Taking Spectralink to a Different Level- the Desktop

February 16, 2012 by Christina Smith

Why We Love Spectralink

What’s not to love… all the mobility of a cell phone in a secure VoWiFi handset that we can hang on a lanyard or clip onto our belt. With the introduction of the Spectralink 8440 and Spectralink 8450 we have HD Voice, a color choice, and a cool user interface and even the ability to barcode scan right into our laptops.

Now the Spectralink WiFi phone by Polycom is even more verticalized for Healthcare and Manufacturing applications while still being perfect and slick looking for hospitality and retail.

Why We (I) Hate Spectralink

I hate talking into a phone. Period. I hate holding a phone to my ear. It is cumbersome, I need my hands for doing my job, not holding my phone.

Sure I can use a wired or Bluetooth headset with my Spectralink handset, but what can I say, I am a Diva and I don’t want stuff hanging on my ears either. I want everything with none of the inconvenience.

For those times when I am not running through the hall or in the warehouse, Spectralink has a solution for me! FINALLY! The new Spectralink 8410 Speakerphone dock is made specifically for the Spectralink 8440 and 8450 series handsets. When you are not mobile, dock your Spectralink handset into the 8410 and speak handsfree with the crystal clear full duplex speakerphone featuring Polycom HD Voice clarity.

So while it is great to have the mobility of the Spectralink at my fingertips when I need it, it is even better to have loud, easy, hands-free HD Voice at my desktop when I am working at my desk.

While I let my Spectralink dock in the 8410, it also charges it. There is also a slot to charge a spare battery, thereby replacing my dual charger.

The Spectralink 8410 speakerphone dock is a must-have accessory for anyone who is both desk-bound and mobile and has the luxury of using a speakerphone when at their desk. Not everyone has that luxury, but if you do, this accessory can definitely take some of the love-hate dynamic out of your relationship with your Spectralink 8400 series handset.

Adventures in Cash-Flow Forecasting

February 9, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Take an ambitious niche eCommerce retailer led by a creative and passionate entrepreneur, mix in a flighty economy and what do you get; a fun financial management environment that any Chief Financial Officer would enjoy, right?

Sageworks, the leader in the financial analysis of privately held companies, recently interviewed VoIP Supply CFO Paula Griffo about cash-flow forecasting challenges faced by a small, fast moving company.

Griffo explained to Mary Ellen Biery, Sageworks Research Specialist, what has made VoIP Supply stand out financially including advice on how to avoid common errors and what she’s learned by keeping an ever evolving technology-based ship afloat.

For the full interview go to, CFO Corner: Challenging cash-flow forecasts.

Via Sageworks Blog

First Look: New Digium Phones for Switchvox and Asterisk

February 2, 2012 by Christina Smith

What is it?

The new Digium phones are High-Definition IP Phones designed by Digium specifically for Switchvox UC System and Asterisk-based phone systems. There are 3 phones in the series, the Digium D70, D50, and D40.

What does it do?

The Digium phones connect seemlessly to any Asterisk-based phone system, including Switchvox, Digium’s UC System. When connected to an Asterisk Phone System, Digium Phones offer a user friendly calling experience complete with HD Voice Wideband and access to user created apps and call rules, directly from the phone.

Being created by Digium specifically for Asterisk, Digium phones may very well have the easiest plug and play of any IP Phone. Simply plug the Digium phone into the network and the phone will automatically discover the Asterisk server, identify the phone user, and start communicating.

Who is it for?

Digium phones are great for anyone using an Asterisk or Switchvox IP phone server. For its initial launch, Digium released 3 models, the D70, D50, and D40 which suit different types of phone users.

The Digium D70 being most feature rich is best suited for administrator or executives. This phone has 6 SIP lines, a 4.5in screen, and busy lamp indicators (BLF) for up to 100 contacts. Perfect for someone who is watching employee phone time or doing many call transfers. This model also is the only phone in the lineup with a dual Gigabit switched Ethernet ports.

The D50 is a 4-line phone with 10 rapid dial keys with BLF. With a 3.5in backlit LCD screen and dual 10/100 switched ports, this phone is perfect for mid-level or call center employees.

The D40 is a budget friendly 2-line IP Phone with a 3.5in backlit LCD. With its dual 10/100 switched PoE Ethernet ports, full duplex speakerphone, and 4 feature keys as well as access to Advanced Phone applications through the context sensitive softkeys, this phone is a perfect fit for just about any light to medium phone traffic office worker.

Availability?

So here is the ugly part…. Now that we are all hyped up and ready to try these phones out, they will not be available for shipping until April 2012. You can place your preorders now, though and as soon as we get some, we will send them out to you!

First Look: New Grandstream HT701 Analog Telephone Adapter

February 1, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

What is it?

The Grandstream HT701 is the next generation of analog telephone adapters (ATA) that’s designed primarily for VoIP users at home and on the road.

The new HT701 is replacing Grandstream’s HT286 ATA.

What does it do?

The Grandstream HT701 ATA adds T.38 protocol for managing faxes over your IP network. Other main features include:

Ultra compact design (.98in H x 2.6in W x 3.38in L) with ultra-affordability.
Support 5 REN over up to 1km on 24 AWG line.
Caller ID for various countries, call waiting, do-no-disturb, 3-way conference, transfer, forward, message waiting, T.38 fax, flexible dial plan, multi-language voice prompt.
Voice codec support including G.711 with Annex I/II, G.729A/B, G.723.1, iLBC, G.726.
Strong encryption and security protection of your voice and data privacy using TLS/SRTP/HTTPS plus secure and automated provisioning using TR069, HTTP/HTTPS/TFTP and AES encryption.

Who is it for?

The HT701 ATA is great if you have a single analog phone line that you’d like to convert to VoIP usage for your home or small to medium business (SMB).

In addition to that, if you are a telecommuter you’ll appreciate the HT701’s compact design for travelling and the inexpensive way this device allows conversion of standard analog phones, fax machines, and even conference phones to grant you access to IP-based phone services.

Availability?

We have a limited number of units available for pre-order with general availability expected to occur in a few weeks.

Download

Grandstream HT701 Datasheet

How is BYOD VoIP Service Used?

January 28, 2012 by Garrett Smith

In Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) VoIP service, you’re allowed to use a previously existing SIP phone system as the hardware through which you run your new VoIP provider.

This process can save you a lot of time, a lot of hassle, and certainly a lot of money – which is what makes it attractive to both businesses and individuals alike.

But too many people stop at this definition and never act on it, acquiring their own BYOD VoIP service.

Why is that?

We simply believe that it’s because too few people even know how to use BYOD. That’s why we’ll provide the solution for that problem in just a few quick steps.

(more…)

Customers Left Unsatisfied by VoIP Supply

January 24, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

The effort we put in to forming a great customer experience made it unfortunate to learn that, yes, there are customers left unsatisfied by VoIP Supply; three percent of them.

Results showed that 97% of our customers are likely or very likely to buy from VoIP Supply again.

We’re very happy to share that a recent customer experience survey revealed extraordinary customer loyalty due to VoIP Supply’s:

Product Availability
Price
Expertise

VoIP Supply’s Survey Says…

In December 2011 VoIP Supply conducted a customer satisfaction survey of more than 500 of our customers. From the results of that survey we were flattered to learn of a fantastic amount of appreciation that our customers have for our efforts.

The Numbers:

98 Percent: The number of customers likely or very likely to recommend VoIP Supply to colleagues or other businesses.
97 Percent: The number likely or very likely to purchase from VoIP Supply again.
87 Percent: 87% of customers report an exceptional or above average experience with VoIP Supply.
Half: Half of the customers consider VoIP Supply literally the best in the industry.

How did VoIP Supply garner such astonishing customer loyalty? Survey respondents cited a number of reasons, chief among them include product availability (81%), price (76%), and more than half value our customer service and expertise.

“Our number one goal at VoIP Supply is to provide outstanding service to all of our customers throughout their experience,” said Benjamin P. Sayers, President and CEO of VoIP Supply. “I am really pleased at the strong degree of satisfaction our customers have for all we do. We will continue to strive to always exceed their expectations.”

What is "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) VoIP?

January 23, 2012 by Garrett Smith

A lot of us (those of us who are at least 21, anyway) are fans of hosting parties that say “bring your own beer,” because the pressure is taken off us to provide the libations for the Sunday football game. This isn’t such a great prospect for the partygoer, of course, who is forced to essentially pay for their own drinks to attend a party.

That’s not how it works in VoIP. Bring Your Own Device VoIP often helps the person bringing the device by saving them money on hardware they don’t have to buy from their new VoIP provider. Are we getting ahead of you yet?

If so, keep on reading and you’ll know exactly how a Bring Your Own Device program can save you and your company a nice chunk of change.

What Does it Mean?

Let’s say you’re about to sign up to a VoIP plan for your business and you’re excited about how easy it will make your phone systems. That’s great – but you realize that something’s missing: the actual phone hardware from which you plan on making your company calls. (more…)

Wireless VoIP Office Systems

January 21, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Note: This is the first installment in a three part series.

Like most people you’re probably accustomed to using a cell phone. So, why not have that same freedom of movement in the workplace?

Mobility is one of the major benefits of a Wireless VoIP solution.

However, wireless VoIP is not as mature as cellular technology so best practice is to have reasonable expectations of what to expect from these types of systems.

How Does Wireless VoIP Work?

Wireless VoIP, as the term suggests, is a VoIP phone freeing you from the constraints of wires. It is similar in fit, finish and functionality to traditional VoIP phones expect that on the wireless versions, the Ethernet port on the phone is not required to connect to your LAN or your computer for VoIP phone service.

A wireless VoIP Phone is a VoIP Phone with a built-in Wi-Fi or DECT transceiver unit that connects to an access point or base station. This allows you to move freely around your home and or office while on a call. You can even send and receive calls at a wireless hot spot.

Wireless VoIP allows you and your employees to:

(more…)

Guest Post: When to Chose DECT over Wi-Fi – Part III

January 20, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Note: This is a guest post by James Kander, North American Sales Manager for Polycom KIRK, and is the final installment in a three part series. Click here for Part I and Part II.

Completing this series on when to choose DECT over Wi-Fi, Jim Kander, North American Sales Manager for the Polycom KIRK line, joins us one last time to provide you with the best practices for installation and advice on things you need to make sure you do and things you should be sure to avoid.

To recap, Part I of this series helped users distinguish the differences between DECT (Polyom KIRK ) and Wi-Fi (Polycom SpectraLink) and Part II outlined what’s needed to make the solution work.

Site Surveys Key to Wireless Installation

VoIP Supply: Jim, you’ve cleared up the vagaries between DECT and Wi-Fi and provided a short list of necessary system components. Now how do we get this thing to work?

Can you tell our reader what the best practices are for installing a wireless VoIP system?

James Kander, Polycom: When dealing with RF [radio frequency], every site is unique. Radio coverage depends on a variety of factors such as:

Building architecture
Construction materials
Number of users and usage pattern
Traffic distribution

A floor plan can be submitted to Polycom for an estimate of the base station number and placement. Deployment kits are available from Polycom to perform a thorough site survey prior to installation/turn up.

Each handset is equipped with a built in site survey which allows users to see signal strength, packet loss, channel utilization and other tools for troubleshooting.

LifeSize Software Updates for ClearSea and Connections

January 17, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

LifeSize_logo Several LifeSize product updates and availability have been released.

ClearSea

LifeSize ClearSea, the enterprise class client/server video collaboration solution for remote and mobile users, can now be updated to Sofware Version 2.0.12 that includes support for:

Customizable banner image in mobile clients.
New server-side contacts search and improved LDAP integration.
Stability fixes.

Connections Compatibility

LifeSize Connections with the latest Software Version 4.9 update will now work with:

LifeSize Express 220
LifeSize Team 220
LifeSize Passport

If you have either the LifeSize 220 Series or Passport video systems you must download Version 4.9 to take advantage of Connections.

Passport Connect Now Available

LifeSize Passport Connect is now available. Passport Connect is a revolutionary HD video system optimized for cloud-based solutions, and when paired with LifeSize® Connections, provides:

Auto-provisioning and seamless firewall traversal.
Intuitive user interface with name-based dialing.
Presence icons and search functionality.