VegaStream announces the launch of its new hardware platforms for the Vega 50 Europa

VegaStream announces today that three new platforms of the highly successful Vega 50 Europa will be introduced with general release in Q1 of 2009

Specifically designed to reduce the costs of connecting customers to VOIP networks the new platforms offer an integrated ADSL modem (AM) with 3 LAN and 1 WAN ports & an embedded Open Application Server (OAS).

The complete product portfolio will comprise the following:

click to enlarge

The ADSL Modem has the ability to support a downstream rate of up to 24Mbps & an upstream rate of 3.5 Mpbs. The addition of this modem removes the requirement of installing a separate unit & is fully featured including a firewall.

The OAS is designed to host a number of applications such as an IP-PBX. The ‘telecoms quality’ processor running at 500 MHz is powerful enough to run the most complex solutions. It can support Linux or Windows based applications.

See an on-line presentation which explains the rationale behind this important development for ITSPs, Service Providers and IP-PBX system integrators alike:

VegaStream Highly Commended at prestigious ITSPA Awards Ceremony

12th December 2008 - The Internet Telephony Services Providers' Association (ITSPA) announced the winners of the inaugural ITSPA Awards yesterday to recognise the best in the VoIP and Unified Communications space.

The prestigious awards ceremony was co-hosted by Ian Taylor MP & Derek Wyatt MP and held in the Members Dining Room at the House of Commons. Each award category was selected from a shortlist that was decided by a group of independent judges. The judges then selected a winner and also commended one of the other finalists for their product performance.

The Award Winners were:
Best Consumer VoIP: BT (BT Broadband Talk)
Best Business ITSP: Gradwell
Best Unified Solution: Timico
Best VoIP Hardware: Cisco (Cisco Voice System)
Best VoIP Innovation: AQL (AQL SMS Relay)

Those Highly Commended were:
Best Consumer VoIP category: Vonage (V-Plan)
Best Business ITSP category: Viatel
Best Unified Solution category: Shoretel
Best VoIP Hardware category: VegaStream (VegaStream VoIP Gateways)
Best VoIP Innovation category: Voxbone (Inbound services)

Eli Katz (ITSPA Chairman) also announced plans for ITSPA to introduce a quality mark in 2009 for ITSPA members to aspire to. He said “The aim of the ITSPA Quality Mark is to help consumers recognise those companies who go that extra mile in ensuring best practice. On a day when we have recognised those who have excelled in the VoIP industry, it seems appropriate to take stock and raise the bar further to ensure our industry continues to improve in the future.”

ITSPA was formed in March 2004 as a trade association to represent UK-based network operators, service providers & other businesses involved with the supply of VoIP services to business & residential consumers within the United Kingdom and across the European Union. The awards were held at the House of Commons and were attended by leading Service Providers from the residential and business markets.

The general principle of the quality mark has gained support from Ofcom:
Stuart McIntosh, Ofcom’s Competition Partner said: "Ofcom welcomes the introduction of ITSPA's new scheme. While this is a very positive step, Ofcom will continue to monitor this area to make sure it delivers real benefits to customers."

Commenting on the announcement, Steve Davis, EVP, Sales and Marketing, VegaStream said “I am delighted with this award as it is made by the top service providers in the UK. These organisations deploy IP solutions every day and really understand the challenges associated with these services. It is really good news that the ITSPA members acknowledge the contribution that VegaStream makes. This makes us stand head and shoulders above other gateway providers and ensures that VegaStream gateways are the de facto standard for the industry"

The 2008 ITSPA Awards were open to all those in the VoIP space, including those who were not members of ITSPA. For more information on ITSPA or the awards please go to http://www.itspaawards.org.uk/ or http://www.itspa.org.uk/

Tim Burne CEO comments at 0:45

pbxnsip and VegaStream announce survivability solution, to seal yet another advancement in their relationship.

pbxnsip paired with VegaStream VoIP gateways provide superior building blocks for communication platforms. In order to meet the growing needs of businesses the pbxnsip & VegaStream solution is complete, reliable & totally secure.

LEEDS, 01 December 2008 – pbxnsip, a leader in SIP-based IP PBX software for Microsoft Windows, MAC and Linux environments, today announced interoperability success with VegaStream's "survivability software", the industry leading developer of reliable, cost-effective & easy to use VoIP gateways, to yet another level.

To aid channel partners & customers in an ever changing environment, pbxnsip and VegaStream today unveil their latest partner offering of a 30% discount + free survivability software on VegaStream VoIP gateways to channel partners who join the pbxnsip reseller programme, through this offer. To further compliment this, upon taking up the offer, resellers will receive a free Call Recording software upgrade when purchasing their pbxnsip IP-PBX licence. VegaStream has long been established as the premier gateway manufacturer in the market & the addition of survivability software removes any possible objections by end users concerned about using VoIP services.

The need for VoIP solutions for business use is growing; both pbxnsip & VegaStream are responding to that need with an entirely software-based IP-PBX paired with an easy to use VoIP gateway, which as a solution is secure, robust, & has all the features a business needs. Crucially the solution includes failover survivability which means if your SIP trunk fails the call routing will automatically route to the PSTN. pbxnsip & VegaStream have harnessed their "open standard" product set to make their joint proposal both highly flexible & easy to integrate into any IT structure of any organization.

Among the numerous benefits of the pbxnsip IP-PBX, those of particular note include the wealth of features and high degree of scalability and reliability. As well as a cost that is significantly lower than that of traditional PBXs, greater ease of use & installation than for traditional proprietary systems. The ability to use existing network infrastructures by utilizing the VegaStream gateways interoperability makes it easy to integrate an organization’s existing network & applications.

Another essential aspect for businesses, which is fully implemented in pbxnsip and VegaStream, is security. Indeed, this solution meets the highest security standards & ensures full communication protection. On top of this the free survivability software from VegaStream ensures this solution offers the highest degree of resilience & backup available on the market. Features such as local routing upon connectivity failure & geographic location recognition makes the VegaStream and pbxnsip solution a must for business continuity in the VoIP arena.

"We are once again very happy to release another advancement in our partnership with VegaStream”, said Jonathan Greenwood, CEO at pbxnsip Europe Ltd. “VegaStream & pbxnsip have a long standing partnership & have many new & innovative technology enhancements to bring to businesses needing reliable, stable and robust communications platforms. 2008 has been a great year for pbxnsip & VegaStream & the development goes on. Q1 2009 will be very interesting for both companies”, he added.

“I was delighted that interoperability testing went so well” said Steve Davis, EVP Sales & Marketing. “The seamless switchover between SIP trunks and the PSTN was effortless. In the situation of a broadband outage an end user would not realise that his calls had been automatically switched to the PSTN. When the broadband link is re-instated then calls are routed back over SIP trunks”.

To benefit from the 30% discount offer + Free survivability software & pbxnsip Call recording IP-PBX licence, please contact VegaStream’s sales team by visiting http://www.VegaStream.com/ or send an email to Sales@VegaStream.com or eusales@pbxnsip.com mentioning ‘VegaStream & pbxnsip Promotion’ on the subject line. The trial download for setting up pbxnsip Version 3 for Windows, MAC or Linux can be found on the pbxnsip website at: http://pbxnsip.com/trial .

About VegaStream
Established in 1998, VegaStream operates globally with sales and support centres in Europe, America and Asia-Pacific. VegaStream’s mission is to enable seamless interoperability between the wide and varied range of proprietary telephone systems & the new IP networks. The award winning Vega gateways are based on international communications standards including SIP & H.323 to deliver an open & non-proprietary VoIP solution that can integrate to existing communication investments.

About pbxnsip
pbxnsip makes SIP-based Private Branch Exchange (PBX) telephone systems. The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is used to talk to attached devices like telephones, PSTN gateways & SIP service providers. The pbxnsip PBX is used to put the components from different vendors together in an enterprise communication system. Customers benefit from a modern PBX feature set that includes mobility support, computer telephone integration, & vendor independency. pbxnsip also respects the security requirements of a business critical application. Customers may run the PBX on Microsoft Windows, MAC & Linux-based servers & on embedded appliances. pbxnsip Inc was incorporated in 2005 & is located in Andover, Massachusetts, USA & pbxnsip Europe Ltd was created in 2008 & is located in Leeds, United Kingdom.

Vega 400

Click for Product Brochure & full specs

Scalability

The Vega 400 VoIP gateway connects digital telephony equipment to IP networks. The unit is purchased pre-licensed to suit the initial requirements of the customer for the quantity of concurrent VoIP calls desired through to 120 VoIP channels. Future expansion is easily achieved in the field & can be provisioned by means of further licenses and expansion modules.

All Vega 400 gateways are supplied with four E1/T1 interfaces which are always fully available regardless of the license which has been purchased. Each E1/T1 interface can be independently configured as network side or terminal side. The Vega 400 gateway can therefore be connected to a PBX & the PSTN simultaneously. This configuration provides:
> No disruption to the configuration of existing equipment
> Flexibility & choice for call routing

Integrated Bypass Relays For Resiliency
The Vega 400 gateway incorporates an additional four RJ45 sockets and fails over to these during outages. This resource can be utilised to achieve hardwired connection from the PBX to the PSTN for instances when the Vega is installed between the two. Or alternatively to failover to a back-up Vega 400 & thereby providing dual redundancy.

Enhanced Network Proxy (ENP) (software option)

This option enables continuity of service during WAN/SIP outage and may be configured to operate in a number of ways including:
> Standalone proxy
> IP device survivability
> IP device call routing
> Emergency call routing
> SIP to SIP call routing

See an independant review here:

Vega 50 Europa

Click for Product Brochure & full specs

The Vega 50 Europa gateway connects a range of legacy telephony equipment, including PBXs, ISDN telephones, the ISDN, analogue phones & the PSTN to IP & ADSL networks. The Vega 50 Europa supports up to 10 analogue ports, or either 4, 8 or 16 basic rate ISDN channels on 2, 4 or 8 physical interfaces. ADSL is supported to seamlessly integrate with broadband connections. The following gateway configurations are available as standard:

Analogue FXS / FXO
> 4 FXS + 2 FXO
> 8 FXS + 2 FXO
> 4 FXO
> 8 FXO
[If you require more than 8FXS port connectivity see the Vega 5000 range]

BRI / ISDN2
> 2 BRI interfaces (4 channels)
> 4 BRI interfaces (8 channels)

Each BRI interface can be independently configured as network side or terminal side. The Vega 50 Europa gateway can, therefore, be connected to both a PBX & the ISDN simultaneously. This configuration provides:
> No disruption to the configuration of existing equipment
> Flexibility & choice for call routing

Lifeline PSTN Backup
All Vega variants equipped with FXS ports are also fitted with two FXO ports. When powered the Vega can route calls (999/112/911, local calls etc) to or from these two FXO ports. Under power failure conditions the two FXO ports provide a hard-wired bypass to the first two FXS ports allowing PSTN calls to be made even under this failure condition. Also in the event that the call cannot be routed via SIP to the IP-PBX/ITSP, it can be re-presented to the FXO thereby providing the customer with a back-up, resilient call routing during the outage.

Enhanced  Network Proxy (ENP) Provides IP-phone Survivability (software option)
Frequently the SoftSwitch is located remotely (eg head office/branch offices scenarios) with connectivity via the WAN.  When the WAN suffers an outage the IP-phones within the organisation are unable to register to the off-site SoftSwitch and therefore all functionality is lost. Callers trying to reach the company cannot get through.  Just as worrying though, employees cannot make external calls outside the business and worse still internal desk-to-desk calls around the organisation cannot be placed.  The business is at a standstill.  Compounding on this is the compromise of the health and safety of the employees also who often have to rely on their own personal mobile phones for the duration of the outage.  The solution is Vega's ENP.  During normal operation the IP-phones register via the Vega which in turn caches the registrations and forwards them to the SoftSwitch.  When disaster strikes in the network the Vega loses its “heartbeat” with the SoftSwitch and so it immediately becomes the vital element in the network ensuring that the IP-phones continue to operate, processing registrations and calls both internally but externally also via back-up PSTN connectivity.   Vega is able to support up to 120 IP-phones.
 
This option enables continuity of service during WAN/SIP outage and may be configured to operate in a number of ways including:

> Standalone proxy
> IP device survivability
> IP device call routing
> Emergency call routing
> SIP to SIP call routing

Vega Multi Service Business Gateways (MSBG)
Now with some great new embedded hardware options:

Integrated  Broadband Connectivity (AM) (hardware option)
ADSL2 or ADSL2+ is supported providing a downstream rate of up to 24 Mbps and an upstream rate of up to 3.5 Mbps.

Integrated Open Application Server (OAS) (hardware option)

A telecoms grade internal server enables applications such as an IP-PBX to co-exist alongside the VoIP gateway & in a single appliance.

The complete product portfolio will comprise the following:

click to enlarge

Vega 5000

Click for Product Brochure & full specs

High density ATA telephone deployment available in two configurations:

> 24 FXS + 2 FXO

> 48 FXS + 2 FXO

[for fewer FXS ports see Vega 50 Europa available in 4FXS or 8FXS options]



What is it used for?
Multiple analogue device connectivity (phone, DECT cordless, fax, external loud bells) for UA endpoints operating with either a local SoftSwitch / IP-PBX deployed on the customer’s own network, or an off-site SoftSwitch / IP Centrex application hosted by an ITSP.

Why wouldn't I just deploy IP Phones?
The deployment of FXS phones & devices may be in conjunction with, or instead of IP phones, & indeed there are many areas where it is more practical to deploy a high density FXS gateway:

> Serves as an ideal legacy PBX replacement or where there is an absence of data/network cabling. The Vega simply replaces the telephone system’s central control unit & is connected to the existing telephone wiring & analogue phones

> Where there is a requirement for a large quantity of handsets & IP phones are inappropriate to deploy (public reception areas, business centres, tenement buildings, hotels, schools, nursing homes…)

> For long distance phone deployment (up to 8 kilometres line length)

> Only a single LAN connection is required for the Vega thereby saving on costly switch/hub equipment & rack space requirements if multiple IP phones were otherwise deployed

> There is a single management interface and IP address on each Vega FXS gateway for all users connected, as opposed to having to separately manage lots of individual IP phones

How does it differ from an IP phone?
As far as the ITSP or IP-PBX is concerned there is no difference. Each FXS endpoint is provisioned just as an IP phone would be and will behave in just the same way that an IP phone does; it will independently register with the SoftSwitch and will have its own telephone number, user account and password.

How do the connected phones work?
Vega gateways support telephony features which enable the FXS device to interoperate with the SoftSwitch and to use the advanced features which it provides:

> *Support of hook flash / TBR - for call hold & transfer - the R button on the phone!
> *CLIP to FXS telephone display - the user can observe who is calling before answering
> *MWI lamp indication or stuttered dial tone - for new voice mail message notification
> *Call waiting - the user can decide whether to hold, toggle or disconnect the existing call & answer the arriving call
> Three party conference
> Executive interrupt
> Call forward – unconditional, busy, no answer
> Do Not Disturb
> Hunt groups – linear up, round robin, random
> Call barring
> Hotline - a pre-determined number is called upon lifting the handset (visitor or door phone automatically calls the operator)
> Post fax voice call - after sending a fax the user can talk to the remote caller thereby saving money by not having to make a new call
> Distinctive ringing for called numbers (eg, sales, accounts) so that the user can answer the call appropriately
> Support of fax T.38 protocol. Also the ability to connect modem, PDQ etc

The Vega enables the advanced features of the SoftSwitch (call recording, voice mail etc) to be accessed just as an IP phone would do.

 *From the customer’s viewpoint it is arguable therefore that there is no discernable loss of features over an IP phone provided of course that the analogue telephone is capable of supporting these.

Enhanced Network Proxy (ENP) provides IP-phone survivability (software option)
Frequently the SoftSwitch is located remotely (eg head office/branch offices scenarios) with connectivity via the WAN.  When the WAN suffers an outage the IP-phones within the organisation are unable to register to the off-site SoftSwitch and therefore all functionality is lost. Callers trying to reach the company cannot get through.  Just as worrying though, employees cannot make external calls outside the business and worse still internal desk-to-desk calls around the organisation cannot be placed.  The business is at a standstill.  Compounding on this is the compromise of the health and safety of the employees also who often have to rely on their own personal mobile phones for the duration of the outage.  The solution is Vega's ENP.  During normal operation the IP-phones register via the Vega which in turn caches the registrations and forwards them to the SoftSwitch.  When disaster strikes in the network the Vega loses its “heartbeat” with the SoftSwitch and so it immediately becomes the vital element in the network ensuring that the IP-phones continue to operate, processing registrations and calls both internally but externally also via back-up PSTN connectivity.   Vega is able to support up to 120 IP-phones.

ENP enables continuity of service during WAN/SIP outage & may be configured to operate in a number of ways including:
> Standalone proxy
> IP device survivability
> IP device call routing
> Emergency call routing
> SIP to SIP call routing

Lifeline PSTN Backup
All Vega variants equipped with FXS ports are also fitted with two FXO ports. When powered the Vega can route calls (999/112/911, local calls etc) to or from these two FXO ports. Under power failure conditions the two FXO ports provide a hard-wired bypass to the first two FXS ports allowing PSTN calls to be made even under this failure condition. Also in the event that the call cannot be routed via SIP to the IP-PBX/ITSP, it can be re-presented to the FXO thereby providing the customer with a back-up, resilient call routing during the outage.

click to enlarge

How do I physically connect the phones?
On the rear of the Vega 5000 there is a RJ21 socket (2 sockets for 48 port version) upon which the FXS ports are presented. The installer connects the Vega to the building voice wiring network to suit the requirements of the customer; two options are as follows:

click to enlarge

Vega teleworker application

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Who's it for?

Most companies which still have legacy PBXs would like teleworkers to benefit from the ability to work from home & still be a part of the office network just as if they were sitting there in person...part time workers, those on maternity leave, long distance employees, road warriors or just the CEO sitting by the pool! These days most people can VPN in from their laptop at home but crucially the one thing they miss is their office 'phone. This simple solution is so easy to set up & cost effective also.

And let's also not forget the green issue also! Most organisations wish to put an end to pointless commuting to/from the office when they can be more productive working from their home office, using those wasted hours sitting in the daily traffic jam more wisely.
Also this solution works fantastically for new branch offices - simply provide extensions from the main head office PBX instead. Avoids having to buy a new PBX, maintenance, lines, ongoing costs etc whilst making everyone feel a part of the central system.

It's just like being there...
> PBX dialtone is presented to remote workers when handset is lifted enabling full system functionality & access to features. There is no change to the existing method of operation for any user – PBX feature codes remain the same
> Remote workers can:
- make internal calls to other extensions on the PBX
- make external calls out from the PBX thus presenting their CLI
- hold & transfer calls to internal PBX extensions or external destinations
- receive DDI calls from ISDN / PBX
- receive calls transferred from PBX operator & users
> Caller ID passed to remote user’s phone
> PBX operator and proprietary keyphone users retain Busy Lamp Field (off-hook status) of remote IP extensions
> Option to connect remote phone in parallel to existing phone to achieve call “forking” – first to answer call or eventually to voice-mail
> Ideal for remote workers at home, hotel, temporary building-site offices, remote offices……

How do I connect it to the phone system?
> No requirement to change or reprogram existing head office PBX, nor to inform incumbent maintainer – simply connect analogue extensions off PBX into Vega FXO ports (can even plug into telephone socket/s)

But I could just sell them a new IP phone system...
Of course that's the way they'll ultimately go, but in the meantime this is an interim low cost solution which sets them on the path to a full-blown IP-PBX in their own time. In these uncertain financial times especially companies are postponing any capital expenditure. Or maybe they're into a long lease on the present system. Or they own it outright but simply won't change just for a few extra features. This typifies our message that a Vega gateway is an ideal stepping stone approach to VoIP for customers who wish to make the move gradually at their own pace & thereby avoiding the many pitfalls of overnight "rip & replace" of their existing telecoms infrastructure.

How can I sell it?
This provides a great opportunity for your sales guys to revisit their existing customers - afterall they are your best prospect list & easiest to sell into as they know & trust you already.But even when knocking on doors for new prospects this story is a real door opener as it just fits onto the existing PBX without having to seek permission from the incumbent supplier. Plus it guarantees you will be in the running when the customer is ready to change to a new IP-PBX becuase you have already demonstrated your expertise in this area!

Call re-presentation

There are a couple of ways to achieve this - see a video tutorial here