If you haven’t seen it already, we’ve released a new version of the Vodia PBX, version 69.5.6.

This is our first release following Microsoft Teams certification. While the certification was granted to version 69.4, we’ve been meticulous about ensuring that nothing in this update affects the interoperability of the PBX with Teams.  

We built several versions within the 69.5 branch, all of which performed excellently, but the reason for the “official” announcement of 69.5.6 is we believe this version is worth the extra effort to upgrade your system. 

We strongly believe in the principle of 'never change a running system.' This philosophy has proven successful, as we recently discovered several systems with over six years of uninterrupted uptime. While this eye-popping uptime makes us proud, it also means customers are missing out on valuable new features that might make them more efficient and more productive. We trust our partners to determine the right time to upgrade a server, ensuring the decision aligns with their specific needs and operational requirements.

What's New in Vodia PBX 69.5.6?

AI Integration

This is the first build that supports real-time AI API integration. We demonstrated this using OpenAI, but we are eager to collaborate with other AI solutions as well. Our goal is to make it as seamless as possible for users to integrate with various AI providers. We firmly believe AI will change the world, and we want to be part of this transformation. To support this, we are working on offering additional webinars and providing more opportunities to get everyone on board.

Call Transcriptions with Whisper API

We now offer call transcriptions via the Whisper API. Users can use the one provided by OpenAI or easily host on their own Whisper server - when data privacy is a concern, running your own server might be the best solution. It can even run on the same server alongside the PBX, so the traffic doesn’t leave the server. 

Cloud Storage for Call Recordings

Storing call recordings in the cloud is now easier than ever. The PBX uses the S3 protocol to move recordings into the cloud, which is supported by AWS and many other providers. Like Whisper, it allows recordings to be stored on a server under your full control, simplifying data privacy certifications.

Enhanced User Experience

We also worked on the user front end and "shifted pixels" to make it look a little more appealing. Since this is what most end users interact with, it needs to look great and function smoothly. Our HTML5 expertise has significantly evolved, allowing us to enhance the UI without introducing unnecessary frameworks. This keeps the user interface lightweight and responsive, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience - a key element for a happy end-user experience. 

Improved Queue Management & Data Exporting

We have worked on bringing more administrative tasks to the front end, particularly for managers who are working with queues, and our queue management system now provides more information than before. Additionally, we have incorporated CSV download buttons throughout the system, making it easy to extract data for reports and presentations.

Upgraded Security with TLS 1.3

A byproduct of supporting OpenAI was the upgrade of TLS support to include 1.3. While not immediately visible to users, it obviously improves overall security and, as services are deprecating older TLS versions, it maintains compatibility with those services - even when TLS 1.2 gets shut off.

Web-Based Soft Clients for Enhanced Security

Speaking of security, we’ve always been fans of using the web browser - instead of a native app - for PC users. The support for turning a web page into an app has come a long way, and most browsers support this process in a way that’s actually easier than going to an app store and downloading an app. This approach eliminates the need to trust Vodia with sensitive client data, significantly enhancing security. These days, this has become a show-stopping feature for deploying soft clients, even for established vendors. When someone wants to send a file (e.g., as MMS), the browser will make sure the user selects that file explicitly, preventing unauthorized file system access.

‍

Expanded VoIP Hardware Support

Phone manufacturers keep releasing new, exciting desktop and mobile VoIP hardware, and this gives us immense pleasure. We have worked on integrating as much of this hardware as possible, so Vodia customers can choose from a wide range of devices that fit their clients’ needs. Together with our Teams interoperability, our PBX can be deployed even in the market’s exotic niches, where it’s impossible to use Teams-compatible devices exclusively.  

Azure Cloud Hosting & New Licensing Models

We have also added another cloud hosting provider to our list, one we should have added a long time ago: Azure. When using the Teams-certified version of the PBX, it especially makes sense to run the PBX on the same platform on which Microsoft runs Teams; to this end, we have added new license models that will address users who are only interested in our SBC functionality - these licenses can be purchased directly through Azure. To incentivize our partners to promote this, we have integrated a partner-ID into the setup process. To learn more, please reach out to our sales team so we can help you obtain your partner-ID and further explain the process.

Looking Ahead

We still have a huge list of topics we want to work on. AI-driven innovations will continue shaping our future and bringing up new and interesting ideas, but we also have practical improvements to address. One thing is certain - we won’t be slowing down anytime soon!

We love talking about our PBX. Get in touch with us and find out why V69.5.6 of our best-in-class phone system is the PBX your customers need, sales@vodia.com, +1 (617) 861-3490.

About Vodia

Vodia Networks, Inc. is a pioneering provider of B2B Cloud Communications Solutions catering to enterprises, contact centers and service providers. Vodia's PBX software boasts an extensive suite of business telephony features for on-premise and cloud-based systems and operates seamlessly across Windows, Linux or Mac platforms. Fully compliant with SIP industry standards, the Vodia phone system integrates effortlessly with a wide range of SIP-based devices and trunking providers, granting ultimate freedom in telephony. Vodia’s multi-tenancy platforms are compatible with an unprecedented number of technologies, including desk phones, softphones and APIs, for myriad third-party software and CRM systems. Our mission is to empower our partners and end-users with the world's best cloud PBX and personalized support to ensure their success at every turn. Our US headquarters are in Boston and our European headquarters are in Berlin; we also maintain offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Nicosia (Cyprus) and Sydney, Australia. Visit Vodia on LinkedIn, X and YouTube.