The smart telephone system inside the router: simply made for workshops!

Vodia Networks has developed a new device, Vodia IO, for simple telephony of the future. This broadband router, equipped with innovative VoIP features, is based on the latest router platform from Intel and offers small business owners everything they need for their daily business communication. Vodia IO enables connection to DSL as well as the fibre optic network and offers Gigabit Ethernet, integrated Gigabit WLAN, a powerful telephone system plus a built-in DECT base station as well as analogue telephone connections. The analogue terminals allow connection to POS devices, door intercoms or fax machines.

Office all-in-one

The Vodia PBX is integrated in the router and pre configured for use with a large number of telephone service providers as well as VoIP telephones from a wide range of manufacturers. In addition, mobile phones with the Vodia softphone installed can be used together with the telephone system. A long list of telephone system functions makes even demanding installations possible. A license for up to four simultaneous calls is pre-installed in the device, which can be extended to 16.

Most of the costs are usually spent on installation and maintenance of the system – not so with Vodia, “The ease of installation of VoIP devices and SIP trunks is key to Vodia IO. For the concept to work, a reseller must be able to complete a typical installation in less than an hour; including the VoIP phones and SIP trunks. Because we control everything inside the device, we’ve been able to simplify some of the steps. Once the system is up and running, minor adjustments are required in most environments, which can then be made via the web browser without the need for an on-site visit,” says Dr Christian Stredicke, founder and CEO of Vodia Networks.

Next stop: router

Over the years, the router has evolved into a powerful platform for providing services on the local network – and it is well on the way to becoming the only platform that provides services on the LAN. This fits well in an environment where services are mostly run in the cloud. That’s where the services that can operate reliably in the cloud run, and the rest runs in the router.

Today routers have many functions and services, such as WLAN, modem, switch, DHCP, DNS and a firewall. It simply makes sense to have the telephone system in the router as well. Who cares how many resources a DHCP server needs, for example? The router has become so powerful that operating a telephone system in the router is no longer a problem.

Operating the telephony software in the router brings additional advantages. The provision of connected devices becomes much easier. The coupling of a WLAN device can be done at the push of a button, why not also that of a VoIP telephone? The telephone system can talk directly to the DHCP server to find out which devices are located in the LAN and where they should get their configuration from.

Not to forget: DECT

At the end of the 1990s there were very successful products that combined DECT, telephone system and ISDN. These devices, which ensured their office communication, were virtually loved by customers, as they were easy to set up and maintain. It makes sense to integrate all this into a router today.

Since analog cordless DECT telephones are popular at home and in small offices, it makes sense to include not only the WLAN base station but also a DECT base station in the router. As with the coupling of a new WLAN device, DECT handsets can be coupled with the router. Modern DECT not only has standards for telephony, but CAT-iq also provides additional functions such as address book and call forwarding. The range of DECT devices on offer today is very versatile when it comes to robustness, mobility, battery life and price-performance ratio.

Vodia IO can handle up to 16 simultaneous calls. The built-in broadband router offers WAN Gigabit, fibre, VDSL2+ or ADSL2+. Vodia IO provides all the options you need to manage your entire company’s local network, including LAN and WLAN (2.4 and 5 GHz).

The integrated FXS ports and the DECT base station make it possible to connect multiple devices in combination with your standard SIP devices. The analog ports are suitable for connecting POS devices, door intercoms or fax machines. Administration of the router and the telephone system is done via the web interface. The built-in display can be used for easy configuration.

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