Digium A-Series Review: Affordable, High Quality IP Phones

May 3, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

Digium’s A-Series is a line of Asterisk-based deskphone systems designed with high-quality components. The A-Series includes 4 IP Phones: the A20, the A22, the A25, and the A30. Each model includes a full-color display, HD Voice, and multi-line functionality. Let’s take a closer look at them with Marc in the video below:

Entry Level A-Series VoIP Phones: The A20 vs The A22

Digium A20 IP Phone is an entry-level value phone with a 2.8-inch full-color display, 2 line registrations, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and 10/100BASE-T network ports. If the phone is going to be standalone, the A20 is all you need for any kinds of voice communication.

  • 2.8 inch backlit color LCD display
  • 2 line appearance keys
  • 1 feature key
  • 4 context-sensitive soft keys
  • 5-way navigation controller

The Digium A22 is another great choice for entry-level professionals. Very similar to the A20, the A22 supports  2 line registrations, 1 feature key, a 2.8-inch full-color display, and PoE. The main difference between the two entry-level phones is that the A22 supports a Gigabit port while the A20 only supports a 10/100 port. If you are connecting your PC to your phone, you will want to consider the A22 Gigabit IP phone!

  • 2.8 inch backlit color LCD display
  • 2 line appearance keys
  • 1 feature key
  • 4 context-sensitive soft keys

 

Mid-Level Professional VoIP Phone: The A25

If you are looking for a mid-level VoIP phone with more support, the A25 Gigabit phone can fit in just right! The A25 also gives you a Gigabit port like the A22 but it comes with a couple more advanced features. The A25 comes with 4 line registrations, two full-color displays, 6 Rapid Dial/Busy Lamp Field (BLF) keys with up to 30 contacts, PoE, and 10/100/1000BASE-T network ports.

  • 2.8 inch backlit color main LCD display
  • 2.4 inch backlit color BLF screen LCD display
  • 4 line appearance keys
  • 6 Rapid Dial keys, up to 30 BLF entries
  • 5 feature key

Executive-Level, Gigabit VoIP Phone: the A30

Now let’s move on to the top level VoIP phone of the A-Series – the A30. Designed for executive-level users, the A30 offers a 4.3-inch full-color display which is a little larger than other predecessors, 6 line registrations, 10 Rapid Dial/Busy Lamp Field (BLF) keys with up to 45 contacts, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and also 10/100/1000BASE-T network ports.

  • 4.3 inch backlit color LCD display
  • 6 line appearance keys
  • 10 Rapid Dial keys, up to 45 BLF entries
  • 7 feature key
  • 4 context-sensitive soft keys

Check out a summary chart of the Digium A-Series phones:

See Digium A-Series Datasheet

See Digium A-Series User Guide

So there you have it! The Digium A-Series phones are attractive, professional looking VoIP phones built specifically for Asterisk. You won’t want to miss them! Check out the product page to learn more or call our VoIP experts at 1-800-398-8647 today!

Do you have one of these A-series phones? What do you think about Digium’s new A-Series phones? Share with us!

Shop the A-Series

Cisco to acquire Accompany for $270 Million

May 2, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

May 2nd, 2018 – Cisco Systems, Inc., an American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in California, announced today that they are acquiring Accompany, a business intelligence startup which uses AI to build databases of people and relationships at companies.

This acquisition will be a deal of $270 million in cash and stock and will give Cisco the ability to incorporate Accompany technology into their collaboration products.

“Amy has proven to be an effective and innovative leader through her years as an entrepreneur, an engineer, and CEO, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have her and the Accompany team join Cisco,” said Cisco chairman and CEO Chuck Robbins in the announcement.

We are excited to see where this acquisition will take Cisco and serve more customers with better communication experience!

Xorcom USA is Trade Agreements Act (TAA) Compliant!

TAA stands for “Trade Agreements Act. This act is created to foster fair and open international trade. The TAA requires that the products acquired by Government agencies under the act must be:

  • Manufactured in U.S.or a designated country 
  • Substantially transformed into a different article of commerce in the U.S. or a designated country

Xorcom USA is now Trade Agreements Act (TAA) Compliant

Xorcom’s TAA compliant products include the Xorcom Astribanks, the CompletePBX, and more! These products are made in the U.S.A and are approved to be acquired by the US Government for use.

Are you a Government agency looking for TAA compliant solutions? Check out Xorcom products today or give us a call at 1-800-398-8647 to learn more!

What would be a good replacement for the Barracuda CudaTel Box?

May 1, 2018 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: What is the Password for the RenegadePBX Pro75? Today, we have more new real questions and answers from VoIP users just like you.  

What would be a good replacement for the Barracuda Cudatel Box?

Q: I currently have a Barracuda CudaTel 270b, but they are dropping support. What would be a good replacement?

A: The UCM6204 from Grandstream would be a solid replacement. Grandstream’s UCM6200 Series IP PBX appliances are a powerful tool that can support up to 800 users and 50 SIP accounts. The Grandstream UCM6204 IP PBX supports up to 75 concurrent SIP calls and up to 35 WebRTC calls.

  • Built-in recording
  • Supports Call queue for efficient call volume management
  • Supports up to a 5-level IVR (Interactive Voice Response)
  • Dual Gigabit network ports with integrated PoE
  • Built-in Call Detail Records
  • SIP video endpoints support (H.264, H.263,H.263+)
  • See datasheet

 

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

Plantronics Voyager 6200: A Lightweight VoIP Headset for Work and Life

April 27, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

Knowing what you are getting before making that purchase is always a wise move! Today, we invited our VoIP consultant, Jon Garbin, to show you what you can expect from the Voyager 6200 UC VoIP headset. Let’s get started!

What’s Included in the Voyager 6200?

This headset comes with a travel case, Bluetooth dongle for you to pair up with your device, two different sizes earbuds (small and large), and a cradle for charging purpose.

  • A travel case
  • A Bluetooth® dongle
  • 2 extra earbuds (small and large)
  • Cradle for charging

Look & Feel of the Plantronics Voyager 6200

The first thing you will notice when trying the Voyager 6200 is that it’s super light! If you are looking for a zero-stress headset for all-day use, the 6200 will definitely be a good fit.

The Voyager 6200 is designed to use both inside and outside your workplace. Whether you are on a call with your customer in the office or you are jogging outside during your off time, this headset will be your perfect partner. See more unique features:

  • 4 built-in microphones
  • Auto answer and pickup button
  • Volume control
  • Super light for in/out office
  • Adjustable earbud sizes

“Overall, the Voyager 6200 is a great option. I use it with my customers all day and never had any complaints about the sound when I am talking to them. I definitely recommend it!” – Jon Garbin, Solutions Consultant at VoIP Supply

Have you tried the Voyager 6200? Let us know what you think in the comment box below!

Where to buy?

The Voyager 6200 UC headsets are available in two colors: Black and Sand. You can purchase at our online store or simply give the VoIP Supply team a call at 1-800-398-8647.

Shop Voyager 6200 UC

Grandstream Webinar Q&A: Is there a fee for using Grandstream Cloud Management?

April 26, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

A lot of great questions came up during the Grandstream GWN webinar this past Tuesday. We want to share the answers with all of you who may have the same questions. If you missed the webinar, don’t forget to check out the presentation deck to learn more!

Question 1: The Grandstream Cloud Management is free “as of today”.  Will there be a fee in the future?

Answer: We don’t know yet, but we will continue having a free plan.

 

Question 2: Will the Cloud be extended to control the Router as well as the Access Points?

Answer: The GWN.cloud is designed to manage APs but we may add the router and other Grandstream product in a near future.

 

Question 3: When creating a wireless bridge, let’s say between buildings, using the 7600LR, what is the maximum distance between the LRs?

Answer: It is 600 Mts (1800 Ft) but due to the nature you may want to reduce it to avoid physical elements that obstruct the signal.

 

Question 4: Are you planning to implement WPA3 support any time soon?

Answer: Yes, but no ETA at the moment. It is on our roadmap.

 

Question 5: On the router, what is the throughput of the OpenVPN?

Answer: We recently improved this spec in latest FW, the new spec will be available soon

 

Question 6: For testing the new WiFi SIP phone would you suggest the best environment would use these AP’s rather than a 3rd party AP?

Answer: We always recommend using the same brand. Grandstream is recognized for providing a hole solution as an added value. Our WP800 will support 3rd party AP’s for sure

VoIP Hardware Roundup April 2018: New SIP Phones, WiFi Phones, Headsets and more!

April 25, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

April is an exciting month! With more new VoIP phones, headsets and PBX appliance being released, it’s time to upgrade your or your customer’s VoIP system with the latest equipment!

Let’s check out what’s new for this month:

New RenegadePBX Pro 75 Premise-Based Appliance

The RenegadePBX Pro 75 is a premise-based IP PBX appliance built for small to medium businesses. This device supports up to 75 licensed extensions and 45 simultaneous calls. It is ideal for businesses looking to seamlessly integrate their VoIP phones, SIP trunks, and PSTN connectivity while improving team collaboration and productivity with advanced phone features! Learn more.

Key Features:

  • Quick-Start Installation Wizard
  • User Control Panel for Personnel Administration
  • Zero Touch Provisioning
  • Full Suite of Phone Applications

See RenegadePBX Pro 75 Datasheet

Grandstream Released WP800 Portable WiFi VoIP Phone for Beta

Grandstream recently announced the release of their upcoming WiFi VoIP phones for beta testing! This new WiFi phone supports 2 SIP accounts and features a built-in accelerometer, proximity sensor, panic button, and much more.

Unique Features:

  • Integrated dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi support
  • 2 SIP accounts and 2 lines, and a 2.4” color LCD with real-time video streaming features
  • HD voice & dual MIC design with wide-band voice codecs such as Opus
  • Built-in accelerometer, proximity sensor, panic button, and push-to-talk features
  • Integrated Bluetooth for syncing headsets and mobile devices
  • Runs on AndroidTM 7.0 and supports custom Android apps

New Cisco Headset 500 Series: 531 and 521 headsets

Cisco released their very first VoIP headset series, the Cisco Headset 500 Series, a professional range of VoIP headsets designed to pair with Cisco’s IP Phones and softphones! The 500 Series includes two headsets:

See Datasheet here

Key Features:

  • Premium sound in a sleek form factor
  • Powerful noise isolation with unidirectional microphones that are designed to hone in on the user’s voice and simultaneously minimize background noise
  • Proven reliability: These headsets support Cisco IP phones, Cisco DX Series endpoints, and Cisco soft clients
  • Lightweight comfort that is ideal for extended wear

VTech ET685 ErisTerminal 12-line SIP Color Deskset

The ET685 is the latest innovation from VTech. This high definition SIP color deskset supports 12-line and is Asterisk-based. With Bluetooth connectivity for headsets, USB support for up to three expansion modules and a 3-year warranty, the VTech ET685 also makes you feel safe with powerful security features like VPN support!

  • Advanced call handling
  • Zero-touch provisioning
  • Second screen programmable keys
  • Bluetooth connectivity for headsets
  • USB connectivity
  • PoE
  • Three-year warranty

Download datasheet here!

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See All New VoIP Hardware

Microsoft Discontinues Support for Teams, Yammer and Skype for Business on Windows Phone

Update 5.17.2018: Microsoft announced that Windows 10 Mobile will be supported through December 2019, and Windows phones are also still being used in corporate environments.
Starting from May 20th, 2018, Microsoft will stop supporting three Windows phone version of apps: Microsoft Teams, Yammer and Skype for Business.

How will this affect my Windows phone?

The retirement of these three apps means that they will be removed from the Microsoft Store and there will no longer be any updates on the apps. However, Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 Mobile with no new features for the system.

Starting on May 20th, you will notice:

  • Skype for Business and Yammer may continue to work but will cease to receive any updates
  • Microsoft Teams will stop working completely and will display an error message when trying to connect
  • Microsoft Teams, Yammer and Skype for Business will still be alive on iOS and Android, Windows PC and macOS

Want to learn more about VoIP mobile apps? Follow the links below or simply call one of our dedicated VoIP experts at 1-800-398-8647 today!

Mitel to be Acquired by Investor group for $2 billion Cash

April 24, 2018 by Ying-Hui Chen

April 24th, 2018 – Mitel®, a leading unified communications solutions provider for businesses, today announced that it has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement to be acquired by an investor group led by affiliates of Searchlight Capital Partners.

This deal will be an all-cash transaction valued at $2 billion, including Mitel’s net debt. The transaction is expected to be complete in late 2018.  

Searchlight is a private investment firm with investments in North America and Europe. The purpose of this acquisition is to seek out a partnership for its funds with leading corporations to enhance value of its capital and strategic support.

Upon completion of the acquisition, Mitel will transit into a privately held company, which will provide Mitel with additional flexibility to accelerate its strategy of moving to the Cloud.

“This transaction is an exciting next step in our multi-year transformation that has enabled Mitel to emerge as an industry leader in the largest markets in the world. As a private company, and with the strategic and capital support of the Searchlight funds, we will have greater flexibility to manage the transition in our market, accelerate our strategy, and drive the next phase of success for our customers, partners, and employees,” said Mitel CEO, Rich McBee.

What is the Password for the RenegadePBX Pro 75?

April 18, 2018 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: What is the difference between Sangoma’s FreePBX system and PBXact? Today, we have more new real questions and answers from VoIP users just like you.  

What is the Password for the RenegadePBX Pro 75?

Q: What is the password for the RenegadePBX Pro75?

A: It’s “sangoma” for SSH root access, all other Renegades, the password is “voipsupply”.

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

 

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