See Gold Systems V7V Demonstrations at SpeechTEK #707  

With the demands to address new business requirements, Gold Systems V7V can be the one voice IVR platform for all your customer call processing needs.    

Referred to by Lync experts as the "Lync-IVR," Vonetix 7 Voice addresses three primary customer objectives:

            - Lync and IVR integration

            - Contact Center Solutions with Lync

            - Customer-centric IVR results  

, including both Default and Seated tracking modes. This allows businesses and developers to create applications that track skeletal movement at closer proximity, like when the end user is sitting at a desk or needs to stand close to an interactive display.

I asked Terry Gold CEO of Gold Systems who has been working with the new Kinect since January about his thoughts on this announcement.  Terry noted, "Microsoft announced the availability of the Kinect  for Windows SDK version 1.5 this week.  Why should you care?  Did you care when the first computer mouse appeared, or the first time you saw a video camera connected to a PC?  Probably not, so here is a chance to care about something that could be even more important, while it is still early in the game.  And to be clear, I'm not talking about games.  While Kinect for PC looks just like the one on your kid's Xbox, it is meant for the desktop PC, and while there will be games that take advantage of it, there will be business applications too. Communications applications?  Certainly.  Kinect is a device that can do amazing motion detection, and with this newest SDK, developers can not only detect the motion of a person waiving their hands, we can now even track the "real-time 3D mesh of facial features-tracking the head position, location of eyebrows, shape of the mouth, etc."  How might we use that capability in a video conference application?  I've got some good guesses that I'm thinking about trying out for a demo.  Or maybe we begin to use gestures to control the conference, or presence or whether or not I'll take that call or IM.  Because Microsoft has opened up not only Kinect, but Lync via UCMA, we can create all sorts of interesting scenarios.    

I was happy to see that the speech recognition capabilities got a boost with four new languages being offered, with more on the way.  I believe that the speech engine that is in the cloud behind Kinect is the same engine that Gold Systems uses in our Vonetix 7 Voice product.  Does that mean we can create interesting applications for individuals now?  I think it might.  Siri or Watson for the desktop?  It could happen.  The parts are there, thanks to Microsoft, and now it is our job to think of clever ways to put them together to solve real problems for real people."  

Microsoft has also added more capabilities to help developers build amazing applications, including:  

- Kinect Studio is our new tool which allows developers to record and play back Kinect data, dramatically shortening and simplifying the development lifecycle of a Kinect application. Now a developer writing a Kinect for Windows application can record clips of users in the application's target environment and then replay those clips at a later time for testing and further development.

- New set of Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) guide developers on best practices for the creation of Natural User Interfaces using Kinect.

- Face Tracking SDK provides a real-time 3D mesh of facial features-tracking the head position, location of eyebrows, shape of the mouth, etc.  

I gave a speech in 1980 in London suggesting that IBM would build a chair that would do a mini-health diagnosis when you sat in it and making recommendations for diet, health and business ideas.  No doubt in the Kinect Labs they are working on even cooler features like X-ray vision, MRI and other ideas that will make Kinect more relevant and IMHO life-optimizing features.   

Click on image for the MSDN blog post  for more details.    

Hairpin or hairpining has been used for decades for toll bypass where users could access corporate networks to avoid long distance charges. As shown in the animated tutorial here (click on the image for the complete tutorial), it can be used with corporate networks for the same purpose.  

It can also be used with Lync mobile, according to the presenter Mr.Yves Pitsch, Microsoft Lead Program Manager - Lync Server (edited), It can also be used with Lync mobile, according to the presenter Mr.Yves Pitsch, Microsoft Senior Program Manager - Lync Server, "there is one thing to pay attention to is the communications between the mobile device and Lync  is that inside your organization you can use WiFi or outside the organization you can use 3G and WiFi and you can switch back and forth between the public and private corporate networks".  With Lync Server 2010 CU4, we always connect to the external web interface of the Lync topology.    

That is, 1) if you are outside the organization, we require mobile traffic to be treated as like any other web traffic (through the reverse proxy).       

2) If you are inside your organization we require the mobility traffic to also go outside hairpin back to the reverse proxy through the external interface.   So no matter where you are will always hit the same external website. This approach is designed to provide the maximum flexibility and ease of user for users who constantly are on the move even going across the street to the coffee shop and back outside the range of corporate WiFi."

This exciting approach is designed to provide the maximum flexibility and ease of user for users who constantly are on the move even going across the street to the coffee shop and back outside the range of corporate WiFi.  In addition, this mobile traffic including video/web conferencing from tablets/pads should be part of your bandwidth planning requirements on your reverse proxy service as well as security port access considerations.

Click on image for larger view and click here for more details.    

I spoke with snom technology Director Unified Communications, Tim Köhler and discussed some of the critical issues facing users in any organization.  As you may have read from the article above, users often implement phones in terrible, hazardous and potentially life-threatening conditions,

Tim considers the following options based on Microsoft's recommendations and gives his top tips for choosing the best phone for your business requirement.

1) Don't be baffled by the range of devices on offer

When selecting the right IP phone, it's easy to be baffled by the wide array of recommended phones provided by Microsoft (click on image below). Essentially, Microsoft distinguishes between desktop phones optimized for Lync, and other compatible IP phones. All phones 'optimized for Microsoft Lync' use Microsoft Lync 2010 so have similar operation and performance. As the software is provided exclusively by Microsoft, device manufacturers have no direct influence on the functionality of their 'Lync-optimized' devices. However, this doesn't apply to the category 'other compatible IP phones.' These phones are 'qualified for Microsoft Lync' and currently include only three devices, the cost-saving starter unit snom 300, the snom 370 for higher demands, and the snom 821 business phone. All three devices are based on the proven SIP stack, which makes them compatible with numerous SIP-based telephone systems and, due to their internal firmware, also with Microsoft Lync.

2) Consider functional requirements

IP desktop phones are available in three device categories: common area phones, information worker devices, and phones used in conference rooms. The common area phone is a basic phone for use in public areas and in work environments that do not have PCs but require a phone. The information worker phone allows for PC integration and enables users to participate in a phone conference at the press of a button. Conference phones are primarily used independently in meeting rooms and usually come without a handset, as they are specifically optimized for hands-free operation.

3) Understand the benefits and drawbacks of Microsoft Lync's Unified Communications

When used with corresponding IP phones, Microsoft Lync offers an efficient telephony solution. However, it is designed primarily for Unified Communications (UC), a platform enabling users to communicate without restriction as their work environment or task requires them to. Lync delivers:

• Any kind of communication (instant messaging/text, voice, video, documents).
• Any kind of use (desktop client, web, mobile phone, phone).
• Usage independent of location and time (planned conference, or ad hoc, at the office, home office or on the go).
• Context-based integration (Outlook and other office solutions, or with other products via an interface).   

Lync's UC can forward users from an instant message to a phone call or to a video conference with external participants. It also allows for desktop sharing, a feature that is expected to become available for mobile devices in the future. Clearly, switching from traditional telephony to Lync offers many benefits, but it does also have its drawbacks. Despite adding new UC features, Microsoft does not provide users with classic telecommunications system features such as manager assistant functionality, or if it does, they are implemented differently. Microsoft is addressing these weaknesses with its 'qualified for Lync' programme."

Click on image for snom website.  Part 2 is next week.  

Tim considers the following options based on Microsoft's recommendations and gives his top tips for choosing the best phone for your business requirement.

4) Understand the benefits of a device qualified for Microsoft Lync

Microsoft's 'qualified for Microsoft Lync' program enables experienced device manufacturers to have their products compatibility certified. At the same time, the software developer makes use of the experience and flexibility of these suppliers. With self-developed software, 'qualified for Microsoft Lync' phones have several benefits compared to 'optimized for Microsoft Lync' devices - from dedicated buttons for call forwarding, voicemail, call hold and "please do not disturb" over presence display on function keys to enabling users to set their own presence status on the device. Featuring dual SIP stacks, 'qualified for Microsoft Lync' phones can be used with Microsoft Lync and any other SIP-based telephone systems - even simultaneously. This dual compatibility offers easy migration and high investment protection.

5) Keep your options open

With any hardware purchase it is important to consider the longevity of the device. Unified Communications might not be a direction your business wants to go down now, but what about the future? The best IP phones on the market will support up to 12 different identities that can be combined with many different telephone systems and are therefore ideal for smooth migration to Microsoft Lync. Keeping your options open eliminates the need for future investment in new devices. Having internal firmware on the phones you choose can also provide considerable benefit. Look for features such as remote configuration (also called provisioning), which makes it possible to incorporate the company logo in the display interface, or the functionality to display individual fonts and languages.

6) Independent software provides greater flexibility

One of the reasons Microsoft Lync-qualified phones offer more flexibility than 'optimized for Microsoft Lync' phones is because their software is independent and therefore capable of providing support for any network requirements, from WLAN over VPN to VLAN. For example, devices can be used as door terminals including a door opener, while EHS adapters can be used for wireless headsets. Furthermore, presence display or function keys can provide a quick overview of, or be used to contact other team members within the company.

7) Think long-term

If you decide to manage all your telephony requirements exclusively over Microsoft Lync and can live without an additional IP telephone system, a 'Microsoft Lync optimized' phone is probably the best decision. However, if you want to remain independent when purchasing new hardware you are much better off with a 'qualified for Microsoft Lync' device. The latter gives the flexibility and interoperability of a phone with dual SIP stack while the internal firmware means any new functionality introduced can be easily obtained through the firmware update.

This is from Terry Gold's blog, please click on his image or graphic for his blog.

Editor note: See in the chart below how UCMA fits into the Gold unified communications platform called V7V.

"This is a public service blog post for everyone who is looking for the definition of Microsoft's UCMA acronym. The answer is Unified Communications Managed API. Since the acronym contains another acronym, I'll also say that the definition of API is Application Programming Interface.  

I've written before about what UCMA really is and what it can be used for, but this blog post is to simply remind people what the acronym actually stands for, because earlier today I had a moment where I wasn't sure. I've used the acronym so much, that it was starting to lose meaning and it became just another technical word. When I typed it into Bing, I was surprised at how hard it was to find someone actually spelling out the words that UCMA stands for.

So here you go search engines: UCMA stands for Unified Communications Managed API. UCMA means Unified Communications Managed API. The meaning of UCMA is Unified Communications Managed API. The acronym UCMA is Unified Communications Managed API.

There, now it's burned back into my own memory. That got me to thinking about what other acronyms in our field have become so commonplace that their meaning is in danger of being lost. How many of these do you know without looking?

- TCP/IP

- ACD

- ISDN

- PBX

- SIP

- DOS

- PRI

- SDK

- FTP

- UNIX

That last one was meant to be a trick question, because I didn't think it had a meaning, but it is at least based on an acronym. Look for the heading "1970s" to read about it."

Click on image for larger view and click here for more details.   Gold has also produced 11 videos on some key unified communications topics. 

Here's what snom says.  Native software updates for snom endpoints can be made and managed directly from the Microsoft Lync server. "Easy sign-in" via extension and PIN enable snom UC devices to request and start using a client certificate for authentication, eliminating the need to enter full NTLM credentials. This makes the phones independent from password changes - a critical need in businesses where password changes are frequent. The "hot desking" functionality allows users to sign into multiple accounts. The new firmware also adds support for call parking and integration with survivable branch appliances for continued communication during a WAN outage.    

Editor note: Since there was no image for the snom Apollo, thought this might help them along.

Called "Apollo," the new snom software features new configuration and management capabilities designed to accelerate the speed and simplicity for deploying and operating Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Enterprise Voice and snom UC edition phones in large multi-site business environments.

The new snom UC firmware also supports unique features for its 'Qualified for Lync' endpoints designed specifically for enterprise level installation of voice-enabled Microsoft Lync, including Music on Hold, Boss/Admin and integrated Presence capabilities.

"Apollo delivers a range of new capabilities to make mass multisite deployment of voice-enabled Microsoft Lync with snom UC SIP-based business phones faster and easier," said Mike Storella, snom technology Chief Operating Officer. "Resellers and businesses alike will appreciate the technical benefits of these management and usability features that translate to bottom line savings for their Lync deployments."

At press time, there were no screenshots, hopefully some will be coming shortly.          

As a result of my conversation with many users who implement phones in terrible, hazardous and potentially life-threatening conditions, I was also curious about Lync solutions to help, not just office but these tough situations.  The dirtiest place I ever visited was the Valmont coal-fired electric generating plant here in Boulder.  Coal dust was prevalent in many parts of the plant and exhaust fumes were also present.  If you are curious how a coal-fired generator works click on the image and under "G" for generator see the explanation.  I also installed telephones in the Boulder County Jail and on the manufacturing floor and back docks of a Fortune 500 company.  All were very difficult as it is not just the "hardened" telephone but the wiring/wireless connections.  If you have solutions and pictures for your most difficult installations, please send them and I will post them. 

I also spoke with Paul at Algo Solutions, a manufacturer of "tough telephones." Seriously smart guy he seems to have "heard it all" and implemented telephones in nearly every tough place there is.  He says that while Algo phones are not on Microsoft's approved list; they have implemented them in Lync settings.  Click on the image for their website.

Because Terry Gold took on explaining UCMA, he inspired me to explain more on SIP Trunking.  Like trying to describe anything, there are many definitions, here are a few and if you don't like just text, you can just click on the image for a Flash tutorial including FXO/FXS, CODEC, MPLS and more.

"What is" SIP-Session Initiation Protocol and SIP Trunking in the Fewest Words  

1 - If you prefer, "defined by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) RFC (Request For Comment) 3261, SIP is a peer-to-peer, multimedia signaling protocol that integrates with other Internet services to deliver rich communications."   

2 - For those technically-inclined, a SIP Trunk is a network interface device that recognizes SIP signals and can process these signals to other SIP devices. In other words, a SIP Trunk is a digital data transmission link with SIP protocol signaling interfaces that recognizes SIP signaling and SIP media protocols using RTP (Realtime Transport Protocol) for media transmission (voice) and RTCP (Real-Time Control Protocol) for QoS (Quality of Service).  

Thanks to Tarek Radi of Microsoft for assistance in the list of SIP Trunking Providers.         

SIP Business Applications Planning Guide 2012     

What You Will Learn:

•          Review the fundamentals of IP-Internet Protocol and platforms required for high performance SIP-VoIP systems. This includes soft switches, gateways, routers, services and other critical components.
•          Explore business applications and opportunities. Review what customers are buying today and why they are buying. In addition, emerging "killer applications" will be explained in depth.
•          Quickly grasp complex subjects such as H.323, MGCP and SIP. As SIP-Session Initiation Protocol emerges are the key VoIP communications protocol, discover how this technology will impact all voice communications systems from key, PBX, IP-PBX, hosted, managed and other systems.
•  
•          Understand basic and advanced SIP-VoIP concepts features. From hosted, managed, IAS, and IP-PBX, quickly understands "what's-what" for different customer applications and business models.
•           Probe the issues behind Integrated and Converged Access. Understand when and why organizations need a converged access solution.
•          Understand why "network assessment" is critical to any SIP-VoIP implementation and why this step cannot be overlooked.
•           Address the issue of QoS-Quality of Service by overcoming jitter, echo, noise and other network problems. Review the role of RTCP and other tools to monitor and maintain high performance VoIP networks.
•          Understand the functions of the new communications "toolbar." See how the benefits of "unified communications" as they improve business operations.
•          Assess the Top-10 issues why SIP trunking and hosted VoIP is more than "dial-tone," and how it can represent change in the business and business model of even the smallest enterprises. Discuss and explore new ways to improve fundamental business processes.
•          Explore how a SIP-VoIP call is processed and review potential security attacks.   Discover how SPIT, VOMIT, Calljacking, DOS and other terrorist attacks can target not just data, but voice packets.
•          Review SIP and SIP Trunking and all the implications and applications from TCO-Total Cost of Ownership to QoS-Quality of Service. SIP Trunking is the most profound new form of telecommunications since POTS.

Marketing Communications Solutions

There are a number of other marcom solutions available such as:  

- Newsletters (e.g. private label version of Lync User Forum)  

      from Constant Contact Certified Experts click here 

- Webseminars ("Highest Scores Ever" - Microsoft)

- Customer Case Studies ("Best Customer Case Study' - Broadsoft)

- White Papers (Top-10 Tips for VoIP Implementation - XO)

- SEO (top placement of key words in Google), e.g. Google  IVR Lync

- Social marketing (Twitter, social media course) see my Twitter account @techtionary

- Social media training (course evaluations available)

- Articles - email for example

- Press Releases (email for examples)

- Training - your courses

- Course development new courses (Qwest, Microsoft, others)

- Elearning course development and delivery (Qwest)

- Videos

- Consulting (product, strategic planning, crossnetpoints model)

 Email today to get help cross@gocross.com

Get Lync Smart: TECHnet click on image for link           

Here's a great place to get Lync Smart. I particularly like the labs and podcasts (which you can download and take with you).  

Webcasts 

Tune in as Microsoft subject-matter experts present product overviews and strategies for improving productivity and driving down costs. Webcasts include technical presentations about configuring, securing, and extending your unified communications infrastructure.

Videos 

Learn smart strategies, get new insights, and stay up-to-date on Microsoft tools, technologies, and services. Stream or download a video today.  

Virtual Labs 

Test drive Microsoft's unified communications solutions in a virtual lab. It's simple-no complex setup or installation is required. You get a downloadable manual and a 90-minute block of time for each module, and you can sign up for additional 90-minute blocks anytime.

Podcasts 

Stream or download these audio podcasts on to your favorite podcast software or mobile device. These podcasts are free and do not require registration-just click, listen, and learn.

Here's from one of the labs I explore: The New Enterprise Voice Features of Microsoft Lync Server 2010.   Microsoft Lync Server 2010 introduces the ability to give users a second, private telephone line in addition to the primary telephone line. Private telephone lines are often assigned to executives and others who want an unlisted telephone number at which they can be reached directly.  Private telephone lines can only be configured with the Lync Server Management Shell.   

Lync Forum Jobs Board

 click here to see. 

Jobs added for free on Lync Forum website

Jobs added in Newsletter for a fee.

Email links to your jobs to cross@gocross.com