PRODUCT REVIEW: OKI Networks IPstage phone systems for small and medium businesses (SMBs)
OKI Networks recently introduced 2 new unified communication solutions for the small and medium size business market.
The IPstage EX100 Release 6 and IPstage MX/SX Release 6 are the latest IP and mobile key phone systems aimed at improving business efficiency.
Specific features of interest to small and medium business owners include:
Salesforce.com Integration
OKI’s “Com@WILL® software phone” seamlessly integrates with “Salesforce,” from salesforce.com, who is the leader in the SaaS CRM market. When phone calls are received, customer information on Salesforce database pops up, and notes of the call will automatically be displayed. OKI helps customers make calls easily and manage customer information, contributing to an improvement in customer satisfaction level.
Extensive Voice Mail Recording Time
The voice mail package, which can be built in the IPstage, includes up to 120 hours of recording. This length is one of the longest of its kind in the industry. Because it can be built into the IPstage, compared to previous models with external voice mails, it significantly reduces installation cost and simplifies construction and maintenance. As a result, SMBs can easily receive the benefit of a highly convenient service of phone call answering and recording. This function is available for both “IPstage EX100” and “IPstage MX.”
Seamless Connection to Remote Locations
When phones in different locations are connected to a public telephone network (PSTN), users can call each other by simply dialing the extension number. Therefore, customers can make internal calls easily even without a leased line and can reduce communication costs by using a flat rate for IP phone services on a PSTN.
Integration of Soft Phones and Hard Phones
OKI adds convenience to the IP and mobile environments by adding a PHS terminal to the hardware phone which connects to “Com@WILL software phone.” For example, users can start an outgoing call by clicking on the Com@WILL software phone on their mobile PC and then switch to a hardware phone, or check the pop-up caller information on the PC screen, and then receive the phone on the hardware. Users can also receive voice mails on Com@WILL software phone when they are absent. They can utilize the seamless connection of a mobile PC and a PHS terminal from anywhere in the office, which adds convenience and mobility.
More Efficient VoIP Connectivity
Conventional voice connection to VoIP carriers was limited to G.711, a non-compression voice connection. By adding G.729, the 8kbps compression codec, users can choose a voice communication using less bandwidth.