Shoretel Moves Into IPTelephony Apps

Shoretel, an IP PBX maker, is getting into the voice data applications arena. They’re now offering an SDK (software developer kit) for developers that want to integrate apps with their IP PBXes. They’ve also put together an app for the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) arena called Salesforce.com. [via Network World]

I’d say that this is a good move, considering that many businesses of any size could benefit from an appropriate CRM application integrated with VoIP services. I didn’t try Salesforce.com, but it looks like a pretty sophisticated application – maybe too sophisticated for SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprise, aka SMBs or Small and Medium Business). Here are a number of demos of Salesforce’s features, if you want to have a look. They also have a free trial.

I think, though, that once more SMEs switch to VoIP, there will be an enormous new market for voice data applications, and those developers that offer easy-to-use apps will win out. Hopefully such apps will be built upon SIP-based (open standard) IP telephony, which will likely keep package costs down.