IT EXPO West - A look at ooma's Telo and future plans

LOS ANGELES - Rich Buchanan, CMO of VoIP device manufacturer ooma, gave me a demo and look at the Telo product the company is launching October 1 to replace its first-generation Hub offering [1] and discussed more upcoming product launches. The Telo has suffered some setbacks, as it debuted at CES [2] in January and originally was slated for a launch in the first half of 2009.

Buchanan said the Telo has a faster processor and will be less expensive to manufacture than the Hub, which means ooma can offer the Telo at $250, the same price as the Hub. He said the company plans on launching a business offering in the first half of 2010, which will be distributed through big box business retailers like Staples and Office Depot. Ooma's business play will be aimed at very small businesses that need four or fewer lines.

Buchanan said the company plans on rolling out Bluetooth and SIP trunking capabilities to the product line, will exceed 100,000 devices sold by the year's end, and is fast approaching profitability. The company is fresh of raising $18 million in June and has racked up quite a cadre of distribution deals, including ones with RadioShack, Best Buy and Costco. 

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Ooma's price cut, Best Buy deal spurring sales [3]
ooma raises $18M [4]