Category Archives: ip-pbx

NEC SV9100 phone system

Telecom News from NEC ~ The SV9100 is Here!

They’re here! NEC has announced the release of their new line of PBX systems, including the SV9100, which was designed as an upgrade path for the current SV8100 phone platform. The SV9100 supports up to 1,360 ports but a scaled down version supprts up to 48 ports for small businesses.

The SV9000 phone systems also have two new phone series. The new IP telephones are the DT800 series, replacing the DT700 sets, while the look-alike digital models are now called DT400 sets, replacing the DT300 phone series. The IP models now boast Gigabit models that sell for little more than 10/100 models, a big change from the Gigabit adapters NEC formerly required. Also, the digital models will sell at the same price points as the 10/100 IP models, and both product lines include 12, 24, and 32-button models with a choice of black and white or color displays.

nec-dt-400-dt-800-phones

The new NEC DT400 digital phones and DT800 IP telephone sets make the SV9100 even more powerful!

Also announced was the touch-screen Android-based UT880. This is a video-capable desk set (the tablet component is not removable) whose screen presents a typical DT-Series interface. One interesting feature, addressing the concern that hackers could potentially take control of the camera, is a manual switch that buries the camera’s lens behind a physical shroud when not in use.

The new NEC UT880 is an awesome communication tool for the busy executive!

The new NEC UT880 is an awesome communication tool for the busy executive!

NEC plans to open its own app store for the UT880, which will offer enterprise-oriented vetted apps to protect against malware, which seem like a prudent idea. Partnering with a mainline Android supplier like Samsung may have been a wise choice, as Samsung is years ahead of all of the UC suppliers when it comes to delivering what enterprises need in mobile devices.

Clearly malware is an issue with Android devices. In a 2014 report, Cisco Systems indicates that, “Ninety-nine percent of all mobile malware in 2013 targeted Android devices. Android users also have the highest encounter rate (71%) with all forms of web-delivered malware.”

Unfortunately, Apple’s tightly controlled developer environment leaves Android as the only available platform for mobile O/S-based desk sets. To address the malware threat, Samsung has come up with its own enhanced security mechanisms with its KNOX offering. Samsung will also be offering its own enterprise app store. I’d prefer to be tied into that Samsung ecosystem, rather than trying to crack the Android nut on my own.

NEC has also developed the DT770G iPad cradle with talk of potentially significant enhancements. The DT770G includes an app that emulates a PBX station, and the cradle connects the iPad via Bluetooth and provides a handset and speakerphone.

The DT770G operates over the customer’s in-house Wi-Fi network. That means that the Wi-Fi infrastructure will need to be voice-capable, but as the device is stationary, at least it will not face the problems we have seen with access point-to-access point handoffs. As the docks use the iPad’s Wi-Fi interface, they operate on 2×2 802.11n radio interface. NEC was talking about an enhancement that would allow the iPad to operate over an Ethernet connection when docked, and over Wi-Fi when mobile, but no date for this feature has been announced.

NEC also has a range of DECT-based wireless devices, including a communication badge, that would be capable of dialing a single pre-programmed number with the push of a button. They have also created a prototype of an Android-based smartphone-like device that would support voice over DECT and data over Wi-Fi.

NEC has demonstrated its’ WFAZ wireless adapter. The WFAZ can attach to any of NEC’s IP desk sets and allows it to operate over a Wi-Fi network. This could be a handy way to install stations in areas where it is difficult or expensive to install cable drops, assuming there is adequate Wi-Fi coverage. A PC can be connected to the data port on the IP desk set, allowing for voice and data support over the Wi-Fi connection.

NEC’s dealers like Telephone Magic Inc. love all the new developments from our primary phone system supplier. Business has been strong and we are very enthusiastic about all of the new developements in the product pipeline. However, mobility continues to confound the UC market, so it may be some time before we see tangible benefits and significant revenues coming out of the mobile side of UC.

Your Business May Not Be Ready for VoIP

Although VoIP or Voice over IP (as it is also known) – basically phone calls over the Internet – is starting to become a popular solution for business telecommunications, your business might not be ready for it. Business networks come in all shapes and sizes, and a deficiency in one area of your network can prevent you from adopting a VoIP service solution. Fortunately, each of these factors can be addressed to ascertain whether your business is ready for VoIP

Your LAN

A LAN (Local Area Network) supplies the networking capability for the group of computers that your business operates from your office site. Your LAN must have the ability to both protect and prioritize data packets of information. The LAN’s switching fabric must also support prioritization of traffic through differentiated services (a form of computer networking architecture) and network segmentation via VLANs (Virtual Local Area Network, usually 802.1Q). In order to make troubleshooting easier and support high-quality service, your LAN should also have the ability to isolate real-time media and switch in real time.

Your Router

Your choice of router is also an important component of your network, and should also separate real time media from other traffic. The router should actually route real time media at a separate IP address, which will also help with analysis and optimization of performance.

Your Network Connection Speed

Possibly the most discussed factor in determining whether a particular business network can support VoIP is the actual quality of your Internet connection. Fortunately the discussion has inspired many resources such as “Pingtest” that enables business to evaluate their connection speed.

Your Equipment

Finally, the actual end user equipment will have a substantial impact on perceived VoIP service quality. Cheap handsets and headsets make for poor fidelity, and extra IT time spent diagnosing the problem. Although your choice of equipment may seem like a minor concern, the result of the choice will affect your both your productivity and your image. You can purchase VoIP phones from most VoIP PBX providers.

Be Sure You Are Ready

Make sure you are ready before causing a disastrous loss of phone service in your business. Once you find out about your ability (or lack thereof) to carry multiple voice calls simultaneously over your network and Internet service, you may reconsider cutting the cord to your traditional phone company’s reliable lines.

Voice over IP – VoIP FAQ:

Is VoIP Really Worth the Trouble?

Get answers to your biggest voice over IP FAQ and hear how VoIP can improve communications and flexibility in your business. (1:54 min)
Voice over IP FAQ provides answers to questions that small businesses frequently ask about Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) and unified communications. Our Voice over IP FAQ explains the differences between VoIP and unified communications, the benefits for small businesses, and the equipment you’ll need.

Voice over IP FAQ: What is VoIP?

VoIP technology enables you to make and receive telephone calls over a broadband Internet connection instead of over a traditional phone line.

Voice over IP FAQ: How Does it Work?

With VoIP, voice traffic is converted into data packets and transmitted over the public Internet and/or over a private IP network. When you call a landline or cell phone number, the data packets are converted to a regular telephone signal before they reach the party you’re calling.

Voice over IP FAQ: How is it Different from Unified Communications?

VoIP refers to a basic Internet-based telephony system. Unified communications is more advanced. Among unified communications’ many advantages are sophisticated call center features; conferencing that combines voice, data, video and desktop sharing; and presence—the ability to instantly determine the availability of others within your company.

Voice over IP FAQ: What Equipment Do I Need?

For a basic VoIP system, all you need are a broadband Internet connection and a VoIP-enabled phone; a traditional phone connected to an adapter; or a computer with VoIP software.

Many businesses are now using VoIP and unified communications on their own private networks. Telephony systems residing on private networks have better security and quality than those that operate strictly over the public Internet. With VoIP or unified communications on a private network, you can prioritize voice over other types of traffic on your network, to ensure the best possible audio quality.

Voice over IP FAQ: What Are the Benefits?

Reduced local and long-distance charges
One network to manage for both voice and data, instead of two
Reduced travel costs–thanks to online conferencing—easy-to-use video calls, and other collaboration tools
Easily make adds, moves, and changes to the small business phone system as needed
Employees have more ways to stay connected and customers can reach them more easily
Take all of your phone system’s features with you for use at home, at the office, or on the road

Source: Cisco small business VoIP FAQ

Selecting the Right Hosted VoIP Service

Hosted VoIP Service

If you’re looking to make the switch to VoIP you are going to come across a myriad of different solutions. One of the most popular being hosted VoIP.

What is Hosted VoIP?

Hosted VoIP is a service provided by a third party that gives you all of your phone system features and voice calling capabilities without having an actual VoIP phone system at your office. The only part of the system that you actual see are your VoIP Phones at your desk.
The hosted VoIP service provider, as they are commonly called, hosts your phone system functionality from their data center (or one that they lease from a data center provider). You are able to access your Hosted VoIP service via the internet, where you can configure users, extensions, menu’s, etc. The type of features you can get and the rates you pay, depend on the service provider.

Who Uses Hosted VoIP?

Hosted VoIP service from companies like Nextiva is used by companies of all sizes and industries, but is most popular with the small or micro-enterprise, typically 25 seats and under. Hosted VoIP service is a popular option for these companies because of the low up-front capital investment and predictable monthly billing.
If your company is looking to make the switch to VoIP with a limited budget, hosted VoIP would make great sense. Also, if your company lacks the staff or current knowledge required to manage your own VoIP system, hosted VoIP is probably they best thing for you!

How to Select Hosted VoIP Service?

Going about selecting hosted VoIP service for your company can get a little confusing. Today there are literally hundreds of different hosted VoIP providers who all look, sound and feel the same.
That’s because of a little known secret that most of these hosted VoIP services are running off of the same platform! That’s right, they may have different names, colors, packages and locations, but they are probably running off one of three popular platforms.
What does this mean for you? Well, to start, it means that things like price, features and VoIP phone choices should be pretty much the same across the board.

(Hence the confusing part of choice a provider.)

This makes the customer experience, the sign-up process, support systems, service level agreements and customer reviews the most important aspects of choosing a hosted VoIP provider.

Customer Experience – Before selecting any hosted VoIP provider you should take the time to call into their office. Be prepared with questions about the companies history, expertise, service level agreements and levels of support. Get a feel for how the sales professional answers the questions by listening to his tone of voice, directness of answer and other clues that might expose a weakness in your experience as a customer.

Support Systems – Things do go wrong and when they do, what matters most is quick, transparent assistance from technical support. Before purchasing hosted VoIP services make sure you find out what standard turnaround times are for support, local availability and even TEST OUT THEIR SYSTEM by submitting a ticket.

Service Level Agreements (SLA) – Like support systems, your hosted provider’s service level agreement is a commitment to ensuring you have a great service experience. Every hosted VoIP provider should have an SLA in place, typically something that guarantees the service will be up more than 99% of the time.
Customer Reviews – Most of the major hosted VoIP providers have a number of reviews of their service on various websites. In addition to this or if your provider is not large enough to have online reviews, ask for customer references. Then call them. Seriously, you can very often avoid disasters by speaking with real customers who have real experience with a company.

The Next Steps

After reading this, if you are ready to take the next steps in purchasing hosted VoIP service, you best bet is to write down everything you think you need, then contact up to five providers of hosted VoIP service. Once they contact you back, use the advice above to evaluate the best option for your company and then follow that providers lead.

(via Garrett Smith)

Wholesale Polycom SIP Phones for your IP-PBX or Softswitch!

Polycom IP phones SoundPoint IP desktop SIP telephones

Polycom SoundPoint IP 670 Phone

Polycom IP phone SoundPoint IP 670 desktop SIP telephone
The Polycom SoundPoint IP 670 is a premium SIP desktop phone with color display!

Have you invested in a Hosted IP-PBX or Softswitch telephone platform? When adding SIP phones to your network, look no further than Telephone Magic for wholesale Polycom IP phones!
The Polycom SoundPoint IP 670 is a six-line SIP desktop phone with color display that brings lifelike richness and voice quality to phone calls.
Your teams need reliable communication devices. They prefer deskphones that come with multiple lines but without complicated features.
The Polycom SoundPoint IP 670 combines state-of-the-art hardware with proven Polycom UC software designed for executive users and busy professionals.

SoundPoint IP 670 Offers:

  • Unparalleled voice quality and clarity that makes every call efficient and productive
  • A color interface platform for accessing applications, including the Polycom Productivity Suite and third-party applications
  • Advanced SIP functionality, including shared lines, busy lamp field, and presence indicator
  • Expandability, with up to three expansion modules into a call attendant console
The SoundPoint IP 670 is a premium, six-line, SIP desktop phone with a color display. It delivers crystal-clear HD voice quality that meets the voice communication needs of even the most discerning users.
The Polycom SoundPoint IP 670 combines a large, backlit color display that gives users a rich visual experience with a menu of options that are simple for users to navigate. In addition, through its vibrant color user interface, the Polycom SoundPoint IP 670 is ideal for accessing applications, such as the Polycom Productivity Suite. This device also delivers a significantly augmented and visually pleasing user experience when running productivity-enhancing third-party applications developed with Polycom XML API.

SoundPoint IP 670 Features:

  • Six line keys, as well as several soft keys for custom applications
  • A backlit 320 x 160 pixel color display that delivers a rich visual experience
  • Engineering that makes installation, configuration, and upgrades as simple and efficient as possible
  • Integrated GigE support
  • Broad and robust interoperability with a broad array of SIP call-control Hosted IP-PBX and Softswitch platforms for open choices and simplified provisioning and support