VCOMM News Feed

Extricom Evolution �??N�??: The Smooth Path to the Promise of 802.11n

2009-02-10T13:31:00.005Z

One of the most heavily publicized developments in wireless technology in the last several years is the development of the 802.11n standard. The intent of 802.11n is to significantly increase the communications speed and range of Wi-Fi networks, to enable more users to benefit from a broader set of applications in the enterprise.

While this is a compelling vision, what will be needed to make it happen?

The case for adopting 802.11n technology is viable only if it supplements and improves your existing network infrastructure, rather than forcing you to change it entirely. In other words, deploying 802.11n must not be an all or nothing proposition.

You can download this Product Brief from VCOMM's web site by clicking here.

Polycom Voice and Visual Communication Solutions Support Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2

2009-02-09T10:16:00.000Z

LONDON, SLOUGH, UK - 03 Feb 2009 : Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM), a global leader in telepresence, video and voice communications solutions, today announced that its Microsoft-optimised solutions, including high definition video conferencing systems and a full suite of desktop phones, interoperate with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 (R2). With the introduction of Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Polycom and Microsoft customers can now enjoy more efficient communications that help boost productivity, and IT managers will benefit from more streamlined deployment and management of their unified communications (UC) networks.

�??We�??re building on our relationship with Microsoft in an effort to help our customers truly enhance team collaboration. In these tough economic times, we�??re also there to help our customers protect their existing investments in their unified communications environments,�?? said Mark Roberts, vice president of Partner Marketing for Polycom. �??Polycom is the only company to currently offer integrated voice and visual communication solutions for Office Communications Server 2007. This gives our customers choice and the flexibility to deploy solutions tailored to their specific needs, with the added confidence that they�??re using the high-quality products for which Polycom is known.�??

�??The combination of Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 and Polycom�??s audio and visual communication solutions provides a powerful new way for people to collaborate and offers customers a rich and integrated communications experience,�?? said Eric Swift, senior director of the Microsoft Unified Communications Group at Microsoft Corp. �??Polycom is adding significant value to enterprise communications and enabling businesses to better connect people, information and business processes.�??

Polycom�??s full suite of HDX video endpoints register, authenticate and share presence information with Office Communications Server 2007 R2, making it simple for users to launch video calls by clicking on presence-enabled contacts and see the availability status of Polycom video and telepresence solutions. Additionally, the RMX 2000�?� real-time media conferencing platform allows users to launch on-demand voice, video and unified (voice and video) conferences including with other standards-based video and voice endpoints. With Office Communications Server 2007 R2, the solution supports expanded enterprise environments, enhanced security features, and industry-leading high definition resolution.

Polycom�??s suite of CX phones, optimised for Office Communications Server 2007 R2, include the CX700 IP phone, CX200 desktop phone and CX100 speakerphone. The phones deliver crystal-clear, wideband audio and provide full, convenient access to the advanced presence-enabled features of Office Communications Server 2007 R2. With Office Communications Server 2007 R2, the CX700 IP phone now supports added features such as tighter integration of the phone with the PC desktop as well as user-selectable display languages and ringtones.

�??We are seeing growing demand for integrated voice and video solutions for the Microsoft unified communications technologies,�?? said Terry Gold, CEO of Gold Systems, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. �??Polycom has been very supportive in helping Gold Systems serve our customers for unified communications deployments. With VoIP-enabled phones and integrated video solutions that work with Office Communications Server 2007 R2, and quick response time and innovative approaches to working with us, Polycom is helping Gold Systems address the fast-growing unified communications market.�??

�??Resellers have an exciting market opportunity to deliver real-time communication and collaboration solutions that integrate into unified communications environments,�?? said Buck Baker, president, ScanSource Communications. �??As a value added Polycom distributor, ScanSource Communications helps Microsoft unified communications partners address this opportunity with complete solutions that incorporate Polycom's industry-leading real-time voice and video offerings seamlessly into the Office Communications Server 2007 R2 environment.�??

Edgewater Networks, Inc. Announces Active Line VoIP Testing For EdgeMarc and EdgeView Products

2009-01-20T10:21:00.000Z

Santa Clara, CA �?? January 20, 2009 �??Edgewater Networks, Inc. announced today the availability of active line VoIP testing for EdgeMarc Network Services Gateways and the EdgeView VoIP Support System. Active line VoIP testing is an integrated on-demand troubleshooting tool offered in the EdgeMarc and EdgeView products that allows Service Providers and Enterprise customers to place test VoIP calls to and from deployed EdgeMarcs without requiring remote assistance from field technicians or end-users.

Active line VoIP testing works in conjunction with existing passive call quality measurement features to provide both call path validation and listening quality measurements to network operators. This powerful combination of integrated tools in the Edgewater Networks solution simplifies VoIP installations and reduces the complexities usually associated with troubleshooting distributed VoIP networks.

Active line VoIP testing is performed using the EdgeMarc Network Services gateways as a testing endpoint to make or receive VoIP calls that are initiated using the EdgeView VoIP Support System or by any standard IP phone, cellular phone or analog phone. Network impairments that negatively affect overall call quality are sent in real time by the EdgeView system to network operators and a complete picture of call quality is reported at the completion of the test call. These quality metrics include Mean Opinion Scoring (MOS), jitter, packet loss, latency and much more.

Network operators use these testing methods to validate new installations, troubleshoot real-time call quality problems and monitor VoIP connectivity without having to involve end-users, dispatch field technicians or install and manage external testing probes.

�??Integrating this new test capability into the Edgewater Networks solution continues our promise of reducing operating expense and creating higher end-user satisfaction for VoIP deployments. We have eliminated the need for secondary probes simplifying the network deployment, �?? said David G. Norman, Chief Executive Officer of Edgewater Networks, Inc.. �??The test capability is built into the EdgeMarc Network Services Gateways already being deployed at each office location for other critical VoIP and data related services.�??

�??With the introduction of active line VoIP testing we continue to drive and redefine how complex converged networks in the enterprise are supported,�?? continued Mr. Norman.

Active line VoIP testing in the EdgeMarc and EdgeView products is a part of a comprehensive solution from Edgewater Networks that also includes EdgeConnect managed Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches and the EdgeView Reports server. EdgeMarc Network Services Gateways are flexible, all-in-one devices that reduce cost and simplify the deployment of converged voice, video and data services for enterprises and service providers. The EdgeMarc Network Services Gateway combines multiple voice and data features including IP routing, a VoIP aware NAT/Firewall, VoIP survivability, traffic shaping, prioritization, passive call quality monitoring, active line VoIP testing and more.

EdgeView is a troubleshooting and setup tool that allows service providers to proactively manage and support their communications services. EdgeView Reports is an advanced yet easy-to-use reporting tool that provides valuable VoIP performance information to network planners, operators, product managers, executive management teams and end-users.

About Edgewater Networks, Inc. �?? Converged Networking. Simplified.
Edgewater Networks develops networking and security products that ensure the secure and reliable delivery of IP based voice and video for service providers and enterprises. EdgeMarc Network Services Gateways provide a VoIP aware NAT/Firewall, with Active Line Testing, survivability and QoS. EdgeConnect PoE switches simplify administration and QoS, the EdgeView Reports Server provides visibility into VoIP network performance and the EdgeView VoIP Support System eases the setup, monitoring and management of VoIP endpoints.

Edgewater Networks�?? award-winning solution simplifies setup and management of converged networking applications and provides proven operational savings from the remote office to the core of the network.

3CX, VegaStream Announce Interoperability

2008-10-08T10:49:00.001+01:00

3CX, a developer of 3CX Phone System for Windows, and VegaStream, a developer of VoIP gateways, have announced the successful compatibility testing between their products. Additionally, they have also offered a 30% price discount on VegaStream VoIP gateways to channel partners who install 3CX IP PBX. This interoperability will deliver all the functionalities of a traditional PBX with the cost-savings and advanced features of VoIP, the company said.

"We are very pleased to join forces with VegaStream. VegaStream VoIP gateways are recognized for their powerful features and strong market positioning and our partnership can only benefit our mutual customers. The 3CX-VegaStream solution is certified to work well together and is fully supported by both companies," said Nick Galea, CEO, 3CX.

VCOMM have another record month !!!

2008-06-09T14:57:00.002+01:00

The credit crunch is getting more ink than any other topic in today's press. That said, if VCOMM's sales are anything to go by, VoIP is becoming one of the few 'Recession Proof' areas of the Communications space. Taffy Johal, VCOMM's Sales Director states "In all honestly, our last 6 months trading have shown a significant upturn with no signs of it slowing down."

"Our partners are all gearing up for further growth in the coming months so I see no reason why we cannot double our monthly turnover before the end of this year. "With new vendors such as Edgewater Networks & Ruckus Wireless coupled with new products from existing vendors such as the Polycom|Spectralink 8002 Wi-Fi VoIP handset, things are looking very rosie for the future." Johal concluded.

Ruckus Wireless announce new high capacity ZoneDirector Controller

2008-04-24T10:26:00.005+01:00

The Ruckus Wireless ZoneDirector 3000 is the first enterprise-class Smart Wireless LAN system that delivers a secure, robust and easily expandable WLAN solution at an unmatched total cost of ownership.

Capable of managing up to 250 ZoneFlex 802.11g and 80211n Smart Wi-Fi access points from a central point, the Ruckus ZoneDirector 3000 is designed for simplicity and ease of use.

Unlike conventional wireless LAN systems that are costly, complex and cumbersome to deploy, the ZoneDirector 3000 is ideal for any enterprise that requires a high-performance wireless LAN that can be easily deployed and managed. The ZoneDirector 3000 integrates advanced features such as intelligent beam steering, smart wireless meshing and dynamic Wi-Fi security not found in any other WLAN system.

POLYCOM IMPROVES THE SPEED OF BUSINESS WITH NEW PRODUCTIVITY SUITE

2008-03-18T17:04:00.002Z

New software applications on the SoundPoint IP phones go beyond voice

Polycom, Inc. [NASDAQ: PLCM], the world�??s leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, today announced a suite of software-based applications for its SoundPoint® IP desktop phones. The new Polycom Productivity Suite includes several productivity-enhancing applications that help both end users and IT managers communicate and work more efficiently. These new, easy-to-use applications include corporate directory access, local call recording using Polycom�??s HD Voice technology, and visual four-party conference call management. The suite also includes two new applications for IT managers that measure the quality of a VoIP call in real-time and simplify the deployment of new integrated call control applications.

With the introduction of the Productivity Suite, Polycom continues to expand the capabilities of its SoundPoint IP telephones, helping companies communicate and collaborate more effectively. The new Polycom Productivity Suite for SoundPoint IP phones is part of Polycom�??s growing portfolio of applications oriented solutions for its conference, desktop and mobility products. This portfolio uses open interfaces and a growing ecosystem of application partners to deliver communications and productivity enhancing solutions for general enterprises and specific vertical businesses.

POLYCOM BRINGS SUPERIOR ENTERPRISE-GRADE WI-FI TELEPHONY TO SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES

2008-03-18T16:58:00.003Z

The SpectraLink 8002 Wireless Telephone offers the quality and reliability of enterprise wireless telephony at a price SMBs can afford

Polycom, Inc. [NASDAQ: PLCM], the world�??s leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, today announced its newest Wi-Fi phone �?? the SpectraLink® 8002 Wireless Telephone �?? targeted at small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). SMB owners and their employees now have the freedom to move about the workplace without ever missing an important call, thereby improving accessibility, productivity and responsiveness. The SpectraLink 8002 Wireless Telephone is the latest addition to Polycom�??s award-winning portfolio of standards-based enterprise VoIP endpoints, including the SoundPoint IP desktop phones and the SoundStation® IP 4000 conference phone.

The SpectraLink 8002 is an entry-level Wi-Fi handset that allows businesses to benefit from enterprise-grade voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) without requiring significant investments in network infrastructure. It supports the open SIP VoIP protocol and is certified for interoperability with the SIP-based Digium Asterisk Business Edition IP PBX. The SpectraLink 8002 is also designed to operate with Wi-Fi access points targeted at the SMB market, allowing businesses to leverage their existing Wi-Fi networks.

VCOMM to capitalise on market gap with Ruckus Wireless multimedia WLAN

2008-03-14T17:37:00.011Z

Global demand for Wi-Fi connectivity is skyrocketing with the accelerated adoption of mobile Wi-Fi devices and high bandwidth mobile applications such as video streaming, gaming and social networking. However, for mid-sized businesses, with limited IT staffing and budgets, providing ubiquitous and reliable wireless coverage has traditionally been difficult. This is because these organisations and their suppliers have been faced with a choice of consumer-class products with inadequate features or expensive enterprise-class solutions that are overly complex to deploy and manage. For distributors like VCOMM, this has seriously hindered the uptake of FMC solutions.

VCOMM provides FMC solutions to service providers, systems integrators and resellers, which in turn provide them to businesses of all kinds. VCOMM is already a well-established player in this industry, with many large-scale enterprise deployments carried out in partnership with Extricom. However, recognising that smaller firms also want to take advantage of these technologies, VCOMM decided to partner with Ruckus Wireless to fill this market gap, and to provide a single and secure WLAN for both voice and data traffic for organisations looking for an alternative to expensive enterprise-class solutions. VCOMM will offer the Ruckus ZoneFlex 802.11b, g and n solutions.

�??With more than 170 million new Wi-Fi enabled devices expected to ship next year, the need for reliable Wi-Fi coverage wherever you are is higher than ever,�?? said Scott Dobson, managing director of VCOMM. �??Until now there�??s been a two-tier system and unfortunately the vast majority of organisations have had to make do with erratic performance that�??s just not able to support applications like voice. Ruckus�?? pedigree and success in the service provider and IPTV market made the company an obvious choice of partner �?? if Ruckus�?? systems can support multiple HDTV streams, there�??s no doubt they�??re fit for voice and FMC services.�??

VCOMM set to cause a ruckus with Ruckus !

2008-03-14T17:37:00.010Z

Ruckus Wireless, a leading supplier of Smart Wireless LAN systems, today announced a partnership with VCOMM, a UK-based specialist distributor of IP telephony (IPT) and Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) solutions and part of Coms Plc. The deal will see VCOMM provide the Ruckus ZoneFlex �?? the industry�??s first affordable, secure and easy-to-use multimedia wireless LAN system specifically designed for medium-sized enterprises �?? to deliver robust wireless coverage as an integral part of its FMC offering.

Global demand for Wi-Fi connectivity is skyrocketing with the accelerated adoption of mobile Wi-Fi devices and high bandwidth mobile applications such as video streaming, gaming and social networking. However, for mid-sized businesses, with limited IT staffing and budgets, providing ubiquitous and reliable wireless coverage has traditionally been difficult. This is because these organisations and their suppliers have been faced with a choice of consumer-class products with inadequate features or expensive enterprise-class solutions that are overly complex to deploy and manage. For distributors like VCOMM, this has seriously hindered the uptake of FMC solutions.

VCOMM provides FMC solutions to service providers, systems integrators and resellers, which in turn provide them to businesses of all kinds. VCOMM is already a well-established player in this industry, with many large-scale enterprise deployments carried out in partnership with Extricom. However, recognising that smaller firms also want to take advantage of these technologies, VCOMM decided to partner with Ruckus Wireless to fill this market gap, and to provide a single and secure WLAN for both voice and data traffic for organisations looking for an alternative to expensive enterprise-class solutions. VCOMM will offer the Ruckus ZoneFlex 802.11b, g and n solutions.

�??With more than 170 million new Wi-Fi enabled devices expected to ship next year, the need for reliable Wi-Fi coverage wherever you are is higher than ever,�?? said Scott Dobson, managing director of VCOMM. �??Until now there�??s been a two-tier system and unfortunately the vast majority of organisations have had to make do with erratic performance that�??s just not able to support applications like voice. Ruckus�?? pedigree and success in the service provider and IPTV market made the company an obvious choice of partner �?? if Ruckus�?? systems can support multiple HDTV streams, there�??s no doubt they�??re fit for voice and FMC services.�??

VegaStream Capital Services

2008-02-26T08:35:00.003Z

New finance package eases provisioning of VoIP for channel partners.

Bracknell, UK �?? 25th February 2008 - VegaStream, the industry leading developer of reliable, cost effective and easy to use telephony media gateways, has today announced the launch of VegaStream Capital. The new service has been designed to help ITSP customers sell SIP trunking and other IP network products by reducing the capital outlay required to connect new customers to their IP services.

VegaStream Capital has been established to allow ITSPs to target customers, with traditional telephone lines, and offer them a compelling financial proposition to move to an IP service using a Vega IP Gateway. The unique service enables ITSPs to lease gateways and include the monthly cost with its service charges to the end user.

"New IP services are attractive to end users and the benefits indisputable but continue to remain expensive to deploy for service providers when customers take the risk free migration approach," said Steve Davis, EVP Sales and Marketing, EMEA, VegaStream. "VegaStream Capital has been developed to support ITSPs and reduce their entry costs by leasing gateways so they become cash positive from day one."

"As an independent provider of converged communication services to the business market, the launch of VegaStream Capital has already paid dividends," according to Robert Kemp, Sales Director, at KeConnect Internet, part of the Timico Group of companies. "With no initial investment in the gateway, the monthly leasing arrangement signifiantly reduces set up costs, proving an immediate return on investment and allows Timico to easily extend our VoIP for Business service, as well as reducing customer churn. The benefits of VegaStream Capital have already attracted more resellers to sell our VoIP services ensuring revenues from SIP trunking will increase."

VegaStream Capital also offers additional benefits to partners such as a remote monitoring and maintenance service for the installed base of VoIP Gateways. VegaStream will carefully monitor the gateways using sophisticated management solution and send regular reports to the the ITSP about the performance of the hardware and the broadband connection. This will include informaton about congestion issues and security attacks. In addition, a 3 year hardware and software maintenance contract will also be included in the service.

VCOMM targets Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) partners with Polycom CX handsets

2008-02-13T13:59:00.002Z

London, UK 13^th February 2008, VCOMM, the UK�??s leading VoIP value added distributor today announced that they have signed an agreement to distribute Polycom's CX range of OCS handsets developed in partnership with Microsoft. The Polycom CX handsets seamlessly integrate with Microsoft's Office Communications Server 2007 Unified Communications platform.

Microsoft's Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 Unified Communications platform, bridges the gap between telephony and computing to deliver real-time instant messaging, VoIP, audio and video conferencing to the desktop environment. It works by unifying existing telecommunications systems, so businesses can deploy advanced VoIP and conferencing without needing to rewire anything.

VCOMM are the ideal partner for Microsoft due to their expertise in the SIP world. As well as the CX range of handsets themselves, they offer other third party, compatible products to deliver a complete, turn key, integrated solution to Microsofts channel in the UK.

Scott Dobson, managing director of VCOMM stated, �??We are very excited about taking Polycom�??s OCS compatible end points to market as we feel our value proposition to the 7000 strong Microsoft partner base is unique. There are many Microsoft partners who are focused on configuring, installing and maintaining the software itself but may require help in the VoIP integration and connectivity. This is where our extensive VoIP skills and compatible solutions come into play.

Glynn Jones, VP Polycom Voice Sales, commented, �??Extending our relationship with VCOMM to include our CX range of products for Microsoft OCS makes perfect sense given VCOMM�??s expertise in the VoIP market as well as the range of compatible OCS products they supply and support.�??

VegaStream release new 8.2 firmware as GA

2008-01-31T11:35:00.000Z

We've just been advised by VegaStream that their widely anticipate 8.2 firmware release is now GA (General Availability) and available for download from their web site. 8.2 delivers a whole host of new features and functionality including IP Centrex survivability which delivers PSTN failover for IP handsets in the event of network downtime, router failure or, god forbid, platform problems. Firm costs for this feature have not yet been published but expect to pay circa 10% of RRP to add this functionality.

VCOMM will be shipping 8.2 out as standard from the beginning of March but if any partners would like to receive units with it pre-installed prior to this, please request when placing your orders.

Andy Barrow joins VCOMM as VegaStream Business Manager

2008-01-30T13:13:00.001Z

It is my pleasure to announce that Andy Barrow joins VCOMM as VegaStream Business Manager with immediate effect. Andy was previously responsible for EMEA channels at VegaStream and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in VoIP technologies and channel development. Initially, Andy will be focusing on the development of the VegaStream Partner Programme together with our aggressive channel marketing campaign to recruit 50 new VegaStream resellers in the next 6 months.

Critical Links announce launch seminar

2008-01-15T12:34:00.000Z

Critical Links, the makers of the mutli-award winning range of edgeBOX appliances today announced a launch seminar to be held at VCOMM's Newbury headquarters on February 12th.

The seminar is ideally suited to any SME reseller or service provider who would like to capture all IT services from their client base. edgeBOX uniquely delivers all aspects of the SME's IT requirements by offering voice, data, security and management capability from a single appliance including a fully functional Asterisk IP-PBX as well as messaging, security, file, print and web services and QoS.

Interested partners should contact their VCOMM account manager to reserve a place.

http://www.vcomm.co.uk/edgebox.php

VCOMM launch VCOMM Online, an e-commerce resource for partners

2008-01-10T09:44:00.001Z

After much internal testing and development, VCOMM are pleased to announce an online ordering service which is available to account holding customers with immediate effect. VCOMM Online enables VCOMM's partners to view product pricing (based on the individual partner pricing structure), stock availability and to process purchase orders online, anywhere !

The service is a work in progress and we are encouraging our partners to provide feedback on ease of use, feature requests and possible improvements.

You can access the site here;
http://www.vcomm.co.uk/catalog/index.php

ipcortex IP-PBX features advanced support for Polycom SIP handsets

2007-12-21T09:31:00.000Z

Bletchley, Milton Keynes - 20/12/2007 - ipcortex, developers of the VoIPCortex IP-PBX platform for 4 to 4000 users have announced increased levels of provisioning for the popular Polycom range of SIP handsets.

In keeping with the ipcortex "open and accessible" ethos, this move will ensure that resellers and end users of ipcortex solutions benefit from greater simplicity and freedom of choice.

ipcortex Director Rob Pickering commented, �??The Polycom SoundPoint and SoundStation IP collection particularly compliments the VoIPCortex range of IP-PBX units due to the high level of functionality that the handsets support. The VoIPCortex IP-PBX range includes many advanced features as standard - and the addition of support for the Polycom IP range has made this functionality accessible to users across entire organisations through desk, executive and receptionist phones or conference units.�??

�??The outstanding sound quality of the Polycom range of SIP handsets has allowed us to fully demonstrate VoIP as a medium for flawless voice data transfer when coupled with a VoIPCortex IP-PBX�??, added Pickering.

ipcortex Polycom IP Series provisioning includes: SoundPoint IP 330 SoundPoint IP 430 SoundPoint IP 550 SoundPoint IP 601 SoundPoint IP 650 SoundStation IP 4000 conference unit

VCOMM set up their stall for Unified Communications

2007-12-14T15:16:00.000Z

Everybody is talking about it, many are beginning to think about putting an offering together and some are even selling it today but one thing is clear, Unified Communications is the future of telephony and VCOMM are ready when you are !

With our partners Ingate, Polycom and VegaStream, VCOMM have defined a unique value proposition to attack this exciting new market sector especially the widely anticipated Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) proposition which is gathering momentum around the globe.

In the OCS world, most Microsoft partners have all the skills they need to build the platform and connect soft clients but the issues arise when they need to provide connectivity to the old PSTN world or the new world of SIP trunking. To make this a reality, Ingate's MEDIAtor platform bridges the gap between the OCS TLS (Transport Layer Security) world and the SIP world of RTP. If you also want to include PSTN connectivity VegaStream's media gateways provide analogue & ISDN interface options. Lastly, Polycom's new range of OCS end points (the CX range) provide high quality handsets to interface with the presence and collaborative OCS environment.

Add SIP trunking services from any of VCOMM's partners together with VCOMM's technical capability, installation and maintenance options, you have all you need to attack the 7,000 strong Microsoft resellers in the UK.

CRN awards Extricom's EXWO-404 WLAN Switch Wireless Product of the Year 2007

2007-12-12T22:28:00.000Z

Once a year, CRN (Computer Reseller News) puts together a list of their Top 10 products of the year, I am proud to inform you that VCOMM's Wireless AP solution from Extricom is their choice for Wireless Product of the Year 2007. Here's their news item with their reasoning.

Perhaps it's just the inner thumb-sucking kid in us that loves the idea of a "blanket" of Wi-Fi coverage, but we're sold on Extricom's WLAN technology. The Channel Test Center selected the Extricom Interference-Free EXWO-404 WLAN Switch as the Wireless Product of the Year because of its robust features.

We particularly laud its focus on interference problems, a crucial element as mission-critical applications increasingly cut their cords. Extricom's WLAN switch, built on its channel blanket architecture, creates a coverage area where users can move from one access point to another without any handoff latency. Putting all the access points on the same channel and frequency, different from other networks and competing products, eliminates interference concerns.

The simplicity of deployment and maintenance make it perfect for the SMB looking to ditch the wires. As trends shift towards triple-play and other services, solution providers need products that can support critical applications without worrying about performance, resiliency and scalability. And that's what Extricom offers.

OFCOM dictates Emergency rules for net telephony

2007-12-10T21:48:00.000Z

10th December 2007 - Watchdog Ofcom has ruled that firms which route phone calls across the net must connect to 999 and 112.

Before now net phone firms have not been required to connect to emergency numbers. This ruling applies to those firms which let customers call normal national phone numbers.

Ofcom says the stipulation is needed to ensure that during an emergency people can summon help as quickly as possible. Phone firms have until September 2008 to comply with the ruling. Research carried out by Ofcom suggests few people know that net phone services, aka voice over IP, do not connect to 999 or 112, the European Union's universal emergency number for mobiles and fixed lines.

VegaStream announces availability of Version 8.2 Firmware for its entire Vega Gateway product Range

2007-11-12T21:38:00.000Z

IP Gateway vendor VegaStream has announced the availability of it's new 8.2 firmware across the entire Vega Media Gateway product range. Developed with additional security, management and flexibility features, the software has been designed to address IP resilience and guarantee access to emergency 999 services.

The new code offers exciting opportunities for IP Centrex and SIP trunking resellers who, up to now, have been unable to offer true survivability in the event of network failure. VegaStream's survivability feature enables failover to PSTN for IP handsets in the event of network failure, router failure and event (god forbid) platform failure by spoofing the platform registration in the event of no registrar being available.

"We expect OFCOM to dicate to service providers that access to 999 services is a must sooner rather than later" Scott Dobson commented. "When this happens there is no excuse for not providing some form of resilience. It's just down to the quality the service the providers wish to offer."

Polycom develop CX range of Microsoft OCS compatible handsets

2007-10-22T21:31:00.000+01:00

Polycom begin to ship an innovative new range of IP handsets which will fully support Microsoft's Office Communications Server (OCS) platform. The CX100, CX200, CX400 & CX700 devices have been ergonomically designed by Microsoft themselves and manufactured to Polycom's exacting quality standards.

The flagship product, the CX700 is a Windows CE based handset which provides true Unified Communication even without a desktop in site. It boasts a whole host of cool features including finger print recognition for secure sinle sign on to all Microsoft OCS services. Touch Screen access to services such as Windows Live Communicator and even Video conferencing right from the screen wtihout a PC in sight...

VCOMM hope to announce training and evaluations in the near future.

VCOMM to distribute Comdasys full range of Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) products

2007-09-24T21:21:00.000+01:00

Comdasys, the trusted leading provider of Enterprise class Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) solutions, today announced that it has expanded its coverage to the UK with the signing of an exclusive distribution deal with VCOMM, one of the UK�??s fast growing, independent IP Telephony distributors.

"There are other players in the market making a lot of noise without selling much like DiVitas for example. My view is that these new players are simply too expensive for the early adopters to take seriously." claimed Stefano Genoni, VP of International Sales at Comdasys. "We've developed a solution which does a very specific job very well namely seamless hand-off between wireless VoIP and GSM. Doing more than this is encroaching on other vendors core business and that's simply not in our interests."

The Comdasys FMC platform scales from 50 to 1500 extensions and currently supports Nokia's E65 and N95 dual mode devices with more slated for Q1 2008.

"I see Comdasys shaking some serious feathers when we launch the product in the new year." commented Scott Dobson, Managing Director of VCOMM. "We're a quarter of the price of our competition and if Siemens were confident enough to OEM the solution, it's got to work right ?".

Polycom and VCOMM sign contracts, offering a unique value wrap for their Resellers

2007-08-30T21:07:00.000+01:00

VCOMM were today appointed as authorised distributors of Polycom's award winning SoundPoint IP handsets and conference devices. The deal forms part of VCOMM's strategic plans to promote and attrach tier one Vendors in the IP telephony space.

"Polycom are the global leader in open standards based IP end-points and dominate the IP Centrex and Asterisk|Digium market sectors by delivering true quality in both build and acoustic clarity." Scott Dobson, VCOMM's Managing Director commented. "There is simply no better product on the market."

VCOMM's intention is to add significant value to the franchise by wrapping existing technologies around the handsets such as media gateways from VegaStream and CPE devices such as routers, firewalls and PoE switches. However, the real 'killer application' for Polycom service providers and resellers is a true, hosted, partionable provisioning environment which will allow VCOMM customer to be able to create profiles for each handset unique to their service and then order units for clients without them ever having to be take out of their boxes. This saves significant cost, time and margin for error.

VCOMM expect to launch their provisioning environment in Q1 of 2008.

VCOMM announce ground breaking VoIP technology

2007-07-31T20:35:00.000+01:00

August 1st 2007

VCOMM launched ViBE (Voice over Internet Broadband Enhancement) to the UK service provider community today. It can deliver 28 G729a VoIP calls over a standard 256k upstream ADSL service. Impossible I hear you say ???

ViBE is a technology which enhances the quality and reduces the bandwidth use of VoIP when transmitted over a public or private IP network such as the Internet or an MPLS cloud. It improves on the principles of enhanced RTP header compression by using various techniques, and enables voice to co-exist with data in a way that is unprecedented when using traditional Quality of Service. It also allows bandwidth allocation between data applications in a far more granular way than was previously possible.

Service Provider Proposition

ViBE allows IP Centrex providers and/or ISP's to enhance their service proposition, increase customer acquisition and lower costs per seat by squeezing more VoIP performance out of a standard ADSL service. With ViBE, your customers and partners can sell 4-5 times the amount of seats per circuit without the cost of upgrading circuits and routers which can potentially make or break the value proposition.

Reseller Proposition

For resellers of WAN connectivity, ViBE provides relief for existing WAN links using VoIP by reducing the bandwidth used by 4-5 times. Suddenly links become freed up for critical data applications while still providing QoS, increased efficiency and improved voice quality to boot ! ViBE can also be deployed across satellite circuits, Wireless radio links, International VPNs and MPLS networks. If there's VoIP on the line, ViBE can help.