Show HN: A Twilio powered VBX with multi-tenant and payment support

Show HN: A Twilio powered VBX with multi-tenant and payment support(github.com)

24 points by aoprisan 13 years ago | 15 comments

aoprisan 13 years ago |

The project is based on OpenVBX (big fans here!). We added a few modules, such as call queueing, call cost tracking (incoming, outgoing), the ability to export call flows to files, import/export of those files, SMS polls, automated phone call flow initiation, in-browser call flow testing, as well as Stripe integration to charge for more credits, then top-up the tenant account for more SMS and call credits. A different theme is also applied. Many things can be abstracted further and improved, feel free to take from it what you wish :)

caseysoftware 13 years ago | |

After a quick recursive diff, it looks like you're a few versions behind OpenVBX master. Have you considered rebasing your changes off of that?

There are a number of fixes, improvements, and features that have come into play recently.

aoprisan 13 years ago | | |

Hi Keith, thanks for taking a look at this, and thanks for working on OpenVBX, amazing project! Yes it's been a while since touching this code (~6mo-1yr) but once I have some more free time I'd like to bring it up to date with the current OpenVBX version and post some screenshots as well.

aoprisan 13 years ago |

I've just updated the code repo with a complete competitive analysis of this platform that was performed - it provides some useful points, such as market research, price point suggestions, feature subset recommendations to maximize profit, etc. (https://github.com/andreioprisan/igroups/raw/master/vbx_busi...) Screenshots: https://github.com/andreioprisan/igroups/raw/master/vbx_scre...

pla3rhat3r 13 years ago |

Sweet! I love OpenVBX and wish Twilio would spend more time developing it. I think with the addition of Queue, SIP, and some other features OpenVBX could go toe-to-toe with any PBX on the market.

caseysoftware 13 years ago | |

Hi, OpenVBX project lead here.

I've only formally been on the project for a couple months but I'd love to spend more time on it too. One of the things slowing me down is finding out exactly what the community uses, needs, etc and then working to make that happen.

A few things high on my (personal) agenda are: formal support for <SIP> (launched yesterday), better support for Queue, internationalization, and some infrastructure improvements around upgrades, plugins, etc.

Feel free to drop me an email (check my profile) and we can chat. :)

trafficlight 13 years ago | | |

I did not know SIP was in the works. That's very cool.

I've had an OpenVBX running for at least a year, but I haven't actually logged into it in months. Haven't needed to; the calls just come in. Back when I was configuring it, there were a number of things I thought could've been more intuitive. I'll have to go log in and make a list.

dantiberian 13 years ago |

This seems like a dumb question but who exactly would use this? Does this replace a business phone system or is it for phone systems providers to sell to many businesses?

aoprisan 13 years ago | |

Someone who would want to sell phone management services to third parties. You could set this up to accept payments to create accounts, which give you credits with which you can buy phone numbers and accept calls, design phone flows, etc. Basically a Grasshopper-like service.

dantiberian 13 years ago | | |

One thing that I couldn't understand from the openvbx documentation was how it fit in with the phonelines in your business. How would a business with a PBX with 30 extensions replace the PBX with openvbx?

Would the employees only be able to call through a browser or is there something else available?

brianbreslin 13 years ago |

This is a fork of OpenVBX? Great idea, just try making the description, well, more descriptive.

aoprisan 13 years ago | |

yes just a fork of OpenVBX and added a few features on top, different UI, Stripe support, etc.