3CX Makes Company Phone System Talk Skype

3CX Launches Free SIP to SKYPE Gateway for 3CX Phone System users

3CX today announced that it has released 3CX Gateway for Skype, which allows VoIP Phone System users to receive and make SKYPE™ Calls company-wide

3CX Gateway for Skype is software based and will run on a non dedicated Windows System and on the same computer as 3CX Phone System. It is a free add-on for 3CX Phone System users, including those using the free edition. 3CX Gateway for Skype integrates Skype™ calls seamlessly into the phone system, allowing inbound Skype™ calls to be forwarded to call queues, ring groups, IVR, Voice applications and more.

“3CX Gateway for Skype allows companies to save significantly by using Skype for outbound calls. More-over, users can redirect calls to Skype™ numbers when out of the office and leverage Skype clients on iPhone and Windows mobile.” Said Nick Galea, 3CX CEO.

“A Skype™ account can also be published on the website so that customers can call the company free of charge. Skype™ calls will be channeled through the company phone system just as any other call and be forwarded to regular call queues. This can be significant competitive advantage for many web based businesses” continued Nick Galea.

Features

• Completely software based, no need for a separate box
• Full support for inbound and outbound Skype™ calling
• Ability to specify a master account, which will transfer incoming
• Calls to other Skype accounts and so keep the main Skype account free for calls
• Supports latest versions of Skype™ client
• Quickly add additional Skype accounts from the 3CX interface
• Shows credit available for each Skype account
• Automatic call logging

Obtaining 3CX Gateway for Skype

3CX Gateway for Skype can be downloaded from here. A detailed configuration guide is available here.

About 3CX

3CX is an international developer of telecommunications software, headquartered in Europe with offices in the UK, USA, Germany, Cyprus, Malta, Australia and Hong Kong. It is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner and is backed by an experienced management and development team. Its product, 3CX Phone System for Windows, has earned Windows Server 2003 Certification and has received numerous awards, including The Windowsnetworking.com Gold Award, the Communications Solutions 2007 Award, the Windows IT Pro magazine 2008 Editor's Best Award and a Best Buy Award by Computer Shopper Magazine, all in recognition to the company's commitment to innovation and quality.

For more information visit www.3cx.com and 3CX VoIP Blog.

Compare the Unified Communications Players

Although UC (unified communications) is still a relatively new market, a number of vendors are already offering sophisticated solutions. It's important to know how these systems differ before deciding on one for your company. Compare eight leading Yhtenaistetty-viestinta solutions across a wide range of features and capabilities in VOIP-puhelinjärjestelmän News' in-depth guide.

In this guide, you'll learn how top vendors compare across features including:

• Cost
• Presence
• Unified Messaging

Don't wait to download your free UC comparison guide and learn more.

Marines Getting Communication Upgrades from General Dynamics

The U.S. Marine Corps’ Combat Operations Centers will now have Internet-like capabilities from General Dynamics C4 Systems. General Dynamics will also be upgrading the Marine’s situational awareness and Information sharing abilities.

“This effort begins the transition of the Marine Corps Combat Operations Center from a hardware-based unified communications system to a secure, software-enabled command and control system that will also facilitate rapid integration of new technologies as they become available,” said Manny Mora, vice president and general manager for Battle Management Systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems.

3CX partners with JTS Japan to claim a stake in Japan's growing VoIP PBX market

apanese resellers and customers now have access to the leading Windows soft PBX with local sales and technical support from JTS

3CX (www.3cx.com), the international developer of the award-winning 3CX Phone System for Windows has announced a distribution agreement with JTS Japan (www.j-ts.com), a leading distributor of networking equipment in Japan.

“JTS is an established VOIP-puhelinjärjestelmän and innovative distributor of Networking Equipment and we are delighted to be able to partner with them and extend our reach into Japan.” said Nick Galea, CEO at 3CX. JTS’ technical knowledge will be crucial in positioning 3CX as a leading VoIP PBX brand in Japan. “Japan is the second largest market in the world and we are fully committed to it. The interface is already available in Japanese and complete localization will be available soon”, continued Nick Galea.

"There is a huge market for 3CX in Japan – 3CX Phone System is easy to install and allows companies to setup a professional phone system that leverages VoIP. We also distribute Patton VoIP Gateways, which allows companies to continue to use their current phone lines", said Tom Kojima, JTS CEO.

3CX Phone System for Windows is based on the SIP standard and supports most popular SIP phones, VoIP Gateways, VoIP service providers and PSTN phone lines. It offers a scalable and easy to install alternative to proprietary PABX telephony solutions; whilst giving businesses access to a full set of advanced telephony features that allow them to reduce telecommunications costs by enhancing staff’s mobility and productivity.

JTS will be showcasing 3CX Phone System at the Unified Communication Tokyo 2009 show.

About JTS Corporation

JTS Corporation imports, sells and services various network products and solutions, such as xDSL, IP DSLAM, modems and fiber network products. JTS offers various networking solutions with unique technologies to carriers, broadband service providers and local and federal governments in Japan. For information, contact the sales department at JTS by phone at +81-45-781-4711 or by e-mail info@j-ts.com. JTS is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. URL: www.j-ts.com.

About 3CX

3CX is an international developer of telecommunications software, headquartered in Europe with offices in the UK, USA, Germany, Cyprus, Malta, Australia and Hong Kong. It is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner and is backed by an experienced management and development team. Its product, 3CX Phone System for Windows, has earned Windows Server 2003 Certification and has received numerous awards, including The Windowsnetworking.com Gold Award, the Communications Solutions 2007 Award, the Windows IT Pro magazine 2008 Editor’s Best Award and a Best Buy Award by Computer Shopper Magazine, all in recognition to the company’s commitment to innovation and quality. For more information, visit www.3cx.com.

Why a Windows based PBX trumps a Linux based appliance or proprietary PBX

3CX releases a Whitepaper explaining the benefits of a windows based phone system over a Linux based appliance or “VoIP enabled” proprietary PBX

London, UK, 21 May 2009 - Companies planning to take advantage of cost savings and productivity increases achieved by using VoIP face a difficult decision what PBX solution to choose. Amongst the options are a Windows based software solution, a Linux based black box style appliance or a “VoIP gateway enabled” proprietary PBX. The whitepaper released today by 3CX titled ‘The top 10 advantages of a Windows based PBX’ details the key benefits of a Windows phone system and explains why customers should shy away from yet another black box solution.

“A Windows based PBX solution is by far the best choice for any company that relies on Windows networks & servers. Hiding the complexity of a Linux based PBX solution in a dedicated appliance or Linux distribution is only a short term solution that will result in a much higher TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) over time. Furthermore, companies will not be able to take full advantage of VoIP and Unified communications for sip telefon because integration possibilities with existing Windows applications will be limited”, said Nick Galea, 3CX.

“VoIP enabled” proprietary PBXs (Τηλεφωνικό Κέντρο) provide only limited VoIP gateway support and because in most cases they do not adhere to the open SIP standard, customers will be limited in choice of phones, VoIP services and gateway hardware and will not be able to get the full benefit of the VoIP ‘revolution’.

The whitepaper is available in PDF format from this location: http://www.3cx.com/voip-articles/whitepaper.pdf

Accompanying the whitepaper is a Youtube video presentation for Τηλεφωνικό Κέντρο highlighting the key points, available here.

About 3CX

3CX is an international developer of telecommunications software, headquartered in Europe with offices in the UK, USA, Germany, Cyprus, Malta, Australia and Hong Kong. It is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner and is backed by an experienced management and development team. Its product, 3CX Phone System for Windows, has earned Windows Server 2003 Certification and has received numerous awards, including for the voip gateway The Windowsnetworking.com Gold Award, the Communications Solutions 2007 Award, the Windows IT Pro magazine 2008 Editor’s Best Award and a Best Buy Award by Computer Shopper Magazine, all in recognition to the company’s commitment to innovation and quality.

Microsoft Bans Mobile VoIP, T-Mobile Offers Businesses Unlimited Voice over Wifi

Following in Apple Inc.'s footsteps, Microsoft Corp. will ban VoIP, along with 11 other applications, from its planned Windows Marketplace for Mobile application store. Mobile carriers dislike VoIP applications because they use up capacity on cellular data networks while lessening the carriers' voice revenues. The marketplace will launch in the second half of 2009, concurrently with the release of version 6.5 of the Windows Mobile operating system. Other prohibited apps include those promoting marketplaces that compete with Microsoft's.

Read more here.

3CX VoIP Phone System checks in with Hotels Worldwide

New 3CX VoIP Phone System for Hotels slashes phone bills using VoIP and eliminates PBX maintenance and expansion costs

London, UK – 6 May 09 – 3CX announced today the availability of 3CX Hotel PBX module, which allows Hotels to replace aging and expensive Hotel PBXs from Mitel, Alcatel, Siemens and others with 3CX Phone System for Windows, a modern software based VoIP IP PBX. The 3CX Hotel module adds important hospitality functions such as support for Check IN/OUT, DND, Room status and Wake up calls. It integrates with leading Hotel Software / Property Management Systems.

“Traditional Hotel PBX vendors have charged a hefty premium for their ability to perform hotel related functions” said Nick Galea, CEO of 3CX. “3CX costs a fraction of a comparable hotel PBX / ISDN telefooncentrale and in addition halves the hotel’s phone bill by allowing the use of VoIP gateway”

Hotels can eliminate Lease Payments

Hotels paying high monthly lease payments for their current PBX can drastically reduce their monthly operating cost by replacing it with 3CX voip telefooncentrale . The cost of outright purchase of 3CX is so low that hotels can earn back the investment in just a few months. Coupled with drastic reductions in the phone bill, 3CX can be an important part of reducing operating costs in these times of economic crisis.

Re use analog phones

Existing Analog phones in the rooms can easily be re-used with the use of low cost FXS gateways, further reducing the initial investment cost. Re-using analog phones also means there is no need to re-wire – existing analog phone points can continue to be used. IP Phones can be used only where it matters – for example in reception. Re-using analog phones also helps the environment by reducing unnecessary brown good wastage.

Wide range of VoIP Hotel Software/ Property Management Systems supported

3CX Phone System integrates with leading Hotel Software / Property Management Systems via several interfaces, including Legacy PBX emulation, the Fidelio FIAS protocol as well as support for Comtrol’s Lodging Link middle ware. Other interfaces are easily implemented and available on request. A subset of supported PMS systems includes Agilysys, Autoclerk, Cenium, Maestro for Northwind, Fidelity Hotel Management Systemm, Micros Opera, Brilliant Hotelsoftware, CMS Hospitality Guestcentrix, ResortSuite, Gracesoft, voip gateways, Hotec Expert Hotelier Suite, Hotel Concept, WebPMS, Atrium INN client server systems, HSS Hotel Software Systems, Innfinity software systems and InnRoad. A complete list is available here.

3CX Phone System Hotel module is available immediately and starts at €750/$895. More information on the voip gateway is available here. An example costing to determine ROI can be found here.

About 3CX

3CX is an international developer of telecommunications software, headquartered in Europe with offices in the UK, USA, Germany, Cyprus, Malta, Australia and Hong Kong. It is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner and is backed by an experienced management and development team. Its product, 3CX Phone System for Windows, developed specifically for the SMB (small & medium business) market, has earned Windows Server 2003 Certification for Voip and has received numerous awards, including The Windowsnetworking.com Gold Award, the Communications Solutions 2007 Award, the Windows IT Pro magazine 2008 Editor’s Best Award and a Best Buy Award by Computer Shopper Magazine, all in recognition to the company’s commitment to innovation and quality. 3CX maintains a global presence with localized information available in various languages. For more information, visit www.3cx.com and the 3CX blog.