In this update:

  • 3CX version 18 – new pricing
  • 3CX version 18 – Alpha 5
  • 3CX iOS App Beta – Hey Siri!
  • Technical training events
  • Demo Days events
  • Grandstream unveils first WiFi 6 Access Point
  • 3CX customer portal enhancements
  • Need demo equipment?
  • Grandstream ex-demo and EOL clearance
  • Case studies – local stories to share?
  • Marketing materials
  • Firmware for IP phones
  • Join our LinkedIn VoIP community
3CX version 18 – new pricing

 

As we wait for the release of version 18, 3CX has implemented new pricing which was effective on 17th June (16th June Cyprus time). We have seen price decreases on most annual subscription licenses. Perpetual license renewals are now the same price as an annual subscription license. It is a good time to consider trading in perpetual licenses to take advantage of the 1 year free. 3CX has said the pricing is promotional and they have the right to review before 31st December 2021. Pricing is updated in our systems. Access the pricelist for your partnership level, from the downloads section of our reseller website once logged in. On the direct e-mail notification from 3CX, they mentioned the Hosted by 3CX service. Please note this is not available in the ANZ market. If you need assistance or have questions around pricing, please reach out to voip@sofsol.co.nz. As soon as we have a confirmed release date for version 18, we’ll let you know!

 

3CX version 18 – Alpha 5

 

Version 18 Alpha 5 is now available. This update includes an all new Windows desktop app – designed for a more reliable desktop experience. Amongst the updates in Alpha 5 is also the ability to remotely update SBCs from the Instance Manager, within the Partner Portal. To read the full release details please visit here. Please remember that Alpha releases are not recommended for production systems, but are designed for testing on inhouse demo systems. Have feedback on the Alpha release’s new features? Let us know at voip@sofsol.co.nz.

 

3CX iOS App Beta – Hey Siri!

 

The latest iOS App, which is in Beta, features Siri integration. It enables easy commands to utilise your 3CX app on your iPhone. It’s now so easy to use the integration on the go, and this feature will improve mobility in final release. To read the full Beta notes visit the 3CX blog here.

 

Technical training events

 

We are in the final planning stages for our July/August/September technical training events. We will post the venues and dates on our VoIP LinkedIn page, and in our Weekly Bulletin as soon as confirmed. Do you receive our Weekly Bulletin? If not, please sign up here.

 

Demo Days events

 

Thank you to all those that attended our Demo Day events through May and June. It was great for the team to be out and about throughout the country, and catching up with so many of you in person. If you have any follow up queries after the presentations, please reach out on voip@sofsol.co.nz. We’re here to help you with your existing or new VoIP journey.

 

Grandstream unveils first WiFi 6 Access Point

 

Grandstream has announced their first WiFi 6 Access Point – the new GWN7660. Do you need to know more about the new WiFi 6 technology? There is a great webinar from Grandstream here that explains how WiFi 6 works. It’s well worth a watch. The new GWN7660 offers dual-band 2×2:2 MU-MIMO with DL/UL OFDMA technology and a sophisticated antenna design for maximum network throughput and expanded WiFi coverage range. Pricing will be confirmed in the coming weeks and stock is due late July. If you’d like to know more, please reach out to us on voip@sofsol.co.nz.

 

3CX customer portal enhancements

 

The interface in the 3CX customer portal has been enhanced with an updated interface. It offers users better control of their 3CX instances. There is now the ability to control updates across multiple subscriptions at once. This is the first update with more features to follow. You can read more here. We are expecting updates to the reseller portal in the next few days, with additional features.

 

Need demo equipment?

 

At Soft Solutions, we operate a pool of VoIP demo equipment allowing our resellers to test out new technology. There is often a waiting list for equipment that our Admin Team manage superbly. At the moment, we cannot keep up with the demand from partners to test the new GRP260X and GRP261X units. Other popular units are the Grandstream intercom speakers and portable WiFi phones. We can also access demo equipment from Yealink especially the new video conferencing solutions and new Teams Certified headsets. If you need to test something, please contact megan@sofsol.co.nz who will be happy to assist.

 

Grandstream ex-demo and EOL clearance

 

We have ex-demo units available to purchase at a reduced cost. All units are checked by our team and factory re-set. Boxes are intact but open. Soft Solutions will honour a 1-year warranty from date of sale. We are also clearing our GXP17XX series inventory as it starts to go EOL. These are excellent units including a desktop WiFi option. At present we have the following available:

 

  • Ex-demo units – sold at half of the normal reseller purchase price:
    • 1 x GWN7000 Multi-WAN Gigabit VPN Router – $79.33 excl.
    • 1 x GXP1625 HD IP Phone 2-line PoE – $27.30 excl.
    • 1 x GXP1760 HD IP Phone 6-line PoE – $39.00 excl.
    • 1 x GXP1760W HD IP Phone 6-line PoE WiFi – $51.50 excl.
    • 1 x GXP2135 HD IP Phone 2.8″ Colour Screen 8-line PoE – $55.60 excl.
  • Clearance units going EOL, reseller purchase reduced:
    • 6 x GXP1760 HD IP Phone 6-line PoE – $78.00 excl.
    • 7 X GXP1760W HD IP Phone 6-line PoE WiFi – $103.00 excl.
    • 19 x GXP1782 HD IP Phone 8-line Gigabit PoE – $84.00 excl.

 

Please contact voip@sofsol.co.nz if you are interested in purchasing any of these units.

 

Case studies – local stories to share?

 

There is nothing better than a local and relatable case study to help you get a sale across the line. We are looking for more NZ stories to have turned in to case studies. Do you have a success story to share? We have a simple questionnaire you can work through with your customer – 3CX’s marketing team does the rest. It’s a great opportunity to touch base with customers and ensure everything’s working as it should. If you have a customer that might participate, contact our VoIP Brand Manager, Megan Twentyman. We’ll make the process painless.

 

Marketing materials

 

Several partners took up the option to have 3CX datasheets customised with their logo. This is a service that Soft Solutions offer. We are now waiting for version 18 to be released and what new marketing materials are offered by 3CX at this time. At present the 3CX website has the most up-to-date information available. If you need help to find anything on the website please reach out to Megan Twentyman for further assistance.

 

Firmware for IP phones

 

Remember it is vital to keep checking for updated firmware, for your VoIP hardware. Grandstream and Yealink release new firmware as it is developed. The firmware is available free of charge from their respective websites. If you are ever trouble-shooting any issue with 3CX, the first thing they will check is whether your hardware has the most up-to-date version. Now is a great time to ensure everything is up-to-date and working optimally.

 

Join our LinkedIn VoIP community

 

Our “Soft Solutions NZ VoIP Community” group has been created for customers to discuss VoIP related topics. Keep up to date with upcoming Soft Solutions events, VoIP updates and any other general VoIP news. Join the LinkedIn group here.

 

Thank you for reading.

 

The VoIP Team at Soft Solutions Phone: 09 306 0450, Freephone: 0800 733 233, E-mail: voip@sofsol.co.nz.

 

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