Editorial

The work from home trend has gained quite a bit of traction over the years. Considering how many companies are going global and employing talent in remote places, it was only a matter of time before this happened. With that said, this trend isn't only gaining traction because of necessity, it's also because of the benefits. 2020 is a tech savvy time to be alive, and provided that companies give their employees the proper tools to do it, working from home can prove to be a catalyst for surprisingly high productivity, compared to working in the office.

Tech

Vodia Networks offers robust voicemail management features for users with any desk phone, cell phone or external phone. Users can customize voicemail settings, including multiple announcement modes and personalized greetings. They can access voicemail remotely and even forward messages to others, with notifications sent via email or cell phone. Features like voicemail PIN management, shared mailbox access and voicemail-to-email attachments ensure flexibility and convenience. Advanced options include sending voicemail without ringing the recipient's extension and direct voicemail transfers, while group mailboxes allow multiple users to access shared messages.

Tech

Setting up the voicemail server on the Vodia PBX system allows administrators to customize features that enhance user experience and security. Key settings include the time before a call is sent to voicemail, the maximum number of voicemails and their duration, and the required PIN length for accessing messages. Administrators can also manage options like direct dialing into mailboxes, offering callers the ability to reach a user’s mobile phone, and enabling the compression of messages to save storage space. Advanced features, such as allowing callback options when extensions are busy, and integrating external voicemail systems, further enhance the functionality of our innovative phone system.

Tech

Vodia PBX can be installed on Windows systems using a downloadable installer package, which creates a Windows service that launches automatically upon startup. For installations, the 64-bit version is recommended for better scalability, particularly if the system supports 64-bit operations and has a larger number of registered phones. Links to download the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Vodia PBX are provided, with an option to upgrade to version 63.0 available through the PBX GUI post-installation.

Tech

Vodia’s IP PBX system can be installed on 32- or 64-bit versions of CentOS, Debian and FreeBSD, with 64-bit recommended for optimal performance. During installation, users can configure port settings to avoid conflicts with other services, establish firewall rules and activate the license key via an initial internet connection. Once installed, administrators can manage the system through Linux commands, update via the web interface and even deploy on AWS for cloud-based setups. Detailed video tutorials are available to guide users through configurations like firewall settings and IP routing for smooth audio quality.

Editorial

Vodia Managed Voice is a flexible PBX designed for both multi-tenant and single-tenant environments; it's a great choice for managed service providers (MSPs) looking to enhance their voice services. This system allows companies to offer telephony services to their customers without the need for their own data centers, enabling them to focus on their core business while creating a new revenue stream. Vodia's solution is noted for its ease of use and reliability; it's trusted by numerous MSPs globally to deliver robust voice communication services.

Tech

To register multiple identities on a SIP desktop phone, start by resetting the phone to factory defaults and locating its MAC address. After logging in to the Vodia PBX, add the MAC address to the relevant extensions. Use MAC-based provisioning to enable the phone to register correctly, ensuring it can handle multiple identities. When configuring outbound calls, assign specific caller IDs (ANI) to each extension, which allows agents to show the appropriate company number when making calls. Additionally, set up hunt groups to manage inbound calls, enabling agents to identify calls by company name and enhancing efficiency in multi-company environments.

Tech

Configuring your firewall for remote users is essential for enabling VoIP communications through the Vodia PBX. This setup requires allowing specific TCP and UDP ports, including 5060 and 5061 for SIP signaling, UDP ports 49152 to 64512 for RTP and TCP ports 80 and 443 for web access. Additionally, setting the appropriate IP routing entries ensures both internal and remote phones can communicate effectively, utilizing a netmask that accommodates local network traffic while allowing access from external sources. This dual configuration allows for seamless call management across different network environments.

Tech

Vodia softphones for macOS and Windows are free applications developed by Vodia Networks, enabling users to make and receive VoIP calls directly from their computers via WebRTC. It features a user-friendly interface, call transfer capabilities, call history tracking, instant messaging, voicemail access and personal address books. Users can also record calls, manage call redirection and set Do Not Disturb (DND) statuses. The softphones seamlessly integrate with popular CRM systems and support conference calling, while also offering QR code provisioning for easy set up.

Tech

To enable global SMS sending and receiving with Telnyx Version 1 on Vodia PBX, first create a Telnyx account and purchase an SMS number. Then, navigate to the messaging section to set up a profile, specifying the callback URL for incoming messages and selecting API Version 1. Copy your API token from Telnyx, then go to Vodia PBX admin settings to choose Telnyx as your SMS provider and enter your credentials. Each user can customize their SMS ANI in their extension settings, allowing for seamless messaging via the user portal. Be sure to keep your Vodia PBX updated for the best performance.

Tech

The Vodia Phone app is a free add-on that enables users to connect to their Vodia PBX accounts, providing an intuitive interface for managing contacts and call history. Utilizing WebRTC technology, the app allows VoIP calls over WiFi or 3G without additional costs, ensuring high audio quality for mobile communications. Key features include multi-call support, call transfer, DTMF sending and user presence indicators. It's important to note that while the app enhances mobile VoIP capabilities, it's not a substitute for emergency calls like 911, and users should ensure proper access to emergency services on their mobile devices. For enhanced security, a valid SSL certificate is recommended for both the PBX and the app.

Tech

The Patton SN4141 FXS device allows users to connect analog telephones to a VoIP network, facilitating communication through extensions created on the Vodia PBX. After logging in to the device and setting up extensions, users can utilize the Patton Wizard to configure FXS ports, entering necessary details such as the number of ports and the PBX IP address. Once the configuration is completed, it's uploaded to the device for it to register with the PBX, enabling seamless connectivity for analog devices in a VoIP environment.