In this update (February 2023):
- 2023 has kicked off for our UC team
- Update 6 for 3CX v18 for the New Year
- Router phones for 3CX SBC
- 3CX license changes and POC process
- 3CX Partner Programme 2023
- 3CX – MS Teams and Facebook Messenger integration updates
- Latest blogs from 3CX
- Yealink event – save the date 1st March
- Yealink MeetingBoard 65″ in Newmarket
- Grandstream’s latest releases and blogs
- Yealink headsets overview
- 3CX partnership
- Demo equipment
- Join our LinkedIn UC community
2023 has kicked off for our UC team
2023 is now well underway and it’s been a busy start for many. With our UC vendors being overseas and not having a summer break at the same time we do, there have been many announcements. We’ll wrap them up in this first update of 2023 – a reminder that we post all news in our LinkedIn Community Group first. You can request to join the group at this link. I highly recommend following this, so you don’t miss an important update. We’re looking forward to another busy year supporting our partners here in NZ. I’d suggest grabbing a coffee to have a read of all that is happening.
We learnt last week that after 10 years, Yilmaz Kabaran our 3CX ANZ Channel Account Manager has resigned from 3CX – we wish him all the best with his next adventure. Sebastian Havvas (sha@3cx.com) whom many of you will have either spoken with or met in person last year is continuing to look after all of ANZ and 3CX are actively recruiting for someone to assist him. Yilmaz’s e-mail no longer works but Sebastian is ready and able to assist – he also works in the early hours in Cyprus to cross over with the NZ and Australian time zones.
Update 6 for 3CX v18 for the New Year
3CX are referring to update 6 as “like a brand new version”. Update 6 brings together many changes that were started way back in May 2022. Through updates 3, 4 and 5 we saw pieces of the vision coming together. While update 6 is not the end, it brings together changes to Chat, SMS (not yet available in ANZ), Admin User rights, Group roles along with revamped IP phone provisioning. The new router phone options from Yealink and Fanvil to act as the onsite SBC is a major enhancement. Update 6 was made live on the 3rd of February 2023 NZ time – you can read the full blog at this link. Within the blog are links to updated guides which are important reading materials.
3CX’s Nicholas Paras, Global Trainer, is leading a number of launch webinars for update 6 and one is in the ANZ time zone. This is occurring later today – Wednesday 8th February 2023 at 6pm NZT – you should have received a direct invite from 3CX. You can register for the live event here – please note this is a 3CX event and will not be recorded.
Router phones for 3CX SBC
This is a new enhancement for update 6. Existing specific model phones from Yealink, Fanvil and soon Snom can be configured as a router phone to act as the SBC. You can proxy up to ten phones from each router phone so a great solution for small site deployments or for those with desk phones working remotely. The models that are confirmed to have this feature are:
- Yealink = T53W, T54W, T57W
- Fanvil = V64, V65, V62, X4U-V2, X5U-V2, X6U-V2, X7-V2, X7C-V2, X210-V2 and X210i-V2
You can link through to the configuration guides off the main 3CX Supported IP Phone page.
3CX license changes and POC process
A lot of queries we receive from our 3CX partners are around the specific licenses available. Here’s a quick overview of the solutions and recent changes:
- StartUP FREE, Pro 10 or Pro 20 – this is the license plus hosting all included together.
- Dedicated Pro, Enterprise – these are traditional licenses and sold as license only.
- Hosted by 3CX – optional but highly recommended for 4-SC to 32-SC dedicated licenses.
The Dedicated Standard edition is no longer available to purchase as new and has been deprecated. Renewals can still be done for existing larger licenses at this time. The 4-SC Dedicated FREE Standard license is available to create trials from within your Partner Portal, you can then use the POC process to get them upgraded for a maximum of 60 days from creation. However, you need to actively be selling the Pro or Enterprise solution – all Dedicated FREE Standard 4-SC licenses currently expire by 30th June 2023. More information around this when we have it.
POC process:
- 3CX partner creates a trial license from within their Partner Portal of FREE 4-SC (Standard). You can also use 60-days free Hosted by 3CX which is recommended by 3CX for all 4-SC to 32-SC licenses
- The trial customer information must be accurate and the end customers true and correct information especially the e-mail address.
- The trial must be deployed and activated.
- 3CX partner must now e-mail Sebastian sha@3cx.com with the following information:
- E-mail title = POC upgrade.
- License key number.
- End customer details including staff numbers.
- The existing PBX the customer has at present.
- What other PBX’s the customer is having quoted besides 3CX.
- Details of which license they want – Professional or Enterprise.
- Details of how many SC’s (Simultaneous Calls) are required – max. is 64-SC.
- Expected close date of the opportunity.
Important notes:
- The trial license should only be created when the 3CX partner is ready to proceed with the POC process with their client.
- If using the recommended Hosted by 3CX platform – there is 2 months for free which cannot be extended, you want your trial and POC process to align as closely to this as possible.
- POC upgrades are temporary for up to a maximum of 60 days and will expire when the Hosted by 3CX free period expires. Therefore, you want to process the POC as quickly as possible from activating the trial to give your customer the best experience and maximum time to evaluate. For example, if you do the POC 1 week into the trial then it will be 60 days less 7 days.
- POC’s cannot be extended and another POC for the same customer is not possible.
- Once the POC is completed and your customer is ready to proceed, our sales@sofsol.co.nz team can issue a quote to upgrade the trial license and hosting if chosen to a live license keeping the same key. Be sure to let the team know when sending the request that it’s a POC upgrade. Our admin@sofsol.co.nz can process the order for you and a refresh of the key once processed will make it live.
3CX Partner Programme 2023
As announced in late 2022, the partner targets have been altered for 2023. 3CX has also indicated that by the end of 2023 the Affiliate Partner level will be removed. The new key details of discount, targets etc are as follows:
- Affiliate = 0% discount on licenses, must aim to move to Bronze Partner level before the end of 2023
- Bronze = 15% discount, US$1000 retail annual partner target
- (NB: Any partners in 2022 that transacted over US$1000 retail but didn’t quite meet the previous US$2500 target have been upgraded to Bronze partnership at the beginning of 2023 by 3CX.)
- Silver = 20% discount, US$10,000 retail annual partner target.
- Gold = 25% discount, US$25,000 retail annual partner target.
- Platinum = 30% discount, US$50,000 retail annual partner target.
- Titanium = 35% discount, US$150,000 retail annual partner target.
Please note that the Hosted by 3CX service is a flat discount structure and does not follow the discount levels of the licenses. All partnership levels including Affiliate receive a discount for Hosted by 3CX services.
3CX – MS Teams and Facebook Messenger integration updates
3CX had previously announced that they were deprecating both the MS Teams and business Facebook Messenger integrations. This is no longer the case. The MS Teams integration will be changing but remaining and as Meta the parent company for Facebook Messenger have made changes that will also remain, but changes are to come. Stay tuned to the 3CX Blog and our updates for more on this as we receive it.
Latest blogs from 3CX
3CX continues to add to its extensive blog posts. Check out these blogs now to stay informed:
- Update 6 – the journey to get here – check out each of the blogs that lead us to the live release on 3rd February 2023 NZT, there is great information in each blog article, along with release notes links. It’s well worth reading each update so you don’t miss anything
- Alpha 1 – released 30th November 2022
- Beta 1 – released 19th December 2022
- Release Candidate 1 – released 19th January 2023
- Release Candidate 2 – released 24th January 2023
- Update 6 Release – released 2nd February 2023
- IP Phone Guides and Firmware updates – this latest blog from 3CX looks at the changes in phone configuration and the current supported firmware’s. It covers off EOL phones that are back for auto-provisioning in update 6. Read the full information here.
- Simplify your deployment with the 3CX SBC router phone – this blog looks at this new option of having a SBC on specific model phones from Yealink and Fanvil (Snom units to come soon). The blog has a good explanation of the importance of the SBC and links to the configuration for the supported phones which includes the specific firmware required. Check out all the info at this link.
- Live Chat review – previously Linus Tech Tips had evaluated 3CX Live Chat, this time they take it to the next level and put the all-new Live Chat through its paces with a competition. The video is around 20 minutes long but worth a view. See the blog and YouTube video link here.
Yealink event – save the date 1st March
Yealink’s Brandon Zhou, Channel Manager and Kent Zheng, MS Practise Solution Architect will be in NZ late February and early March. We’ll be having an afternoon/early evening event at our Newmarket office on Wednesday 1st March to showcase the latest Yealink technologies including our very own 65″ MeetingBoard. We’ll be sending out invites soon but please save the date if you’re in or close to Auckland as we’d love to see you there. You’ll get to see our MeetingBoard in action along with our MVC640 MS Teams Room System. We’ll have the Yealink headsets and IP phones that are available in NZ now on display as well.
Yealink MeetingBoard 65″ in Newmarket
We have one of Yealink’s fantastic all-in-one MeetingBoard 65″ units in our Newmarket office. We use the unit almost every day and love it! If you’d like to come and see it for yourself and have a quick rundown on how it works and what it offers for your clients, please reach out to Anisha Mohammed and she’ll book in a suitable time to walk you through the units features. You can even bring your own clients to see it to help you in the sales process. If you’d like to know more about the features of the Microsoft Teams Room device reach out to anisha@sofsol.co.nz.
Grandstream’s latest releases and blogs
In December we announced the new Layer 2+ switches – first stocks have just arrived this week and interest and demand is already high. Grandstream has released an introductory blog about the units and key features – you can see it here. The units are managed from GWN.Cloud and if you’d like more information, please get in touch with us at uc@sofsol.co.nz.
GWN.Cloud is a key management tool for the Grandstream networking products. In her latest blog, Anisha Mohammed our Technical Specialist looks at the benefits of this fantastic management tool. Please have a read here and reach out to Anisha if she can assist you further.
Grandstream has just announced a new 1-way SIP Speaker for public address – the GSC3506. This new unit is a 30-watt HD speaker and we’re taking pre-orders on this unit now. This adds to the existing range of GSC3505 1-way speaker 8W, GSC3510 2-way speaker 8W and GSC3516 2-way speaker 15W. You can see full product specifications of this new unit here or reach out to us on uc@sofsol.co.nz for more information.
Grandstream has also added a range of Hotel Phones to their IP phone line up. There are two models – both are available in black or white and standard PoE or WiFi options. If you have an opportunity, reach out to us to find out more.
For more detailed information and specifications on these or any of the Grandstream products, please reach out to us at uc@sofsol.co.nz.
Yealink headsets overview
Yealink have a full range of headsets and are about to release new solutions in this first part of 2023 to increase the range. Yealink have got you covered from call centre headsets with QD (Quick Disconnect) to RJ9 connections, USB wired, DECT wireless and Bluetooth wireless options. The UH36 USB wired headset which is 3.5mm and USB connection is now EOL and will be replaced by the UH37 which is USB only. Final stocks of the UH36 will hit NZ soon and we expect to see the new UH37 by the end of the quarter. You’ll see from the below quick overview of the models and what’s to come how extensive the range has become:
QD to RJ9 models YHS34 or YHS36:
Wired USB options:
The UH38 also features Bluetooth to connect to your mobile phone!
DECT wireless headsets:
Essential units – WH62 mono or dual and WH63 with multiple wearing options:
Premium units – WH66 mono or dual and WH67 with multiple wearing options. All units can Bluetooth to your mobile phone and the optional wireless charger is an essential add-on in our opinion:
Bluetooth wireless headset:
The BH72 is available in Black or Grey and with or without the charging stand. The advantage of the charging stand is it can charge your mobile during the day while you’re using your headset!
Coming soon to NZ:
DECT portable models of WH62 and WH63. These don’t have a charging stand but do have a dongle and case to make them portable – also the ability to connect to a base station such as the W70B as well:
Bluetooth – we’ll see the BH76 premium headset along with the very newly announce BH71 mono over ear style headset:
The next Yealink Webinar – Tuesday 21st February 2023 at 4pm NZT – will cover the Bluetooth Headsets and include live demos. Key features such as noise-cancellation and comfort of wearing will be covered along with success stories. You can register for Yealink’s event here on their website.
3CX partnership
If you’re not a 3CX partner, now is a great time to explore how effective the 3CX IP PBX unified communication platform is. We’re sure it will fit several of your client’s requirements – with options for Cloud hosted / on-prem and Linux / Windows installations, it’s highly flexible. 3CX has recently updated its website, but a great overview is straight on their landing page at 3cx.com. To chat about becoming a partner and what 3CX’s expectations are, please reach out to our UC BDM Megan Twentyman. Or, if you’re ready to sign up – use this specific link. Soft Solutions will help speed up your application.
Demo equipment
Here at Soft Solutions, we hold a demo pool of Grandstream and Yealink products. This ranges from IP phones, DECT phones to headsets, WiFi Access Points and more. We loan these units out to you our valued partners. It’s a great way to be able to test out units and see if they meet the needs of your clients. A great way to evaluate new offerings ahead of purchase. If you’d like to borrow anything, please reach out to Megan Twentyman our BDM – UC in the first instance.
Join our LinkedIn UC community
Our “Soft Solutions NZ UC Community” group has been created so our customers quickly get all the latest news. We post regularly and welcome new members to the group. Keep up to date with upcoming Soft Solutions events, UC-related updates and any other general UC news. Join the LinkedIn group here.
The UC Team at Soft Solutions
Phone: 09 306 0450, Freephone: 0800 733 233, E-mail: uc@sofsol.co.nz.
