The User Interface of Bria 3.0 for Mac

Desktop and mobile VoIP software manufacturer, CounterPath, has released a new version of its Bria softphone for Mac and Windows. Bria 3.1 is a secure standards-based softphone that include 1280×720p HD video calls. The upgrade sees an improved user interface which makes features easier to access. Bria has also expanded its interoperability with equipment from major vendors like Alcatel-Lucent, Avaya, BroadSoft, Cisco, NEC and Nokia Siemens Networks as well as Asterisk-based telephony systems. This includes the Switchvox platform.

Another new feature coming to this latest upgrade is multiple account support. Users can now choose on the fly which account to use for voice, IM and HD calling.

Bria 3.1’s other major new features include:

• Deskphone mode for using Bria to control basic functions of a deskphone
• Short Message Service (SMS) support (for custom builds), providing additional messaging capabilities
• User-configurable favorites lists, which provide quick and easy access to preferred methods of communication
• User-configurable keyboard shortcuts for quickly accessing Bria functions (Windows only)
• Additional call-management options, including call hold collapse and streamlined steps for common tasks such as conferencing and transferring
• Bandwidth-saving features, including the ability to select from three levels of performance and codecs depending on a PC’s capability to display video
• Improved USB HID support (more devices)
• Embedded Web module support
• Additional languages: Chinese, Dutch, Japanese and Russian (Windows only)

Current Bria 3.0 users will be automatically updated to Bria 3.1 when the new software is available. For more information about Bria 3.1, visit http://www.counterpath.com/bria.html.

You can optionally purchase the G729 codec for $8.99. The codec uses less bandwidth than the standard codec (G711 ulaw) and is an in app purchase. CounterPath says that G729 is ideal for “connections with limited bandwidth such as 3G.”

Configuration for Switchvox is easy if you’ve configured any other SIP phone before: create the extension in Switchvox, open Bria on your iPhone, enter the username and password (the phone password that you created in Switchvox – not the voicemail password – in Switchvox click the Show Advanced Options link and find the Phone Password), enter the Domain (your Switchvox IP address or domain name), enter 899 as the VM (unless you customized this in Switchvox).

That’s all you need to do. All networks are different so you might need address do some network configuration. See Digium’s Knowledge Base about configuring your network for Switchvox.

We’re here to help and this is our passion so give us a call if you have questions: 602.357.8070, info@chromis.com.

Version tested: 1.0.3107

Click to find Bria at the Apple App Store.

The Digium Switchvox User Manual contains general information for setting up your computer for outbound faxing. The User Manual gives detailed instructions for Microsoft Windows but not for Apple Mac OS X nor Linux. Outbound faxing with Switchvox is as easy as setting up a network printer but it turns out that the OS X configuration is not as straight forward. Click here to download a PDF document which contains complete instructions on configuring OS X Snow Leopard with Switchvox outbound faxing.

Panasonic KX-TPA50

Panasonic recently introduced a couple of new DECT 6.0 Wireless SIP products that I’ve been able to play with for the past few weeks before they were released. And now that they’re shipping, let me show you what I’m impressed with, here’s the short list:

• G722 Wideband Support
• Provisioning Simplicity
• Price

The support of G722 wideband codec, often referred to as “HD Voice” to use Polycom’s marketing term, is not very prevalent within the DECT wireless product portfolios of SIP telephone manufacturers. Nobody that I know supports it yet, not Polycom, not Aastra, so correct me if I’m wrong on this. But from my perspective this is the first DECT handset that I’ve used that supports the codec. And because I received my test units before the official product release, I didn’t have spec sheets or install guides to tell me that there was support for G722. So when I first provisioned it to my Switchvox SMB server and made a test call, I was very pleasantly surprised. Speaking of provisioning the handsets, it couldn’t be more easy. Simply enter a few bits of information in the easy to use web GUI and away you go.

And last but certainly not least is Price. The base-station and one handset MSRP is $199.95. The Panasonic KX-TGP500 and KX-TGP550 systems can be expanded up to a total of 6 cordless handsets by adding additional KX-TPA50 cordless handsets at $99. Each handset comes with charger and belt clip. Panasonic has made wireless SIP communications very affordable, while maintaining a robust feature set.

From now until June 30th, for every 2 additional handsets you purchase, you get 1 absolutely free! Use the promo code “DECT” during checkout at the Chromis.com store or contact us at 602.357.8070 for more details.

Panasonic KX-TGP500

KX-TGP500 – The system features a wall-mountable base unit and one cordless handset.  It is expandable up to 6 DECT 6.0 cordless handsets and supports up to 8 phone numbers and 3 simultaneous calls. It boasts Wide Band Audio (G.722) and 5 hours Talk Time, 5 days Standby. Its elegant design features a white backlit large LCD on the handset and a handset Call Button on the base unit. It also has a handset speakerphone, 2.5mm headset jack and belt clip.

Panasonic KX-TGP550

Also available is the KX-TGP550 – This unit has all the features and benefits of the KX-TGP500 and adds a corded base unit with a large white backlit LCD and 5 hours Talk Time, 5 days Standby, plus a Hands-Free Speaker phone, Handset Call Button on the base unit, and one-touch call transfer with Busy Lamp Indication.  MSRP $329.95

Click here to download a Data Sheet PDF of the KX-TGP500

Click here to download a Data Sheet PDF of the KX-TGP550

Asterisk, the open source telephony toolkit, is an industry-changing project that many organizations have used to replace old telephone systems. Asterisk solutions are known for technical advancement and cost savings compared to traditional PBX solutions. Unfortunately the technology world can be complicated and often requires customization to each organization. Asterisk is no different. Chromis has helped several of our customers migrate their Asterisk systems to the powerful, friendly, and commercially supported Digium Switchvox solutions.

Switchvox is created by Digium, the Asterisk company. Switchvox offers easy to use features like administrator and user web tools that reliably allow you to configure your system, control your telephone, run call reports, and interact with other software (like Customer Relationship database “CRM” or Microsoft Outlook). And when you buy a Switchvox SMB solution from Chromis Technology we provide one year of technical support and software updates.

Through August 31, 2010, Chromis Technology is offering our “Asterisk Upgrade Promotion”. Chromis will discount the cost of a Digium Switchvox solution by up to to $1,000! You can save even more by keeping your existing Digium telephony cards and standards based telephones like Polycom, Linksys, Cisco, Aastra, or snom. Contact our sales department for more information via email or telephone at 602.357.8070 if you would like to upgrade your Asterisk and win the benefits of Switchvox.

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Chromis Technology is pleased to be one of the first Digium Resellers to be both a Certified Switchvox Partner and also a Certified Asterisk Integration Partner under Digium’s new certification requirements.

Digium recently launched these programs to enable customers to to know that they are dealing with serious Asterisk professionals that have met Digium’s stringent requirements.

The certification program tests channel partners and their confidence to design, implement, and support telephone solutions such as a custom Asterisk solution or the turn-key Switchvox IP-PBX. To learn how Chromis Technology can implement your Asterisk or Switchvox solution, please click here to contact us.

This morning at VoiceCon Orlando, Polycom introduced a phone that I’ve had the pleasure of beta testing for the past few weeks, the SoundStation IP 5000 Conference Phone. After I was done with my analysis, I gave it to a good customer of mine to check it out and use on their Switchvox 4.5 Server. He was impressed. So impressed that his quote about the product even made the official press release. (Which can be read here.)

“We have been using Polycom SoundStation IP conference phones in our larger conference rooms, and their clarity and ease of use have delivered tangible benefits during our conference calls,” said Michael Smith of Maricopa Property Development. “The SoundStation IP 5000 is a great fit for our smaller meeting rooms and private offices. It offers the great voice quality I expect from Polycom at a price that is affordable, and being able to conduct high-quality conference calls from our offices and other smaller rooms is improving our productivity.”

Not too bad… So here are the details of the SoundStation IP 5000:

• 7 kHz Polycom HD Voice for remarkable clarity and intelligibility
• 7-foot (2.1-meter) microphone pickup range
• Resists interference from mobile phones and other wireless devices
• High resolution backlit display
• Multi-language support
• Integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity
• Small footprint is ideal for executive offices and small conference tables
• Entry level price point, only $599 MSRP!

In my humble opinion, this new phone completes the Polycom SoundStation Conference phone lineup. There is now a small office or conference phone solution in the IP 5000, a small to medium size conference solution in the IP 6000, and a large conference room solution in the IP 7000.  Click here to download a PDF of the Polycom SoundStation IP Conference Phones Product Reference Guide for a full comparison of the IP 5000, IP 6000, and IP 7000. Stay tuned to this site for a more detailed review of the new IP 5000 conference solution.

Don’t delay, enter today!

Contest entry deadline is March 12, 2010!

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