Tom Keating : VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Tom Keating
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VoIP

VoIP news, trends, and opinions, VoIP reviews. Covering Asterisk, Cisco, Grandstream, Polycom, Microsoft, Vonage, Packet8, etc.

Skype for SIP is Now Skype Connect

August 30, 2010

Today, Skype announced that Skype for SIP is changing its name to Skype Connect. Guess the techie name "SIP" isn't exactly business-friendly, hence the name change. Today, they are also announcing that hat Skype Connect (formerly Skype for SIP) is officially out of beta.

By using Skype Connect with an existing PBX, your business can do the following:
  • Make outbound calls from desktop phones to landlines and mobiles worldwide billed at Skype's standard per-minute calling rates;
  • Receive inbound calls from Skype connected users worldwide by placing Skype's Click & Call buttons on their Web sites;
  • Receive calls from landlines or mobile phones in the corporate PBX using Skype's online numbers that have been purchased separately; and
  • Manage Skype calls using your existing PBX or UC systems' features such as call routing, automatic call distribution, conferencing, auto-attendant, voicemail, call recording and logging.
Since the beta launch of Skype Connect in March 2009, here are some of Skype's milestones:
  • Skype Connect already has over 2,400 active global customers;
  • Skype Connect is now certified to work with PBX and UC products from Avaya, Cisco, SIPfoundry, ShoreTel and other OEMs (see supported models here).
  • Skype Connect also works with older TDM PBXs or Key Systems which can now add Skype calling capabilities through third-party IP gateways from AudioCodes, Grandstream and VoSKY (see supported models here).
  • Launched Skype Manager, a simple web-based tool to centrally manage and control Skype usage in a company, and which enables a business to set-up Skype Connect;
  • New dedicated customer support, including real-time chat, is now available for Skype Connect customers and Skype Manager administrators directly through Skype Manager;
  • In addition, we've been enrolling VARs and system integrators in our new Skype Channel Partner Program and training them to support our business customers. We will share more details on this program soon.
Perhaps the biggest milestone is "dedicated customer support".



Google Testing VoIP Calling in Gmail

August 25, 2010

Interactive Intelligence Interaction SIP Station Review

August 24, 2010


Interactive Intelligence
sent me their new Interaction SIP Station to check out and review. It's an interesting little product that aims to replace big bulky desktop SIP phones with a simple little SIP-based Power over Ethernet (PoE) box that has a headset jack for connecting any standard headset. The obvious market is call centers where agents often take calls using a headset and a softphone application and have no need for a desktop phone with a full touch-tone keypad, speakerphone, handset, etc. In fact, often the handset stays cradled and the agent simply answers the call with the headset, which essentially means the desktop phone is a glorified PBX-to-headset converter.

Microsoft to Exhibit at MSPWorld

August 23, 2010

Microsoft just announced they are exhibiting at  MSPWorld co-located with TMC's ITEXPO in Los Angeles. ITEXPO is already beating estimates and MSPWorld is doing quite nicely as well.

So why should you attend MSPWorld?

Here's an overview:

MSPWorld Conference and Expo is a high level multi day networking and educational event, formulated to address the issues facing the service provider community as a whole, in the US market and abroad. With a heavy emphasis on business and market development, new customer acquisition and retention, building value in your managed services practice and accreditation's and certifications.
For the last 10 years the International Association of Managed Service Providers (MSPAlliance) has been serving the global MSP community.
Developing professional standards, bringing MSPs around the world together, helping to make the name managed services a common phrase amongst businesses of all sizes, these are but a few of the things the MSPAlliance has done on behalf of its membership and all MSPs.







Gmail Voice and Video Chat Now on Linux

August 20, 2010

Pre-Registration for ITEXPO Trending 70 Percent Ahead of 2009

August 18, 2010


Some great news from TMC that I thought I'd share. Internet Telephony Conference and Expo (ITEXPO) pre-registration is trending ahead of last year by 70%! I'm obviously going to be there to check out and write about the latest happenings in VoIP, 4G, smart grid, cloud communications, and more. I get some of my best news scoops there and obviously get to do some social networking with some leading industry insiders.

Skype mobile now available on Verizon Wireless BREW phones

August 18, 2010

Skype is now available on Verizon Wireless multimedia phones on the BREW platform. What's interesting about this partnership is that it is NOT VoIP - the call is actually routed over Verizon Wireless's network. It requires a cellular connection and won't work over WiFi. Additionally, you actually use your Verizon minutes when you make a Skype to mobile or landline number. I suppose that's better than having to pay to charge up your SkypeOut minutes.

Skype updates iPhone app

August 16, 2010

CounterPath Adds Multiple SIP Account Support to iPhone App

August 16, 2010

Back in June, I mentioned that CounterPath told me they were working on a multiple SIP account version of their iPhone/iPad/iTouch application. That day has arrived!

CounterPath today announced the availability of Bria iPhone Edition Version 1.1 for Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Compatible with Apple's new iOS 4 operating system, Bria iPhone Edition 1.1 is a highly secure, standards-based VoIP softphone that works over both 3G and Wi-Fi networks.
 
Bria iPhone Edition 1.1 leverages iOS 4 to deliver multitasking VoIP on the iPhone.



PowerDsine Extender Delivers Whopping 25.5 Watts Over 200-meter Ethernet Cabling

August 11, 2010


I had a conference call with Microsemi's Daniel Feldman, Director of Marketing while he was in a noisy airport. It made it difficult to understand the new product he was describing, so we planned to reschedule, but it never happened. Nevertheless, I wanted to share the interesting Microsemi news, since they are one of the leaders in the Power over Ethernet (PoE) space. As more and more network devices leverage PoE requiring more power, keep your eye on Microsemi to be on the forefront of PoE midspans and extenders to feed your power hungry LAN devices.
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