1)  So, we understand Digium has released three new products recently.  Please provide a quick introduction to each product and its use?

Yeah, that’s right. We’ve actually been really busy. And I’ll start out by saying that this is just the beginning. We’ve really got just an amazing line up of products that you’ll be seeing hit the market over the next 6 months or so. But I’m going to talk right now about the three that we’ve already released.

The first of those is the TE820, which is the 8- port digital telephony interface card and that is capable of going up to 240 concurrent calls on a single card, which is our highest density card, and it’s really only priced a few hundred dollars over  our 4-port model, for an 8-port card. So it’s a pretty good deal.

Like the rest of our digital interface line, the TE820 can connect to T1, E1 or J1 circuits. It’s available in PCIe form factor, which has really become kind of the standard for servers over the last few years. And it is available either with or without hardware echo cancellation. We launched this back in November at Astricon and it’s been selling really well.

The next product is actually a whole new family of devices that we call the Redundancy Series, or R-Series Appliances. These are small 1U devices that act as sort of a switch for PSTN circuits. They basically allow you to set up a pair of identical Asterisk servers: one that is active and another that is standby. And then to move the PSTN servers between those two systems, normally the R-series connects the circuits through the Digium cards on the primary system, but in the event of a failure on the primary, the backup system will take over, and will command the R-Series to switch the lines over to the backup box. And we’ve actually got two versions of this.

The R800 is an analogue version for doing POTS circuits, and the R850 is a digital version for doing T1, E1 and BRI circuits.

The third product that we’ve released is actually Asterisk, called Asterisk 10. It’s the latest version of the Asterisk platform, which is our classic, our original reason for Digium being around. We announced this back at Astricon, and we released it just before Christmas. And if you’re familiar with Asterisk, you may be going, “Huh, wait a minute, Asterisk 10? I thought the last one was 1.8. What’s with the big jump?”

Well, we talked about it. And the next version was going to be 1.10, but a lot of people went, “Shouldn’t 1.10, be 2.0?” No, that’s not actually the way the version scheme works in open source.

But some people pointed out that a 1.x product is generally a pretty new and immature product. And Asterisk has been around for 12+ years at this point and is anything but new and immature. So after thinking about it, we decided to drop the leading 1 and just call it Asterisk 10. So next year we’ll have Asterisk 11 and so on.

So those are the three new products and we’re really happy to have them out in the market.

2)  What are the unique selling points compared with manufacturers that already have products that exist in this market?

Well the TE820 offers the highest port capacity at the lowest price of any card in the Asterisk market. If you’re running it in E1 mode, that’s where you’ve got 240 channels total, or 30 channels per span, the price breaks down to $7.00 per channel without echo cancellation or about $12.00 with. It also comes with our five year manufacturer’s warranty, our ESP guarantee, and it is coming straight from the guy that makes Asterisk.

The R-Series appliances, well they support up to eight lines, making them the highest density redundancy solution on the Asterisk market. They are aggressively priced. The street price for the R850 works out to roughly $100 a circuit. They are also deeply integrated with a whole suite of redundancy tools, to handle things like IP reallocation or file system synchronization, so they are really very powerful.

And Asterisk 10? Well, there really aren’t too many competitors out there for Asterisk. It is still the world’s leading open source telephony platform.

So the new features that we’ve added in include a completely re-built media engine that’s built for a post telephony HD world. We’ve updated the conferencing module, ConfBridge, to support wide-band audio. We’ve added a limited, but very powerful form of video conferencing. And Asterisk can now route text messages and text messages the way you can route calls. So that’s another big step forward for us. And we’ve also added better internet faxing with T.38 gateway support.

We’ve done a lot of other internal stuff, upgraded the database etc., so it’s a big leap forward, and we’re really happy to have Asterisk continuing to grow and to have a healthy evolving community.

3)  Why is there no FXS support, or support for Digium Switchvox, freepbx-based trixbox or Elastix in the Digium R series?

Well, our requirements for the R-series were really based on trunk requirements. So, the FXS and FXS port is of course a station port in the analog telephony world. And what we wanted to do is really be able to handle the primary-backup failover. So what we’ve set it up as is basically a trunk router, to route your trunks from the PSTN over.

Now in terms of the other sort of distributions that you mentioned, SwitchVox, Elastix, etc., I know we’re going to have support for Switchvox very soon. Usually a product takes a little while before we’re able to integrate it directly into the Switchvox. It takes the usual amount of engineering effort.

And in terms of trixbox and Elastix, that will be something an engineer could do. We’re hoping the teams from FreePBX or Elastix will do that with the R-Series. But we had to put out what we basically call a reference implementation. The implementation that we read about in the user guide is what we can easily support. It kind of takes the basics of doing true redundancy. And so, we can build it to that spec, we’re able to provide 100% support on it. But we fully understand that there are going to be people that are going to use it in slightly different means, and we’ll do our best, but that’s just the way it works when you are manufacturing something that is really complex like a redundancy solution.

4) Are there any new hardware developments at Digium or improvements you can tell us about that may be coming out in the future?

 Actually, I can’t tell you any details, but I can tell you that 2012 will be our biggest year yet for new products. The last two years have been years of incredible effort and investment, working towards new products that you’ll see released this year. Please keep your eye on Digium, I think you’ll see some really amazing stuff in the really near future.

Thanks again for your time today Steve. Steve Sokol, Digium’s Marketing Director for Asterisk.

This has been a VoIP Uncovered Podcast brought to you by VoIPon Solutions. For more information please visit www.voipon.co.uk.

Grandstream’s GXP1400 IP Phone and GXP1405 IP Phone offers cutting edge VoIP telephony features to small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with or without an IP PBX, at a revolutionary price-point. Phone users have access to an extensive set of best-in-class audio, visual, security, provisioning, and business features that allow the GXP1400/1405 to create a class of its own in the affordability segment of the IP phone market. The GXP1400/1405 features built-in TLS/SRTP security, secondary SIP server, best-inclass HD audio including an acoustically redesigned HD handset, improved double-talk performance, Acoustical Echo Cancellation on its full-duplex HD speakerphone, easy automated provisioning with TR-
069 or HTTPS, advanced XML customization and more.

The GXV3500 is a first-of-its-kind security, surveillance and facility management solution for SMBs that want to preserve their investment in traditional CCTV analog cameras while adding the capability to remotely display live video on a TV, or use the device as a voice/video public announcement system (PAS) over an IP network. The GXV3500 IP Video Encoder+Decoder+PAS is a 3-in-1 combo device that combines advanced single channel H.264 real time video compression or decompression functions at up to D1 resolution and up to 30fps in a single box. It also features two-way audio paging and video streaming using SIP/VoIP, integrated PoE (Power over Ethernet), serial port for PTZ camera control, microphone input, audio/video output, alarm inputs & outputs, pre- and post-event recording buffer, as well as advanced encryption for security protection.

The GXV3500 can also uniquely function as both a voice and video PAS for office floors, lobbies, shopping malls, warehouses, waiting rooms, supermarkets, public transportation stations, etc. Users can speak from an attached external microphone, or call into the device from a SIP IP phone to make voice announcements or supply digital background music to public areas through an external loudspeaker (with integrated power amplifier), or call into the device from a SIP video phone to make live video announcement or video advertisement on a TV connected with the GXV3500 from anywhere in the world.

“I am happy to grant Grandstream with two Product of the Year Awards. The editors of INTERNET TELEPHONY have verified that the GXP1400 HD IP phone and GXV3500 IP Video
Encoder/Decoder/PAS display quality and innovation plus satisfy real needs in the marketplace,” stated Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. “I would like to congratulate the entire team at Grandstream for their
commitment to advancing IP communication technologies.”

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Jan. 11, 2012) – Sangoma Technologies Corporation (TSX VENTURE:STC), a leading provider of hardware and software components that enable or enhance IP Communications Systems for both voice and data, today announced that that Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC), a global media company, has named its Vega 5000: Analog Media Gateway as a recipient of the 2011 INTERNET TELEPHONY Product of the Year Award.

“We are delighted that the editors and executives TMC and Internet Telephony Magazine have recognized the Vega 5000 for its reliability and flexibility in solving the interconnectivity issues that continually challenge network service providers and enterprises,” said Frederic Dickey, director of product management of Sangoma. “As more and more customers look to leverage cloud- and IP-based applications and features, gateways like the Vega 5000 will become an essential solution for connecting these emerging solutions with legacy hardware and network service.”

Designed to simplify the integration of legacy voice communications systems with an IP infrastructure, the Vega 5000 provides companies with a cost-effective option for leveraging new IP-based technologies within their existing infrastructure. The Vega 5000 is a 1u rack-mountable chassis supporting from 16 to 50 FXS ports for analog telephone stations, two FXO ports for PSTN connectivity, and full-duplex Ethernet connectivity to an IP infrastructure. It provides support for many popular voice codecs and protocols for voice, fax and modem connectivity, and has built-in enterprise-class calling and call control features such as least cost routing, call waiting, call forwarding, conference and hold. Designed to meet the requirements of telecom service providers, the Vega 5000 is certified to be connected to public and IP networks throughout the world.

According to Alexander Orlov, chief technology officer for ThreeLine, a telecommunications equipment provider located in Russia, the Vega 5000 is ideal for delivering robust voice services in high density residential deployments. "Our customers are very satisfied with both the reliability and cost-savings they’ve achieved by deploying the Sangoma Vega 5000 Gateway. This solution allows service providers and enterprises to extend the lifecycle of their existing network infrastructure, as well as roll out IP services to users. These capabilities have a very profound impact on their bottom line."

Sangoma provides an industry-leading portfolio of TDM to IP telephony interworking solutions, including award-winning boards, transcoding and gateway software, and standalone gateway appliances designed for simple integration with open source and closed source voice communications technologies.

"Sangoma is committed to provide agile solutions that bridge existing and emerging technologies. While we are justifiably proud of the Vega family of gateway appliances, it represents just one piece of our rapidly expanding portfolio that is designed to serve the evolving needs of service providers and businesses," concluded Dickey.

For more information about the Sangoma portfolio of IP telephony solutions, please see the Sangoma website here

• PSTN and legacy PBX connectivity support with T1, E1, BRI and analog protocols
• Survivable Branch Appliance to add voice resiliency to your branch offices
• Connectivity of fax machines and analog devices

Microsoft Lync is a unified communications solution that delivers presence, instant messaging, conferencing and enterprise voice capabilities through a single, easy-to-use interface that is consistent across PC and browser. Administrators benefit from a single, consistent management infrastructure, capabilities to increase availability, and interoperability with existing systems. 

“Our NetBorder Express Gateway was always designed to be compliant with the Microsoft Lync solution,” said Frederic Dickey, director of product management for Sangoma. “This announcement shows we’ve met our goal.”

“Sangoma’s NetBorder Express gateways provide customers an expanded choice in Media Gateway solutions that operate using Windows Server 2008,” said Kapil Sharma, Principal Group Program Manager, Microsoft. “Sangoma Technologies is working with us to help customers transition their communications into the future with Lync.”

Sangoma NetBorder Express Media Gateway is a software application that runs with Sangoma telephony hardware boards. This unique implemenation enables the Media Gateway functionality without having to add an additional server or appliance to the Microsoft Lync implemenation. The NetBorder Express software can run co-resident on any server that is already a part of the deployment. Sangoma Media Gateway works with Lync.

Announcing the availabililty of the beroNet GSM Modules for PCI and PCIe cards and Gateways.

How to sell VoIP PBX to GSM Integration in your market:

► Sell as an Add-on to any PBX in your Market and get new customers

► Earn commissions/provisions from Mobile carriers

► Save your customers’ money on fixed to mobile calls

► Guarantee your customers 100% availability and connectivity

► Free inter-company mobile calls

► Enter a new market sector with Mobile PBX

► Up-sell a Managed and Monitored service through the beroNet cloud

The Benefits of beroNet

Cloud Managed and Monitored

Remotely Monitor, Update, upgrade, provision, back-up, recover, create projects and schedule automatic tasks straight from your browser

Driver Free Technology

The world’s first driver free VoIP Card and Gateway technology running on all operating systems without the need to install drivers.

5 Minute Installations

Fast & Easy. The berofix solution is recognized as a network card in your system, it’s simply Plug & Play.

Modular Technology

Very flexible. You start with the berofix main-board and then just plug-in BRI, PRI, Analog, BRI/FXS Hybrid & GSM modules as your project needs.

Commenting on the alliance, Michael Bibelman, Voiceserve’s CEO, said, “Combining Voiceserve’s cutting-edge VoIP software platform with Grandstream’s advanced IP equipment into one marketing promotion is a win-win for both companies.  The combined worldwide reach of both companies, together with each company’s well recognized products in this fast growing VoIP market should prove to be a dynamic marketing alliance.”

“We are pleased to  announce the interoperability between Grandstream’s IP voice & video product lines and Voiceserve’s VoipSwitch platform”, said  David Li, CEO of Grandstream Networks.  “This mutual certification ensures our common customers  will have  a plug-and-play and end-to-end solution with very competitive performance and economic attraction.”

Sangoma gives Resellers and Partners the opportunity to earn back up to $175 per card during the promotional period.

The claim process is quick and easy:

• Login to the Partner Portal. If you do not already have an account on our portal, you just need to go to this url and complete the registration process: http://www.sangoma.com/ordering/become_a_partner.html
• You will receive notice of the activation of your partner account via email within 24 hours.
• For each card you sell, you can claim your rebate by filling out the form at this link: https://sangoma.com/partners/september_special.html

For each card properly purchased and submitted, Sangoma will rebate you up to $175. For the exact rebate amount for each card, please see the chart.

At the conclusion of the promotion (October 1, 2011), Sangoma will validate your purchases and rebate form submission and issue you a check for the total amout.*

Terms & Conditions

By providing the information requested and submitting this rebate form, you acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions set forth by Sangoma Technologies Corp.

• Valid only on eligible Sangoma purchases made from 09/01/11-9/30/11.
• There is no limit on the number of rebate submissions per person. While supplies last, no substitutions or rainchecks allowed.
• Rebate offer may not be combined with other offers or discounts from Sangoma Technologies.
• All rebate request forms must be completed and submitted by October 15, 2011 (12:00 AM EST). Mailed requests must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2011. Any claims postmarked after this date will not be processed.
• Sangoma is not responsible for lost, late or misdirected mail.
• Rebates will only be issued to the original purchaser name, as a cheque in US dollars. Sangoma Technologies reserves the right to reject incomplete submissions.
• Rebates cannot be redeemed after the October 15, 2011 date and/or if rebate promotion terms and conditions are not met. For all approved purchases, Sangoma will issue payment by the end of the October. Rebate cheques will be void if not cashed within 90 days of issuance and will not be reissued. Only actual original purchaser of the qualifying products may participate in this rebate offer.

Again, you must have a valid account in our Partner Portal to take advantage of this rebate. If you are not already registered, then click here and register at our Partner Portal. You only need to do this once and you will get access to great information that will help you sell more.

http://www.sangoma.com/ordering/become_a_partner.html

Purchase any of the qualifying Sangoma products from any authorized Distributor before September 30, 2011 and receive a rebate of up to $175 per product.

Xorcom are introducing another telephony interface board to their product family, P/N XR0126. It will contain two FXS ports and six FXO ports. Like its “older brother”, the XR0035/XR0036, which has six FXS ports and two FXO ports, it will be connected to the mainboard using two cables and identify itself to the Asterisk server as two modules.

The price and assembly policy are identical to those of the existing combination board; it can be used in the Astribank and all IP-PBX models (factory installed only), with no other modules present.

The formal announcement will take place later this month, and all marketing materials (including the price list) will be updated at that time.

Modular and any installation scenario is possible from low to high density with modules for PRI, BRI, FXS, FXO, BRI-FXS Combo and now GSM.

The OS is on-board, so you get driver-free Plug’n Play 5 minute installations, build-in echo cancellation and even T.38 Fax.

Best of all, you buy manufacturer direct and save money, get a dedicated account manager, updates and Free training.

There is a module for everything