July 2023 – UC Channel Update

by | Jul 26, 2023 | Latest News, UC Update

In this update (July 2023):

  • 3CX product development updates
  • 3CX Partner Portal updates
  • What’s in a name? 3CX product names have changed
  • Soft Solutions Monthly 3CX Webinar
  • Jabra product spotlight
  • Grandstream new indoor access points
  • Grandstream GWN product infographic
  • Yealink product spotlight and promotions
  • Fanvil – standard IP phone or router phone?
  • 3CX Technical Certifications update
  • 3CX partnership – not a partner yet? Come and join us!
  • Case studies – stories sell products!
  • Demo equipment
  • Join our LinkedIn UC community to see news first

 

3CX product development updates

3CX’s development is progressing with security and functionality being at the very heart of every development

The mobile apps have new betas which bring enhancements alongside update 8 new features:

  • iOS beta – announced 14th July 2023. It brings H264 codec for answering video intercom calls via the mobile app along with CRM searching. Read more here.
  • Android beta – announced 17th July 2023. The same features are being added for the Android app as iOS and you can see more here.

Live Chat and WordPress plugin update announced 20th July 2023 – many tweaks to improve the functions. The full blog is here, and the updates will automatically install or you will be prompted.

Debian Security Updates – announced 24th July 2023 a range of Debian security updates will automatically be applied to systems running update 7 and update 8. You can see the announcement here.

Update 8 is progressing and is currently at Release Candidate with the expectation that the live update will be released very soon. To recap this update:

  • Management Console -> Admin Console migration: We continue to see the migration of features from the Management Console across to the WebClient Admin Panel. The WebClient Admin Panel is now known as the Admin Console.
  • MS Office 365 integration: Taking advantage of the new API makes configuration easier and allows users to create a new contact in MS365 from a new caller ID along with being able to search MS365 contacts via the WebClient.
  • SharePoint for backups and recordings: A much asked for feature will be delivered when the update goes live.
  • Admin Console Reports: The reports are getting an overhaul. Reports are being merged and simplified and will be available to extensions with a Manager or Owner role. Can also be locked down by IP address so added security.
  • CRM server side integration: With a complete revamp of the code there are some key enhancements including the ability to add contacts to the CRM from an inbound call.
  • Headset integrations: TJabra and Poly (Plantronics) are back after some changes on their end – all support via the hardware manufacturer.
  • TAPI: If you know about TAPI you’ll be excited to hear it’s in the Desktop App for update 8 Alpha! .
  • And much more: Here is a lot of detail and change in update 8 Alpha. Read the full blog releases at:

3CX Partner Portal updates

The Partner Portal has undergone a number of updates this month and there are more to follow. A key takeaway is that the portal has been thoroughly security tested.

The first part of the blog announcement talks about the shopping cart but our partners don’t need to worry about this as you purchase via us your Distributor. Key pieces of information in this blog to review are:

  • Linking to a partner or replacing a license key are now done from the Admin Console – so if a customer is not linked, they can add your Partner ID or if you need to alter their license you can do it here.
  • Migrating to Hosted by 3CX from an on-prem is now easier.
  • The self hosting wizard is now replaced by Marketplaces with guides linked in this blog for Amazon, Google, DigitalOcean and Azure. OVH and Vultr are being done and will be back soon. If you’re using Amazon Lightsail there is a specific guide to follow to upload an image.

If you have questions or need assistance around this you can reach us on uc@sofsol.co.nz.

 

What’s in a name? 3CX product names have changed

3CX has renamed their StartUP product and redefined the features. StartUP FREE becomes 3CX FREE and StartUP Pro 10 or 20 becomes 3CX SMB (Small Business). We know this will cause some confusion for the existing 3CX FREE/Standard 4-SC Dedicated licenses that are still out there. Kiran has put together a blog to outline what’s in each edition – review it here.

 

Soft Solutions Monthly 3CX Webinar

Join us on Monday 31st July 2023 at 11.30 am to review the recent licensing changes/name changes for StartUP. We’ll also review all the changes that update 8 is introducing and of course answer any questions you may have. To register for the webinar please visit this link.

 

Jabra product spotlight

As announced last month we can now help you with your Jabra headset needs. This month we’re featuring two Bluetooth headset models that caught Megan’s attention. She believes they’ll really benefit our customers. Headsets are such a personal preference device and Jabra has something for every employee.

 

Evolve2 65 Flex

It’s the most portable professional headset, with flexible work-friendly features including best-in-class Hybrid Active Noise-Cancellation (ANC), noise-cancelling microphones and game-changing Jabra Air Comfort technology to help you stay focused and comfortable anywhere. And the best bit? The revolutionary hinged design folds flat and compact, slipping easily into its protective pouch, to perfectly fit in your bag and your nomadic work schedule.

This is a Bluetooth headset and there are several purchasing options available for both USB-A and USB-C. Megan’s favourite is the one with a wireless charger! This is a new model and stock is coming into the country. We know it’s going to be super popular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evolve2 Buds

We’ve all seen people interviewed where they’re using popular ear buds and the audio quality wasn’t great, not to mention the background noise! Enter Jabra Evolve2 Buds designed for business users that prefer the buds design. Jabra MultiSensor Voice uses a clever combination of four microphones, bone conduction sensors, and advanced algorithms, to reduce disruptive background noise. They also have ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and with the USB-A or USB-C adapter the quality for business is assured.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on these or any other Jabra headsets reach out to us on uc@sofsol.co.nz.

 

Grandstream new indoor access points

This month Grandstream has unveiled two new WiFi 6 indoor access points. The GWN7662 supports blazing-fast Wi-Fi speeds up to 5.38 Gbps while providing powerful features including 4×4:4 MU-MIMO (5GHz), support for 256 concurrent clients, 175-meter range and more. By also providing an advanced QoS, mesh networks, captive portals and an integrated 2.5G network port, the GWN7662 is the ideal Wi-Fi AP for wireless deployments with medium-to-high user density.

Meanwhile the GWN7661 is an access point that is designed to be mounted in-wall to provide a clean and professional installation that blends into the surrounding environment. It provides three Gigabit network ports, including two with PSE, to provide IP phones, televisions, computers and similar nearby devices with ethernet while also including an uplink Gigabit network port with PoE/PoE+. With support for advanced QoS, mesh networks, captive portals, Wi-Fi speeds up to 1.77Gbps, and 500+ concurrent clients, the GWN7661 is an ideal Wi-Fi access point for hotels, residential deployments, commercial facilities, offices, and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock is due this quarter and we can take pre-orders now. Reach out for pricing and more info to uc@sofsol.co.nz.

 

Grandstream GWN product infographic

This excellent infographic from Grandstream has great resources across the GWN family that is featured. This includes basic product information, datasheets, videos and more. It’s well worth a review. All GWN networking products come with a standard 3 year warranty from the WiFi Access Points, switches, routers and more. Need more GWN information? The GWN landing page is here or reach us on uc@sofsol.co.nz.

 

Yealink product spotlight and promotions

This month’s product spotlight is on the MP58 Teams Edition Smart Business Phone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The MP58 Teams Edition IP phone is designed for business executives and professionals. It features a 7″ multi-touch adjustable screen, runs Android 9.0, and has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth on board. This highly spec’d unit is priced extremely aggressively strictly while stocks last. It is compatible with MS Teams and MS365 and you can now purchase the MP58 at the same price as the MP56 unit but take advantage of the larger adjustable screen for a premium experience. To order use SKU: 383166 and save nearly $200! Don’t delay as this stock will move quickly and once the new stock reaches the country the pricing will revert to normal.

For full details of our Q3 promos visit this link – below is a very brief overview:

  • A30 or A20 MeetingBar + CTP18 + FREE VCH51 – these very popular MS Teams certified MeetingBars will continue with the special pricing until 31st July 2023 and you receive the VCH51 sharing box for FREE. These suit many organisations requirements and fly out the door – we have a demo unit of the A20+CTP18+VCH51 and a WPP30 wireless sharing dongle that you are welcome to take for a test drive! Reach out to us uc@sofsol.co.nz if you want to try it out.
  • MVC840 Microsoft Teams Room (MTR) system bundle specials. These bundles have been created especially in NZ with added features to a base system. Check out the ready made bundles on the promo sheet OR reach out if you’d like to equip your own meeting room and we can do a build your own option at hot pricing. Contact Megan for more details.
  • WH66 Dual DECT Wireless Headset Workstation with WHC60 wireless charger – almost half price while stocks last. This is a current model – and what Megan uses every day!
  • MTR Deal registration – contact uc@sofsol.co.nz for assistance with any MTR opportunity. Deal register an opportunity receive a $20 Uber Eats Voucher, close the deal by 30th September 2023 and receive a further $30 Uber Eats Voucher.
  • NFR’s – contact Megan Twentymanmailto:megan@sofsol.co.nz if you’d like to equip yourselves with NFR’s of any Yealink gear so you can show it to customers. Special pricing will apply as will limits on units.
  • Yealink Microsoft Certifications – complete any of these and tag Soft Solutions on LinkedIn to receive a spot prize!

 

Fanvil – standard IP phone or router phone?

As most of you are aware 3CX has partnered with key brands to have SBC (Session Border Controllers) on board phones via a specific firmware build. These phones are referred to as router phones and can have up to 10 other phones proxy off them. Fanvil is one of these vendors. We have stock now of very popular models. A quick rundown on the models that stock has already arrived and all can be configured as a standard IP phone or router phone for 3CX customers.

 

X210 High-End Enterprise IP Phone

This is a super popular unit and ideal for medium to large businesses in NZ with medium to high call volumes. Featuring 10 DSS keys on 4.3″ main colour display, up to 96 DSS keys (32 physical) on 2×3.5″ side colour displays, X210 has up to 106 DSS keys in total to set for BLF, speed dial, group broadcasting function etc. It also comes with HD audio, built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connectivity, EHS support, dual Gigabit, PoE, IP camera/SIP door phone integration, delivering vast productivity with these advanced features. SKU = 373448

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X4U-V2 Enterprise IP Phone

The X4U-V2 is perfect for all office workers. It has a very intuitive design with a 2.8″ colour screen along with a 2.4″ colour side LCD screen. Bluetooth and WiFi can be added via dongles if required. It supports EHS wireless headsets. SKU = 401607

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X6U-V2 High End IP Phone

Perfect for office workers in a higher volume of calls or those that need to know when their team is available. It features a 4.3-inch main colour screen and two 2.4-inch extended screens, HD voice, gigabit Ethernet, 20 SIP lines, PoE, built-in Bluetooth, 6-way audio conference and other extended features like EHS headset. It provides the high-quality and convenient experience for users. SKU = 401609

Another deployment scenario for a router phone is someone who works from home and requires a deskphone when 3CX is deployed in the Cloud.

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We have demo units available that you can reach out to us to take for a test drive. Contact our team on uc@sofsol.co.nz

 

3CX Technical Certifications update

As previously advised, 3CX are in the midst of updating their technical certifications. We’re moving from 3 levels of certification to just 2 and everyone will be required to re-certify. It is highly encouraged that all 3CX Partners have at least one staff member fully technical certified. The refreshed exams aren’t quite ready – 3CX are working on updating the Portal and they’ll be ready “soon”. 3CX has released updated training preparation pages on their website. You can access these at:

Stay with us as we await the new exams to be ready and then we can get the training rolling throughout NZ on a regular basis. We’ll run each level as a one-day course, and we’ll have options for in person or online.

 

3CX partnership – not a partner yet? Come and join us!

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 Twentymanmailto:megan@sofsol.co.nz. Or, if you’re ready to sign up – use this specific link. Soft Solutions will help speed up your application.

 

Case studies – stories sell products!

We value the opportunity to work with you to produce case studies on success stories with our UC brands. If you have a good story to share, please reach out to us on uc@sofsol.co.nz and we can work with you. Case studies help sell the products to another customer. Grandstream have an incentive for GWN case studies but for case studies that we produce we’re happy to shout your team a pizza lunch. Get in touch so we can help you grow through sharing successes.

 

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 to see news first

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.

 

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