In the world of IP Communications and technology, things run in the fast lane. Companies are constantly developing newer, faster, more robust models, systems and software.

With everything (including your business) in overdrive, that leaves you little time to commit researching to ensure you stay ahead of the curve and up-to-date with the newest products and innovations in the field. Which is why ABP, wants to provide you a place to find the latest news and highlights on communication trends and updates in the industry. Without further ado, we give you the September issue of IP Communications News.

3CX's New SP1 for Version 15.5 is Loaded with Features You Want

3CX Version 15.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is loaded with some cool new features (some that have been requested by the 3CX community for quite some time). Particularly, we were most impressed with some of the variables that can now be programmed from the extension's "Phone Provisioning" tab, making everyone's life easier. Click the "Read More" button for a walk-through of some of the best updates in SP1 from our in-house 3CX expert, Ben Conway, complete with screenshots and descriptions.

Fanvil Door Stations

Voice and video door stations are becoming ubiquitous. What's better than using a product from a leader in IP phones that is certified on all major soft-switch platforms and PBXs and produced tens of thousands of these devices for every climate and situation? Fanvil's SIP intercoms and IP door stations always exhibit clear HD sound with echo cancellation, excellent build quality and weather resistance, efficient and responsive after-market service, rich features and functions - all at a competitive price point. This blog discusses the difference between intercoms and door phones as well as what Fanvil offers in each.

Patton SmartNodes: Policy Routing Feature

Patton's SmartNodes are not just gateways; they include a very powerful IP routing engine that includes features usually only found in high-end networking devices. This blog walks you through, step-by-step, the Policy Routing feature that can be done on a SmartNode.

Grandstream: Your One-Stop-Shop for All UC Integration Needs

Grandstream takes integration a step above and beyond in interoperability alone if not the only manufacturer that provides all the products needed to build most of a small business' infrastructure and communication needs. Grandstream offers telephony, video conferencing, audio conferencing, physical security, wireless networkingand even a video conferencing platform. With this portfolio a VAR can offer a true "one-stop-shop" for all the small business needs.

Digium's New Benefits When You Upgrade Your Digium D80 Phone Firmware

Digium announced several improvements on their new sleek and elegant D80 phone. The D80's extraordinary capabilities include support for wideband (HD) audio, electronic hook switch (EHS) for headsets, and a Gigabit ethernet port, premium color-screen and now with some new upgrades through new firmware.

Digium Switchvox's Next Generation Appliances

Committed to providing businesses with top-of-the-line VoIP phone systems with enterprise-class features at an affordable price, Digium just announced the new line of high performance Switchvox appliances, becoming a more powerful business phone system with simplified pricing.

What's Next After VTech's Acquisition of snom?

As was announced late last year, snom was acquired by VTech, the world's largest manufacturer of cordless handsets and global leader of retail products. The move signals a shift in business focus within VTech to gain market share in the growing and opportunistic VoIP SMB and Enterprise phone market. The following blog covers some of what the acquisition has meant for both companies and how it may improve your business with ABP.

Yealink CP960: Conference Room Phone Advances that Matter

Have found yourself using your cell on speakerphone for a meeting rather than the conference phone at your desk or meeting room? Kudos to you for innovation, but you're simply not getting the most out of your meetings (or your conference phone) if you're practicing that work-around. Perhaps it's time to consider upgrading your conference phone and find one that enables you to hear and be heard more clearly with top sound quality, and can even make your meetings and team collaboration more efficient. We'd like to introduce you to Yealink's new conference phone: CP960.

Video Conferencing is Becoming Mainstream: Yealink VC500 & VC800

Video Conferencing is no longer a technology for the boardroom or enterprises. Everyone from remote workers to long-distance sweethearts use a form of video conferencing to conduct meetings, show presentatations, communicate ideas and feelings no matter the location (or time of day). Skype, Hangout, Facetime - all primed us and now the market and society are ripe and not only ready for an always available, higher quality solution that blends the best of free and the premium into a new robust value proposition, but already using it.

Are you taking advantage of this opportunity? Read about how Yealink's new Video Conferencing solutions, the VC500 and the VC800, can help you become as mainstream as the technology itself.

Event and Webinar Announcements

For the month of September, ABP will be present at the Channel Partner Evolution show in Austin, TX on September 25-28. Contact Kurt Dow at kurt@abptech.com for any meetings. In addition, we are having our monthly Introduction to 3CX webinar on October 11 at 1 PM CST. Mark your calendar!

Contact your ABP Sales Rep on more details or how to take advantage of either of those promotions: 972-831-1600 x3 or sales@abptech.com.