Polycom Microsoft WPC 2013 Announcements

July 9, 2013 by Tom Costelloe

With Microsoft WPC 2013 in full swing this week in Houston, Texas it wouldn’t be surprising to see quite a few Lync product announcements coming out and Polycom has duly obliged. Today Polycom announced the release of two new Lync video conferencing units and Lync qualification for their VVX Business Media phones.

According to the press release the new Polycom CX5500 and Polycom CX5100 are “the industry’s first 360-degree, panoramic 1080p HD video collaboration solutions custom-built for Microsoft Lync 2013.” Additionally each model supports 30 frames per second, Polycom HD Voice and USB connectivity allowing them to be connected to a computer. The main difference between the two models so far seems to be the ability of the CX5500 to double as a SIP conference phone.

The 360 degree panoramic ability of these two new Polycom models allows them to be placed in the center of a table helping to enable “natural conversation that addresses the need to collaborate and engage simultaneously with those in the room (around the table) and other participants who are remote.”

While Polycom already has the CX5000, which offers 360-degree panoramic view, it only offers 720p HD and was not designed specifically for Lync 2013. The new models are being positioned as the successors to the CX5000 and fall more in line with the styling that has been seen with the Polycom SoundStation Connect and the Polycom Group Series.

Pricing hasn’t been announced for either model but should be available shortly seeing that the Polycom CX5100 is scheduled to be released in September and the Polycom CX5500 to follow sometime in Q4.

In addition to the release of the new models Polycom also announced that it had earned Lync 2013 qualifications for the Polycom VVX 300, VVX 310, VVX 400 and VVX410. Announced in Q1 of this year, these Polycom VVX models were positioned as the entry and mid-range models in the VVX line. Through a software update, Polycom UC Software v 5.0, these and other VVX Business media phones will have “new features including improved call management such as call park or call transfer; and the ability to search address book contacts” in Lync environments.

Polycom UC Software v 5.0 is currently slated for an August release.

How To Protect Your eCommerce Site From Hackers

July 5, 2013 by Nathan Miloszewski

Hackers and fraud got you down?

Don’t let all the hard work you put into your eCommerce site be derailed.

Take some precautions by taking the advice of these 15 Ways to Protect Your Ecommerce Site From Hacking and Fraud from IT pros.

Jennifer Schiff, CIO.com writer, shares expert tips to reduce credit card fraud and maintain the trust of your customers.

VoIP Supply’s stellar Software Development Manager, Shawn Hess, chimes in with the suggestion to choose a secure eCommerce platform:

“Put your ecommerce site on a platform that uses a sophisticated object-orientated programming language,” says Shawn Hess, software development manager, VoIP Supply.

“We’ve used plenty of different open source ecommerce platforms in the past and the one we’re using now is by far the most secure,” Hess says. “Our administration panel is inaccessible to attackers because it’s only available on our internal network and completely removed from our public facing servers. Additionally, it has a secondary authentication that authenticates users with our internal Windows network.”

Via CIO.com

VoIP Supply Welcomes Jerry Wheaton as New Director of Sales

July 2, 2013 by Nathan Miloszewski

Jerry Wheaton, new Director of Sales at VoIP Supply

VoIP Supply is experiencing some growth these days having just been named to the list of Fast Track Companies in Western New York.

But we still needed someone to help guide us in the right direction so, after a long search, we’re very happy to announce the executive appointment of Jerry Wheaton as the new Director of Sales.

Wheaton will lead VoIP Supply’s sales team to expand opportunities with an emphasis on leading; not managing, supervising, or babysitting. He will also oversee several different divisions within the company and proactively recruit and train for all sales roles.

The Best Fit

“We’re excited to welcome Jerry to VoIP Supply and finally end a two-year long search for a new Director of Sales,” said VoIP Supply CEO Ben Sayers. “VoIP Supply is growing rapidly into our second decade of success so it’s important to have a proven sales leader with a technology background. But more importantly, Jerry is the best fit for our culture of doing well so that we can continue doing good for our community.”

Wheaton is a specialist in process implementation, strategic planning, coaching and mentoring, and sales organization development whose experience comes from spending the past two decades in the telecommunications and information technology industries.

Wheaton most recently worked in Sales for Innovative Solutions and prior to that was Vice President of Callfinity, Inc. He resides in the Rochester, NY area and holds a B.A. in English Literature from Niagara University.

Welcome aboard, Jerry.

Entrepreneur Advice on How To Onboard Employees

June 28, 2013 by Nathan Miloszewski

Entrepreneur Advice on How To Onboard Employees

Does your company know how to properly onboard a new hire to increase retention and avoid the cost of employee turnover?

YFS Magazine

Ben Sayers, CEO of VoIP Supply, and other entrepreneurs share their advice in the YFS Magazine article, “10 Effective Ways to Train and Educate New Employees.”

What does VoIP Supply do?

We encourage employees to always be learning and sharing knowledge with each other.

 

Switchvox in the Cloud

June 27, 2013 by Nathan Miloszewski

Digium has a webinar coming up that will teach you the 5 Things You Need to Know to Make Your Network Ready for Cloud Telephony:

  • Network Bandwidth and Equipment Design
  • The Need for Speed
  • Private & Public Cloud Deployments
  • Best Practices for Securing the Service and Apps
  • Choosing the Right Phone – Quality vs. Flexibility

Angie Reed, a VoIP and Switchvox Cloud expert, will explain what your network needs to provide reliable phone service in the cloud and the questions you need to ask when you’re vetting Unified Communication (UC) vendors to make sure their service is the best fit for your needs.

What is Switchvox Cloud?

This webinar is an introduction to Switchvox Cloud which is:

  • Full-featured UC solution for SMB’s
  • Compatible with premise-based Switchvox
  • Mobile ready with support for iPad, Android, Blackberry including tablets and phablets

Click here to register for the webinar on Thursday, July 11th at 3 pm EST.

 

 

 

 

Wireless Networking Webinar Today from ADTRAN

June 26, 2013 by Nathan Miloszewski

Adtran NetVanta 7100 All-in-One UC Communications Platform

Today at 2 PM CDT ADTRAN is hosting the ACES ProCloud WiFi webinar to showcase their wireless networking solution to help you:

  • Win new client accounts
  • Improve customer retention
  • Increase your Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)

ACES ProCloud WiFi is the “industry’s first fully managed, business class Wi-Fi service” that “provides your customers with a “No Worry”, cloud-based wireless LAN solution.”

To learn about new service revenue opportunities, register here.

Skype Video Voicemail

June 25, 2013 by Nathan Miloszewski

Video messaging from Skype has graduated from the testing phase to a full-fledged feature for:

  • Windows and Windows 8
  • Mac, iPhone, iPad
  • Android
  • Blackberry

Skype video messaging is completely free and will help busy people everywhere  “catch up whenever, wherever.”  It can also help you avoid the tedious step of logging in to listen to voicemails on your phone.

It’s Why We Use Video

We use video conferencing because it’s easier to understand what someone’s talking about when you can see them. Skype’s video voicemails have the added benefit of using video even when the other person is not around.

This feature is a much nicer way for people to stay in touch and with the ability to show someone what you’re working on, it should make it easier to solve a problem or, get answers to a question.

We can also add “TL;DW” to our list of text abbreviations, to send to anyone who leaves long messages (Mom).

And remember, Skype looks better when you’re using one of these HD Skype webcams.

Via TechCrunch

How To Choose a VoIP Service Provider

June 22, 2013 by Nathan Miloszewski

Choosing a VoIP service provider is just as important as choosing the right VoIP phones.

VoIP Service Guide

VoIP Supply’s Guide to VoIP Service is now available for download.

Just like with any technology purchase, it always pays to do your homework.

If you ask the right questions up front, you can avoid signing with a risky provider — or one that doesn’t offer what you need.

Most VoIP service providers offer basic capabilities such as voicemail or call hold but may not give you the advanced features, service options, or scalability that your business needs.

This buyers guide looks at:

  • What is VoIP Service?
  • VoIP Phone System Anatomy
  • VoIP Requirements List
  • How to Choose a VoIP Service Provider
  • Ways to Improve Call Quality

Click here to download the VoIP Service Guide today.

VoIP Supply One of Western New York’s Fastest Growing Companies

June 21, 2013 by Nathan Miloszewski

This past Wednesday, June 19th, Buffalo Business First held its annual reception for the Fast Track Companies of Western New York.

When the list was unveiled, VoIP Supply ranked #33 out of 65 area companies with 30.93% sales growth over the last three years.

WNY Weathers The Storm

Congratulations to all of the other great companies on the list that help drive the success of our region.

Business First honors privately held companies in two categories, Established Companies and Young Companies, and ranks them based on the largest percentage increase in sales from 2010 to 2012.

Peter Marlette, managing partner of Fast Track sponsor Damon Morey LLP, expressed that it’s “refreshing to see that Western New York has weathered the storm” of the recent economic turmoil.

“Our region’s strong business community, supportive environment and passionate people demonstrate why WNY is a great place to start a business,” said Marlette.

Doing Well So That We Can Do Good

VoIP Supply’s CEO, Ben Sayers, is thrilled that his company not only made the list but was able to do so as a Certified B Corporation.

As a sustainable and responsible company, VoIP Supply’s mission is to “Do Well, Do Good, Suck Less:”

Focusing on these six words, we have climbed back on the list of fast growth companies in our region as well as focus on giving back to our local community and environment. It is our hope that our actions will inspire and challenge other businesses in the area to step up and deliver in kind, demonstrating clearly that a company can accelerate and grow even when the focus is not solely on revenue or profits.

I am extremely proud of the team at VoIP Supply and want to thank each and every one of them for their belief in what we do, why we do it and for delivering excellence every day.

Congratulations to Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) WNY Companies

VoIP Supply is also a Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member in the WNY chapter.  Congratulations also go out to all the fellow EO WNY companies that made the 2013 Fast Track list:

  • Kegworks | Ranked #10
  • 360 PSG | Ranked #23
  • Avalon Document Services | Ranked #54

VoIP Headsets for Polycom, Cisco, Grandstream Phones

June 20, 2013 by Nathan Miloszewski

Jabra Headsets

It’s a popular question:

“What headsets work with my Polycom/Cisco/Aastra/Grandstream phone?”

To find the answer you can navigate the fun maze of  manufacturer websites, read thrilling product product data sheets, or just make it easy on yourself and check out these links:

Simply browse the list of VoIP headsets that have been tested to sync with your phone.

Also, you can download the VoIP headset cheat sheet for future reference.

 

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