Tom Keating : VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Tom Keating
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CommuniGate takes on Microsoft in Unified Communications

June 5, 2007

The ink isn't even dry on my Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 post (22 min ago) and I just read an email from a CommuniGate rep with the Subject line "Communigate and Adobe take the pants off Outlook Exchange".  Hmmm interesting. The email explains that CommuniGate Systems is launching their unified communications platform based on Adobe Flash technology, called Pronto! on Tuesday. Hmmm, Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 is in the unified communication space and so is Pronto!

VONaLink DialBridge Cell Phone to VoIP Gateway Released

May 29, 2007

Arcosoft Inc., developer of VoIP call recording software, today announced the release of VONaLink DialBridge. . Services exist to enable someone to call a local gateway number, enter the destination number, and then be connected at cheaper rates than dialing directly. DialBridge is similar, except that the DialBridge software runs on your cpmputer so that your VoIP service provider can be leverages for low-cost long distance VoIP.

My first thought was that this solution must be hardware-based, since you need PSTN connectivity for the incoming call to the PC.

Google Blog Search Sucks

May 22, 2007

Google Blog Search sucks and here's why. First, it is cluttered with spammy MFA (Made for Adsense) blogs that often aggregate (steal) content from legitimate blogs. I used to use Google Blog Search to see who was linking to my blog and to track any interesting blog conversations. Now, if I want to track any blog conversations I stick with Technorati.com and Techmeme.com.

Dialogic supports Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007

May 22, 2007

Dialogic Corporation announced today that it has expanded its support for Microsoft unified communications solutions. The Dialogic Media Gateways will enable unified messaging in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, I've got a testbed with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Exchange 2007 installed (which I still have to write the review on), so perhaps I'll get my hands on this new Dialogic hardware to some more interesting tests with. It's been quite some time since I last tested Dialogic hardware. My first review of Dialogic hardware was way back in 1996 in CTI Magazine.

In any event, Dialogic has expanded its gateway product lines and capabilities to support Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007.

Google Talk to offer PSTN phone calls?

May 19, 2007

A Google Apps multimedia training presentation shows Google Talk with "Show dialpad" in the user interface on Slide 9. It also says "Enter a name or phone number." Currently, Google Talk only lets you dial other Google Talk users, and the Gizmo Project - it doesn't support PSTN dialing, though there are some third-party add-ons that enable PSTN dialing from Google Talk, such as GTalk2VoIP. However, GTalk2VoIP uses their own termination network not one from Google.

So looking at this screenshot taken from an official Google page, can SIP-to-PSTN calling from Google Talk be far behind? How bout free PSTN calling?

Digium - The Showstopper!

May 18, 2007

Seems like Digium, makers of the Linux-based open source Asterisk IP-PBX, draws a huge crowd at every tradeshow, every keynote, and every exhibit booth. I remember the last ITEXPO they were demoing their new AsteriskNOW in the booth using a large TV flat-screen monitor and it was like 5 people deep by 12 people wide. So I wasn't surprised when Rich Tehrani shared a video and some photos from Communications Developer showing Digium's well-attended keynote. Once again, Digium proves itself as a real headliner attraction on the tradeshow circuit!

Rich Tehrani said, "Digium/Asterisk's Kevin Fleming is keynoting TMC's Communications Developer Conference and kicked off his presentation by dispelling the myth that Asterisk is only an open-source PBX.

Former Nortel Subsidiary Picks Fonality's PBXtra Over Nortel

May 17, 2007

Today, I spoke with Fonality's CEO Chris Lyman and Amon Prasad, Director of Information Technology for BLADE Network Technologies. BLADE Network Technologies is a former subsidiary of Nortel and get this - they selected Fonality’s Asterisk-based PBXtra over a comparable system from Nortel. Even though Nortel offered their former subsidiary a discounted price, it was still much more than PBXtra. Chris and Amon explained to me that Fonality was able to offer PBXtra at less than 50 percent of the cost of a proposed Nortel system and that included junking the existing Nortel phonesets with all new VoIP phonesets. Ecstatic over this "win" besting a well-known PBX manufacturer, Fonality stated, "BLADE is one example of how Fonality is now regularly beating out incumbents including, Cisco, Nortel and Alcatel in the small to medium business (SMB) market.

Communications Developer Conference Exceeds Expectations

May 17, 2007

Some great photos from the Communications Developer show that I wanted to share. By all accounts the show has been a resounding success. In fact, Dave Rodriguez, TMC's Vice President of Publications and Conferences sent the TMC team an email update saying, "Just wanted to update everyone on the progress of the Communications Developer event. The first three days have been very successful with attendance exceeding our expectations and genuine excitement and enthusiasm among our exhibitors, sponsors and attendees." This just confirms my point two days ago, that developers are going to be the key driver in taking IP communications to the next level -- so the strong interest and attendance at this show certainly bodes well for the industry.

Also, Rich Tehrani just captured some exhibit hall photos using his mobile phone which he instantly published to his blog! Amazing how technology can make you feel as though you're almost there.

Check out these photos which I borrowed from http://www.tmcnet.com/voipdeveloper/photos.htm                          



Windows Vista USB Audio Driver Problem Fixed

May 17, 2007

Windows Vista Ultimate Edition is my latest desktop machine at work and some USB audio devices have given me nothing but problems. While most USB audio devices have installed just fine, since they use the standard Microsoft USB audio class, some devices, such as a Jabra Netcom 9350 wouldn't install correctly. Apparently Vista does mandatory DRM checking for USB Audio Devices. I've heard of many users complaining that their Bluetooth headsets no longer work once they upgraded to Vista due to this new DRM protection.

VoIP Supply Offers VoIP Network Assessment and Evaluation Packages

May 17, 2007

Garrett Smith points me to a new program being offered by VoIP Supply to help SMBs deploy VoIP. One of the problems with VoIP deployment is QoS issues due to poor network design. Many SMBs just don't have the IT staff to properly configure switches to set the TOS (Type of Service) bit for packet prioritization or know how to configure a VLAN that separates the voice from the data packets.Garrett told me,"VoIP network assessment and evaluation packages for businesses 1 to 250 users in size. The packages have been designed by myself, and our Executive Vice President Cory Andrews, for those who do not have the in-house technical expertise to design and purchase their own IP PBX system, create technical drawings with documentation, analyze their current data and voice networks, as well as purchase the required hardware, software and telecommunications service components for their VoIP deployment."

He then explained, "The VoIP Supply VoIP network assessment and evaluation packages offer a complete and comprehensive set of deliverables that gives businesses of all sizes the ability to make informed decisions about a potential migration to VoIP."

VoIP Supply's VoIP network assessment and evaluation packages include the following:

  • Initial telephone consultation with an IP Communications expert.






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