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.

Downloads

First Look: Polycom VVX 500 Business Media Phone Review

January 16, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Unified Communications (UC) touts universal access across all mediums so why not have a little interface unity across those devices?

The Polycom VVX 500 is a sleek new HD voice VoIP phone offering a familiar touch screen experience. A touch screen experience that’s so familiar I’m confident that even my iPad toting dad can use this phone with little to no training.

Time Saver

Time saving is Polycom’s goal for the VVX 500 through a small learning curve, desktop and mobile device integration, and fingertip access to your information. The VVX 500’s 3.5 inch touch screen provides a quick look at your synced calendar, contacts, and streaming media (news, sports, weather, stocks) to give you a jump on your day while your computer boots up.

Performance

Billed as a performance business media phone, the VVX 500 targets busy workers that need a phone to keep up with their multi-tasking. Or, this phone is for anyone who really hates lag time and thinks 15 seconds for a video to load is an outrage.

The touchscreen’s response time is super-fast and very intuitive whether you’re entering data, scrolling through menus, or jumping from app to app. Navigation is tuned to resemble smartphones.

(more…)

Guest Post: When to Choose DECT over Wi-Fi – Part II

January 13, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Note: This is a guest post by James Kander, North American Sales Manager for Polycom KIRK, and is the 2nd installment in a three part series. Part I is here.

Part I of this guest post series talked about Polycom’s two wireless solutions, the Polyom KIRK (DECT) line and the Polycom SpectraLink (Wi-Fi) option including the best way for users to distinguish what the true differences between DECT and Wi-Fi are.

Following up on the previous post Jim Kander, North American Sales Manager for the Polycom KIRK line, joins us this time to talk about implementing a wireless, DECT VoIP solution.

VoIP Designers, Make It Work!

VoIP Supply: Tim Gunn is famous for telling Project Runway designers to “make it work.” We hope VoIP integrators don’t have to face the same time pressures and brutally honest judges.

Jim, what is everything our readers need to have or buy to make a wireless, DECT VoIP solution work?

James Kander, Polycom: There are four basic wireless VoIP solution components:

1. First are the wireless handsets, which are used to transmit and receive voice and data communication. The handsets transmit information to special wireless infrastructure

2. Infrastructure which includes KIRK Wireless Servers, base stations, and optional repeaters. In turn, the wireless infrastructure connects with the enterprise or hosted PBX or call control platform.

3. There are also applications that drive greater productivity for mobile workers. Examples of applications include specific alarms and text messaging. This is all enabled through our open application programming interfaces.

4. Finally, various optional accessories, including charging and carrying devices are available to maximize the functionality of the KIRK DECT solution.

Learn From My Mistakes

Coming up in the third and last installment are best practices for installation and advice on things you need to make sure you do and things you should be sure to avoid.

FaxBack asks, "Are you getting the most from VoIP Faxing?"

by Nathan Miloszewski

VoIP Supply is exited to announce that we’ve added FaxBack Fax adapters to efficiently employ VoIP faxing in your organization.

Businesses still need fax machines but they haven’t evolved with your desktop. Have you ever asked yourself why faxing can’t flow as easily as your online or computer-based applications? FaxBack is here to provide the answer.

The FaxBack Fax ATA (analog telephone adapter) will add new features to your ordinary fax machine just like VoIP added greater functionality to your phone.

With a FaxBack fax ATA’s you can now receive fax notifications via email and manage your faxes through a control panel that allows fax tracking and archiving. Even more, with FaxBack you can use any type of internet or data connection including satellite, Wi-Fi, and cellular data connections. FaxBack fax ATA’s are also HTTPS enabled making those faxes you send over satellite, Wi-Fi, or cell secure and reliable.

“FaxBack is bringing faxing into the 21^st century,” said Garrett Smith, Chief Marketing Officer at VoIP Supply. “The FaxBack Fax ATA provides great value by combining both voice and fax calls making it simple to integrate faxing into your existing networks.”

First Look: New Grandstream HT701 Analog Telephone Adapter

How is BYOD VoIP Service Used?

Customers Left Unsatisfied by VoIP Supply

VoIP Supply’s Survey Says…

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

What Does it Mean?

Wireless VoIP Office Systems

How Does Wireless VoIP Work?

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

Site Surveys Key to Wireless Installation

LifeSize Software Updates for ClearSea and Connections

ClearSea

Connections Compatibility

Passport Connect Now Available

Downloads

First Look: Polycom VVX 500 Business Media Phone Review

Time Saver

Performance

Guest Post: When to Choose DECT over Wi-Fi – Part II

VoIP Designers, Make It Work!

Learn From My Mistakes

FaxBack asks, "Are you getting the most from VoIP Faxing?"

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