Starting a Start-up - III (Software Infrastructure)

Continuing from my previous post on why we are seeing more and more start-ups these days, I mentioned the fact that lower entry barriers are also due to host of software infrastructure needs that can be addressed by open source or very economical but mature options.

So here is my list of softwares (mostly collaboration ones) that any start-up should consider:

PBX:

• asterisk: complete telephony solutions including conferencing, call queuing etc

Voip:

• skype
• babble
• teleo of course is now part of microsoft empire (the kind of acquisitions they have made recently makes me excited about what their vista will have to offer

Document Sharing:

• instalcoll: sabeer bhatias latest brainchild
• writeboard & writely: more like collaborative writing offering "software as service"
  
• shinkuro & dropload

Wiki:

• loads of wiki engines are available but no wiki talk is complete without mentioning confluence & jotspot (2 of my favorites.... jot being more like a wiki farm)

Full Collaboration:

• different teams & cos have different collaboration needs but if one is looking for a suite .. then one should look at zimbra and qnext and of course erstwhile groove
  

Let me know what kind os softwares you find useful in a startup.