Voice systems are used by online gaming studios to coordinate live games, support players and command tournaments. VoIP platforms accommodate these requirements by facilitating stability of calls, control of latency, and reliability of the system. The space operated by ShoreTel and Avaya is different. This comparison will overview the two platforms using the gaming oriented perspective in terms of performance, scalability, administration and cost factors as they apply to developers, esports teams and live service operators.
Platform Background and Market Position
ShoreTel originated as a unified communications system focused on mid sized enterprises. Gaming studios with limited IT staff often selected ShoreTel for its simpler architecture. Avaya developed a stronger presence in large scale environments, including broadcast operations and global service centers supporting multiplayer games.
Deployment Architecture
ShoreTel has a distributed architecture design where call control is done by the local appliances. This hierarchy ensures that it will not be as reliant on central servers, so that when there is an issue with the regional networks, there will be a stable voice. Localized voice continuity is enjoyed by Gaming teams that have regional servers. Avaya depends on centralized call management, which is appropriate in large studios that have dedicated infrastructure departments.
Voice Quality and Latency Control
ShoreTel prioritizes internal network efficiency and consistent call clarity. Smaller esports operations report stable voice during scrims and internal coordination. Avaya focuses on advanced codec support and traffic prioritization. Large tournaments with mixed voice and data loads often rely on Avaya for predictable latency under peak usage.
Scalability for Gaming Operations
ShoreTel scales effectively for teams ranging from small studios to mid sized publishers. Expansion involves adding appliances with minimal configuration overhead. Avaya supports large scale growth across regions. Massive multiplayer game publishers use Avaya to manage thousands of concurrent support and operations calls.
Integration with Gaming Workflows
ShoreTel is also compatible with other CRM and ticket tools applicable by community support teams. This approach is useful to studios that handle player reports and moderation procedures. Avaya has more API support and can be custom-integrated with matchmaking systems, broadcast control rooms and live operations dashboards.
Administration and Maintenance
ShoreTel administration focuses on simplicity. IT generalists handle updates and configuration without specialized training. Indie and AA studios value this model. Avaya requires skilled administrators familiar with telephony systems. Large studios with dedicated network teams manage this complexity more effectively.
Reliability During Live Events
ShoreTel performs well during routine operations and internal collaboration. Regional redundancy supports ongoing development and testing cycles. Avaya emphasizes high availability across data centers. Live esports events with global audiences depend on this resilience during high traffic windows.
Security and Compliance
ShoreTel provides standard encryption and access controls suitable for internal communications. Development teams handling non sensitive coordination data operate comfortably within these limits. Avaya supports advanced compliance frameworks and audit controls. Studios managing payment related support or regulated markets rely on these protections.
Use Case Fit for Gaming Teams
ShoreTel aligns with development studios, QA teams, and regional esports groups seeking reliable voice with minimal overhead. Avaya suits global publishers, tournament organizers, and live service operators requiring centralized control. Selection depends on team size, event scale, and internal technical capability rather than feature lists alone.
