In this update (FQDN, BLF Changes, training and more):

 

  • 3CX as a Hosted PBX (3CX Virtual PBX Server)
  • 3CX WebMeeting for 3CX Phone System has a closer datacentre
  • Yearly Licensing Options for 3CX Phone System
  • 3CX Tunnel now included with 3CX Phone for iOS
  • Improved Push Notifications for iOS and Android
  • Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN)
  • BLF Changes
  • Wallboard
  • Backup and Restore Tool
  • Call Recordings Management
  • Upgrading to version 14 from an earlier version
  • Webinar: Phone Provisioning Templates
  • Grandstream Templates
  • More Information
  • 3CX Training for 3CX Partners

 

3CX have released 3CX Phone System version 14 earlier this week, with some new features and capabilities. There are new iOS and Android softphone clients with improved speed and functionality, improved system features on backup and voicemail recording retention. The new 3CX installer gives you the option to install as a single instance, or multi tenanted to support up to 25 phone systems for your customers.

 

 

3CX as a Hosted PBX (3CX Virtual PBX Server)

 

There are some requirements and consideration to take into account should you wish to install a cloud server. The most important requirements are having a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), dedicated IP address(s), Windows Server 2012 R2 or higher. 3CX Hosted PBX also has the ability to leverage Google DNS to automate your domain prefixes. You can read more about this in the support manual under section 7 at: http://www.3cx.com/docs/manual/, information directly around Google DNS can be found at: http://www.3cx.com/docs/virtual-pbx-creating-instances/.

 

3CX WebMeeting for 3CX Phone System has a closer datacentre

 

You can now select “Asia” as an option for the datacentre for the included 3CX WebMeeting for 3CX Phone System which hooks into 3CX’s current infrastructure currently based in Sydney. As a special promotion, customers that upgrade to 3CX Phone System v14 before the 31st of December 2015 are entitled to a free 25 participant license of 3CX WebMeeting, for the whole duration of their maintenance.

 

Yearly Licensing Options for 3CX Phone System

 

3CX now delivers a new way of licensing 3CX Phone System – in the way of subscription licenses. Currently, these are available as one year subscriptions. Licenses of 4, 8 and 16 Simultaneous Calls are available for purchase. Note that add-ons including the hotel module, WebMeeting, and VAD are NOT available in the subscription model, or any licensing above 16-concurrent calls. For more information, please contact voip. Monthly licensing will be available later this year.

 

3CX Tunnel now included with 3CX Phone for iOS

 

With the integrated tunnel for iOS, you can now register with your instance of 3CX Phone System 14 without the need of a second application to run the 3CX tunnel. The 3CX Tunnel is an encrypted port that delivers phone audio and registration details to and from the phone system.

 

Improved Push Notifications for iOS and Android

 

Push notifications for iOS have been improved by 3CX leveraging Apple VoIP Push in iOS, where 3CX push messages will take priority over others. For Android devices, 3CX leverages Google Cloud Messaging Service, which triggers the android application to launch when a call comes in, reducing battery usage.

 

Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN)

 

With the release of version 14, all installations requires a FQDN if the phone system endpoints need external connectivity to the phone system. The FQDN has to be configured so that it will reach the correct IP addresses inside and outside the network.

 

BLF Changes

 

If you are using a IP Phone with LCD displays for BLF’s, you can now enter values to show a custom name instead of an extension number. This is very handy for sites with receptionist phones.

 

Wallboard

 

The 3CX Wallboard is currently being re-written by 3CX– and is currently not available in version 14. If you are using the Wallboard feature of 3CX please continue to use version 12.5. If you’re using the Wallboard for v12.5, 3CX would like your input into what functionality you would like in the new Wallboard being developed. Please contact us at VoIP with your comments so we can pass them on.

 

Backup and Restore Tool

 

This is now integrated into the main 3CX web interface. You can now schedule backups to occur automatically daily or weekly and specify the number of backups to keep.

 

Call Recordings Management

 

You can now manage quotas for both call recordings and voicemails, with options to purge recordings older than up to 30 days.

 

Upgrading to version 14 from an earlier version

 

To upgrade to version 14, you must ensure you meet current operating system requirements (http://www.3cx.com/docs/installing-3cx/#h.rpbyof1d94m1) – 32-bit operating systems are no longer supported. You can currently upgrade from a backup of from version 12.5 SP2.

 

Webinar: Phone Provisioning Templates

 

To help automate provisioning for Virtual PBX servers and IP Phones, 3CX Version 14’s architecture was changed and global systems variables were standardised. This in turn requires an update of variables in your templates before your unsupported IP phones will work with v14. If you are running unsupported phones, please contact your vendor for templates that will work with 3CX 14.

 

We will be running a Webinar on customised templates on Thursday 17th of September at 10:30am. You can register for this webinar at: https://sofsolwebinar.eventbrite.com. If there is a particular phone model you would like to see covered, please let us know when you register.

 

Grandstream Templates

 

Grandstream Templates for 3CX Phone System v14 are still being written and are expected to be released in the next week. The older templates for version 12.5 will not work with version 14. We have a current working copy for the GXP21xx series built by one of our partners. Please e-mail us at VoIP if you would like a copy.

 

More Information

 

For further reading on 3CX Phone System 14, you can view the new 3CX Phone System Administrator manual at: http://www.3cx.com/docs/manual/, a downloadable PDF can be found at: http://www.3cx.com/manual/3CXPhoneSystemManual14.pdf.

 

3CX Training for 3CX Partners

 

Don’t forget that we will be delivering technical training on 3CX Phone System version 14 on the 22nd and 23rd of September in Christchurch, and 29th-30th September in Auckland. Seats are selling fast, so if you would like to attend, please visit: http://www.3cx.com/blog/events/training-new-zealand-2015/.

FQDN