Asterix is a Linux distribution intented for use as a PBX in an office with more than a handful of staff. Traditional PBX systems are typically expensive and require dedicated hardware and support in order to function. Asterix changes this by providing a software based PBX system that can run on standard x86 hardware. This software has been forecast to be the next big thing in the Open Source arena behind such projects as the Apache web server, SAMBA filesharing and the OpenOffice suite.
Asterix does VoIP (phone calls over the Internet), message services and menu systems for automatic redirection of calls. All of these features are managed remotely via a web interface.
The really tantalizing opportunity from my perspective, (and probably other consultants) is the ability for a single company to provide a suite of office services, from traditional file and print to complex PBX in a single project, at a low cost and on generic hardware. For the office manager this consolidates their worries and enables telephone and data services to be treated under a single, comprehensive, 'office technologies' bracket.
David Harrison's musings on collaboration and I.T.