In Vodia Networks' upcoming version 60 build, a new feature allows users to log in with their Google accounts seamlessly. This is made possible through a JavaScript library from Google, providing a secure and convenient login experience. The process involves obtaining a token from Google, and users can benefit from features like two-factor authentication. Setting up this feature requires configuring the domain on the Google API site and integrating a Client ID into the PBX web interface. Scheduled for release in version 60.2, this enhancement simplifies user logins.
A cool feature we had on our wish list for a long time will be in our next version 60 build: Login with your Google account.
The way this works is the web front end pulls a JavaScript library from a Google server that handles the details for the Google login; once the login is done, Google provides a token the PBX backend can use to pull the email address of the logged-in account and set up a user session, just as if the user had logged in with his or her username and the password.
Google has done a lot to make the login convenient and secure, providing two-factor authentication and email notifications as part of Google G Suite service. There is nothing the end user needs to do to make this work.
The email address in the user account must match the email account in the Google account; if a user has multiple email addresses, one match will be sufficient. It makes no difference if it’s a free Gmail account or a paid Google business account.
The domain for this feature must be set up on the Google side: for this you have to log in to the Google API site and create credentials for the domain. It isn’t possible to use wildcard domain names, so every domain name that can be used for the login must be listed; if you are using a secure connection you should only enter the https address; if you are using multiple domain names, they must be listed separately. There is a wizard at https://developers.google.com/identity/sign-in/web/sign-in you can use to set this up:
After picking a name for your login, you need complete some minimal configuration. The PBX uses "Web browser" as configuration; the URL must match the URL that you use for logging in:
The final screen shows you the Client ID you need to copy into the PBX web interface. A typical client ID has the form xxxxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.apps.googleusercontent.com.
Copy the Client ID into the domain settings, "Google sign in client ID." Hit the save button.
The next time someone visits the login page, there will be a small login field under the login submit button to trigger the login process; right now this service is only available for user accounts.
System and domain administrators still need to use their username and password credentials as before. Fortunately, most browsers today support storing those credentials, so repeated logins shouldn’t be too inconvenient.
This will be generally available for 60.2 builds. We have already included it in some 60.1 test builds.
Vodia PBX now supports xAI’s Grok, giving partners another option for building AI voice agents for their customers. Using Grok’s speech-to-speech API, a Vodia Voice Agent can greet callers, ask who they’d like to speak with and transfer them to the appropriate extension. For example, a caller can simply say they’d like to speak with sales and be connected to the sales team. The article walks through what you need to connect Vodia PBX to Grok and includes a sample call transfer script you can adapt to your own call flow.
Vodia PBX 70.7 brings practical improvements to hotel operations, call quality troubleshooting, outbound dialing, and device provisioning. A new Hotel Front Desk template puts room status, wake-up calls, and guest services in one place, while additional call quality metrics help teams investigate audio issues. Updates to the User Web Portal, reporting schedules, hardware support, and integrations give MSPs, resellers, and service providers more tools to manage deployments and support their customers’ everyday communications.
Vodia is heading to CVx EXPO26, November 17–18 in Glendale, Arizona. Visit Booth 2009 to meet the Vodia team, learn more about our business communications platform, Partner Program, white-label capabilities and the latest V70 developments, and discuss how Vodia can support your customers. The event brings together MSPs, VARs, technology advisors, service providers and other channel professionals, making it a great opportunity to connect directly with the team, ask questions and explore how Vodia can support your business.
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