Back to Blog
Tech

snom button mode to the rescue

Published on:

May 2, 2018

Addressing a challenge with LDAP, VoIP phones lack the ability to write new contacts to the address book. For users of snom phones, a solution involves utilizing the snom button mode, specifically the "keyevent" mode with the F_ADR_BOOK parameter. This configuration enables users to add phone numbers directly from the phone keyboard, bypassing the need for PBX login and web interface use. This versatile approach can also be applied to other functions and is similarly available for Grandstream, HTek, and Yealink phones.

Asad Khan

One problem with LDAP is VoIP phones have no way of writing a new contact to the address book. LDAP is a very powerful protocol, but it seems VoIP phones don’t use it to write an address book entry. If I’m wrong please let me know - I’d be happy to know about it.

We had a customer using snom phones who needed a simpler way for users to add phone numbers right from the phone keyboard, without logging into the PBX and using the web interface. We saw two possibilities for this: the first would be to use the snom XML and program a small application to collect user input and send it back to the PBX; the second would be to use the local phone address book along with the LDAP address book.

The problem with the XML solution is it would be usable only from the snom phones and would obviously require changes in the PBX.

Using the phone address book is a lot easier and is even possible without making any changes in the PBX. We actually already have a "backup mode" for snom phones - we can set anything we want in the button configuration of the phone. By using the "keyevent" mode with the F_ADR_BOOK parameter, we can set the phone to call up the address book when a user presses a specific button.

This seems to be the easiest solution for now. The beauty of it is it can also be used for other functions; the list of available functions on the phones is quite lengthy.

P.S. We have similar modes also for Grandstream, HTek phones and Yealink phones. 

Latest Articles

View All
Editorial

On-Premise Persists: Why It Still Matters, and How NEC's Decision to Exit the Market Creates Opportunity

On-premise solutions continue to be vital for many enterprises due to their superior data security and control, essential for industries like finance and healthcare. They offer deep customization, fitting specific needs and legacy systems, and provide reliable performance, especially for latency-sensitive applications. Additionally, while cloud solutions have a pay-as-you-go model, on-premise can be more cost-effective in the long run for predictable workloads. This balance of security, customization, and cost-efficiency ensures on-premise remains a strong option amidst the growing shift to cloud services.

July 19, 2024
Case Studies

Locality networks Case Study: Providing an Industry-Leading Multi-Tenant UC PBX with Advanced Features to Its Customers

Locality Networks, delivers high-speed fiber optic internet and advanced tech solutions to homes and businesses. Seeking to enhance their offerings, they implemented Vodia’s multi-tenant UC PBX, which provides top-tier features like mobile extensions, web clients, texting and CRM integrations. This has enabled them to offer cutting-edge communication tools, enhancing customer productivity and satisfaction. The seamless deployment, robust call center features and excellent support from Vodia and partners have made this transition successful for their diverse clientele.

July 12, 2024
Announcement

Cove Central TAPP Expands Nationwide

Cove Central Communications announced its nationwide Technology Alliance Partner Program (TAPP) with Vodia in November 2023, aimed at supporting Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in delivering VoIP solutions. Since its launch, TAPP has seen significant interest, with Cove Central now providing VoIP solutions to over 30,000 users through regional MSP partners. The program addresses challenges such as FCC fees, compliance, and E911 configuration, simplifying VoIP deployment for MSPs. Jim Whittaker, Head of Technology, noted a projected revenue increase of 60% or more in 2024 due to TAPP.

July 3, 2024