When it comes to video chatting, nothing is worse than having poor video and/or audio quality. In fact, most of the users could have a better Skype for Business experience if they put some effort into meeting the fundamental requirements. Let’s learn some Skype for Business video functions and how you can enjoy quality video calls.

Skype For Business Video Capability

In addition to the standard softphone functions such as answering/ending/rejecting calls, replying with instant message or audio only, and do not disturb setting, Skype for Business Video also offers four video layouts (Gallery View/ Speaker View/ Content View/ Compact View) and the ability to mute/unmute, turn off video or photo, set full screen or normal view. To learn detailed video functions, please visit Microsoft’s site.

How Can I Improve The Poor Audio/ Video Quality?

There are many possible reasons that can cause poor audio/ video quality. Here we provide four main reasons and solutions to help you ensure a good video chat experience.

Good Network Connection

Internet connection is always the top reason that comes to mind that can cause poor video quality. Make sure you have enough Internet bandwidth and stability to support the video calls. A wired connection usually has better performance than wireless connection.

Certified Hardware and Devices

Be sure to use certified devices and hardware for your calls to ensure the optimization of your call quality.

Right Location

During a video call, we tend to focus on the image from the other end of the call and neglect the lightness on our own side. Detecting the lack of brightness, Skype webcam system will automatically adjust the signal to reduce quality and brighten your image. Therefore, make sure the location you pick has enough light source and no other distractions such as noisiness.

Upgrade System and Equipment

Keeping your system and equipment up to date can minimize malfunction and avoid poor video call quality. Visit Microsoft’s website for the latest version of software and make sure your device and equipment are not outdated.

Once you meet all the requirements above, remember it’s always good to test before you start important video meetings. Utilize the test function in Skype for Business to test both audio and video device. Detailed step by step instruction can be found here.

For more information about improving Skype for Business audio and video quality, please visit Skype’s website or contact us at 1-800-398-VoIP or at [email protected]

Just like the name implies, the Kuando Busylight by Plenom is a light indicator that serves many purposes. First, it can be used to alert your colleagues when you are on a call so that they don’t walk in on you during a conversation. When on a call, the Busylight will light up sending a clear message to anyone in the office that you are on a call and should not be disturbed.

It is impolite to interrupt your coworkers when they are busy. It also looks very unprofessional when you are on an important call and someone comes into your office or near your cubicle shouting one thing or the next. Busylight indicators solve this issue with variants for both desk phone and softphone users.

Secondly, Busylight is also very helpful in reducing the number of missed calls. If PC’s do not have speakers, or if the headset is on the desk, employees are unable to hear calls as they come in. Missed calls not only reduce user satisfaction, but they also reduce customer service satisfaction.

With Busylight, every time a call or IM comes in, users are alerted with both an audible and visible blink. And if you still happen to miss a call, Busylight will provide a notification every four seconds until the missed call or IM is addressed. With right different ringtones to choose from, users can categorize calls by tone. Even better, Kuando Busylight will only play call notifications and will not play any other sound from the PC, so set up is a breeze because no audio settings are required, which means no IT support costs.

Benefits of Busylight:

• Prevents missed calls
• Unifies Communication
• Its software offers valuable hot key functions for easy call handling
• Provides visual presence to the open office so that interruptions are nonexistent

If your office is moving away from desk phones and embracing Microsoft Lync/Skype for Business or Cisco Jabber, don’t take on this challenge without the Kuando Busylight indicator. This valuable and cost effective solution is available in two designs: the Kuando Busylight Omega UC Presence Indicator and the Kuando Busylight Alpha UC Presence Indicator.
The Omega has been specifically designed with a bigger light for cubicle environments and open office plans. The Alpha has been designed to be used with monitors and/or laptops and has a smart click on/off system.

The Kuando Busylight is also available as a solution for use with the Jabra GN 9300 Series, Jabra Pro 9400 Series and Jabra LINK 850 and Jabra Motion Office.

For deskphone users, Plenom offers the Kuando Busylight Combi solution. The Combi is not compatible with softphones, or mobile devices because it is meant to indicate to others in the office when you are busy on your headset or deskphone. The Combi is compatible with 90% of all desk phones and headphones, so it is very likely that it will integrate smoothly with your current phone system.

But wait, there is more. Plenom also offers the Kuando Box, which connects to the desk phone and PC to unify user presence status in Microsoft Lync. Setup is as easy as 1,2,3. You simply download the software, connect the KuandoBox to the phone/ headset and PC and Whala, the desk phone status is unified with Lync. When an employee is on a call, Microsoft Lync will automatically update his/ her status to “On a call” as soon as the handset is lifted. This is of huge value to businesses where presence is important and can really add to work efficiency and team collaboration, when used correctly.

Applications that are compatible with Kuando Busylight include:

• Microsoft Lync & SfB
• Cisco Jabber
• ProCall 4+ Enterprise
• XPhone Unified Communications
• Swyx Softphone
• Go Integrator
• Anywhere365
• Go Connect
• Click2Dial
• Samsung Xchange
• Ucplus
• Five9
• Tanss
• DIALit
• UCware
• xCALLY

The Busylight Indicator is supported by Microsoft Lync 2010 or Microsoft Lync 2013, Cisco Jabber; Windows XP SP3, Vista Windows 7 or Window 8; .NET 3.5 framework.

Busylight Indicator is a great investment for many business settings, including call centers. They can help improve productivity, communication amongst the team and collaboration. Moreover, customer satisfaction can be largely increased when employees are picking up their calls the first time they come through. The Kuando Busylight Indicators are a reliable and cost effective solution for any business, big or small.

To find out more about the Kuando Busylight Indicators, please feel free to give our VoIP experts a call at 1-800-398-VoIP.

There are a lot of tempting benefits that lure more and more traditional phone users to switch to VoIP phone systems: Less expensive phone service, bountiful features, high flexibility, less phone wiring, you name it.

However, don’t overlook the potential risks you are facing. Because VoIP is an Internet-based communication system, it could be as vulnerable as any other Internet-based devices. To avoid IP-based threats such as identification theft, phishing (spam), and IP worms/ viruses, it’s important to take precautions.

How to Secure Your VoIP Network

Some enterprises choose to separate their VoIP network applications from other networks so that when the harmful activities happen on other networks, VoIP network won’t be affected; however, this solution is usually high cost involved. Below are some other common methods to secure your VoIP.

Authentication and Encryption: The system only allows traffic from recognizable sources. Advanced authentication may require both ends of the communication to authenticate each other to enforce the defence.

VoIP Firewalls: Firewall is a protection between your VoIP network system and the outer data. It filters out the suspicious data when it goes in and out of the network.

Antivirus programs: Use gateway and host-based antivirus programs to protect VoIP servers. VoIP Supply carries Internet Security Appliances to provide a comprehensive gateway security solution and VPN connectivity.

Update System: Choose to deploy the latest security equipment. If your system is outdated, remember to update it frequently to defend new threats.

Keep Awareness: Keep your eyes on the VoIP system. Take action when you spot any issues and educate yourself to be familiar with the latest attacking techniques.

With proper precaution, you can make your VoIP lines as secure as traditional telephony. If you have questions about how to enforce your VoIP security, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 866-582-3715. We are here to help you with anything for VoIP.

The RenegadePBX Pro is part of VoIP Supply’s own line of IP PBX appliances. In its 3U chassis, the RenegadePBX Pro is the largest of the Renegade bunch. It offers a scalable solution that can be crafted to meet the needs of any size business.

The RenegadePBX Pro permits users to host pretty much any platform: 3CX, Elastix, AsteriskNOW, FreePBX, Ezuce Uniteme/SIPXCom, as well as Digium’s Switchvox platform.

This PBX application can either be purchased as a blank canvas with no software integrated so that you can customize the solution that best suits your interest.

What’s even better is that the RenegadePBX Pro can be connected to any SIP trunking provider, and still gives users the freedom to connect to old legacy infrastructure via telephony card. This powerful appliance comes ready with basic call features, and provides the ability to configure up to four platforms.

Some of the features of the RenegadePBX Pro are:

• Intel i5-3550 LGA 1155 CPU
• 500GB SATA hard drive
• 4GB DDR3 RAM (Upgradeable to 16GB)
• 400W power supply
• 4 PCI slots, three PCI Express slots (One 1x PCI-E, One 4x PCI-E, One 16x PCI-E)
• Video Out (HDMI, DVI, VGA), mouse and keyboard ports
• 6 USB Ports
• Dual GbE ports
• On board audio
• 300 extensions / 100 concurrent calls (varies on configured specifications and system usage)

The RenegadePBX Pro is guaranteed to satisfy. VoIP Supply stands behind all of our products, and even more behind the Renegade line as it is our very own creation. The Renegade family offers solutions from the smallest office to enterprise sized settings. If you’d like to learn more about the RenegadePBX Pro or any of our solutions, please call us at 1-800-398-VoIP.

The RenegadePBX Pro has been used as a fantastic solution for hosted platforms as well as on premise-deployments.