: Denphone Digest :: April 2009 :: Volume 1, Number 4 :
Skype in the Enterprise Special Issue
In this issue of Denphone Digest we take a look at some of the big changes that are taking place with Skype and Asterisk based PBX systems. Denphone has recently completed successful beta testing of the new Skype for Asterisk software which allows business's to integrate Skype safely and easily with their Asterisk based phone systems. We also take a look at the Denphone 500 MicroPBX. As ever, if you would like to see something featured in Denphone Digest, feel free to contact us and we will see what we can do for you.
In this issue:
- Presidents Corner - Huw Williams
- Skype, Asterisk and the Enterprise - a great match
- Featured product: Denphone 500 MicroPBX: Small Office PBX
- Around the internet
- Denphone News - Monthly VoIP Lounge
Presidents Corner
We have received a lot of positive feedback and comments from the past few issues of Denphone Digest, and we thank our readers for their contributions. The recessionary environment has certainly been affecting equipment sales. However the cost reductions offered by VoIP has, if anything, increased activity in low cost call termination. And of course, one of the leading players in low cost calling is Skype! We mentioned the integration of Skype and Asterisk in our first edition of Denphone Digest, and we are pleased to announce that we have been successfully beta testing the Skype for Asterisk software for several weeks now. You can read more about this in the article below. Our featured product this month is a small diskless Asterisk appliance that we sell. This is an interesting and low cost solution for small offices.
Huw R. Williams
President
Denphone K.K.
Skype, Asterisk and the Enterprise - a great match
Simon Gibson
There is one big question we often get asked when customers are looking for enterprise telephony solutions - will your solutions work with Skype?
Now we can say that this is possible. Digium (the creators of the Asterisk PBX) have in conjunction with Skype, released a closed beta of a native Skype driver for Asterisk. The implications of this move for the enterprise and enterprise level telephony are very significant.
Possible applications could include an Investment Bank salesman talking to his Hedge Fund clients (many of who are big Skype users). Or a Procurement Officer in a multinational talking to smaller suppliers. Or a local distributor talking to overseas manufacturers in Taiwan. Skype for Asterisk has the potential to meet real business needs.
You can try out what we have been testing, just click here to be connected to a Denphone Skype IVR demo: Denphone Skype IVR Test System (Windows / Mac, Skype version 4.0 recommended). If you don't have Skype or it is banned in your organisation you could call Tokyo 03-4550-1514 to test our Skype IVR demo (although this is bypassing the Skype network). To use the IVR system you will have to turn on the Skype keypad, which can be accessed while making a call by clicking on the small black arrow next to the volume control. This only appears while the call is in progress.
Up until now, allowing Skype on corporate networks has been considered a significant security risk - and quite rightly so - by many IT managers. With the release of the native Skype driver for asterisk this risk can be effectively managed. Skype traffic can now be limited solely to the corporate network DMZ.
We have successfully completed beta testing of the driver, and can report it is possible to route calls from Skype to particular phones in the office, and also to route calls from in-office extensions to individual Skype users. Calls from Skype users show up with the users Skype ID displaying on the phones - in both English and in Japanese.
Conference calls between multiple Skype callers and multiple in-office participants are also easy to set-up - perfect if you have employees working off-shore and are looking for a cheap and simple way to communicate. It also is possible to route calls from Skype to particular phones in the office, and also to route calls from in office extensions to individual Skype users or through a PBX to a Japanese mobile phones out of office hours.
The second factor that makes this move a winner is that Skype are now offering business accounts. So where previously an individual leaving an organisation would mean the loss of those contacts, now Skype accounts can be assigned by the organisation and transferred to different employees - and therefore retaining valuable business contacts and lead information. Using Skype business accounts requires registration of a new Skype username and billing will be different from standard SkypeOut billing.
The implementation - being a beta test - is not perfect. We have found that with concurrent calls into the Denphone Asterisk PBX there is a problem when one party hangs up. This has been reported upstream and we expect this to be resolved once the Skype for Asterisk moves out of beta.
One feature to look forward to in the future is Skype integration with IP video phones, such as those produced by Polycom or Grandstream, as well as video conferencing equipment from companies such as Polycom and Cisco. This would be really interesting, and a killer app for business in our opinion.
The Skype for Asterisk driver is not to be confused with the recently released Skype for SIP beta announced by Skype. Network World's Matthew Nickasch (http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/40210) summed up the differences as including:
- Skype for Asterisk can handle incoming Skype calls from any user on the Skype network. Skype for SIP can receive incoming calls from Skype users only by statically mapping a Skype name to a SIP account.
- Skype for Asterisk can place calls to any user on the Skype network. Skype for SIP cannot place calls to Skype users.
- Skype for Asterisk includes support for Skype presence information. Skype for SIP has no support for presence.
- Skype for Asterisk includes buddy list management. Skype for SIP has no buddy list management features.
- Skype for Asterisk supports incoming calls directly from SkypeIn DID numbers. Skype for SIP does not.
- Skype for Asterisk supports multiple media codecs including G.711 aLaw and uLaw as well as G.729. Wideband audio will be available in a near-term revision. Skype for SIP supports only compressed telephony-grade G.729 media streams.
Denphone has been actively testing the driver at their Tokyo office and have found it to be very stable and a powerful tool for integrating Skype and Asterisk. The release of this beta has also generated a lot of interest within the Japanese Asterisk community.
Featured product: Denphone 500 MicroPBX: Small Office PBX
If you are looking for an inexpensive PBX solution to support up to 5 phones (including teleconference phones) then the Denphone 500 MicroPBX is the perfect solution.
The Denphone 500 MicroPBX was designed with small and remote offices in mind. With its' minimal footprint, it allows businesses and organizations in Japan to leverage the power of Voice over IP and take advantage of the cost savings of VoIP without the large capital expenditure normally required. Denphone offers the MicroPBX either as purchased unit, or as part of a managed telephone service plan.
This PBX has the common PBX features you expect to find including:
- Voicemail (and voice mail to email)
- CallerID and Call Logging
- Multiple DID (Phone number) Support
- Ring groups
- Support for IVR system and CRM system integration
Many people are amazed when they first see the Denphone MicroPBX because of its' tiny size. Being only 16 centimeters by 16 centimeters by 2.5 centimeters (6 and a bit inches wide by 6 and a bit inches deep by 1 inch high) it takes up a lot less space and uses a lot less power than other PBX systems.
This PBX can be used to connect small offices in Japan over the internet, allowing small teams to work in remote locations and still take advantage of corporate communication services such as teleconferencing and video conferencing. It can also be set up to allow companies to take advantage of Denphone's budget business international calling rates.
This PBX can also support SIP or IAX trunking - so you can also connect directly over IP to your office in Hamburg or Chicago just as if they were in the same building as you.
The Denphone 500 MicroPBX is available from our webshop here: English and Japanese.
Around the Internet
New, and not so new, products from Polycom
We were interested to see a couple of new products from Polycom, a global leader in telepresence, video, and voice solutions who have recently released the Polycom VVX 1500 Video phone, as well as taking over from Microsoft the sales, marketing and servicing of what was the Microsoft RoundTable and is now known as the CX5000.
The Polycom VVX 1500 Video Phone
The Polycom VVX 1500 Video (business media) phone is a high quality and reasonably priced video phone designed for desktop use. It fills a significant gap in the market between the budget-priced Grandstream offerings and Cisco's over-priced 7985G (which starts at around $2500 per phone).
The VVX 1500 offers simple and fast (one-touch) calls with easy access to voice, video, and applications. It delivers a business-grade experience with one personalized device - and the Polycom HD voice means the sound quality is virtually unbeatable. Users are able to access business information at-a-glance and increase remote collaboration synergies, build relationships, and view body language to enable more effective communication practices. It enable innovative third-party applications through the use of the highly customizable Polycom XML API as well as driving faster decision making with the ability to integrate communications into business processes.
The Polycom VVX 1500 will be available in Japan shortly, and demo and sales inquries can be directed to Denphone at 03-4550-1405 or via the Denphone contact page.
The Polycom CX5000 Unified Conference Station formerly known as The Microsoft RoundTable
Microsoft have announced that their RoundTable d be rebranded as the Polycom® CX5000 Unified Conference Station. The transition from Microsoft RoundTable to Polycom CX5000 will be worldwide in all markets where Microsoft is currently selling the product, and additional countries are planned in the near future. The Polycom CX5000 Unified Conference Station is currently available in Japan.
The Unified Conference Station is an advanced collaboration and conferencing device that provides participants with an engaging and immersive remote meeting experience. Used with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 or the 2007 version of Microsoft Office Live Meeting, RoundTable provides a 360-degree view of the conference room, high-quality audio, and video that tracks the flow of conversation among multiple speakers.
The Cisco bid: To branch out while others retrench
There is an interesting article by Rachel Metz via Associated Press detailing Cisco's plans to diversify even as other companies batten down the hatches during the recession. Cisco is "cash rich" and has been using that advantage to pursue merger and investment opportunities. Of great interet to many is the news that Cisco will be entering into the server market - going head to head with big names such as HP and Dell. Also, Cisco have been making moves into the video market, and they also look likely to expand into the hand-held Smartphone market. How they fare in Japan with these moves remains to be seen, but their progress will be followed with great interest by many in the Japanese market place.
Follwing is the beginning of Metz' article. A link to the complete article follows the excerpt.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) On the surface, there doesn't seem to be much of a connection between the servers that run corporate data centers and a handheld video camera you use to film family vacations. Yet both have somehow become part of the master plan at Cisco Systems Inc.
After growing into one of Silicon Valley's most prominent companies by selling behind-the-scenes computing products, Cisco is now expanding aggressively, using its hefty financial resources to go on the attack while other companies are just trying to survive.
In recent weeks, Cisco said it will start selling servers, opening a new rivalry with longtime partners like Hewlett-Packard Co. and IBM Corp. Cisco also agreed to pay about $590 million in stock to pick up Pure Digital Technologies, which makes the popular Flip camcorders.
Cisco has not been spared by the recession. Its profit declined 27 percent in its last quarter, which ended in late January, and it reported flat earnings in the previous period. It is slashing more than $1 billion in expenses, partly by cutting back on travel and freezing hiring.
You can read the original article via Google here: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5glcAhv1Y7hLNuTDfyJvf5Z4uon4QD97CE4MO0.
11 Funny SMS Messages
What with it being April and with spring here we thought it might be nice to add a little light humour to the magazine - so here are 11 humorous SMS messages for your amusement:
- If you jogged backward ... would you gain weight?
- Crime doesn't pay...Does that mean my job is a crime?
- This dog, is dog, a dog, good dog, way dog, to dog, keep dog, an dog, idiot dog, busy dog, for dog, 20 dog, seconds dog! ... Now read without the word dog.
- ALGEBRA: A weapon of math destruction.
- Two goldfish are in a tank. One says to the other, "Do you know how to drive this thing?"
- I'm late for work because the train driver had an out of body experience and didn't come back for a day and a half.
- I like Kids. But I don't think I could eat a whole one.
- It's no accident that stressed spelled backwards is desserts.
- You're slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter.
- Minds are like Parachutes. They work best when open.
- Aim for the stars. But first, aim for their bodyguards.
Denphone News
VoIP & Asterisk Lounge April 9th, 2009
The next VoIP & Asterisk Lounge will be held Thursday, April 9th, from 6pm at Cafe Lolita in Azabujuban, Tokyo. This monthly event is a great chance to meet and network with other Asterisk and VoIP users and developers in the Tokyo region.
- Cost: Free Entrance (drinks are between 500 and 900yen)
- Directions: From Azabujuban Station Exit 7 (Oedo or Namboku Lines),turn right and walk 2 minutes towards Roppongi Hills.
- Alternatively, exit at Roppongi station and walk down the hill towards Azabujuban (10 minute walk). Turn left when you get to Tsutaya. Cafe Lolita is on your left.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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About Denphone
Denphone K.K. is Japan's leading provider of open PC based VOIP Telephone PBX systems. Denphone supplies Digium / Asterisk solutions, Cisco, Polycom, snom and Grandstream phone and video systems as well as our own bespoke solutions.
Contact Denphone
Denphone is centrally located in Tokyo's Minato Ward in Azabujuban. We can be contacted by telephone on 03-4550-1405, via this contact page or by reply to the address this magazine was sent from.
Our postal address is: #402 Azabu Nagasaka Bd, 1-4-8 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045 Japan.
