Large companies that use IP telephony systems from Avaya
may face price increases, following the introdcution of a new
licensing system by the company at the beginning of the
year.
The prices stem from Avaya’s migration to a per-user-based
pricing model for IP telephony software and other communications
applications.
Previously, Avaya’s software licensing saw products priced using
various different formulas, including the number of ports or the
type of hardware being used.
It is being reported in the US that large firms upgrading to
newer Avaya IP telephony systems are being quoted much higher
prices than previously.
The price increases were discussed at Avaya’s annual user
conference in the US earlier this month, where some companies
slammed the new charges.
Avaya has admitted that some larger companies face stiff
increases in initial quotes, although it said these were open to
negotiation.
Avaya IP telephony rivals, including the likes of Cisco and
Alcatel, are said to be planning to take advantage of the
discontent among some Avaya customers.
Because of the increases, some users may also delay any plans to
upgrade their IP telephony systems.
The new licensing arrangements cover Avaya’s main Communication
Manager 3.1 IP telephony software, and will soon include the
company’s unified messaging software.