Valcom VIP172 IP Door Intercom Overview

The VIP-170 series of IP Handsfree Talkback intercom with longline extender and dial code operated relay are the perfect solution to implementing Door Phone or similar functions in with modern IP telephone systems. In a door answer application, a visitor pressing the “Call” button on the doorplate receives a confirmation tone or recorded message and the unit initiates a call to any SIP telephone, SIP address, PC softphone, Valcom intercom station or to a Valcom IP gateway. When the called party answers, a handsfree talkback communication is enabled. The called party may dial code to activate a relay in the IP DoorPhone to unlock the door. When the called party terminates the call, the session is terminated automatically. The called party may be anywhere, across the street or across the world.. When used in a Command application, any location will automatically call the Command location. The Command location can call any station directly. The Command location can call any groups or can do an all call page using a single optional Valcom multicast Gateway.

Valcom VIP-172L Product Features

Flush Mount PlateCall Button & LEDPOE (802.3af)Relay Contact for Door UnlockSIP DoorPhone w/ door/gate relayPoE (802.3af)Use with 3CX, trixbox, Asterisk, Cisco, Nortel, Avaya, and most modern IP Telephone systemsCall button calls any SIP address or any Valcom GatewayAutomatic Talkback VOX operation (no Push To Talk button needed)Includes long line extender – up to 300 metersEasy, RJ45 plug in, Cat 5 or 6, LAN /WAN 10/100Stainless Steel, Brass and Vandal proof (11 AWG Steel)For Security – Peer to Peer or Many to OneSIP or Multicast Softphone addressableDoor Ajar Notification FeatureAll Call 1000’s of units with Valcom GatewayLED Status Indicator

Xorcom Astribank Interface Overview

Astribank is a versatile and powerful channel bank that was specifically designed for the Asterisk IP-PBX. Astribank supports all the common telephony lines and trunks: FXS, FXO, BRI, PRI and R2. The Astribank driver is a part of the standard Asterisk distribution. With Xorcom Rapid Live CD™, a fully operational Asterisk server with preconfigured FXS, FXO, BRI, PRI and R2 ports can be up and working in less than 3 minutes! The USB 2.0 interface supplied with the Asteribank server guarantees a reliable, extremely high bandwidth, hotpluggable solution that is not dependent on a PRI PCI card. The USB 2.0 plug-and-play connection can support, theoretically, over 3,000 concurrent calls on a single USB 2.0 port. The reliable, industry-standard USB connection eliminates the costly, cumbersome PRI cards that are needed for standard channel bank support, and adds unique features such as reliable fax support, transparent synchronization between Astribank units, an auxiliary system interface, and more.

Astribank Chassis
Each 19” 1U rack-mountable Astribank chassis accommodates up to four modules. Multiple Astribank units may be connected to a single Asterisk IP-PBX using different USB 2.0 ports, a USB 2.0 hub or a USB 2.0 PCI card.

Telecom Connector Option (TCO)
This option is available in units with 8 or more FXS ports. To streamline installation of multi-port systems, the TCO unites all FXS ports on the Astribank unit into a single telecom connector on the real panel. All front panel indicators and RJ11 connectors remain active and enable easy monitoring and maintenance. A cable for connecting the telecom connector to the patch-panel is included.

Input/Output (I/O) Ports
Analog units with FXS modules support I/O ports. The two output ports enable activation/deactivation of peripheral devices by dialing an extension number. A popular example of output port usage is to open a door by dialing an extension. The four input ports create an off-hook event in Asterisk. The dial plan can be configured to use this function to dial an extension, play a message, send an email, activate another device using the output ports, etc. Examples of possible input port usage include forwarding a call to specific numbers, and playing a pre-recorded message if the fire/burglar alarm goes off.

Core Features

USB channel bank for AsteriskSupports FXS, FXO, BRI, PRI and R2Native Asterisk – no extra software or hardware requiredInput/Output ports for connecting peripheral devicesFrom eight ports to hundreds of portsTelecom connection optionPower drive for ISDN phones

Valcom PagePro VIP204 Paging Gateway Overview

The PagePro IP Model VIP-204  is a SIP based paging server designed for use with virtually all IP based telephone systems. The unit provides 8 zones, groups thereof and all call paging. Up to 4 simultaneous non conflicting pages.  This PagePro IP unit can drive up to 65,000 IP speakers or 65,000 analog speakers or provide the audio source for legacy paging systems. It can simultaneously drive any combination of these paging applications. The VIP-204 can form the foundation of most paging projects. The 8 zones can be accessed individually or in flexible groups.  Multiple VIP-204 devices can be grouped together for expandability.  Provides feedback elimination.

Valcom PagePro IP VIP-204 allows paging from any SIP compliant telephone to 8 SIP page destinations. The SIP page destinations can be any of the VIP-204’s four analog outputs, any combination of those outputs, or any
combination of page groups from other Valcom VIP units. The four analog outputs on the VIP-204 are line level –10dBm audio outputs. These outputs are designed to directly drive up to 150 Valcom self-amplified speakers.
The outputs are also suitable for connection to an auxiliary input on a utility amplifier of a legacy paging system.

Group Paging Features
The PagePro IP Model VIP-204 allows SIP based phone systems to page any number of Valcom IP speakers, Valcom Amplified Speakers and Valcom VIP series analog paging gateways. Valcom multicast group paging features robust grouping and priority controls. These controls make it easy to distribute low priority announcements yet allow high priority paging to override ongoing announcements. The PagePro IP Model VIP-204 provides 8 IP zones and 1 analog output capable of driving a mix of Valcom self amplified overhead paging speakers and horns. You can assign one SIP access phone number for the analog port. The VIP-204 provides 8 fully customizable SIP identities that can access any combination of IP zones and the analog port. Analog paging functions can be seamlessly combined IP paging functions allowing powerful combinations of analog and IP paging.Group Paging Priority Feature
Any page group or port can be assigned a priority. These priorities allow a logical scaled approach to group paging. An absolute priority can be assigned to allow for emergency override in any circumstance. Group paging priorities work locally or across ganged units in the same fashion allowing facility wide emergency paging. Red Phone functionality is easily achieved with either IP phone or analog handsets via a Valcom gateway.Feedback Elimination Feature
The PagePro IP Model VIP-204 provides programmable store and forward capability for all paging accesses. This features records up to 30 seconds of audio, and then replays the audio when the page call is terminated. The number of times the recorded audio is played back can be set from 1 to 5. Some paging applications require live announcements. For these applications the store and forward capability can be turned on/off per page zone.Wiring Supervision Features
The PagePro IP Model VIP-204 provides for supervision of field wiring. If a fault is detected in the wiring connecting the analog output to either speakers or amplifiers it can be reported to an external device or syslog facility.Audio Supervision Features
The PagePro IP Model VIP-204 provides internal monitoring of the audio path from the network connection to the analog output connector and can report failures to an external device or syslog facility.Legacy Applications
The PagePro IP Model VIP-204 provides 1 analog output that can easily be conditioned to drive any existing overhead paging system. Legacy paging features can be seamlessly combined allowing powerful combinations of legacy analog and IP paging.Easy To InstallLive or Recorded Messages65,000 Speakers, Expandable To 256 IP Paging ZonesEasily Connect Loudspeaker System To Existing Computer NetworksCompatible With Cisco, Nortel, Avaya, Iwatsu And Most IP Telephone SystemsSupports IP And Analog Amplified SpeakersSupports IP Talkback SpeakersSupports Legacy Paging SystemsSynchronized Clock CompatibilityPoE (802.3af) Or Local PowerSIP And MulticastNetwork SupervisionFeedback EliminatorNight RingDHCP

Digium TDM800 Digital Interface Card Overview

The Wildcard TDM800P is a half-length PCI 2.2-compliant, 8 port card for connecting analog telephones and analog POTS lines through a PC. It supports combinations of FXS and/or FXO modules for a total of 8 lines.

The TDM800P provides an industry first with 8 standard two-wire, RJ-11 interfaces on a single PCI bracket. This eliminates the need for multiple brackets, external dongles, or splitters. In doing so, the TDM800P reduces part complexity, cable clutter, and points of failure.

The TDM800P contains two module banks. Each bank supports up to four analog interfaces. The module banks may be filled either with one standard Digium® quad analog module (FXS – S400M, FXO – X400M), or up to two standard Digium® single analog modules (FXS- S110M, FXO – X100M) enabling the creation of any combination of ports

The optional hardware echo cancellation module provides 1024 taps (128 milliseconds) of echo cancellation for superior echo cancellation on both FXO and FXS interfaces.

If the hardware echo cancellation module is not installed, the TDM800P may be used in conjunction with Digium’s High Performance Echo Cancellation (HPEC) software, a commercial and toll quality hybrid echo cancellation solution. Digium’s HPEC provides 16ms to 128ms of selectable near-end ITU G.168 compliant echo cancellation in software.

Using this card in concert with Digium’s Asterisk® software, standard PC hardware, and the Linux® OS, you can create SME or SOHO telephony environments capable of satisfying the needs of small or medium business applications at an industry-leading price.

Digium Analog cards, with their interchangeable single and quad FXS and FXO modules can eliminate the requirement for separate channel banks or access gateways. Digium’s commercial, toll-free quality High Performance Echo Cancellation (HPEC) software is available to our analog customers at no additional cost. The optional VPMADT032 hardware echo cancellation module provides the same toll-quality HPEC but without the performance impact of a software based solution. Scaling of an analog card solution is accomplished by adding additional cards and FXO / FXS modules.

8 RJ-11 interfaces on a single PCI bracket8 Ports for connecting analog telephones or POTS linesHalf-length Analog CardUp to 4 Single FXS or FXO Modules, or 2 Quad FXS or FXO ModulesHigh Performance Echo Cancellation (HPEC) Software (Optional)VoiceBus™ technology

Asterisk PBX Text-to-Speech

Text-to-Speech for Business Telephony with Asterisk PBX

It is expensive and wasteful to hire humans to answer or guide callers. This is when the beauty of automated natural sounding text-to-speech software is realized. Text-to-speech conversion with high-quality, natural sounding voices for hand-held, desktop, and server applications adds a lot of value to business telephony with Asterisk PBX.

Text-to-Speech voices are available in 6 languages and 18 different characters including "Allison" the standard Asterisk voice. These voices are sizable and can range from 4 MB for embedded applications, to 100 MB for server-based installations. Text-to-Speech voices are tested on all major telephony platform operating systems including: Windows Server, Windows XP, Linux (32 & 64 bit), Solaris (Sparc and x86), and Mac (PowerPC and Intel).

The benefit of using text-to-speech voices with hosted Asterisk solution is that you can select a voice that fits your requirement, optimize it for your application, or even have voices built for a particular character or delivery. The voices run on the text-to-speech technology are petite and swift enough to run on handheld devices or distribute over the network.
The text-to-speech voice facility is not only limited to the telephony industry. In fact it is used across sectors such as health, navigation, mobile, toys & games, Government, industry, assistive, and many more. Now with Asterisk VOIP PBX, text-to speech functionality is available for really affordable prices to small and medium sized businesses. Also, don?t forget to enjoy the benefits of the best application hosting solutions, such as hosted VOIP PBX, Exchange, SharePoint, etc., which has become the preferred way for companies to implement business software.

Faxing with Asterisk PBX

In any organizations, using the latest and most advanced technologies have become a must now. And when talking about the latest technology, no organization would want to miss on the older but effective technologies such as Fax. Fax for Asterisk gives Asterisk PBX ? that supports a wide range of TDM protocols for the handling and transmission of voice over traditional telephony interfaces, and VoIP packet protocols such as IAX, SIP and H.323?the ability to send and receive fax over both telephone and VoIP connections.

Using Fax for Asterisk, you can send faxes from your desktop using your standard email client without any need to install any software on your desktop. It endows you with the ability to send and receive faxes to and from TDM and IP channels. It includes analog and VoIP fax capabilities to Asterisk VOIP PBX and develops fax-on-demand, fax-broadcast, desktop fax and fax gateway applications and services. Fax for Asterisk also provides 14400bps PSTN faxing via DAHDI-compatible telephony boards and T.38 fax over SIP. You can add the Fax for Asterisk software on a hosted Asterisk PBX.

Features of Fax for Asterisk include the following:

? Fax for Asterisk supports inbound and outbound faxes
? It is an integrated SMTP gateway that provides a simple one-stop install.
? Fax for Asterisk supports a number of file formats including: Tiffg3, Postscript, PDF, Word, OpenOffice Writer.
? The preview mode allows previewing of rendered faxes before they are sent
? It support multiple Asterisk Channels as well as group channels
? Fax for hosted Asterisk PBX send faxes without specialized Fax Modems (just need to use your existing Asterisk/Digium hardware)
? It gives you the ability to send faxes directly from MS-Word and OpenOffice Writer
? No client side install is required.
? It allows sending standard email (text or html) as fax or attaching a Word, PDF, Writer etc. for transmission as a fax.

? Fax for Asterisk PBX sends multiple attachments in a single fax.
? It allows sending fax to multiple recipients in a single message by providing multiple 'To' addresses.
? It includes built-in test suite to aid in configuration and installation
? Fax for Asterisk PBX allows automatic archiving of all faxes to a designated mailbox. It allows automatic delivery receipts.
? It also provides customizable routing of inbound and outbound faxes to specific file system locations and e-mail addresses.

What more, don?t forget to enjoy the benefits of the best application hosting solutions, such as hosted VOIP PBX, Exchange, SharePoint, etc. from Apps4Rent, which has become the preferred way for companies to implement business software.

Text-to-Speech for Business Telephony with Asterisk PBX

Timesheet Management in Microsoft Project Server

If you have to have a disciplined working environment, then managing and maintaining a record of time spent on each tasks is important, isn?t it? Timesheets help record the start and end time of tasks, or just the duration. It may contain a detailed breakdown of tasks accomplished throughout the project or program. This information may be used for payroll, client billing, and increasingly for project costing, estimation, tracking and management. Nonetheless, this is where Microsoft Project Server and its Timesheet Management feature has a role. This feature in MS Project Server helps you to create and keep a tab on the timesheet of your project, thus making it easier for you to manage the timesheet of your work smoothly. It enables you to easily track the time you spend on a project's tasks, and the progress of those tasks towards completion. You can also enter time spent on administrative tasks, like vacation, travel, training, and sick leave.

Timesheet Management Features of Microsoft Project Server Hosting

? Create and Edit Timesheet
? Surrogate Timesheet (create on behalf of someone)
? Import tasks (with actual values) from project or create your own task entries
? Mark timesheet rows as billable for your invoicing needs
? Forward to Timesheet Manager or others for review
? Approve/Reject Timesheets.
? Merge timesheets received from team members to easily create a team timesheet
? Lock timesheet to block further edits
? Link to other objects like tasks, issues etc.

How to set up time reporting in Project Server?

? Set up time reporting periods: Time reporting periods are used on both the My Tasks and the My Timesheets pages, and must be set up before either page can be used.

? Configure timesheet line classifications: Timesheet line classifications are used to provide detail about project tasks.

? Configure timesheet settings and defaults: Timesheets can be configured in a number of ways that apply business rules to how users are allowed to track time. This is where you can turn on single entry mode.

? Configure administrative time categories: By default, Project Web App provides three administrative time categories: Sick, Vacation, and Administrative. Your organization may have specific categories that meet your needs.

? Configure task settings and display: Task progress updates can be configured in several ways to meet your organization's needs.

So get hold of this timesheet management feature of Microsoft Office Project Server to lower costs and increase the productivity and health of the company! What more, grab the best Application hosting solutions, such as Microsoft Exchange Server, SharePoint from Apps4Rent that too at cheaper rates!