Polycom RealConnect Service Supports Microsoft Teams Now!

July 18, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

After being acquired by Plantronics earlier this month, Polycom recently announced that their Polycom RealConnect Service now supports Microsoft Teams, a digital hub that brings conversations, content, and apps together in one place (including Skype for Business).

Polycom continues to expand its portfolio of audio and video solutions for Microsoft Teams. Polycom Trio and Polycom MSR Skype Room System both support Microsoft Teams as well. This really shows Polycom’s commitment to Microsoft solutions.

“Polycom is going ‘all in’ to create the best Microsoft Teams experiences across a full and growing range of communications devices and solutions, and something I see expanding to the full Plantronics family of solutions,” said Joe Burton, president and chief executive officer, Plantronics.

What Polycom Products Support Microsoft Teams Now?

Polycom RealConnect will support Microsoft Teams meetings. Users will be able to meet Microsoft Team users in video and share content.
Polycom Trio supports Microsoft Teams meetings and calls by running the Teams application for phones, offering a consistent user experience.
Polycom MSR (Polycom’s Skype Room System) supports Microsoft Teams video meetings.

Learn more about Polycom phones here.

This is an exciting breakthrough from Polycom solutions! We look forward to see more seamless integrations from our partners in the future.

VoIP Hardware Roundup July 2018: AND Smart IP Button, Snom D120, and more!

July 16, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

It’s time to wrap up what new VoIP hardware we have this month again! Last month, we introduced a couple new IP phones and an expansion module from VTech and Grandstream. This July, we have a lot more interesting new innovations from some of our top brands. Let’s take a peek!

Advanced Network Devices Smart IP Button

What is a Smart IP Button (IPBTN)? It’s a device that allows you to instantly make a call to a preset phone/ extension or trigger an alert such as a lockdown message with just a simple push on the button!

The Smart IP Button connects to your existing data networks with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and you can easily mount it under a table, desk, or in any discrete location for emergency use!

IPBTN comes in handy or even saves lives for many facilities in need of mass notification functionality, including education, healthcare, banking, government, and more. This device comes in two versions, with and without InformaCast, an emergency mass notification system that sends critical messages to on-premises devices and mobile users.

See Datasheet Here!

Easy to use
Connect the button directly to the network with a standard network cable
HTTP support
SIP enabled

Snom D120 Entry Level Desk Phone

Looking for a basic VoIP phone that simply works? You have more options now! Snom just released their latest entry-level addition to Snom’s D-series IP phones: The D120.

This is a fundamental telephony designed for large installations in hotels or healthcare locations. The straightforward design and features really captured many of our customers’ hearts! The D120 will begin shipping in early August.

Learn more in the datasheet.

2 SIP identities
Low power consumption (PoE)
Backlit graphical display
360° degree call/message indicator
4 context-sensitive function keys + 5 function keys

Plantronics Calisto 7200 Bluetooth Speakerphone

Enjoy a 360-degree microphone coverage with Plantronics Calisto 7200 speakerphone! This new innovation from Plantronics draws a lot of attention from small conferencing users who demand crystal-clear audio.

The Calisto 7200 features USB and Bluetooth connectivity and active background noise reduction with acoustic echo cancellation. The touch-sensitive controls make it so easy to answer/end and mute your calls. Learn more here!

Volume on PC or smartphone
PC wideband audio and digital signal processing (DSP)
Plantronics Manager Pro software-as-a-service

See datasheet here.

Grandstream Wave Free Softphone Application

by Steve Lopian

It’s safe to say that Grandstream has become a very popular name in the VoIP community and their catalog of products continues to grow. Grandstream is continually releasing new products like PBX’s, IP phones, gateways, door cameras and even cordless VoIP phones!

But one thing that we feel may be flying too low on everyone’s radar is their free (yes free) softphone application! The Grandstream Wave.

If your business is already using Grandstream products, and you have an office that is always on the go, then you are going to want to watch this video!

Having this application on your Apple or Android device allows you to take your desk phone with you wherever you go! It’s easy to use and packed with features!

Our senior VoIP expert Brian Hyrek took some time out of his day to sit down in the lab and play around with the Grandstream Wave and he had nothing but great things to say! Most notably, Brian was impressed with how easy the application was to use!

So, if you are already setup and using a Grandstream PBX, then take a look at this review video for a quick overview of its user interface and functionality!

Do you already use the Grandstream Wave? Or do you prefer a different softphone application? Let us know in the comments!

Microsoft Releases the Free Version of Microsoft Teams to Compete with Slack

July 13, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

Microsoft Corporation announced that they will release a free version of Microsoft Teams to compete with Slack, a free app pioneer that allows users to try before upgrading them to a paid version.

This free version of Teams is intent to attract small firms and groups of coworkers who don’t want to pay for the commercial Office 365 subscriptions, at least initially.

What does the free version of Microsoft Teams offer?

The free version is available in 40 languages and it supports up to 300 users, unlimited chat messages and search capabilities with 10GB of team file storage plus 2GB per person for personal storage.

Once the free version of Teams upgrades to paid Office 365 plans, users will get more storage and access to more of Microsoft’s cloud-based apps.

The free version also offers:

Built-in audio and video conferencing for individuals, groups, and full teams
Integrated Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote apps
Unlimited integrations with more than 140 business apps such as Evernote and Trello

Is Microsoft Teams free version for my business?

The free version of Microsoft Teams certainly is appealing, but you would want to make sure that the free version is enough for your business!

Remember, there are other VoIP service options that don’t cost that much but will ensure you have all the functionalities your business needs. Contact our VoIP experts at 1-800-398-8647 for a free consultation today to discuss further!

Plantronics Clarity 340 Is going End of Life (EoL) Immediately

by Ying-Hui Chen

Plantronics today announced that their Clarity 340 handset is going end of life effective immediately. This UC handset is ideal for enterprise workers who face collaboration issues due to hearing, vision, or dexterity challenges. For non-headset users, the Clarity 340 utilizes the power of PC communications and allows users who are specifically focused on making phone calls to connect via USB for the ultimate softphone solution.

Amplified 40dB audio with DCP digital sound processing
Built-in, full duplex speakerphone for high-quality audio with hands-free convenience
Easy to read color display screen
Standard 12-key telephone dial pad with a mute button

If you are interested in the Clarity 340, call our VoIP consultants at 1-800-398-8647 for pricing and availability!

What’s the replacement for the Clarity 340

For those who are searching for a replacement, we recommend the Calisto 240, a portable USB handset for PC communications. This device has wideband audio and a noise-canceling microphone in a familiar handset design.

LCD screen for easy call ID viewing and menu navigation
Wideband and noise-canceling microphone offer the best PC audio available
Built-in, full duplex personal speakerphone
SoundGuard provides protection against audio spikes

Broadvoice Named 2018 Unified Communications Product of the Year Winner

July 12, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

Broadvoice, an award-winning provider of hosted voice, unified communications (UC) and SIP Trunking services for businesses, announced that Broadvoice b-hive has been awarded a 2018 Unified Communications Product of the Year!

“It gives me great pleasure to honor Broadvoice as a 2018 recipient of TMC’s Unified Communications Product of the Year Award for its innovative product, Broadvoice b-hive,” said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. “Our judges were very impressed with the ingenuity and excellence displayed by Broadvoice and its groundbreaking work on the b-hive solution.”

Broadvoice b-hive is a Unified-Communications-as-a-Service (UCaaS) and virtual contact center platform, which delivers cloud communications capabilities to small and medium businesses. This unique UC solution brings together powerful cloud PBX, UC and collaboration features with the virtual contact center in one platform that’s connected to Broadvoice’s secure, redundant network and hosting infrastructure.

Congratulations Broadvoice, we are very excited about this great news! If you’d like to learn more about Broadvoice solutions, visit Broadvice’s page or contact our VoIP experts at 1-800-398-8647 today!

Spectralink WiFi Phones Solve your Healthcare Communication Challenges

July 11, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

Communication is at the heart of patient-centered health care. Without a dedicated communication system, many hospitals and clinics struggle to provide the best care possible to their patients effectively. That’s where Spectralink Clinical Devices come into play!

Spectralink’s WiFi phones have helped many healthcare providers like yours solve communication challenges. Here are three of the most common ones that we address:

SIP phones vs VoIP phones: What’s the difference?

by Ying-Hui Chen

Our tech support team at VoIP Supply offers great pre- and post-sales support plus provisioning, consultations, configuration, and installation help. We get a lot of VoIP hardware and software questions and would like to share the solutions with everyone.

In previous Mom’s calling Q&A series, we have discussed: How to eliminate static on my Plantronics Savi W740. Today, we have more new real questions and answers from VoIP users just like you.

What’s the Difference Between SIP phones and VoIP phones?

Q: I am not very familiar with SIP phones vs VOIP phones. Is VoIP phone designed to work independently, or as a handset for a softphone? Could a VoIP phone work autonomously without the need for direct connection to a computer?

Unfortunately, the issue we are experiencing with our currentPolycom phones is that they are basically too intelligent! Our staff daily even sometimes hours switch stations. and currently, they are having to re-verify credentials when they log into a new station so they can pair with the associated phone

A: SIP and VoIP are synonymous to a degree. All SIP is VoIP but not all VoIP is SIP. SIP is a particular protocol. There are more protocols that are VoIP. Skype for Business is a prime example. Skype is not SIP, that is why we specify a device for Skype for Business.

Yes, for sure! A workstation computer does not control the call, the PBX does.

STAY TUNED

Come back for more VoIP questions and answers next time! If you have VoIP questions to ask us, please submit a technical support ticket or contact our VoIP experts today at (866) 582-8591

[Podcast] VoIP Fulfillment and Provisioning with VoIP Supply

July 9, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

We are featured in the Telecom Reseller Podcast again! This month, our Channel Manager, Don Stefanie, talks about how VoIP Supply offers provisioning services that saves VARs, service providers and customers time and money. Listen to the podcast and learn more about the VoIP Supply’s provisioning service now!

VoIP Supply’s provisioning service includes PBX provisioning, system configuration, PCI card configuration, wireless access point configuration and installation, and much more! Here are just some of the benefits you can enjoy from provisioning with the VoIP Supply team:

Prevent out of the box failure and major customer disappointments with comprehensive tests
Offer better and more successful installations to be competitive – just like other bigger players
Save your valuable time and money to focus on growing your core business

Learn more about VoIP provisioning service here.

Plantronics Completed the 2 Billion Polycom Acquisition

July 3, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

Back in late March this year, Plantronics announced the acquisition of Polycom, a multinational VoIP provider for video, voice, and content communication collaboration. Today, Plantronics finally completed this 2 billion acquisition deal, with approximately $1.6 billion in cash and 6.35 million Plantronics shares.

The combined company offers integrated solutions including headsets, software, desk phones, video and audio conferencing solutions and more.

We are thrilled to hear this news and looking forward to seeing how this partnership will benefit more VoIP users! Learn more about Polycom and Plantronics here.

Polycom RealConnect Service Supports Microsoft Teams Now!

VoIP Hardware Roundup July 2018: AND Smart IP Button, Snom D120, and more!

Advanced Network Devices Smart IP Button

Snom D120 Entry Level Desk Phone

Plantronics Calisto 7200 Bluetooth Speakerphone

Grandstream Wave Free Softphone Application

Microsoft Releases the Free Version of Microsoft Teams to Compete with Slack

What does the free version of Microsoft Teams offer?

Is Microsoft Teams free version for my business?

Plantronics Clarity 340 Is going End of Life (EoL) Immediately

What’s the replacement for the Clarity 340

Broadvoice Named 2018 Unified Communications Product of the Year Winner

Spectralink WiFi Phones Solve your Healthcare Communication Challenges

Top 3 Healthcare Communication Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: Retrieving patient records is a time-consuming process

Challenge 2: Personal smartphone use increases potential security risks

Challenge 3: Lack of efficient team coordination

More Unique Features from Spectralink PIVOT Series:

SIP phones vs VoIP phones: What’s the difference?

What’s the Difference Between SIP phones and VoIP phones?

STAY TUNED

[Podcast] VoIP Fulfillment and Provisioning with VoIP Supply

Plantronics Completed the 2 Billion Polycom Acquisition

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