones is $3,243. While TalkSwitch costs less, it includes capacity for 2 analog phone lines - a good failover in case of an Internet service outage. Response Point at this higher price doesn't include any capacity for analog line failover. TalkSwitch does more and costs over $700 less.

16 Phone Lines, 30 Phones

It’s nice to know that your phone system will affordably scale with your business as it grows. An Aastra base unit, four gateways, and 30 midrange 6757i phones is $8,595. Two TalkSwitch 840vs systems with 30 midrange 9133i phones is $8,360. Cost wise they run neck and neck, but the Aastra has a growth issue - only 4 more lines until it maxes out, while TalkSwitch can still double in capacity.

VoIP Lines, 30 Phones

Before delving into this quote, first I have to mention this set up may well require technical experience – as bandwidth issues for DSL, single T1, or some business cable could cause call quality issues for either system. An Aastra base unit, one gateway for analog failover, and 30 6757i phones is $7,638. Two TalkSwitch 248vs systems (which include 4 lines for analog failover) and 30 9133i phones is $7,560. Both systems basically run neck-and-neck for cost, but yet again, all other TalkSwitch advantages apply such as their free lifetime technical support.

While one could do more comparisons, it's unlikely a business currently larger than 30 extensions would invest in a Response Point phone system that can only grow to 50 extensions. In reality, small businesses usually start by investing at the smaller end of the comparisons, then grow over time.

TalkSwitch is significantly less expensive for a small business to buy and still scales affordably as your business grows. More features, better service, no on-going costs, and a lower purchase cost - for me, recommending TalkSwitch is the obvious choice.