I was confusing the Polycom RealPresence CloudAXIS Suite with “standards based.”
Click here for my original, and now updated, post and click here to read Graves’ full explanation of the differences between desktop and room-based video conferencing solutions.
Thanks again to Graves for pointing me in the right direction and helping us all get the right information!
Understanding the complexities of next-generation Wi-Fi can present a challenge. An optimized 802.11ac infrastructure comes only as a result of solid wireless fundamentals, thoughtful radio design, smart antenna systems, and dynamic RF adaptation. So how can you get the most out of 11ac?
Want Better Wi-Fi is an educational Webinar Series that offers the real facts and physics necessary to achieve better Wi-Fi. Join us for these highly informative sessions to gain the knowledge you need to make the best wireless networking decisions possible.
Next up in their webinar series is:
Exploiting next generation 802.11ac with smarter antennas | Wednesday, 8AM PST, July 30th
“We all #WantBetterWiFi and the most logical step to achieving this is exploring the new 802.11ac standard. However, it’s important to understand the differences between .11ac wave 1 and .11ac wave 2, and the potential pitfalls involved in an uninformed upgrade. Fully understanding the benefits of this exciting wireless technology, both short and long term, will enable you to make solid network design and deployment decisions.”
Note: This post was updated with new information on August 6, 2014 pertaining to the Polycom video conferencing system mentioned below.
Questions about VoIP devices and services are regularly submitted to VoIPSupply.com through a technical support ticket or via the “Ask The Expert” tab on our product pages.
We respond to these requests directly but more often than not, this Q & A would be helpful for lots of other folks.
Below are your VoIP questions answered – Real questions from real people just like you.
Phoenix Audio Quattro3 USB Conference Phone
Q: Can I connect this [Phoenix Audio Quattro3 USB] to my PC and use it for a Skype call?
Your question perfectly describes the purpose of the Phoenix Audio Quattro3 USB .
From the Quattro3 datasheet:
The USB outlet allows you to connect to the computer for any VoIP sessions such as Skype, Vidyo, etc.
So, the Quattro3 will work with any computer that has a USB port. Its small size makes this speakerphone extremely portable but with its multiple microphones, echo cancellation, noise suppression, and powerful speaker you can easily use the Quattro3 in larger conference rooms.
Polycom RealPresence Group 300 EagleEye Acoustic Video Conferencing System for Small Meeting Rooms and Offices
Q: Is it possible to use the Polycom Realpresence Group 300 with online services such as Skype or Go To Meeting?
A: The Polycom RealPresence Group 300 EagleEye Acoustic is a video conferencing system that’s perfect for your office or small meeting rooms.
The beauty of the RealPresence Group 300 is that it is fully standards-based meaning, you can connect to “millions of other standards-based video systems in use today,” says Polycom.
It also works with leading Unified Communications (UC) platforms (like Microsoft Lync) so you don’t have to add any additional hardware, like expensive gateways.
UPDATE: In reference to the crossed out text about – I was wrong about the Polycom RealPresence capabilities and Michael Graves was right.
Graves correctly called me out in his post, A VoIP Supply Q&A Batting .500!:
When Polycom uses the term “standards based” they mean their product relies upon H.323 and SIP, the two most common standard protocols for VoIP and video conferencing equipment. I don’t believe that such a device can be used to join a Skype or GotoMeeting call. Neither of those services support interop with hardware end-points like the Group 300.
Read his post for a full explanation of the often confusing world of video conferencing interoperability.
I confused “standards based” with the Polycom RealPresence CloudAXIS Suite which, according to a Polycom Executive News Flash a year ago in Q1 2013, would allow RealPresence users to “invite anyone, anywhere with a browser to join reliable and secure video calls” and would be able to support “Skype, Facebook, and Google Talk for simple click-to-connect convenience…beyond the firewall for B2B and B2C connectivity.”
But, as it turns out, in addition to my misleading information, the Skype component of CloudAXIS no longer functions.
If you read the Frequently Asked Questions guide for Polycom RealPresence CloudAXIS:
Important Information Regarding Skype Integration Microsoft announced the discontinuation of the Desktop Skype API as of January 1, 2014. This function is critical for Skype integration with the RealPresence CloudAXIS social directory. Microsoft’s decision not only affects Polycom but many other vendors using the API. Polycom is actively seeking an alternative way to implement this feature but until it is determined we will have a gap in Skype support.
The CloudAXIS FAQ does mention a Skype workaround for the time being which can also be used for “virtually any messaging application”:
Is there a workaround for bringing Skype contacts into a RealPresence CloudAXIS meeting? Yes. Although Skype contacts cannot be imported into the CloudAXIS global directory, users can still invite Skype contacts into a CloudAXIS meeting by simply opening the Skype application on the desktop, checking on the presence status of contacts within Skype, then copying and pasting the CloudAXIS meeting URL in the Skype IM window with a message asking the contact to join the meeting. When the invitee receives the message and clicks the CloudAXIS meeting link, their browser will launch and allow them to join the call. Note that this same process can be used with virtually any messaging application.
Thank you to Michael Graves for pointing me in the right direction.
For more information and background about video conferencing options ranging from webcams to desktops to room systems, I encourage you to check out Graves’ post and these other articles:
Graves on SOHO Technology: A VoIP Supply Q&A Batting .500!
Telepresence Options: Video Calling Options: Dialing H.323/SIP From Your Desktop
Telepresence Options: Polycom’s Big Announcement: A Shotgun Blast Of Videoconferencing Advances
This might affect all EdgeMarc device owners. In short, the default Username / Password of “Root” / “Default” of these devices have been compromised.
However, if you changed your log in credentials when you programmed your EdgeMarc device then you are probably safe. If you were never prompted to change the default username / password you may not have thought to change it.
How to Tell If Your EdgeMarc Password Should be Changed and Steps to Take
From the Bandwidth announcement, here’s how to tell if you need to change your password and the steps to take:
If you are unsure if your specific device has been compromised, you can take the following steps to investigate. However, it is still highly recommended to change the password:
In the EdgeMarc GUI, under ‘System’ click on “Client List”. If there are any entries listed other than known and local IP addresses, there is a strong possibility that your device has been compromised. To resolve, remove the offending IP address.
Additionally, the following steps should be taken to to ensure a secure device:
Disable PPTP (Point-to-Point Protocol) – Under PPTP server > Username, ensure there is no user built unless it is a known user.
Disallow WAN clients – Under VoIP ALG, uncheck both the ‘allow clients on WAN’ option, as well as the ‘Enable LLDP’ option.
Verify no additional scripting has taken place, by looking under ‘User Commands’. Specifically, if the following script is present, it will need to be deleted:
ln -sf /etc /etc/images/m.txt chmod 777 /etc/images/m.txt/config/passwd sed -i -e s’_'”501″‘_'”0″‘_’ /etc/images/m.txt/config/passwd sed -i -e s’_'”501″‘_'”0″‘_’ /etc/images/m.txt/config/passwd sed -i -e s’_'”/etc/images”‘_'”/”‘_’ /etc/images/m.txt/config/passwd
Note: Some EdgeMarc screens within the GUI save changes while you’re making them, and others require you to hit a ‘submit’ button. Please take note of this while making your changes.
Need EdgeMarc Help?
Thank you to Bandwidth for bringing this problem to our attention.
If the above information did not help you and you still have concerns, please call us at 800-398-8647.
The Microsoft WPC is an annual conference for members of the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN). Some of our own partners, of which we carry their Lync products, are exhibiting or sponsoring the WPC 2014 such as:
The WPC features keynote speakers, workshop sessions, and exhibits focused on the latest best practices and trends that businesses are using to become more successful using a Microsoft platform.
For VoIP Supply and you, our customers, we’re concerned mostly with the latest developments in using Microsoft Lync as a communication platform.
Microsoft Lync Has Good Adoption Rate for Unified Communications
If you’re still debating the usefulness of Microsoft Lync or are unsure how it fits into a business communication solution, you should read the Unified Communications Strategies article “Q&A with Enghouse Interactive from Microsoft WPC 2014” written by Blair Pleasant.
In the article Pleasant asks Ernie Wallerstein, President of Enghouse Interactive, about Microsoft Lync trends. Wallerstein comments that there is now a “good adoption rate” for UC especially for instant messaging and using mobile devices or working remotely. He explains the trend further:
Now we’re seeing people leverage Lync as a voice platform and try to federate their Lync experience with other business partners and organizations they communicate with regularly, such as in their supply chain partners. Regarding customer experience management and the contact center, we’re definitely seeing the push towards opening communications to multiple options – chat, voice, email, and more. Microsoft Lync and Skype are pushing out the customer experience to people so they can communicate anyway they want, from anywhere, and on any device. We’re seeing the proliferation of Lync on mobile devices to let people communicate via the medium of choice (Unified Communications Strategies, July 14, 2014).
Other Microsoft Lync trends that Wallerstein points out include giving customers several options to contact you through their mobile device via voice, web, or app.
What’s happening now is that a customer initiates a chat session online with your representative and then, thanks to Lync’s functionality, you can escalate that conversation with one click to speak with them in real-time with either voice or video.
Oftentimes though the video sessions are used only by customer to show a technical support person what’s wrong with their particular device. But the video option is there and that array of communication choices that Lync provides are what today’s consumers want.
Lync Phones, Speakerphones, Headsets, Conference Phones, and Gateways
As Microsoft Lync continues to change how we use our VoIP systems, the technology is adapting along with it.
There is a bevy of devices that are either “optimized” for use with Lync or they are “compatible” with Lync.
We currently carry a range of phones, speakerphones, headsets, and conference phones that are either optimized or (what did we learn above?) compatible with Lync. Read on for some examples:
Lync Phones, Speakerphones, and Conference Phones
Polycom CX500 Features Embedded Microsoft® Communicator “14” Software
Plantronics Calisto P620-M is a Personal Bluetooth Conference Phone Optimized for use with Microsoft Lync
Lync Headsets
Plantronics Savi W445-M is a Monaural Wireless DECT Headset Optimized for Microsoft Lync PC Voice Communications
Jabra UC Voice 550 MS Mono is a Single Ear Plug & Play USB Headset Optimized for Microsoft Lync and Microsoft Office Communicator
Lync Gateways
Patton Smartnode 4940 Series VoIP Gateway
Lync Video with Polycom CX5100 Lync Unified Conference Station
Another interesting option if you want to combine Lync video capabilites with a conference phone is the Polycom CX5100 Unified Conference Station which is part of the Polycom CX series of Lync-optimized solutions.
With a user-friendly design, the CX5100 makes it easy to launch or join a call directly from the Lync user environment. All you have to do is connect the CX5100 with a USB to any computer that is running Lync.
Polycom CX5100 Lync Optimized Unified Conference Station
VoIP Supply’s taking the company picnic to Lake Erie on the Moondance Cat in Buffalo, NY (Image courtesy of Alenka Lawrence / AlenkaLawrence.com)
Today is VoIP Supplyannual company picnic and we’ll be taking a ride on the Moondance Cat through the Buffalo harbor and onto Lake Erie.
So, if you happen to call in to our office after Noon today, you’ll know where we’re at.
Thank you to all of our loyal customers for another successful year. Without you we wouldn’t be able to enjoy this beautiful summer day out on the water. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you throughout the rest of 2014 and beyond.
Xorcom was founded in 2004 as a privately-held IP-PBX manufacturer.
Taking full advantage of the Asterisk® Open Source IP-PBX platform, Xorcom offers the hotel industry, business enterprises, and government agencies a powerful and flexible telephony platform.
If you’ve been thinking of using Xorcom for your application, you should watch their newest video (above) which explains, in a nutshell, all of their sophisticated features such as:
Desktop call management, recording and monitoring
Visual voicemail
Virtual fax
Conference bridges
fhref
Auto attendants
Remote employee connectivity
Advanced intrusion detection and security alerts
Xorcom states that their products “offer automated fail-over for both the IP-PBX and telephony interfaces, easy integration with third-party products, central browser-based management and much more.”
Questions about VoIP devices and services are regularly submitted to VoIPSupply.com through a technical support ticket or via the “Ask The Expert” tab on our product pages.
We respond to these requests directly but more often than not, this Q & A would be helpful for lots of other folks.
Below are your VoIP questions answered – Real questions from real people just like you.
Plantronics Voyager PRO HD
Q: I want to use this Wireless headset [Plantronics Voyager PRO HD] with a VOIP system that I plan to install on my iMac… does it only function with a mobile device (phone), or will it work with any desktop/laptop computer as well? Thanks!
Personally I haven’t had the best luck pairing Bluetooth headsets with my Windows 7 laptop – it can never seem to install the correct drivers. My desktop computer at work, on the other hand, has no problems working with Bluetooth and wireless headsets that are connected via the USB adapter.
Then again, you’ll probably have no problems with your iMac. And the USB adapter is a good backup plan if the Bluetooth won’t sync.
Another option is the Plantronics Voyager Legend UC B235 which boasts multi-device connectivity
Q: Is the Lynksys PAT2T being phased out, and the Cisco SPA112 will be the new product to replace it? I want to make a purchase, but will be reluctant to do so if the Lynksys PAP2T is being replaced.
The Lynsys PAP2T, if you can find one, might still work for what you need. But since it is no longer being sold and is no longer supported by Cisco, we recommend going with the SPA112 replacement.
Q: I am traveling to the US and my parents will remain in Puerto Rico. I want to know if this equipment [Grandstream GXV3140] is recommended for daily contacts with them via SKYPE. They are at a elderly home facility which has internet connection, but i am not sure what i need for this. Please let me know if you recommend this or something else.
You can make free voice and video calls via Skype on the GXV3140 just by plugging the phone into your network or, internet connection.
Since this phone is Skype certified, Skype comes pre-installed. With this phone you can call any other Skype users whether they’re using a GXV3140 of their own or a webcam, laptop, cell phone, or tablet. You just need the internet or, network connection to make this happen.
We’re proud to announce that we were just named one of Western New York’s (WNY) fastest growing companies in 2014.
VoIP Supply received the Fast Track Award which honors privately held businesses in WNY that have strong sales growth.
This is the second straight year and fourth time in the company’s 12 year history that we’ve earned this distinction.
Fast Track Award for Strong Revenue Growth
Buffalo Business First newspaper held their annual Fast Track Companies award reception on June 25, 2014 where the were revealed.
VoIP Supply, with 7.68% sales revenue growth from 2011 to 2013, ranked 43rd out of 48 long-established companies.
VoIP Supply’s CEO, Ben Sayers, is proud that his company made the list again as a Certified B Corporation that is currently involved in a yearlong volunteer campaign, VoIP Supply’s “Year of Giving,” to give back to the community and help a different charity every month.
VoIP Supply is a sustainable business with the mission to “Do well so that we can do good for others,” says Sayers.
With a focus on conscious capitalism, Sayers says that, “It is our hope that our actions will be an example to other businesses in the area, showing that a company can continue to grow even while putting people ahead of profits.”
