New VoIP Hardware for Small Offices – November 2020

November 17, 2020 by Ying-Hui Chen

Time to check out the new VoIP hardware this November! This month, we have several compact but powerful VoIP hardware designed for remote workers and small offices. Here are some highlights:

Grandstream’s GVC3121 Video Conferencing Endpoint

The GVC3212 is a compact and affordable HD video conferencing unit designed for remote workers and small conference room settings

The GVC3212 endpoint pairs perfectly with Grandstream IPVideoTalk Meeting plans, an online conferencing platform that allows you to host meetings that can be joined on nearly any device including mobile, PCs, and laptops. The GVC3212 is coming soon. See our product page to learn more!

Key Features

Advances camera with megapixel CMOS sensor, 60 FOV wide-angle lens
Integrated dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Dual-microphones with 3-meter pickup distance and advanced acoustic echo cancellation noise shield
technology
Support for Miracast and AirPlay wireless content sharing
Integrated 1x HDMI and 2x USB ports

ADTRAN’s NetVanta 1500 Series Switches

The Adtran NetVanta 1500 Series Gigabit Ethernet Switches supply a higher bandwidth to corporate office LANs supporting the most-demanding bandwidth application. Choose from 12-port, 28-port or 48-port with an optional Power-over-Ethernet for the Adtran NetVanta 1500 series Switches.

Standards-based for ease of interoperability
User-friendly setup for faster deployments
Optimized for iSCSI Storage Area Networks (SANs) deployments
Limited Lifetime Warranty

Patton’s SN500 eSBC and Router

The Patton SmartNode 500 eSBC and Router is the smallest SBC device in theis the world! Designed for small/home offices and small to medium enterprises, the SN500 supports 4 to 30 concurrent SIP calls. The SN500 provides protection to your network, as well as call-quality assurance for ALL-IP business communications.

Key Features:

2 x Ethernet 10/100/1000Base-T
4 SIP Sessions no RTP transcoding (SIP b2b UA) upgradeable
Patton Cloud Orchestrated Advanced CDRs and Call Quality Metrics**
Up to 30** SIP to SIP calls
Desktop or wall mountable

That’s not all! Visit our website to see more new VoIP hardware.

Grandstream’s UCM6300 Ecosystem Overview

November 13, 2020 by Ying-Hui Chen

Have you checked out Grandstream’s new UCM6300 series high-end UC solution? Grandstream and VoIP Supply co-hosted a UCM Ecosystem webinar this month to give you an inside scoop of this latest innovation from Grandstream. Let’s check out some key highlights:

Download our webinar presentation slides here to learn more!

What is UCM6300 Ecosystem?

The UCM6300 Ecosystem pairs together the customizability and control of an on-premise IP PBX with the remote-access and flexibility of a cloud solution to provide an easy-to-manage hybrid communication platform for businesses of all sizes.

Four UCM6300 Appliances

The UCM6300 series provides a high-end unified communications solution packed with an ecosystem of mobility, security, video and collaboration tools. This series of UC Appliances provide a platform that unifies all business communications on one centralized network, including:

Voice
Video
- Calling
- Conferences
- Surveillance
Remote Working

The UCM6300 series is composed of 4 different models, to adjust to the requirements of each organization, including the UCM6301, UCM6302, UCM6304, and the UCM6308.

See a comparison chart:

All UCM6300 Series appliances are manageable from Grandstream’s cloud-based platform GDMS (Grandstream Device Management System). Users are able to easily configure, monitor and troubleshoot their Grandstream collaboration solutions from a single interface.

Check out this solution diagram below for an overview:

Grandstream WAVE

Grandstream Wave, a mobile and desktop app that provides remote voice and video collaboration tools, works perfectly with Grandstream’s UCM6300 series. Enjoy an easy-to-use platform to join, schedule and hold meetings, calls and conferences from anywhere!

UCM Remote Connect

UCM RemoteConnect allows businesses to easily build a secure collaboration solution for remote workers. It offers a companion cloud service for the UCM6300 series that provides always-on, automatic NAT firewall traversal to ensure secure connections by remote users.

And that’s not all! Grandstream’s UCM6300 series has a lot of potential awaiting your discovery. Visit our product page or contact one of our VoIP solutions consultants to learn more!

Build a Virtual Lobby with Mobotix Cameras

November 12, 2020 by Ying-Hui Chen

Imagine a lobby with no receptionist and all your visitors will be greeted or contacted automatically when they walk in. This is the future of a virtual lobby that’s secure, efficient, and cost-effective. With one single PoE cable, Mobotix’s IP cameras provide your clients with a device that will:

Make announcements based on events.
Make a phone call to the back with a recorded message announcing a visitor
Act as an intercom through the camera mic/speaker
Send an email with a snapshot of the visitor for records
All while recording video for security right onto the SD Card. No NVR or server needed.
If compatible with the Multi-Sense accessory, then it can also protect and send alerts based on:
- Noise, such as glass breaking
- Light – flashlights or lights after hours
- Motion to send an intrusion alert via email / call to security.

3 Mobotix Cameras to Build a Virtual Lobby:

Mobotix c26B Indoor 360° Wall Camera: a complete video system for ceiling installations. This small and light, but reliable camera offers a complete hemispheric view and can be used with a night or day sensor.
Mobotix i26B Indoor Wall Camera: a compact and discreet security system specially designed for wall installations. The i26B has a 15 tilt angle that gives your clients an overview of the room. When used with a 180 lens, a single i26 can be used to monitor an entire room. Its design allows it to be inconspicuous in any room.
Mobotix p26B Indoor 360° Wall Camera: an indoor camera that can be installed with 2-way communication with audio and speaker for announcements. The p26B is available in various sensor and lens options including a 180° fisheye lens or a 103° ultra-wide-angle lens.

Contact one of our VoIP consultants at 1-800-398-8647 to learn more about Mobotix’s security cameras!

How to Lock and Unlock The Fanvil Phone Keyboard

November 11, 2020 by Ying-Hui Chen

Locking your Fanvil IP phone keyboard can be handy when you want to avoid hitting the wrong keys during an important call. Today we will take Fanvil’s X4U IP Phone as an example and show you how to lock and unlock the Fanvil keyboard easily.

How to Lock and Unlock the Fanvil X4U IP Phone Keyboard

To lock your Fanvil X4U IP phone:

First long-press the “#” key for 3 seconds
You will see the message “Your keyboard is locked” displayed on your phone screen

To unlock your Fanvil X4U IP phone:

Repeat the same action: long-press the “#” key for 3 seconds
Now the phone will ask you to put in a password
The default password for this is “123”. Note that this password can be configured and altered.
Once you entered the password, press “OK”
Now you will see a message “Unlocked” on your screen

How to Configure Fanvil Phone Keyboard Lock Settings

Note that the keyboard lock feature is available on the older Fanvil models by pressing the “#” key. It is also available on Fanvil’s latest phones, the XU Series, X7 series, X210. However, the keyboard lock feature is not enabled by default on the new models, users will have to do the following:

Go into the Fanvil phone GUI
Go to phone settings
Advance Tab
Adjust Keyboard lock settings, from where you will have the option to set your own password

There you have it! Have you successfully locked and/or unlocked your Fanvil phone?

Visit our website or see Fanvil’s user manual here to learn more: ttps://www.fanvil.com/Uploads/Temp/download/20200824/5f438b6cbf5b2.pdf

What are the Differences Between Traditional WAN and SD-WAN?

November 9, 2020 by Ying-Hui Chen

Are you facing issues with your existing communication infrastructure? Are you looking to cut down more costs? It’s time to consider the benefits of SD-WAN!

Traditionally, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is an effective way to ensure reliable connections for real-time applications. MPLS is an overlay technique designed to improve performance for branch offices, metro services, and other multi-branch enterprises that require quality of service (QoS) for real-time applications.

However, as businesses grow, MPLS becomes more limited and expensive and that’s where SD-WAN comes into play!

Traditional WAN vs SD-WAN – What are the differences?

Here we will focus on three main differences:

Quality

Unlike the traditional WAN, SD-WAN senses the quality of all your connections and routes the traffic to the best path to optimize your call quality and make sure your communication system is up and running smoothly at all times.

Also, SD-WAN is a cloud-based service that gives office workers direct access to the cloud; whereas a traditional WAN routes the traffic to a data center or headquarter.

Costs

The traditional WAN (multi-protocol label switching) requires leased lines from the same provider. These leased or dedicated lines are expensive. You can use SD-WAN to augment an existing MPLS connection or discard it all together which will generate significant savings!s for your business.

Coverage

With traditional WAN, when a business expands into new markets, it’s hard to find a provider that provides global coverage. Businesses would need to work with multiple providers and partners to stitch the coverage together by themselves.

SD-WAN, on the other hand, is a feature on services like SimpleWAN that can be utilized on their cloud-based controller, providing a simple sight picture of your entire network no matter how many branches you have, where they are located, or how far they are from each other.

Read here to learn more: 4 Ways How SD-WAN Makes Your Business Voice Better

What is a softphone? How does it work?

by Ying-Hui Chen

If you travel a lot or work offsite frequently and you haven’t heard about softphones, you are really missing out!

What is a softphone?

A Softphone is a software-based application that is usually available as an app on your smartphone or PC. It is mostly used as the main phone or an extension of a desk phone.

Softphones have become a more popular solution to remote workers as it eliminates the need to carry a physical phone with you when you work offsite. It is also a more efficient and convenient solution to connect onsite and offsite workers.

Read here to learn more: Why Using Softphones Is a Better Solution for Remote Workers

How Does a Softphone Work?

There are two main forms of softphones: Desktop softphones and mobile softphones.

Desktop softphones allow users to access UC features right from their computers without a desk phone. Simply download a dedicated app from your computer, features like chats, visual voicemail, document sharing, and more will all be available to you.

Mobile softphones give you the ability to connect with your team through your mobile phone. Through a dedicated softphone app on your cell phone, you will be able to call, forward calls, receive voicemail and chat with coworkers just like using a desk phone in the office.

What are the Softphone Options on the Market?

Many VoIP service providers now provide a softphone option with no additional fees. Once you purchase the service subscription, you can download the softphone application at no charge.

With the softphone, you will be able to take advantage of all the phone features you expect from a desk phone through an app. Here are a few examples:

There are also stand-alone softphone options like ZoiPer, a softphone solution that’s compatible with several VoIP service providers and PBXs including Asterisk, Freeswitch, 3CX, and more.

Check out these 20 Free Softphone Options available to you here!

New! Sangoma Switchvox 7.6.1 is Now Available!

November 3, 2020 by Ying-Hui Chen

Sangoma announced that the newest version of Switchvox 7.6.1 is released for all active subscribers starting from November 4th, 2020! Request access and begin using Switchvox 7.6.1 is highly encouraged.

What’s New with Switchvox 7.6.1?

SIPStation Wholesale SIP Trunking Integration: Support for SIPStation Wholesale SIP Trunking with an easy-to-use tool and process for attaching an SMS DID to an extension.
SMS: Expanded support for SMS carrier options for SIP Trunking wholesalers and Switchvox end users.
Chat: Switchboard Chat Widget is no longer available. Download and use the Desktop Softphone and transition your team to using the app. See Switchvox Chat Transitions to the Desktop Softphone.
More Issues Fixed: Permanent fix for the self-signed root certificate issue. See More updates here: Updating to Switchvox 7.6.1.

Learn more about Switchvox on our website or simply call one of our VoIP experts at 1-800-398-8647!

3CX V16, Update 7 Alpha Integrates Facebook and SMS Messaging!

November 2, 2020 by Ying-Hui Chen

Did you hear this? 3CX’s new update 7 Alpha now supports Facebook integration and SMS messaging! This version also comes with new improvements to 3CX Live Chat including:

One central location for SMS, FB and Live Chat messages.
Easy search and filtering of chat conversations.
Messages received via Facebook, SMS or Live Chat are linked to your CRM.
New chat reporting including chat performance and abandoned chat reports.
Queue manager capabilities extended to monitor / whisper during live chat.

Let’s look at some details:

Facebook and SMS Integration

Users are able to reply to their Facebook business messages and business text messages via the chat feature included in the 3CX web client and smartphone apps. The web client allows you to compose messages to a contact or internal user group. Easily distinguish between SMS, Live Chat and Facebook messages with an icon indicator.

With this new integration, users are enabled to manage multiple channels under one platform and set up queue-based/ group handing of chats for auto-assign messages. This way, you will make sure all chats are being answered in a timely manner.

More Improvements

Integration with CRM: The server automatically checks for a matching entry against personal/company contacts, CRM or Microsoft 365.
Updated live chatbox: A refreshed UI together with improvements in security and functionality.
New Chat Reports:

Queue chat performance: Identify the performance of queues for a specified date range to help you adjust agent scheduling and capacity.
Queue Agents Chat Statistics: Check statistics of specific agents in any queue for a specified date range
Abandoned Chats: Lists unanswered messages on the various channels.
Extended Queue Manager: New feature that allows you to access active agents’ conversations.

Join our 3CX Boot Camp webinar to learn more 3CX updates!

Why Using Softphones Is a Better Solution for Remote Workers

October 29, 2020 by Ying-Hui Chen

About two-thirds of U.S. employees are working remotely during this unprecedented pandemic. Is your phone system equipped to accommodate these remote workers?

Obviously, a deskphone sitting in the office won’t help the employees who work offsite; so what options and tools are available to keep these employees safe and productive at the same time?

Using Personal Devices

Using personal communication devices such as your own mobile phone sounds like a no-brainer, however, these personal devices may not be the best in regards to security, productivity and more.

Using a Deskphone at Home

Yes, of course taking your deskphone with you may be a good choice for some. Once set up, you are able to work as if you were in the office. However, for employees that work in multiple locations or work only part time remotely, traveling with a physical phone can be cumbersome!

5 Benefits of Using Softphones Anywhere you go

A softphone is a software application that gives you access to the same phone system and features you use at work from anywhere from your PC or smartphone rather than a physical phone.

Flexibility: A softphone enables you to work from anywhere you want, as long as you have Internet access and your PC or mobile device.
Security: Using a softphone is much more secure than using your own cell phone. For example, you would be able to separate your personal and work numbers, keeping your personal information secure.
Productivity: Access to the same phone features you are familiar with and work as if you were right in the office! You won’t need to sacrifice productivity to flexibility.
Consistency: When your team uses the same softphone, this makes it easier to manage your communications. Whether your team member works at home or in the office, they are able to stay connected at the same platform.
Virtual Meetings: Hosting a video conference is easy with a softphone. Meet with your customers or teams easily online with your phone or computer.

What Softphone Options Are Available?

VoIP Supply carries multiple top-brand softphones, including Broadvoice, OnSIP, Switchvox Mobile, 3CX WebMeeting, Nextiva Desktop App, and more.

Call one of our VoIP experts at 1-800-398-8647 to explore the best softphone solutions for your business today!

How To Become Compliant With Kari’s Law with Sangoma’s Phone Systems

October 27, 2020 by Ying-Hui Chen

As the federal version of Kari’s law went into effect on February 16th, 2020, everyone is paying closer attention to this complex but crucial topic. Today we will look at how Sangoma’s FreePBX can help you become compliant with Kari’s Law.

What is Kari’s Law?

Kari’s Law is created to ensure that everyone in distress can reach a public-safety answering point (PSAP) by dialing 911, with no need to dial a prefix such as 1 or 9 to get to an external line.

Who needs to be compliant with Kari’s Law?

If you manufactured, imported, or offered business phone systems for sale or lease, first sold or leased, or installed after February 16th, 2020, then you are required to follow Kari’s Law now.

Kari’s Law also requires that notification of these emergency calls is being made and sent to a central location where the phone system is installed.

How to Become Compliant with Kari’s Law

Both Sangoma’s on-premise phone systems and hosted PBX systems (FreePBX, PBXact, and Switchvox) are compliant with the location requirement and Kari’s Law. These phone systems require that the customer provide their location during the initial setup process of the phone system.

Configure the dial plan and notification system

The on-prem phone system admin and/or user needs to configure the dial plan to enable the direct E911 dial. If you are using Sangoma’s SIPStation SIP Trunking solution, you can also provide a method of updating their location by completing an online form.

For PBXact Cloud users to comply with the notification requirements, users will need an end-user admin (or the Sangoma partner) to configure the system and provide notification of these 911 calls to other onsite staff.

Visit this page to learn more about Kari’s Law and Ray Baum compliance or simply call one of our VoIP consultants at 1-800-398-8647!