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

Polish foundry forging ahead with 3CX Phone System

Large manufacturing companies use GUSS-EX to provide design, production planning and casting of machine parts. They also provide warehouse logistics services for clients that want to plan and optimize their storage systems. This foundry focuses on streamlining its operations and enhancing the competitiveness of the Polish foundry industry. GUSS-EX is based in Poland and recently expanded with new offices in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.IT Manager of GUSS-EX, Piotr Rowinski, wanted to network these new offices to the Polish headquarters. While researching, he found that the current system they had was not scalable, it was extremely expensive, they were locked into one vendor and it was complicated to deploy to remote offices. Piotr decided that he needed to find an alternative solution and this is where 3CX stepped in.

3CX Phone System solved all the problems that Piotr was faced with, but also found 3CX to be flexible, low on cost, easy to manage and administer. 3CX works with standard SIP phones, supports various VoIP providers and is far less expensive than a traditional PBX.

After the installation of 3CX, GUSS-EX immediately noticed a rise in productivity since calls are not dropped or lost ‘on hold’. The management team was more than satisfied with the level of support and because of the user friendly interface, both users and administrator were up and running in no time with the new system.Piotr Rowinski says, “After I discovered 3CX I can’t really understand why people keep on spending so much money on their ‘old fashioned’ closed telecommunications systems.”

The full case study can be found here.

Neon Healthcare organisation glows with 3CX!

Neon Health Services Inc., a well known organisation in Cleveland Ohio, which is now entering its 40th year as a network of community health centers, has entrusted 3CX as their telephony provider.

Neon Healthcare has an overall staff of 280 and a network of six health centers. They offer accessible, comprehensive primary care services to the entire family, including Adult Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, OB / GYN, Behavioral Health, Dental Optometry and Podiatry services.

Al Barker, CIO, Neon Health Services, was looking to find a new solution to replace the complex and unreliable phone system they had. He was looking for something that was Windows based, reliable, able to accommodate to a large number of calls and to integrate their stock of existing SIP phones. After downloading and testing the free version of 3CX Phone System, Al found 3CX to be the perfect match.

A key factor to Al’s decision on implementing 3CX was that it is Windows based and easy to manage. This would have been unthinkable with Linux. Al found that not only are the cost savings impressive from installing 3CX , but it has also increased productivity and mobility to the staff by staying connected while out of office. Staff member are now able to stay in touch at all times with the free 3CXPhone (soft phone) and/or 3CX Assistant.

“..The installation of the 3CX communication system has transformed me to a hero. Thanks 3CX!” says Al Barker.

The full case study can be found here.

3CX releases free VoIP phone for Android: 3CXPhone

3CX announced the release of a free SIP phone for the Android Smartphone operating system. With 3CXPhone for Android, users can make free phone calls via wireless and 3G (mobile operator permitting). Examples of Android based phones are the HTC Desire, HTC Hero, Sony Ericsson Xperia, X10 Mini and Pro, Samsung Galaxy S and the Google Nexus.

3CXPhone for Android works with standards based SIP servers – including 3CX Phone System, Asterisk and popular SIP VoIP Providers. Unlike other “free” Android SIP phones, 3CXPhone is NOT locked down to a particular provider or PBX. Users can pick and choose their favorite provider or VoIP PBX and switch at any time or use different VoIP providers simultaneously. 3CXPhone is available free of charge for commercial and non profit organizations as well as private users.

“Smart phones will soon be the defacto mobile phone and with a docking station will act as a desk phone in time. A VoIP PBX must embrace this technology and deliver seamless integration to provide true mobility to its users.” said Nick Galea, CEO, 3CX. “Smartphone support is a key component of our strategy and the availability of 3CXPhone for Android delivers on this vision”. Nick Galea continued “We chose Android as our first platform – it is rapidly gaining market share because it’s open, standards based, vendor independent and evolving at a rapid pace. Android based Smartphones are available in different form factors and at competitive prices.”

Click here for full story.

3CX Phone System 9 goes Unified Communications with Video support

V9 of the popular Windows Phone system adds video support, android client and enterprise capabilities

3CX has released version 9 of its popular phone system for Windows. Version 9 is a significant upgrade that adds video support as well as enterprise features such as the ability to monitor remote PBX installations via 3CX Assistant and automatic remote installation and configuration of 3CXPhone and 3CX Assistant.

“3CX Phone System 9 is now a complete Unified Communications solution –We have added standards based video and support for smartphones as clients. At the same time we have added key enterprise features that widen 3CX’s appeal to larger companies”

“3CX continues to take market share and now has over 20,000 server installations worldwide. I expect that with v9 this number will grow dramatically.”

Video support
V9 allows single click set-up of video calls with other 3CXPhone users or with standards based video phones such as from Xlite, Yealink or Grandstream.

To read more on this article, please click here.

3CX receives Unified Communications Magazine 2009 Product of the Year Award

3CX Phone System for Windows Recognized for Exceptional Innovation

Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC®) has named 3CX Phone System for Windows as a recipient of its 2009 Unified Communications magazine Product of the Year Award.

Nick Galea, CEO, 3CX says “3CX excels at building an easy to use and easy to manage unified communications platform for any size business. We are delighted that the 3CX Phone System for Windows has been recognized for the unique unified communications capabilities and was awarded for the 2009 Product of the year Award for two consecutive years."

3CX Phone System for Windows is a revolutionary IP PBX that delivers unified communications technology by merging voice and data networks, allowing businesses to simplify real time delivery of information and ensure ease of use.

With 3CX IP PBX, collaboration between co-workers is made easier and cooperation with business partners and clients becomes more direct; even when the parties are not located in the same place.

Click here to read more.