VoIP Insider

Note:  This is the first installment in a three part series.

Like most people you’re probably accustomed to using a cell phone. So, why not have that same freedom of movement in the workplace?

Mobility is one of the major benefits of a Wireless VoIP solution.

However, wireless VoIP is not as mature as cellular technology so best practice is to have reasonable expectations of what to expect from these types of systems.

How Does Wireless VoIP Work?

Wireless VoIP, as the term suggests, is a VoIP phone freeing you from the constraints of wires.  It is similar in fit, finish and functionality to traditional VoIP phones expect that on the wireless versions, the Ethernet port on the phone is not required to connect to your LAN or your computer for VoIP phone service.

A wireless VoIP Phone is a VoIP Phone with a built-in Wi-Fi or DECT transceiver unit that connects to an access point or base station. This allows you to move freely around your home and or office while on a call. You can even send and receive calls at a wireless hot spot.

Wireless VoIP allows you and your employees to: 

Read more

Note:  This is a guest post by James Kander, North American Sales Manager for Polycom KIRK, and is the final installment in a three part series.  Click here for Part I and Part II.

Completing this series on when to choose DECT over Wi-Fi,  Jim Kander, North American Sales Manager for the Polycom KIRK line, joins us one last time to provide you with the best practices for installation and advice on things you need to make sure you do and things you should be sure to avoid.

To recap, Part I of this series helped users distinguish the differences between DECT (Polyom KIRK ) and Wi-Fi (Polycom SpectraLink) and Part II outlined what’s needed to make the solution work.

Site Surveys Key to Wireless Installation

VoIP Supply:  Jim, you’ve cleared up the vagaries between DECT and Wi-Fi and provided a short list of necessary system components.  Now how do we get this thing to work?

Can you tell our reader what the best practices are for installing a wireless VoIP system?

James Kander, Polycom:  When dealing with RF [radio frequency], every site is unique. Radio coverage depends on a variety of factors such as:

• Building architecture
• Construction materials
• Number of users and usage pattern
• Traffic distribution

A floor plan can be submitted to Polycom for an estimate of the base station number and placement. Deployment kits are available from Polycom to perform a thorough site survey prior to installation/turn up.

Each handset is equipped with a built in site survey which allows users to see signal strength, packet loss, channel utilization and other tools for troubleshooting.

Questions?

I hope this series was informative.  As always, if you have any questions please give us a call.  VoIP Supply is a Certified Polycom Channel Partner.

Related Links

• Polycom KIRK Deployment Guide
• Polycom KIRK 1610 Diagnostic Tool for Fault Finding & Deployment
• Polycom Deployment Kit

Several LifeSize product updates and availability have been released.

ClearSea

LifeSize ClearSea, the enterprise class client/server video collaboration solution for remote and mobile users, can now be updated to Sofware Version 2.0.12 that includes support for:

• Customizable banner image in mobile clients.
• New server-side contacts search and improved LDAP integration.
• Stability fixes.

Connections Compatibility

LifeSize Connections with the latest Software Version 4.9 update will now work with:

• LifeSize Express 220
• LifeSize Team 220
• LifeSize Passport

If you have either the LifeSize 220 Series or Passport video systems you must download Version 4.9 to take advantage of Connections.

Passport Connect Now Available

LifeSize Passport Connect is now available. Passport Connect is a  revolutionary HD video system optimized for cloud-based solutions, and when paired with LifeSize® Connections, provides:

• Auto-provisioning and seamless firewall traversal.
• Intuitive user interface with name-based dialing.
• Presence icons and search functionality.

Downloads

• LifeSize ClearSea Software Version 2.0.12
• Latest ClearSear Release Notes
• LifeSize Software Version 4.9 for LifeSize Connections Compatibility
• LifeSize Video Systems (220 Series, Passport) Support
• LifeSize Passport Release Notes

Questions?

If you have any questions our LifeSize specialist Andria Baunee will be happy to help you.

Unified Communications (UC) touts universal access across all mediums so why not have a little interface unity across those devices? 

The Polycom VVX 500 is a sleek new HD voice VoIP phone offering a familiar touch screen experience.  A touch screen experience that’s so familiar I’m confident that even my iPad toting dad can use this phone with little to no training. 

Time Saver

Time saving is Polycom’s goal for the VVX 500 through a small learning curve, desktop and mobile device integration, and fingertip access to your information.  The VVX 500’s 3.5 inch touch screen provides a quick look at your synced calendar, contacts, and streaming media (news, sports, weather, stocks) to give you a jump on your day while your computer boots up.

Performance

Billed as a performance business media phone, the VVX 500 targets busy workers that need a phone to keep up with their multi-tasking.  Or, this phone is for anyone who really hates lag time and thinks 15 seconds for a video to load is an outrage. 

The touchscreen’s response time is super-fast and very intuitive whether you’re entering data, scrolling through menus, or jumping from app to app.  Navigation is tuned to resemble smartphones.

Read more

Note:  This is a guest post by James Kander, North American Sales Manager for Polycom KIRK, and is the 2nd installment in a three part series.  Part I is here.

Part I of this guest post series talked about Polycom’s two wireless solutions, the Polyom KIRK (DECT) line and the Polycom SpectraLink (Wi-Fi) option including the best way for users to distinguish what the true differences between DECT and Wi-Fi are. 

Following up on the previous post Jim Kander, North American Sales Manager for the Polycom KIRK line, joins us this time to talk about implementing a wireless, DECT VoIP solution.

VoIP Designers, Make It Work!

VoIP Supply:  Tim Gunn is famous for telling Project Runway designers to “make it work.”  We hope VoIP integrators don’t have to face the same time pressures and brutally honest judges.

Jim, what is everything our readers need to have or buy to make a wireless, DECT VoIP solution work?

James Kander, Polycom:  There are four basic wireless VoIP solution components:

1.  First are the wireless handsets, which are used to transmit and receive voice and data communication. The handsets transmit information to special wireless infrastructure

2.  Infrastructure which includes KIRK Wireless Servers, base stations, and optional repeaters. In turn, the wireless infrastructure connects with the enterprise or hosted PBX or call control platform.

3.  There are also applications that drive greater productivity for mobile workers. Examples of applications include specific alarms and text messaging. This is all enabled through our open application programming interfaces.

4.  Finally, various optional accessories, including charging and carrying devices are available to maximize the functionality of the KIRK DECT solution.

Learn From My Mistakes

Coming up in the third and last installment are best practices for installation and advice on things you need to make sure you do and things you should be sure to avoid.

VoIP Supply is exited to announce that we’ve added FaxBack Fax adapters to efficiently employ VoIP faxing in your organization. 

Businesses still need fax machines but they haven’t evolved with your desktop.  Have you ever asked yourself why faxing can’t flow as easily as your online or computer-based applications?  FaxBack is here to provide the answer. 

The FaxBack Fax ATA (analog telephone adapter) will add new features to your ordinary fax machine just like VoIP added greater functionality to your phone. 

With a FaxBack fax ATA’s you can now receive fax notifications via email and manage your faxes through a control panel that allows fax tracking and archiving.  Even more, with FaxBack you can use any type of internet or data connection including satellite, Wi-Fi, and cellular data connections. FaxBack fax ATA’s are also HTTPS enabled making those faxes you send over satellite, Wi-Fi, or cell secure and reliable. 

“FaxBack is bringing faxing into the 21^st century,” said Garrett Smith, Chief Marketing Officer at VoIP Supply.  “The FaxBack Fax ATA provides great value by combining both voice and fax calls making it simple to integrate faxing into your existing networks.”