Editorial

Automatic Provisioning in the Cloud Age

Published on:

December 14, 2012

The addition of the snom 710 to the 700-series has significantly enhanced deployment flexibility, especially with our version 5.0.3 improvements. One key change is the automatic device button profile assignment, which eliminates manual configuration and saves time by allowing the PBX to pick the right profile when provisioning devices. This simplifies deployments and ensures phone features are fully utilized. The update also customizes hard key provisioning per device, improving functionality. And the new PBX discovery method using snom XML RPC server streamlines setup, especially for hosted PBX and private cloud users, saving time on troubleshooting and device resets.

The availability of the snom 710 was a game changer for the 700-series. Now customers have a range of devices that make it possible to roll out systems into small and large offices. The snom 710 was added to the supported devices in version 5 from the beginning, but version 5.0.3 includes important improvements that make it really easy to roll out these devices.

First of all, snom ONE always offered buttons configuration. The new version makes it a lot easier to deploy phones by using default device button profiles; with these profiles, the PBX automatically picks the right device profile when generating the provisioning data for the devices. In other words, when plugging devices in, the administrator doesn't have to manually assign profiles to users any more: They are automatically picked by the system depending on the device type. For most of the devices in the domain, this is a reasonable setup and usually only a small part of the device requires manual modifications. Not only is this a big time saver, but in many installations the phones' features are untapped because there is no time to set up the buttons correctly.

While we were on it, we also looked at the other hard keys on the devices. In the previous versions, all snom phones were treated equally, but they are not equal. The new version provisions the hard keys depending on the device so, for example, the menu button on the 720 and 760 uses the XML content generated from the PBX.

We also looked at the PBX discovery mechanism. In addition to manual configuration, DHCP option 66, and multicast provisioning, we added a new mechanism that uses the snom XML RPC server to discover the PBX. This new method was primarily designed for hosted PBX operators; in "private cloud" installations, however, it also makes a lot of sense to use this. When the administrator assigns the MAC to an extension, now the PBX publishes that MAC to the central redirection server, so when the phone boots up, it takes the PBX address from there. This works from any location where the phone has access to the public Internet. It also works when the customer factory-resets the device; this means the standard support procedure will ask the in-house or external customer to reset the device and reboot.

This is a big time saver compared to manual setup, where the support staff has to babysit users through the procedure of setting the device up every time something goes wrong. Time is money these days.

Latest Articles

View All

Keycloak OpenID Connect Integration for the Vodia PBX

Vodia’s PBX now integrates with Keycloak OpenID Connect, providing secure single sign-on for users so they can access all connected applications without repeated authentication. Logging out from one application automatically logs the user out of all connected systems, simplifying user management and improving security. Keycloak, a Cloud Native Computing Foundation project, supports standard protocols including OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML, offering enterprise-grade identity and access management. To ensure proper integration, Keycloak user emails must match the corresponding PBX extension emails. Complete guidance is available in the Vodia Keycloak integration guide.

September 12, 2025

Vodia Announces Partnership with Comms Group Global

Vodia Networks has announced a strategic distribution partnership with Comms Group Global (ASX: CCG), aiming to expand the reach of its feature-rich cloud PBX solutions across APAC and EMEA. Through this collaboration, Comms Group Global will serve as an official reseller, providing businesses of all sizes with scalable, secure, and integrated telephony solutions. Customers will benefit from advanced call management features, Microsoft Teams integration, and robust security standards, while also gaining access to Comms Group’s SIP coverage in over 65 countries. The partnership enables a streamlined “one-touch” provisioning process, ensuring fast and seamless deployment for enterprises and SMEs seeking to improve efficiency.

September 8, 2025

Why Fax Still Matters in 2025 and How Vodia Makes It Easy

Although many consider fax outdated, it continues to play a crucial role in sectors where compliance, confidentiality, and legal proof of delivery are non-negotiable. Healthcare providers rely on fax to meet HIPAA requirements, while industries such as finance, law, and real estate depend on it for contracts and documents that require signatures or legally verifiable transmission. Unlike email, fax offers confirmation reports that serve as proof of receipt, along with time-stamped records that hold up in legal proceedings. With Vodia’s PBX, digital fax becomes faster, easier, and more accessible than ever before, enabling users to drag and drop documents, monitor transmission progress, and receive immediate confirmations.

September 5, 2025