I was fumbling through my email when I came upon a press release from a company called Sutus. They’re a young company that has created an “Office in a Box” solution called the Sutus Business Central which combines the most commonly needed networking hardware and services into a single box. While the concept isn’t new, Sutus claims that they offer a level of integration that cannot be found in similar “enterprise-class” products that sell for thousands more than the Business Central.

While I’m naturally skeptical of such claims, the initial specs do look promising and Sutus seems to be on the right track as far as offering a box that combines a router, firewall, switch, wireless AP, VPN, NAS, VoIP and email services, as well as an automated over-the-network backup.

They’ve included features like “voice mail to email” and the ability to route calls over POTS lines or VoIP trunks. These are options that would in themselves call for another specialized piece of hardware. If they can make it all work in one box, it’ll be an IT coup.

Here’s their press release…
For immediate release, 2008, Spring VON – Sutus Inc., the company behind the Sutus Business Central™, a unique all-in-one device that combines all IT data communications and Telephony features required to run a modern-day office, today announced additional functionality for the multiple-award winning Sutus Business Central™.

Designed specifically for businesses with under 25 employees, Business Central represents the most comprehensive phone, data and networking appliance available to small businesses today. The new features include automatic Company Directory Generation, VoIP DID support, PSTN auto-attendant bypass , call forward external and easy access call detail records.

The system update also adds a number of advanced networking features to support an even wider array of installation environments and other network devices. Also included are features to further enhance the Channel partners’ ability to sell, service and support Business Central.

The Sutus Business Central™ integrates all essential IT and communications tools a small business needs into a single, easy-to-use-appliance. It is a business-class phone system with a wide array of advanced data and networking functions such as: file server, email server, router, firewall, wireless access point, VPN remote access server, automated backups, and with the ability to simultaneously support both standard phone line and VoIP connections.

Shawn Chute, executive VP for Sutus, commented, ‘Until now, the lack of small business technology and overpriced enterprise-grade products have prevented most small businesses from utilizing telephony and networking features that larger companies take for granted. The Business Central changes this by providing technologies that small businesses need, in a single, easy-to-use appliance.