New Lync Qualified IP Deskphone Vendor: Audiocodes 4xxHD Series Joins Compatible with Lync Program

It looks like the Audiocodes 420HD IP phone has joined the “Compatible with Lync 2010” program. This is the first Lync Qualified device from Audiocodes.

Audiocodes Director of Strategic Marketing, Alan Percy, notes that the Audiocodes 420HD is certified today and Lync firmware for the Audiocodes 430HD and 440HD is expected in the coming months.

You can see my First Impression review blog and video of the Audiocdoes 420HD in a Lync environment by clicking here. The Audiocodes 440HD (uncertified at the moment, shown below) is the high end Audiocodes phone in the 4xxHD lineup and is a unique IP phone that brings 12 button, DESI-less phone to Lync ecosystem. (more on this interesting phone: Click Here)

Quick summary of some of the unique things the new Lync Certified Audiocodes 420HD brings to Lync ecosystem:

• 10/100/1000 GB Switch in an entry level Lync IP deskphone
• Desk and wall mount included in the box
• Phone user interface works very much like tradition phone

Lync Certified Technet Page: Click Here
Lync Catalog: Click Here

First Impression Review Audiocodes 420HD Lync & SIP Desk Phone

Below is my video review.

Audiocodes HD 420HD

Side view

Screen 144x48 pixels

Wallmount vs Desk configuration

Wall mount

Headset, power, PC and Network Ethernet switch

What’s in the box

WebGui looks very similar to Audiocodes gateways and is very accessible.

Codec Support from 420HD web interface shown below. (NOTE: Audiocodes FW release notes indicate Audiocodes has plans to add RTA (Real Time Audio) codec support sometime after Lync certification process complete.

Summary

Notes: Audiocodes notes they are in the process of obtaining Lync Qualified status for Audiocodes 420HD but at the moment it is not certified   the 420HD has become Lync Qualified on Sept ember 2013. (click here) Since this is a new Lync device (review done using FW 2.0.1.44.5)  some features are currently not implemented that will be on final product.

Pros

• Overall good design for common area or entry level voice centric IP phone
• Nice, large, quality feeling, rubberized buttons
• I like the “Silent” button on incoming call
• Each number button can be easily assigned a speed dial via a nice phone user interface
• Everything you need to wall mount is included in the box

Cons

• No button dedicated to hangup / pickup functionality (depends on context, soft button)
• No dedicated configurable buttons (often called BLF buttons and lit)
  • NOTE: does support assigning Speeddials to numeric keys
• Lync functionality is, at the moment, new so has some Lync features not implemented
  • Call Park
  • Lync Contact List
  • Safe transfer

The Audiocodes 420HD seems to me to be a well designed common area and entry level desk phone that can register to Lync and SIP servers. (At the moment the 420HD is not Lync certified) It appears to me that Audiocodes 4xxHD series is designed to be well tuned to the needs of the “PBX experience user”. I think it is good to see Audiocodes planning to join snom and Polycom in the Lync Qualified devices market.

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http://unifiedme.co.uk/2013/07/configuring-audiocodes-400hd-series-phones-with-lync-server-2013/

Audiocodes Notes Coming Lync IP Phone To Get Optional Tablet Expansion Module for Attendant Console Functionality

 

Lync Phone Edition has no attendant console and does not integrated to the Lync Attenant Console. snom has their snom Vision and Polycom VVX is planning to introduce an expansion module.

Audiocodes notes that their 400 series will support an “optional tablet expansion for attendant console”. The brochure (below) and press release do not note if the “tablet” is a standard Windows or Android tablet, or if it is some proprietary “module”.

http://www.audiocodes.com/filehandler.ashx?fileid=3249463

 

http://www.audiocodes.com/press-releases/audiocodes-announces-availability-of-400hd-ip-phones-for-microsoft-lync

snom ONE Plus: The snom Phone System Appliance

snom seems bent on allowing you to get your PBX in whatever form you want: software on Windows, Linux or Mac (snom ONE Free, Yellow or Blue). Or in a complete appliance form via the just announced snom ONE Plus.

So if you want to integrate your own system using an HP Proliant (or other server) or Mediant 1000 hardware: have at it! Or, if you want the integration done for you: snom ONE Plus Appliance.

Mediant 1000 Unit: I haven't seen pricing but I expect the Mediant 1000 unit to be higher priced.

Also, the unit will require that you integrate it. Also, no unified web mangement port.

What is unique about this appliance over a regular server?

-No moving parts: solid state hard drive, fanless and external power (does that mean brick/wall wart?)

-No need to see an OS command line since it has a web interface for everything

-Integrated with 9 varients of PSTN: 4 FXO, 8 FXO, 12 FXO, 16 FXO, 2 BRI (4ch), 4 BRI, 6 BRI, T1/E1/J1 (up to 30 ch), Combo (T1/E1/J1 +4 FXO +1 FXS)

-No need to buy or install Operating system

What Hardware is in this Appliance?

-Intel Atom 1.6-1.7, 1GB ram, 2 Nics (snom says this will support up to 150 extensions!)

-Sangoma PSTN cards

-Linux operating system

How Is this Phone System Appliance Solution Unique?

-You get all the features with one purchase: No extra licenses to buy for voicemail, provisioning or Call Center features.

-Scalable: Go from 10 extensions to 150+ in one unit.

Distribution

snom says this unit will be distributed by the same distribution channel as other snom products. The appliance comes with 10 users. If you need to add Sangoma port you can source this through your favorite Sangoma Disty or Reseller. snom One Plus appliance pricing is not available at this time.

If you have interest in this appliance you are welcome to email us: sales@landiscomputer.com.