Introducing Obihai VoIP Adapters

November 5, 2012 by Christina Smith
Who is Obihai?
We recently had a chance to onboard a new supplier for VoIP Adapters, or ATA’s (Analog Telephone Adapters). Obihai, based out of Silicon Valley, CA, is a relatively new brand name on the horizon. The intellectual capital that built Obihai, however, is not.  Obihai’s foundation includes the very personnel who invented the ATA and engineered VoIP adapters for companies such as Sipura, Linksys, and Cisco.
Why Do We Need Another ATA?
With a plethora of low cost, well equipped VoIP adapters on the market, why are we so excited to offer yet another ATA?  Obihai has taken the ATA one step further on 2 key points. First, they have taken their 3 introductory models, the OBi100, OBi110, and OBi202, and added out of the box functionality for Google Voice.  This allows users, both business and residential, to take advantage of free internet calling in the US and Canada using their existing analog devices.  Google Voice is similiar to Skype, however for a limited time ALL CALLS in the US and Canada are free, not just peer to peer calls.  And in speaking of peer to peer calls…yep, those are ALWAYS free! So if you have a network of places you call all the time, calls between Obihai devices are always free, no matter where in the world they are!
The OBi202, a 2 line ATA with support for up to 4 SIP accounts or Google Voice accounts, can become your small business VoIP PBX all by itself with the addition of OBiPLUS. OBiPLUS is a full features solution for 1 to 12 users. You can connect analog devices or Cisco VoIP phones to the OBi202. Configure your small business phone system on OBiPLUS for up to 4 users for free, or up to 12 users for $120 a year.  Included with an OBiPLUS subscription is an Automated Attendant to greet your customers and route them properly.  This makes a great impression on a customer expecting to deal with a small business.  Also included in OBiPLUS is ring groups, multiple line appearances, voicemail, caller ID, messaging waiting indication, call forwarding, call transfer, call pickup, BLF, music on hold, and the list goes on and on.
The service provider class Obihai OBi302 introduces Zero Touch (ZT) Customization which makes it easy for Service Providers to deploy thousands of OBi302’s without ever touching them. Using the free OBiTALK portal, customers can direct their OBi302 to the correct server with minimal interaction and be up and running in minutes! ZT Customization allows ITSP’s to save money on deployment!
OBiTalk Portal
I mentioned OBITalk and that is worthy of mentioning again. OBiTalk is the brains of your new Obihai device. Sign into the OBiTALK portal to set up your OBi ATA, including giving it a display name for caller ID, assigning a time zone, and choosing your VoIP service provider.  While signed in, set up your speed dials and download OBiApps such as XLite softphone or OBiON for your tablet or smartphone.
Why OBi?
If you are in the market for a way to make free phone calls using the Internet, or looking for a low cost, low committment small business phone system, Obihai has the product for you. With over 15 years of technology innovation in the field of bridging analog voice with VoIP, Obihai products offer you big company benefits at small business prices.  Retailing at under $100, the OBi100, OBi110, OBi202, and OBI302 will surely fit your budget.

Who is Obihai?

We recently had a chance to onboard a new supplier for VoIP Adapters, or ATA’s (Analog Telephone Adapters). Obihai, based out of Silicon Valley, CA, is a relatively new brand name on the horizon. The intellectual capital that built Obihai, however, is not.  Obihai’s foundation includes the very personnel who invented the ATA and engineered VoIP adapters for companies such as Sipura, Linksys, and Cisco.

Why Do We Need Another ATA?

Obihai_Obi110

With a plethora of low cost, well equipped VoIP adapters on the market, why are we so excited to offer yet another ATA?  Obihai has taken the ATA one step further on 2 key points. First, they have taken their 3 introductory models, the OBi100, OBi110, and OBi202, and added out of the box functionality for Google Voice.  This allows users, both business and residential, to take advantage of free internet calling in the US and Canada using their existing analog devices.  Google Voice is similar to Skype, however for a limited time ALL CALLS in the US and Canada are free, not just peer to peer calls.  And in speaking of peer to peer calls…yep, those are ALWAYS free! So if you have a network of places you call all the time, calls between Obihai devices are always free, no matter where in the world they are!

Thinking of getting rid of your land line, but want to always have a home phone?  Using Google Voice with an OBi100, OBi110, or OBi202 gives you the capability to have a home

phone that acts just like your landline with no recurring costs. There is no need to have your PC on for the OBi devices to work, they work off a direct connection to your broadband router. As long as the internet is up, you will have connectivity.  With cool accessories such as the OBiWiFi you can connect your OBi device to your router wirelessly allowing you to have your analog phone where it is most convenient for you, not next to your router.  Using the OBiBT, you can use your analog phone to make or take calls not just from your VoIP account, but also from your mobile phone, giving you one device to answer no matter where the calls are coming from.  (OBiWiFi and OBiBT only work on the OBi202 and OBi302).

Avoid this Telecommunications Mistake During a Business Move

November 3, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Ben Sayers, CEO of VoIP SupplyBen Sayers, CEO of VoIP Supply, knows a thing or three about changing locations when a business outgrows its space.

That doesn’t mean that things always go as planned.

Coordinate Your Move with Telecommunications Providers

The National Federation of Independent Business asked for Ben’s advice on what to avoid during a business move.

VoIP Supply bought its first building and moved in during December 2010 to start the New Year in a new headquarters.  Ben tells the story:

If your business depends on phone and Internet service to operate smoothly, give your providers 6-8 weeks’ notice to ensure timely installation of services in your new location.

When Ben Sayers moved his telecommunications business VoIP Supply to the other side of Buffalo, N.Y., a setback in the closing date led to a 10-day delay in data connectivity after the move. “We essentially had to connect our new office to our old office through 3G, and all our connectivity had to go between the two buildings. It was very expensive,” he says.

How Telemedicine Medical Devices Work for Healthcare IT Strategies

October 31, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Andria Baunee, VoIP Supply Video Conferencing Specialist

If you’ve ever wondered how video conferencing plays a role in telemedicine and how telemedicine can play a role in healthcare IT strategies, specifically telemedicine kits for video conferencing, then this interview is for you.

Andria Baunee, VoIP Supply’s Video Conferencing Specialist, was interviewed by eHealth Radio to talk about:

  • What is Telemedicine and, who is it for?
  • What role could Telemedicine play in the raging healthcare debate here in the U.S.?
  • What do healthcare companies think of Telemedicine and how would they be reimbursed for this new medical service?
  • How will patients react to Telemedicine? Can they feel secure explaining their personal issues via video?
  • What do patients, doctors, or insurance companies need, to get a video conferencing system up and running?

Polycom VVX 600

October 26, 2012 by Tom Costelloe

When Polycom made their major announcements after ringing the NASDAQ bell earlier this month much of the focus was on the video conference side of their business. One of the products that was mentioned in passing and featured on some of the slides was the new Polycom VVX 600. Not much was said about this new phone at that point but this week it got its turn in the limelight

What Is It?

Polycom VVX 600

The VVX 600 is the newest addition to the Polycom VVX series of the business media phones which already includes the VVX 1500 and VVX 500. The new VVX 600 bears a striking resemblance to the VVX 500 at first glance but with a bigger for form factor. While they do have their similarities when it comes to audio, video and sharing capabilities, there are three main differences between them.

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Mobotix Adds VoIP Supply to Global Partner Network

Shopping around for IP surveillance cameras is one thing but, deciding which one of those thousands of cameras is the right fit and will actually perform as advertised is quite another thing.Mobotix MX-Q24M-Basic-D22

That’s why, for those customers that need trustworthy help to make the best decision, we’re happy to announce that the Mobotix Global Partner Network now includes VoIP Supply as a Registered Mobotix Partner.

Not just a fancy title, what a Registered Mobotix Partner means for customers is:

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The History of Social Media Infographic

October 20, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

At some point very soon, we will all stop talking “Social Media”, and put the focus where it belongs – The Global Media Network that connects us all.

From Copyblogger, A History of Social Media [Infographic], shows a pictoral rundown of social sharing through the ages.

From the very first email sent in 1971 to the user friendly interfaces we enjoy today, this Copyblogger infograph shows that “there’s nothing new about social media” and that, “most social sharing still happens outside of social networks.”

See for yourself  with this timeline:

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Switchvox Review – Full Features for the SMB

October 19, 2012 by Christina Smith

Throughout the month, I have been conducting a series of reviews of our most popular IP PBX’s.  I spoke about 3CX, the Windows-based IP PBX software that entered into the arena in 2008 and is quickly growing­. I also mentioned Elastix, which is an Asterisk-based platform that is still purely open-sourced which has been quickly gaining popularity, especially among the budget-conscious crowd.  The capstone of my review is Switchvox by Digium. Switchvox, like Elastix, is an Asterisk-based platform which was developed by Four Loop Technologies and perfected by Digium in 2007.

switchvox-solutionSwitchvox is a commercial version of Asterisk, so the source code is no longer open. Switchvox offers a polished, clean, and professional packaging of Asterisk amazement. VoIP Supply uses Switchvox as our VoIP phone system, so it is the phone system closest to our hearts. It is most often sold as an appliance with the IP PBX software pre-installed  although you can purchase the Switchvox SMB software as a standalone and install on your own hardware. Switchvox appliances are offered in three flavors, the Switchvox 65 which will support up to 30 users, the Switchvox 305 which is ideal for up to 150 users, and the Switchvox 355 which will support up to 400 users.  Beyond 400 users, you may need to look at multiple appliances or possibly an Enteprise solution. Each Switchvox appliance can be customized for PSTN access when necessary by installing Digium analog or Digium digital telephony cards.  If you prefer to keep the transcoding load off your IP PBX appliance, you can also use Switchvox in conjunction with a Digium T1 gateway.  Technically, you can use Switchvox with any VoIP gateway, but when possible, we recommend using an end-to-end solution to simplify technical support when it is needed (I talk more about this later).

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Obama Prefers VoIP

October 18, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Over the summer the Democratic presidential campaign contacted VoIP Supply for help with setting up their call centers.

We’re always honored to be trusted with a large job and it was a great opportunity to provide a phone system comprised of several hundred 8-port and 24-port FXS VoIP Gateways and some basic phones:

President Obama Likes VoIP Supply’s Phones and Gateways

VoIP Supply was confident that this phone system would work just fine for their application. What we didn’t expect was President Obama to try it out for himself.

But, here he is visiting a Virginia campaign office, surprising the workers with pizza, and jumping on the phones VoIP Supply provided.

Welcome to the world of VoIP, Mr. President.

President Obama on VoIP Supply Phones, Campaign 2012

(Picture courtesy of Dave Sloane)

Elastix Quickly Taking Center Stage

October 11, 2012 by Christina Smith

Three years ago if you asked us what the hottest open source platform was for your IP PBX, we would have said Trixbox CE.  It was free, easy to use, and always being

Elastix MiniUCS

Elastix MiniUCS

updated. Well the one thing that is certain around here is death, taxes, and CHANGE! With Trixbox CE going the way of the geese up here in Buffalo, NY, we have found that Elastix is quickly becoming the platform of choice when installing a new IP PBX. In fact, Elastix is more than just a phone system… it can be your entire UC strategy!

Elastix as an IP PBX

Elastix is an open source, Asterisk based UC system which can be downloaded and run on any PC, server, or laptop.  I mentioned above that Elastix can be your entire UC strategy. This is because the Elastix platform includes a VoIP phone system, an E-mail server, Instant Messaging, a fax server, and a video conferencing system.  If you are coming to VoIP Supply, chances are you are looking for an IP phone system. However if you are just starting out, Elastix is a great way to integrate all your communication methods into one platform for ease of use and unified functionality… hence the buzzword UC (Unified Communications).

As an IP phone system, elastix offers all the great features that we have come to expect in a phone system these days. Such features include voicemail, configurable IVR,  support for softphones, caller ID, call hold, transfer, forward, do-not-disturb, and least cost call routing. Some unexpected features that Elastix also has is presence, call recording, voicemail to email, fax to email, virtual conference rooms, and integration with some CRM programs such as TigerCRM and SugarCRM.  Similar to some paid distributions of Asterisk, Elastix offers a PBX integrated calendar with support for voice notifications along with a phonebook with click-to-dial capabilities.  Just like many other high profile phone systems, Elastix offers a large selection of call reports right out of the box. If your company is a call center centric business, you may benefit from Elastix’s Call Center module, which is an extra, but it’s a FREE extra! (I love free extras!)

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US Companies Warned Not to do Business with Chinese Telecom Manufacturers

October 8, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Morgan Korn at Yahoo! Finance reports on an interesting telecommunications story with big implications, China’s Huawei, ZTE Threaten U.S. National Security Interests: House Intelligence Report.

A report generated by the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee after an 11-month long investigation warns that, in the name of privacy, intellectual property, and national security, U.S. companies should be wary of doing business with Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp.

Further, as two of the world largest producers of critical telephony equipment, the report states:

China has the means, opportunity and motive to use telecommunications companies for malicious purposes… Industry giants like Huawei and ZTE provide a wealth of opportunities for Chinese intelligence agencies to insert malicious hardware or software implants into critical telecommunications components and systems.

Via Yahoo! Finance