Tech

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.

Tech

In Vodia PBX version 60.3, users can now customize call pickup LED behavior by adding "no" to the pattern syntax, preventing the LED from blinking. This feature is useful in scenarios where specific permissions are required, such as limiting call pickup on a manager's phone to selected extensions. The enhancement ensures flexibility without sacrificing backward compatibility, providing a more user-friendly experience.

Announcement

With a vast network of IT professionals, 888VoIP has been instrumental in helping VoIP companies achieve major success through loyalty and dedicated service. Their focus on interoperability has led to seamless plug-and-play integration with industry giants like Cisco, Polycom, Yealink, and more. This integration significantly reduces installation costs and system downtime, enhancing customer satisfaction. The transition to a concurrent call license model simplifies the acquisition of licenses through 888VoIP, ensuring a smoother deployment process.

Editorial

Remote work, fueled by cloud computing, is changing how we connect beyond traditional offices. Telephones remain vital, demanding solutions beyond basic call forwarding. Emulating extensions, with call control functions, becomes essential for effective remote communication. Options like home IP phones and softphones blur the line between office and remote work. The emphasis is on replicating a seamless phone experience in the era of flexible work arrangements.

Editorial

Choosing between a cloud-based or on-premises phone system depends on individual needs and preferences. Traditionally, PBX systems were on-premises, requiring physical connections. With VoIP, calls could still be on-premises but carried over the internet. The cloud offers freedom from server maintenance, disaster avoidance, and cost savings through a monthly subscription. However, on-premises systems offer ownership, security within a local network, and potential cost benefits over time.

Tech

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.

Editorial

VoIP carries voice over the Internet, using SIP trunks or IP phones connected to an IP PBX. These solutions offer flexibility, cost savings, and improved call quality. SIP trunks provide quick setup and flexible pricing plans. The IP PBX is essential for leveraging 21st-century technology. Choosing the right vendors is crucial for time-saving, increased productivity, and improved business practices.

Editorial

As spam and robocalls increasingly disrupt businesses, Vodia Networks offers advanced filtering in its PBX system, including anonymous call detection and, in partnership with TrueCNAM, a spam scoring feature. This integration assigns each incoming call a spam score, allowing companies to block or redirect high-risk calls. Configurable at the domain and user levels, this feature — available in Vodia PBX version 58.4 — provides flexibility for hosted PBX clients to customize call handling and protect productivity.

Announcement

CallCabinet, long trusted for its multiple award-winning compliant call recording solution, Atmos, has teamed up with Vodia, the company that pioneered multi-tenant PBX, with a cloud-based solution for every firm that needs to record calls for training, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, or security.

Editorial

In hosted PBX environments, Yealink's Zero Touch provisioning simplifies the phone setup process by automating configuration without user intervention. The phone contacts Yealink’s redirection service (with its MAC address), retrieves the provisioning server details and automatically fetches its configuration. This integration has been added to the Vodia PBX, similar to an earlier feature for snom phones. The process ensures secure provisioning by verifying client certificates, enhancing ease of setup. Users can access this feature by obtaining login credentials from Yealink, and the integration is available in Vodia's upcoming version 5.3.1.

Tech

The simple filter on our PBX for the domain name was that we were throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It was simply not possible to define exceptions. That made it practically impossible to use the feature in a real deployment. If the system administrator white-listed IP addresses, traffic from there would still be ignored if the domain name did not match. Adding that back in to the filter solves many of the trunk related problems, as admins can just add the IP addresses for the trunks.

Tech

Thus the move with MongoDB. Although it is latest technology (and maybe just because of that), writing natively into the database was actually relatively simple. MongoDB can deal with very large amounts of data, so the PBX does not have to bother with it. Down the road we might be even able to use the DB for reading as well, e.g. when the user is using the call history from the web interface.