VoIP Channel Update

by | Mar 17, 2021 | 3CX, Grandstream, Latest News, UC Update, Unified Communications

In this update:

  • Soft Solutions VoIP support
  • Grandstream’s new generation GRP phones
  • Bite Size webinar
  • Latest 3CX tips, tricks, and blogs
  • Grandstream unveils a new wireless headset
  • WiFi 6 technology
  • Case studies – local stories to share?
  • Marketing materials
  • Firmware for IP phones
  • Join our LinkedIn VoIP community

 

Soft Solutions VoIP support

Soft Solutions offers all our VoIP customers (3CX, Grandstream, etc.) free first level support for products purchased through us. To ensure your needs are met, we welcome Anoop Sornavally to the team. Anoop has many years of experience with 3CX, and is our Senior VoIP Engineer. For support queries, the best contact is voipsupport@sofsol.co.nz. This pops your query into our ticketing system. We have a 2-hour SLA on all tickets during our office hours. There is also backup cover, if any of the team are away or offsite for a period of time. Welcome Anoop!

Grandstream’s new generation GRP phones

We expect the Essential entry level phones to be in stock in the next couple of weeks. It’s important to note that across the Essential and mid-range new generation GRP phones, any PoE units (depicted by a P in the name/SKU) do not include a power supply in the box. Non PoE or WiFi units will include a power supply, as usual. This is a change from the previous generation phones and an important thing to keep in mind when ordering. We have also learnt that there will be an Essential model WiFi phone coming very soon, which will fill a gap at that price point. With the new chipset, sleek and modern design, these new phones are turning heads. We’re seeing early adoption from our reseller partners. The GXP1600 and GXP1700 series will be phased out over time. If you’d like to borrow a demo unit to test for yourself, please reach out to voip@sofsol.co.nz.

Bite Size webinar

We kicked off our “Bite Size” webinar series for 2021 this week, with a webinar looking at the 3CX licensing and partner programme. We covered the most common queries we get from new and very experienced partners.

  • View the recording here.
Latest 3CX tips, tricks, and blogs

3CX’s constant innovation and improvement on existing parts of their IP PBX solution is a key strength of their technology. Check out the latest updates and improvements below:

  • Scheduling conferences – this has undergone some changes to ensure that it’s simple to book in those WebMeetings ahead of time. The changes came in with Update 8 and you can read the full blog here. It includes an overview video that you can share with your customers.
  • The 3CX leads process for partners – the key focus when altering the lead referral process for 3CX, was putting the 3CX partners front and centre to own the leads process. Did you know that no end customer can get a trial of the Professional or Enterprise Edition now without being linked to a partner? Read the full details of the improved process here.
  • Android Push Notifications – there was an important change around this, which was fixed in Update 8. There was a short notification timeframe to ensure no disruption to customers. Are you a member of our Soft Solutions VoIP LinkedIn community? We posted it here as soon as we heard. The full details around this change are here. The key thing is to ensure that your clients are on Update 8 for 3CX version 16.
  • Active Directory users – do you want to synchronise your AD users with 3CX? Read more here about what is possible, and the link for Microsoft 365 integration is included.
  • Taking your ecommerce to the next level – Bryan Osorio is a blogger in the tech industry and he’s written a piece around how Live Chat and VoIP are key tools to assist businesses with online sales. Read the full blog here.
  • How to choose the right VoIP phone – Choosing the right VoIP solution can seem daunting with so many options in the market. Always consider the big picture when scoping a VoIP solution for your customers. Read the full blog here.
Grandstream unveils a new wireless headset

Grandstream has announced the next edition to their Personal Collaboration product range. Introducing the GUV3050 a HD Bluetooth wireless headset. This adds to their existing range of headsets released during 2020, and gives the added flexibility of being wireless. The headset supports all major third-party communication platforms and offers crystal-clear HD audio. More information will come as soon as we have an ETA for these units.

WiFi 6 technology

There is a new WiFi technology coming – WiFi 6. If you haven’t heard about it yet, you will definitely start to hear about it soon. WiFi 6 will be incorporated in new release Grandstream Access Points during 2021. In preparation of this, and teasing the next unit’s release, Grandstream has released a technical webinar explaining how the new technology works. This is an excellent educational piece to understand whether clients will or will not benefit from WiFi 6. Check it out on our YouTube page here.

Case studies – local stories to share?
There is nothing better than a local and relatable case study to help you get a sale across the line. We are looking for more NZ stories to have turned in to case studies. Do you have a success story to share? We have a simple questionnaire you can work through with your customer – 3CX’s marketing team does the rest. It’s a great opportunity to touch base with customers and ensure everything’s working as it should. If you have a customer that might participate, contact our VoIP Brand Manager, Megan Twentyman. We’ll make the process painless.
Marketing materials

A number of partners took up the option to have datasheets customised with their logo. This is a service that Soft Solutions offer. We even share presentations that you can adapt for your potential customers. If this is of interest, reach out to Megan Twentyman for further assistance.

Firmware for IP phones

Remember it’s vital to keep checking for updated firmware, for your VoIP hardware. Grandstream and Yealink release new firmware as it’s developed. The firmware is available free of charge from their respective websites. If you’re ever trouble-shooting any issue with 3CX, the first thing they will check is whether your hardware has the most up-to-date version. Now is a great time to ensure everything is up-to-date and working optimally.

Join our LinkedIn VoIP community

Our “Soft Solutions NZ VoIP Community” group has been created for customers to discuss VoIP related topics. Keep up to date with upcoming Soft Solutions events, VoIP updates and any other general VoIP news. Join the LinkedIn group here.

Thank you for reading.

The VoIP Team at Soft Solutions

Phone: 09 306 0450, Freephone: 0800 733 233, E-mail: voip@sofsol.co.nz

Soft Solutions VoIP support