In this update:

3CX product updates – v20 beta 1, v18 update 9, new mobile apps
End of year reminders
Grandstream’s GWN.Cloud and GWN Manager overview
Grandstream’s comprehensive network switch guide
Yealink promotions
Jabra product spotlight
Fanvil IP phones and NFRs
3CX Technical Certifications – no exams yet
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 updates – v20 beta 1, v18 update 9, new mobile apps

Over the last 2 months we’ve shared the v20 announcement; preview; and now the first beta is ready for testing! Version 20 is a re-architected version building on 15 years of experience and the product to take 3CX into the future. You can review the key announcements:

12th Sept 2023 – V20 roadmap announcement
25th Sept 2023 – Preparing for v20, split DNS for on-prem
29th Sept 2023 – Preview of v20 – that first look!
17th Nov 2023 – 2nd beta of the new Windows Softphone from MS Store
21st Nov 2023 – v20 beta 1

So, what’s updated in Beta 1? Quite a lot! Key things are:

Revamped phone provisioning
Easier user creation – 2FA and SSO options
Alterations to VoIP provider configurations
CFD (Call Flow Designer) – great news, you can add/delete CFD scripts and v18 scripts are fully compatible with v20!
Lots of system tweaks for better performance

Read the full blog above to not miss anything!

Last week 3CX also announced update 9 Beta was released for version 18. This is an update to prepare for the transition to version 20. I’m told by 3CX it will stay as a beta and is a requirement before upgrading to v20 down the track when it goes live. See the full announcement here.

As we prepare for version 20, there are also new betas of the mobile apps designed to work with both v18 and v20. You can see the respective blogs for both iOS beta 1 and iOS beta 2 along with Android beta 1 and Android beta 2. Both updates are for compatibility with the latest OS for each platform along with other tweaks to improve usability and speed.

For anyone that has missed our last couple of newsletters, below are key things to be aware of for version 20 that is coming:

- No more Management Console – only the Admin Console.
- Groups become Departments and much more powerful – no longer are office hours controlled at a SIP trunk level.
- Easy to remember URL making it so much simpler for everyone!
- New native Windows Softphone which will be downloaded from the Microsoft store.
- New Call Manager (SIP server) – lots of updates that will in turn lead to… improved Reporting!
- Debian 12 for Linux – latest version to help future proof the build. Debian 12 released in June 2023
- New powerful API’s – will need skilled developers to leverage.
- Troubleshooting has been made easier.
- Key requirements:
  - On premise installations require split DNS. A new blog has been published around these requirements and updated Firewall guides for some major brands. Please review here
  - Every installation must have one System Owner or the upgrade won’t be allowed.
  - It will require reconfiguration of global office hours to the Department level.
  - Perpetual licenses will not upgrade to v20.
- The roadmap of what won’t make first release:
  - On board video conferencing – you will easily configure your own video conferencing service for highest level of confidentiality.
  - Wallboard and switchboard improvements – including an outbound wallboard.
  - Receptionist view – committed to improvements.
  - Group SMS texting.
  - Multi-instance/selfhosted SMB – more info to come and will be restricted to larger partners.
  - Teams integration – this was indicated that it’s staying and needs reworking when update 6 was released.

As more information is released, we’ll share this to you. If you have queries, reach out to us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz

End of year reminders

Do you have licenses expiring in late December or early January? Renew them early to ensure no disruption to your customers.
Are you on track for your revenue targets to retain your partner level leading into 2024? Or are you close to moving up a partner level? You can view the US or EURO retail revenue on the Dashboard when you login to your Partner Portal. If you need to discuss reach out to Megan directly.
Reach out to your customers requesting information on what they need for:
- Holiday season IVR’s.
- Re-routing of calls or forwarding if needed during a shutdown period.
- If you’re going to be on skeleton staff ensuring they know how to contact you for any urgent issues that may occur.
A great time to also schedule:
- Any required maintenance while things are quitter in late December and January.
- Health checks – is their system working how they want; do they need alterations to their call flows etc.

With all the events of 2023, it’s also a really good time to ensure that passwords are secure. No would be a good time to regenerate them all or have a mandatory password reset for all users. A password management tool will really help with this moving forward to ensure users are using sensible passwords. System security is only as strong as its weakest link and if someone uses password123 or similar, opportunists will get in.

To ensure our team can rest and recharge for what promises to be a huge year in 2024, Bluechip Infotech will be closed from lunchtime on the 22nd December 2023 and re-opens on the 8th January 2024.

Grandstream’s GWN.Cloud and GWN Manager overview

Kiran, our Technical Specialist, has created an overview video of GWN.Cloud here. This is a high-level overview – great for anyone that hasn’t seen this free management tool from Grandstream. GWN.Cloud is a cloud hosted management tool for Grandstream’s Networking devices. The GWN Manager is the on-prem version. If you’d like to know more or take any of the GWN portfolio for a test drive reach out to us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz.

Grandstream’s comprehensive network switch guide

Grandstream has released a comprehensive overview guide to their entire network switch range. Grandstream’s range covers unmanaged, Layer 2+, Layer 3, and Layer 3 Aggregation switches. Since these switches hit the market, they’ve proved incredibly popular – check out the guide here. All switches come with a standard 3-year warranty and can be managed from the free GWN.Cloud platform (except for the unmanaged switches of course!).

Grandstream has been releasing a range of videos to help partners get to know their new range and how to configure the key features on the managed switches. We’re at 7 parts now for the video series – here’s the links and overview theme of each video:

For more information reach out to us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz

Yealink promotions

For full details of our Q4 promos visit this link – below is a very brief overview of all the promotions:

A30 or A20 MeetingBar + CTP18 + FREE WPP30 – these very popular MS Teams certified MeetingBars will continue with the special pricing until the end of 2023, and you receive the WPP30 wireless content sharing dongle (we can swap to the VCH51 if you need it instead). These suit many organisations requirements and fly out the door – we have a demo unit of the A20+CTP18+WPP30 that you are welcome to take for a test drive! The year is ticking down so don’t miss out on closing opportunities while the special pricing remains. Reach out to us uc@bluechipit.co.nz if you want to try it out.
MTR Deal registration – contact uc@bluechipit.co.nz for assistance with any MTR opportunity. Deal register an opportunity receive a $20 Uber Eats Voucher, close the deal by 20th December 2023 and receive a further $30 Uber Eats Voucher.
NFR’s – contact Megan Twentyman 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!

Jabra product spotlight

Jabra’s Engage range of wireless DECT headsets are very popular. This month we’re highlighting the Engage 55 DECT MS Headset!

Unleash productivity with our exclusive Mono or Stereo offer, complete with DECT USB-A Dongle! Limited stock, so grab yours before it’s gone!
Portable. Productive. Professional. Engineered to make every call count.
Super lightweight for all-day comfort, ideal for those marathon virtual meetings!
Extensive wireless range ensures you’re always connected, no matter where your work takes you.
High security and brilliant noise-cancellation for crystal-clear conversations.
Designed for call-centric professionals – this variant is the MS Teams version, seamlessly integrating with your UC solution.
SKU’s: 403022 Mono and 403026 Stereo – choose the perfect fit for your communication needs.
At around half the price, our stock is flying off the shelves! Act fast and don’t miss out on this incredible deal which is only available while stock in country lasts!

For more information, SKUs and pricing on Jabra products reach out to us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz

Fanvil IP phones and NFRs

Fanvil has a large range of router capable units to work with 3CX. We have the full range of Fanvil X, XU, and V series phones in our demo stock so if you’d like to take them for a test drive reach out to us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz so we can arrange it for you. Many of the Fanvil units have dual or even multi colour displays for all those much-needed BLF keys. One unit that is extremely popular is the X210 Enterprise phone – it features a whopping 106 DSS keys in total across 3 screens! And where a lot of paging is required, there is the X210i Paging unit with microphone – schools love this unit!

new

We also offer special pricing for our partners on NFR units – just reach out to Megan to find out more.

3CX Technical Certifications – no exams yet

As previously advised, 3CX are updating their technical certifications. They’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. Free support access from 3CX will be based on the level of certifications held, while Bluechip Infotech NZ encourages the certifications we won’t withhold first level support to our 3CX partners. The refreshed exams aren’t quite ready yet – 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 believe it is important to sit the exam at the conclusion of the training session. 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 Twentyman. Or, if you’re ready to sign up – use this specific link. Bluechip Infotech New Zealand 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@bluechipit.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 Bluechip Infotech New Zealand, we hold a demo pool of Grandstream and Yealink products. This ranges from IP phones, DECT phones to headsets, WiFi Access Points, facility access 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 “Bluechip 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 Bluechip Infotech New Zealand events, UC-related updates and any other general UC news. Join the LinkedIn group here.

new

UC Channel Update – November 2023