Malaysia seen as top market for open-source convergence

Malaysia is a leading adopter of open-source convergence software, according to key speakers at the AsterConference 2008, held recently in Kuala Lumpur.

U.S. private branch exchange provider Digium/Asterisk's founder and chief technology officer, Mark Spencer, said that the Asterisk internet protocol private branch exchange (IP-PBX) software solution has been in use in the country for more than eight years."

"Most companies are looking to sustain their business in these tough times," said Spencer. "While cost cutting and downsizing are options, there is also the option of improving productivity and reducing wastage. For example, a business using an Internet-based telephone system or VoIP (voice over internet protocol), will be able to upgrade the features on its phones through a software update, rather than buying new phones or installing new cables."

Malaysia projects, productivity gains

Spencer noted that there are sizeable Asterisk-related projects in Malaysia in call centres, and in the petrochemical, medical and government sectors.

"Firms have started to use IT more effectively by exploiting synergies among network equipment, computing equipment, and software," he said. "These synergies also spur the adoption of new technologies and increase potential for further productivity gains."

Spencer explained that Digium marketed the Asterisk solution that he created, along with a new product -- Switchvox -- based on Asterisk and using Web 2.0 technologies.

Third regional conference

AsterConference 2008 organiser, Vanita Suzanne, said that more than 250 participants attended the regional two-day conference, from countries that included Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia.

"We are witnessing a surge of interest from Malaysians who want a clear understanding of how to use Asterisk and create value for themselves and their organisations," said Suzanne, who also ran Asterisk training courses.

Suzanne noted that Asterisk now has more than a million users worldwide and it is the most popular open-source IP-PBX telephone system.

The company's main Malaysia-based distributor, JCMEX Trading Sdn Bhd's general manager, Alfred Chong, said that various organisations were using Asterisk's open-source solution, which included two states -- Melaka and Terengganu -- as well as Sungai Buloh hospital, where it has proven useful in helping to alert medical staff required at emergencies.

Government agency Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) general manager, industry development division, Rizatuddin Ramli, said that the government supported open-source convergence tools as these allowed the development of homegrown talent.