Tech

TAPI (Telephony Application Programming Interface) has been a staple in connecting user programs with telephony hardware, evolving from physical devices to virtual software solutions. Widely adopted by the PBX industry, snom ONE also provides a TAPI service provider (TSP), with the latest version offering enhanced functionality. The new TSP supports both incoming and outgoing calls, including automatic call clearing even before the phone is picked up. It also includes a reconnection feature for lost connections, addressing internet reliability issues. Available for both 32 and 64-bit systems, users should ensure they install the correct version for their operating system.

Tech

With snom ONE, staying connected during unexpected events like a snow day is simple. By setting up your cell phone or landline number to your snom ONE extension, you can easily forward calls to an auto attendant, hunt group, or agent group. This setup requires designating at least one user to activate the feature. Once enabled, users can forward calls and activate night mode remotely by dialing *80 from their phone. Additionally, the system allows you to change the main greeting to inform callers of special events like snow days, ensuring seamless communication even from home.

Tech

With snom ONE expanding into the cloud, the need for multiple administrators became evident. The new system now includes three distinct roles: the "super administrator," who retains full control over the PBX; the "system administrator," who shares many privileges but cannot alter super administrator accounts; and the "domain administrator," who manages specific domains without impacting account licenses. This new structure eliminates the need for sacrificing accounts for administrative purposes, and it clarifies roles. Additionally, the "login as" option has been removed, making it clear which role each user has within the system.

Tech

The auto attendant is a valuable feature, one that's replaced switchboard operators in many businesses, particularly where cost efficiency and technological advances are key. In version 5.0.4, this feature has been enhanced to offer a more streamlined user experience. The "start" trigger now automatically initiates dial-by-name mode, allowing callers to search for names immediately without selecting options. The new release also includes direct destination options and the ability to disconnect calls after a set period of inactivity, particularly useful for analog lines. Additionally, the system can now include a user’s cell phone in the dial-by-name mode without the caller being aware.

Editorial

The addition of the snom 710 to the 700-series has significantly enhanced deployment flexibility, especially with our version 5.0.3 improvements. One key change is the automatic device button profile assignment, which eliminates manual configuration and saves time by allowing the PBX to pick the right profile when provisioning devices. This simplifies deployments and ensures phone features are fully utilized. The update also customizes hard key provisioning per device, improving functionality. And the new PBX discovery method using snom XML RPC server streamlines setup, especially for hosted PBX and private cloud users, saving time on troubleshooting and device resets.

Announcement

This article discusses the release of version 5.0.1 of the snom ONE PBX, highlighting fixes and improvements made following the 5.0.0 release. Users who installed version 5.0.0 can now easily upgrade through the web interface by inputting a simple XML link. One of the major issues with 5.0.0 was a JavaScript error preventing administrators from changing PINs for extensions, especially when Microsoft Lync was not enabled. This article also addresses the template error for fax messages, which had been left empty in the build process. Additionally, improvements were made to the Microsoft Lync presence update, with a more efficient DNS lookup for easier setup. Although snom ONE is working on integrating Office 365 Lync presence features, this will probably be included in the upcoming version 5.1.

Tech

The upgrade process for snom ONE mini and SoHo devices has been clarified. When purchasing a version 5 license, users can now use the device’s MAC address as a promotion code for a 50 percent discount on bundles like ten, twenty, or premium five, ten or twenty. The generated license is specific to that MAC address and can only be used once. Additionally, the new premium five license is designed for production use, offering more calls and accounts compared to the free edition, which is only for demonstrations. This helps streamline the upgrade process and gives users more flexibility.

Tech

In PBX terms, presence typically indicates if someone is on the phone or unavailable. With snom ONE version 5.0.2, we’ve enhanced presence functionality by making it so the PBX shows when a user is on the phone, even if the user is on an external device like a mobile phone. This is achieved via an HTTP request to the PBX from the mobile service provider, which updates presence status without the necessity of complex SIP configurations. The system can track call duration and reset the status after a call ends. Additionally, the PBX can relay presence updates to connected platforms like Microsoft Lync.

Editorial

The snom ONE family has a variety of confusing names, but understanding the distinctions can help clarify things. The snom ONE mini is a small, ARM device designed for small offices, while the snom ONE plus is a more powerful PC server with preinstalled software and hardware. The snom ONE mini is sold through the snom distribution channel, while the snom ONE plus is aimed at resellers who prefer preconfigured devices. The software side of things has shifted from using catchy color names to bundles based on the number of extensions, with snom ONE free the exception and a risk-free entry point. For hardware, options range from standard PC servers to Apple computers and the snom ONE mini, each offering flexibility as to how the system is set up.