3CX Phone System 10 Service Pack 5

3CX has announced Service Pack 5 for 3CX Phone System 10. It comes with a number of bug fixes focusing on 3CX Wallboard issues and also introduces a new feature where you can hide caller ID information for external calls in 3CX MyPhone (Incoming and Outgoing). Calls made or received from these extensions will show ‘Private Number’ on other users’ 3CX MyPhone instances. The update is easily installed from your 3CX Management Console 3CX Phone System Updates node.

Here's a full list of the changes:

New: The ability to hide caller ID information for external calls in 3CX MyPhone (Incoming and Outgoing). Calls made or received from these extensions will show ‘Private Number’ on other users’ 3CX MyPhone. To enable this feature, click on Extensions, Edit extensions, Options, and enable the option “Hide CID Information in 3CX MyPhone”

Fixed: 3CX Wallboard – Abandoned call statistics now show total abandoned/failed queue calls.
Fixed: 3CX Wallboard – Callback calls were not added to total calls. Failed callbacks were not adding up properly.
Fixed: 3CX Wallboard – Windows firewall exception for Abyss installations was not implemented (port 4516 TCP) – requires full installation. (You can do this manually from Control Panel/Windows Firewall/Allowed programs/Add port 4516 TCP.
Fixed: Statistics were not being displayed in 3CX Wallboard.
Fixed: Call Reporter – Call records for the Russian timezone are now displayed correctly
Fixed: Issue in 3CX Updater not able to update because of zlib1.dll
Fixed: Validation in Dial Codes page – Dial Codes cannot contain the # sign. Only * and numbers are allowed. Dial codes have to be unique.
Fixed: Desktop components installation clean-up of My Documents folder on un-installation.
Fixed: 3CX MyPhone – Sometimes agents in queues were being displayed with incorrect logged in or logged out status.
Fixed: Answered calls in 3CX MyPhone Queues Tab were not counted correctly for certain calls.
Fixed: Missed, dialed and received calls in the 3CX MyPhone Call History tab were displayed with incorrect time details.
Fixed: Bug in Caller ID for external calls via VoIP Provider/PSTN Gateways that forward to an internal extension with ‘Ring My Mobile Simultaneously’.
Fixed: Variables in outbound parameters for $OutboundCallerID and $OriginatorCallerID are now respected in ‘Ring my Mobile’ calls and ‘Rebound’ calls
Fixed: Select a multiple number of extensions and apply BLF key configurations to all selected extensions. Respective provisioning files are now updated.

Improved: Cisco SPA phone provisioning template – Set “Referrer Bye Delay” = 0. After a failed blind transfer, the first 4 seconds of audio were missing and after a successful blind transfer, the transferrer remained connected for 4 seconds.

3CX Named a 2011 CRN Emerging Technology Vendor

The international telecommunications developer of Windows-based PBX software, 3CX recently announced its selection by Everything Channel as a 2011 CRN Emerging Technology Vendor. The annual list features innovative vendors who not only deliver easy to use technology, but can generate the high margins solution providers require. 3CX has been added to the list due to its robust product, 3CX Phone System.

3CX Phone System for Windows drew praise for providing a high-value, low-cost VoIP IP PBX solution that’s software-based and provides unified communications. 3CX Phone System is easy to manage and works with any SIP IP phones as it works with the Open SIP Standard. 3CX runs on a standard Windows computer and you can virtualize it. It is far less expensive to purchase and expand compared to proprietary phone systems. For instance, adds and moves can be done in seconds with the 3CX web interface. There’s no need for separate wiring as it is an IP-based PBX and all phones use the existing computer network.

3CX saves businesses money on their telephone administration costs as it works seamlessly with leading VoIP providers and allows users to make and receive calls via Skype. It improves employees’ productivity with desktop call control presence. 3CX delivers mobility to employees by allowing them to work from home via remote extensions.

The 3CX Channel Program is open to all IT and telecoms solutions providers and gives an excellent opportunity for resellers to leverage their Windows skills so as to tap into a completely new market. 3CX Partners generate profitable recurring income as they resell 3CX products and their own services to existing customers, whilst also targeting new customers. The roll-out involves software / hardware sales and provides the opportunity for consultancy.

Benefits of the 3CX Partner Program include access to free products and technology. Numerous free partner training events held worldwide each year and direct access to the 3CX Support Team assists 3CX Partners so that they can, in turn, assist their customers.

“Enabling customers with the tools and strategies to solve real business problems has always been a priority to solution providers. The market has grown increasingly competitive over the years; so too has the demand for innovative, channel-friendly technologies.” said Kelley Damore, VP, Editorial Director, Everything Channel. “From the cloud to semantic technology, this year’s list of Emerging Technology Vendors highlights the emphasis on innovation and ease of use that has been the hallmark of any successful channel offering.”

The vendors that make up the CRN Emerging Technology Vendor list were founded in 2005 or later, have revenue under $1 billion and have an active U.S. channel strategy.

“We are proud to have been included in this year’s CRN Emerging Technology Vendor list. 3CX continues to lead the market for Windows based IP PBX solutions. Companies are switching to 3CX Phone System as it allows them to make huge savings on their monthly telecoms bills and provides rich features.” said Nick Galea, 3CX CEO. “3CX is a 100% channel company, providing an excellent opportunity for IT specialists to resell a high-value, low-cost PBX solution, as well as bundle in hardware and consultancy services to their existing and new customers. 3CX provides all the tools needed for our channel partners to be successful.”

Unified Communications Finally Unified with New 3CX Phone System v10

New 3CX MyPhone user portal makes Unified Communications features understandable to the average business user

3CX, international telecommunications developer, has announced the availability of 3CX Phone System version 10. This new release includes a new user-friendly web-based app, 3CX MyPhone. Other PBX’s that include unified communications do not make features such as conferencing easily accessible for the end user. The new 3CX MyPhone portal makes it easier for users to take advantage of advanced unified communications and VoIP features by bringing conferencing, presence, transferring of calls and other rich features together in one easy to use application.

“3CX has raised the bar in the unified communications market by providing a new, easy to use, lightweight user portal that makes it much easier for users to take advantage of unified communications, whilst at the same time making life easier for administrators” said Nick Galea, 3CX CEO

New Advanced User Portal – 3CX MyPhone

The new user portal – 3CX MyPhone – is web-based, but leverages Silverlight to provide a rich –“desktop like” user-friendly experience. With 3CX MyPhone, users can easily manage their extension from their netbook or desktop and avoid having to use a cryptic phone interface. 3CX MyPhone works in tandem with softphones, IP phones and even iPhone and Android smartphones, retaining flexibility for users to choose what phone device best suits them.

3CX MyPhone Allows Users to:

See status/presence of other users

Launch calls from a web page, outlook or phonebook

Transfer calls to other users.

Divert calls to voice mail

Monitor queue calls (if they have the rights to)

See missed / inbound / outbound calls

Create and manage conference calls

Configure call forwarding options when away/out of the office

More Manageability and Security Features

Version 10 has also gained enhanced management and security features. Administrators have finer control over blacklisting of clients trying to register against the server. It is possible to automatically block outbound calls during night time or when the office is closed, as well as block outbound calls to countries or continents to which a company never makes calls.

3CX server event notifications were expanded, and administrators can now be notified by e-mail of critical system events such as a losing connection to a remote office or SIP trunk.

Improved PBX Performance

3CX Phone System v10 is the only native SIP PBX for Windows. This focus on Windows allows us to optimize our code for the platform. 3CX Phone System v10 performance was improved, whilst significantly reducing memory and processor usage. 3CX Phone System can run virtualized or alongside other server applications – thus not requiring a dedicated server!

Improved IP Phone & Smartphone Integration

3CX Phone System is SIP standard based and integrates with a range of popular SIP phones. In 3CX v10 integration was further beefed up with seamless support for PnP deployment of IP Phones, softphones and smartphones. Administrators just plug in an IP Phone or ask the user to install the 3CX smartphone app on their smartphone (via the Appstore/Android Market). The new clients will be visible in the management console and allow the administrator to push out the settings automatically.

Improved IP Phone Management

3CX Phone System has gone further in easing the life of the network administrator. IP Phones can now be managed end to end from the 3CX Management Console. Vendor Independent! IP phone firmware versions can be checked and upgraded remotely – either one by one or in batch mode. This significantly reduces administration time and increases control for the administrators.

Improve Customer Service

3CX Phone System can now match caller IDs to customer names, and show these in 3CX MyPhone or even on the IP Phone. Employees will be able to answer the phone knowing the customer’s name and significantly increase customer service.

What’s new in 3CX Phone System V10?

All Versions

Easier to use 3CX MyPhone that incorporates 3CX Assistant

3CX MyPhone is now Silverlight based, incorporating the old assistant and is therefore much easier to deploy

3CX MyPhone now also supported on Macs

Notification to Windows Event log, 3CX Event Log and optionally by e-mail on key events (show Event log)

Ability to blacklist IPs

Ability to block extensions being registered from outside the network

You can configure that particular extensions can not be used outside of the local network

Ability to limit extensions registering externally to use tunnel (which provides additional layer of security via password)

Ability to record prompts via the phone – simply click on prompt, enter extension name and record prompt

Reduced memory footprint and elimination of extra service

Class of Service – Specify extension group in outbound rules to easily create Class of Service rules

Themes support in 3CX MyPhone / 3CX Assistant

Small Business, Pro and Enterprise Editions

Improved conferencing page in 3CX MyPhone

allows for easier setup of conference calls

Queue tab in 3CX MyPhone which gives an overview of the status of queues

Improved BLF page – now allows provisioning of Speed dials, custom codes

Complete G722 support (Requires G722 capable phone)

Server will query phone book to match Caller IDS to a specific name

3CX has also created the What’s New in 3CX Phone System v10 video which discusses the latest features which can boost your company’s sales and increase productivity. This video, along with all other 3CX videos can be viewed on the 3CX Channel on YouTube.

For more information, visit http://www.3cx.com/blog/releases/unified-communications-new-3cx-version-10/

Use this V10 Demo Key to activate enterprise features: I8VM-OXW5-GRI6-EIV4

About 3CX

3CX is the developer of 3CX Phone System – an open standard unified communications platform for Windows that works with standard SIP phones and replaces a proprietary PBX. 3CX is more manageable and can deliver substantial cost savings besides increasing productivity. 3CX Phone System has earned numerous awards; Windows Server Certification, Windowsnetworking.com Gold Award, Windows IT Pro magazine 2008 and a Best Buy Award by Computer Shopper Magazine. For more information visit: http://www.3cx.com.

3CX Version 10 BETA Released!

3CX, the company behind the IP 3CX Phone System, have announced BETA of their new version 10 PBX. Version 10 is a major release, using Silverlight for the user portal, 3CX MyPhone for the first time. MyPhone will replace the 3CX Assistant and the old 3CX MyPhone portal as everything has been grouped in one easy to use portal.

The new 3CX MyPhone will be web based, but users will also be able to install MyPhone as a desktop app (also runs on Macs). According to 3CX, in this mode it uses the browser in the background but allows the user to resize 3CX MyPhone to their preference, as well as launch it automatically.

It's worth checking out, especially considering these features:

• Notification to Windows Event log, 3CX Event Log and optionally by e-mail on key events
• PnP support for 3CXPhone for iPhone, Android and Windows, Grandstream Executive GXP-21xx and Yealink phones. This means that you can just plug in the phone, assign extension in the management console and the phone will be automatically configured. This eliminates the need to specify the provisioning URL in the phone or via DHCP option 66.
• Complete support for the new Grandstream GXP-1450, GXP 2100, GXP 2110 and GXP 2120 phones. Requires firmware v. 1.0.1.56 and up. Note that these phones are still in BETA
• Support for the Grandstream GXP 3140, GXP 3175 video phones
• Support for the Yealink VP 2009 video phones
• Ability to black list IPs
• Ability to block extensions being registered from outside the network
• You can configure that particular extensions can not be used outside of the local network
• Ability to limit extensions registering externally to use tunnel
• Native 64 bit version (not available in beta)
• Ability to record prompts via the phone – simply click on prompt, enter extension name and record prompt
• Reduced memory footprint and elimination of extra service
• Specify extension group in outbound rules to easily create Class of Service rules
• 3CX have provided a downloads section where you can try out the BETA version 10.

3CX BETA Version 10 Phone System can be downloaded here. The administration manual can be found here (PDF). The 3CX MyPhone and Extension user manual is web based and can be found here while users can post any questions about the BETA here in the 3CX Phone System V10 BETA forum.

You can use this Beta V10 Demo Key to activate enterprise features: LFMD-4QDR-7OHP-ZZO2