Four bits of network expansion news, both domestic and international. … [visit site to read more]

Analyst company Canalys reported smartphone shipments in Southeast Asia fell 15% year-on-year in Q2 to 20.9 million units, the lowest total since 2014, macroeconomic conditions continue to dampen consumer confidence.

In a statement, Canalys said the low shipments have led to an increase in old stock, the stifling of new initiatives and inventory from smartphone manufacturers, and a lacklustre festive season. This was also the sixth consecutive quarter of year-on-year decline.

“Brands maintained a cautious approach to the quarter and focused on strengthening channel positioning for long-term share sustainability,” said Canalys analyst Le Xuan Chiew.

Samsung was the highest shipping vendor in Southeast Asia with 4.2 million units, taking a market share of 20%, despite a year-on-year decline of 26%. Chinese vendor Oppo was in second with 3.4 million shipped and 16% market share.

Xiaomi and Transsion both shipped around 2.9 million units taking 14% of the market each, through key device launches and market expansion, respectively. Realme reclaimed the fifth spot with 2.6 million units (12% market share).

“The market is expected to gain momentum in H2 2023 as channel inventory returns to healthier levels,” said Canalys analyst Sheng Win Chow.

 “The ramp-up of incentive programs and new high-end launches should increase retail sales Q3 2023 onward. The long-term outlook for Southeast Asia is intact and Canalys expects mid-single-digit growth in 2024.

“Expansion of the online channel will contribute largely to future growth as investments from e-commerce operators improve infrastructure, and timely payment and logistics will enable e-retailers to scale more efficiently.

“Increased marketing expenditure will spur demand by enabling more aggressive discounting. In addition, the region’s increasing disposable income from an expanding middle-class and young population entering the workforce are strong reasons to expect an improved landscape.”  

Every successful company’s communication infrastructure relies on data security and stability.

To manage that, they require well-protected servers that can manage their bandwidth and be flexible enough to be customized to the businesses needs.

As a virtualization platform dedicated to hosting UC services, SERVERware is Bicom Systems’ answer to these modern requirements.

It is a tool that provides a stable environment to allocate user bandwidth and data while maintaining maximum uptime and offering top-notch data security.

It is important to relay all of SERVERware’s greatest benefits to your clients which we will go over in this article.

How SERVERware Serves Your Clients

As a UC provider, it is important to get acquainted with the product’s biggest strengths so you can better market it to your clientele and SERVERware has a couple that you need to keep your eye out on.

A Clear And Easy-To-Use Interface

One of the most relevant aspects of SERVERware is the ability to manage every single aspect from the same dashboard.

This not only includes managing the different PBXware editions under the client’s contract, but managing resource allocation as well as the statuses of each individually created VPS.

You can freely customize the tolerance parameters of different alarms to notify your users of a fault in case one of those values is exceeded, leading to quicker reaction times in case of an abnormality.

In Their Own Partition

Further customization is available to your clients through the use of partitions, allowing them to create specific spaces within their SERVERware extension to make its management easier.

Each partition can get a custom amount of resources allocated to it too, depending on how critical it is to system operations.

A VPS At The Push Of A Button

SERVERware provides your clients with a sizable resource pool to utilize, but a lot of it can end up idling if it is all used on a singular server.

That is why, through the aforementioned, intuitive interface, one can create a VPS with a simple button press and allocate a set amount of these available resources to it, allowing it to operate as an individual unit.

This offers your clients greater control over their assets and better customization options that lets them fine tune it to their specific needs and improve their server infrastructure without compromising server stability.

Keeping Data Safe

While ease of use and flexible customization are core features of any good modern UC solution, the real backbone of it is data integrity.

SERVERware protects your clients’ data through a number of different ways.

The first is done through maintaining high storage stability and scalability through the use of OpenZFS.

The second is accomplished through the use of geo-IP blocking thanks to sipPROT, our SIP attack protection solution built into PBXware.

The third is done via VPS management, allowing clients to route traffic through different subnets to prevent bandwidth congestion.

Finally, service downtime is minimal thanks to the use of geo-redundancy which allows for the creation of replications in different locations as a failsafe against unforeseen disasters or malfunctions.

SERVERware also offers VPS backups as another measure for safeguarding data.

3 Different Editions To Choose From

In addition to all of the standard features, your clients are offered 3 different editions of SERVERware to choose from, allowing them to pick the one that suits their needs the best.

Standalone Edition

The first of the three is the Standalone edition, hosted on a single server and ideal for an in-house server solution.

It’s ideal for startups or smaller businesses and can be upgraded if need be.

Mirror Edition

The mirror edition introduces an extra server to function as a mirror of the primary one, letting it stand in for the main server in case of an unexpected malfunction or service disruption.

The mirror server lives up to its name as it syncs its data up with the primary server so that when it takes over, there’s little to no data loss in the failover process.

This ensures minimal service downtime and lets maintenance crews remove the issue without having to take the entire service offline to do so.

Cluster Edition

The final of the 3 is the most advanced option, the cluster edition which utilizes the infrastructure of the mirror edition while also adding more processing hosts to minimize traffic congestion and maintain maximum server uptime.

The cluster edition is also our most scalable option and is aimed at medium and larger businesses as the best option of the three.

Data: A Precious Resource

Your clients value data protection and management greatly, so make sure they have the best of the best on hand with Bicom Systems’ own solution, SERVERware.

Though, SERVERware is only part of a greater UC solution, one that it creates when combined with our other products, gloCOM, sipPROT, and, most importantly, PBXware, where it unleashes its full potential.

If you’re eager to find out what that looks like in action, feel free to Contact Us or Request a Demo of our product for more information.

Bicom Systems, a trailblazer in the field of unified communications, has unveiled a potent weapon in the VoIP provider’s arsenal – gloCOM Meeting.

This groundbreaking solution not only revolutionizes collaboration but also seamlessly integrates with other Bicom Systems offerings, creating an ecosystem that amplifies business efficiency and connectivity. 

In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the remarkable benefits of gloCOM Meeting for UC providers, while shedding light on its seamless integration with other solutions such as gloCOM and gloCOM GO.

gloCOM Meeting: Pioneering a New Era of Collaboration

In a world where remote work and virtual interactions are the new norm, gloCOM Meeting emerges as an indispensable tool for VoIP providers keen on empowering their clients with cutting-edge collaboration capabilities. 

This advanced platform redefines the boundaries of collaboration, bringing teams closer and transcending geographical constraints. As UC providers, presenting the unmatched benefits of gloCOM Meeting to your clients unveils a horizon of possibilities:

1. Holistic Collaboration Platform

gloCOM Meeting shatters communication silos by combining video conferencing, screen sharing, chat, and file sharing within a singular platform.

This integration eliminates the need for juggling multiple tools, thus elevating communication efficiency and accelerating seamless collaboration.

2. Elevated Virtual Meetings

The platform’s intuitive user interface ensures that virtual meetings are conducted without a hitch. With high-definition video and crystal-clear audio, gloCOM Meeting transforms remote meetings into engaging and interactive experiences. 

You can underscore how the platform fosters clear communication, enabling participants to feel connected irrespective of their physical location.

3. Security and Dependability

In an era where data security is paramount, gloCOM Meeting is designed to address these concerns effectively. 

The solution employs robust encryption and top-tier security protocols, safeguarding sensitive discussions and confidential information during virtual meetings.

4. Improved Dataflow

Having every form of communication handled by one UC solution lets a client’s company connect every worker and handle every piece of information through the same channels without the need to swap to a different app altogether.

This leads to a streamlined communication process, helping improve efficiency in every corner of the client’s business.

5. Intuitive Managerial Tools

In the interest of making meeting management more intuitive, gloCOM Meeting offers your client a suite of tools with that goal in mind.

Everything from scheduling meetings to moderating them has been made easier thanks to the ability to add multiple organizers which can both assist in meeting moderation and even standing in for the head organizer if they are unable to attend for whatever reason.

Clients can even record meetings to review later so workers can retain their focus for its duration, improving overall business communication and dataflow.

6. Personalization and Branding

For businesses that hold their brand identity dear, gloCOM, as a whole, offers customization and white-labeling options which gloCOM Meeting is included in.

As an UC provider, you can spotlight how clients can embed their brand essence into virtual meetings, thus enhancing professionalism and engendering trust.

Unification Unleashed: Embracing the Power of Synergy

The true potency of gloCOM Meeting emerges from its seamless integration with other Bicom Systems solutions. This harmonious union culminates in an ecosystem that not only simplifies communication but also amplifies productivity across the board.

UC providers hold the key to unveiling this unified approach, showcasing the remarkable synergy between gloCOM Meeting, gloCOM, and gloCOM GO:

1. The Heart of Unified Communication – gloCOM

Serving as the keystone of the Bicom Systems ecosystem, gloCOM stands as a comprehensive unified communications application. 

As a UC provider, you can highlight how gloCOM serves as the nucleus for voice, video, messaging, and presence, providing a centralized hub that empowers employees to communicate seamlessly across various channels.

2. Mobility Unified – gloCOM GO

In a world where mobility is of the essence, gloCOM GO emerges as a mobile extension of gloCOM. You can illuminate how gloCOM GO extends the functionality of gloCOM to smartphones, allowing users to remain connected and productive even while on the move.

3. Creating a Unified Ecosystem

By seamlessly integrating gloCOM Meeting, gloCOM, and gloCOM GO, you can present clients with a cohesive communication ecosystem that transcends traditional confines.

This integration streamlines collaboration, guarantees consistency across devices, and augments the overall user experience.

Empowering VoIP Providers: Catalyzing Transformation

Embracing gloCOM Meeting translates into empowerment for you as a UC provider, unlocking a treasure trove of advantages:

1. A Competitive Edge

By wielding gloCOM Meeting you gain a competitive edge by furnishing clients with a potent collaboration tool designed to meet the demands of contemporary business.

2. Amplifying Customer Satisfaction

By addressing the escalating need for seamless virtual collaboration, gloCOM Meeting elevates customer satisfaction by facilitating effective and efficient communication.

3. Paving the Path for Business Growth

As businesses fathom the value of unified communication and collaboration tools, the demand for gloCOM Meeting is poised to surge, translating into unprecedented business growth for you as a provider.

4. Trusted Consultation

You can metamorphose into a trusted advisor, expertly guiding clients through the process of integrating gloCOM Meeting and showcasing tailored features to align with their unique requirements.

gloCOM Meeting: Catalyst for Collaboration

The unveiling of gloCOM Meeting marks a momentous stride in the realm of business communication. 

For UC providers, this innovation heralds a golden opportunity not just to fortify collaboration for their clients, but to create an iron-clad alliance among distinct Bicom Systems solutions.

By incorporating gloCOM Meeting into your portfolio, you can position yourself as a trailblazer in delivering advanced communication tools that transcend geographical boundaries and elevate business operations.

Embrace the transformative power of gloCOM Meeting today, and empower your clients to unravel the true potential of unified collaboration. In unity, there’s strength – and gloCOM Meeting exemplifies the epitome of unity in communication.

Two of the biggest things clients value are data security and service uptime.

They are factors of great importance when it comes to maintaining quality of a provided service as it often puts both their reputation (and yours) on the line if the product is not up to the task.

Different forms of disruption can bring a server down at any point or compromise it which is why having a fast and efficient network failover rate can be the difference between being the best service provider or a middling one.

For all of you UCaaS providers out there, know that this issue is covered for PBXware through SERVERware’s very own geo-redundancy policy, however, it is important to relay the importance of this feature to your clients.

It will help both of you in the long run and save you from having to deal with extra support calls.

What Exactly Is Geo Redundancy?

Geo redundancy is relatively self-explanatory in name alone.

It is a safety measure introduced into critical systems to ensure maximum uptime.

It revolves around having multiple server locations spread around the world where the main server’s data is stored and synced up on a regular basis.

The purpose behind this is that, should the main server fail due to a SIP attack, a natural disaster or a sudden malfunction, the GR server can take over once the failover procedure kicks in.

This ensures minimal server downtime even in the worst of scenarios, allowing end-users to continue using the service without interruption and for maintenance crews to work on fixing the issue on the main server in the meantime.

Why Do Clients Need It?

Well, the surface level of reasoning behind geo redundancy is better data security and virtually no downtime in case of maintenance or disasters.

But, if we were to delve a bit deeper into it, the long term benefits of such a system are twofold.

They help prevent any major financial losses for your clients from compromised data or service downtime while keeping both their reputation and yours at a high level.

This helps garner more trust and attracts more potential clients to your product down the line.

Who Is It For?

Honestly, it is a fantastic safety option for nearly every client.

Though, for on-site implementation, that comes with the caveat of the company having to buy their own servers or rent them from a third party which would be housed in a different location.

Clients that benefit the most from this are businesses that operate with a lot of critical systems and data in mind and would gladly welcome the added protection.

Explaining The Matter At Hand To Your Clients

Before geo redundancy is put in motion, there are a few steps that need to be considered.

However, it is our job to take care of those, but it is a good thing to keep in mind when describing the whole process to your potential clients.

1. Choosing Your Plan Of Action

Once we have determined that your client could benefit from this feature, we will further discuss what type of setup is required based on their budget, capabilities and data or service sensitivity.

2. Finding A Good GR Server Location

When all of that is sorted, it is up to you to choose the most fitting GR server location.

While, in the past, this usually had to be somewhere nearby due to potential latency issues, modern advancements in data transfer technology allow for them to be set up much further apart for added safety with minimal latency increases.

3. Final Customizations

After all that, it is time to implement the geo redundancy options in question, syncing the data up to the GR site and putting everything in motion. 

All that is left then is to customize the failover procedure and everything should be good to go.

Just make sure to remind your clients to regularly sync up data between the main and GR servers to minimize data loss.

‍The Key To A Reputable Business

Providing good quality data security is the key to a reputable business, something that both UC providers and their clients should be well aware of.

Geo redundancy offers the opportunity to keep both sides content in that regard.

One side benefits from having their business and data secured from any unwanted disasters or attacks while the other benefits from a satisfied customer and an increase in desirability.

Looking for a secure UC solution that helps you make your name in the business? Get in touch with us!

Four interesting bits of upgrade and expansion news from around the world to keep up with: … [visit site to read more]

The image of a modern business post-pandemic has turned toward the side of remote work, promoting work flexibility and allowing the client’s employees to operate on the go.

However, facilitating that can be difficult.

All of the client’s remote working employees need access to similar, if not the same capabilities as they would in the office.

That is why we here at Bicom Systems have devised a solution in the form of gloCOM GO, part of our greater PBX infrastructure which provides exactly that.

Doing Work On The GO

Most remote work oriented systems are designed for laptop functionality.

While this is completely fine on a standard level, some of your clients may want to explore additional options for their employees.

This is where gloCOM GO steps in, expanding the idea of remote work to devices that are more often on hand than laptops, smartphones.

Your client’s team will be able to execute their day-to-day tasks from their smartphones with the same efficiency as they would sitting in the office.

Every single feature from our desktop version was translated and adapted from the desktop to mobile with a suite of quality of life features to make tasks easier to manage on a smaller screen.

All of this serves to make the lives of the employees more comfortable and less stressful without compromising on workplace efficiency

Availability Tracking

gloCOM GO allows its users to dynamically change their activity status, letting others in the workspace know whether they are free to take on more work or if they are busy.

This allows for better work management within the company and is relatively important for remote work due to potential issues with internet connection, allowing for near instant updates.

Carrying The Whole Office In Their Pockets

Users who want to work while out of office retain the same functionalities as they would while at their desks thanks to both gloCOM GO and gloCOM Meeting GO.

They will be able to share files with ease and collaborate with fellow colleagues through chats, calls or scheduled meetings just like they were right there in the office with them.

They will never feel restrained by the mobile app and can interact with them just as well as they would be able to on any other device, relieving some of the stress that may come from remote labor.

BYOD Capable

Another fantastic aspect of gloCOM GO’s portable nature is that it syncs up to the user’s phone, any phone.

Your client does not need to hand out new devices to their employees.

Instead, the employees get to use the device that they are more familiar with as all it takes to set gloCOM GO up on their smartphones is a simple visit to the app store and a tap on the download button.

Be it Android or iPhone, it does not matter, the gloCOM GO app works with all smartphone devices.

Everything They Need In One App

Having access to one’s work on the phone is great, but what is even greater is not having to exit the app to do all your work on it.

Tabbing away from one app to another can be a real hassle, but gloCOM GO syncs up effortlessly with the user’s phone, providing access to SMS, MMS, and voicemail, all through the app itself.

They can even use the app to call others without having to emulate a virtual phone or use their own phone’s call function.

All of this was made to make work more efficient and hassle-free, otherwise there would be little point in considering the mobile option.

Making The Workplace More Flexible

As we have seen with the covid pandemic, there are times when remote work becomes a necessity, which is why it is important for clients to facilitate the required infrastructure.

Not to mention that most workers have shown an increase in both job satisfaction and productivity when having a remote work, or at least a hybrid option.

Bicom Systems’ gloCOM GO provides that option together with our UC solution, PBXware and is a service that your clients are sure to appreciate greatly.

If you would like to see it in action, feel free to Request a Demo, or Contact Us for further information.

Financial Software & Systems Pvt Ltd (FSS), a provider of payments technology solutions headquartered in India, has announced the launch of BLAZE, an advanced payments technology platform designed to meet the diverse needs of banks and financial institutions.

At present, BLAZE is accessible to customers in select markets such as India, the Middle East and Africa. FSS plans to progressively introduce it in additional markets in the upcoming months.

FSS says BLAZE is expected to offer significant efficiency gains in terms of speed and scalability, high durability during peak workloads, improved fraud prevention, and enhanced services to banks and financial institutions, while simplifying choices and bolstering the confidence of end consumers.

For example, it says, FSS Payment Gateway, powered by BLAZE, can handle more than 5,000 transactions per second (TPS) to ensure a higher number of successful transactions during peak hours. BLAZE enables banks to deliver higher TPS to align with growing digital commerce adoption in a country.

FSS points out that banks, currently operating on legacy monolithic infrastructures, face numerous challenges such as the flexibility of enabling quick system integrations, inability to provide exceptional customer experience for ease of payments and ensuring cost efficiency for lower cost per transaction, among others. BLAZE addresses these challenges, FSS says. The adoption of BLAZE, it adds, will also empower financial institutions to roll out innovative payment offerings to market at a much faster speed, enhance their competitive edge and attract new customers.

With us today for a return visit is Raul Martynek, CEO of DataBank.  In our last Q&A, we talked about the company’s purchase of zColo from Zayo during the height of the pandemic.  Now it has been a couple of years, and DataBank has had some time to digest that and other acquired assets like CyrusOne’s Houston footprint.  The company has also accelerated investments in organic new builds across multiple markets.  Most recently they sold off their footprint over in France.  Today we will explore what DataBank’s plans are and what they see on the horizon. … [visit site to read more]

The topic on which PBX plan to go for has always been hotly debated.

As a UCaaS provider, it is important for you to realize each of their strengths and weaknesses as well as the major differences between a cloud-hosted option and an on-premise one and which businesses desire what kind.

Mastering these facets of the telecom industry will help produce greater overall customer satisfaction, so let’s get to learning, shall we?

UCaaS is the preferred option over an on-premise solution for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the main ones.

1. It Scales Better

The core reason behind a preference for a hosted solution in newer businesses is the scalability.

Clients can start small and then scale their options according to budget and business growth.

It allows for better management overall without wasting funds on things that are not needed at the time.

Plus, adding new users to an existing setup takes no time at all in comparison to an on-site installation which would require adding extra hardware on the premises.

2. It Takes Up Less Physical Space

Leading with that, the constant work that would need to be done for a growing company would start taking up a lot of the existing office space due to constant installation work. Not to mention needing to find room for a physical server to reside in the office building.

A lot of new businesses do not really have that kind of space and they have to optimize as best they can to make sure they remain profitable.

3. It Is Cheaper At A Base Level

Speaking of profit, a cloud-based solution is cheaper by default. The upfront cost is quite small compared to an on-premise option simply because there is no mandatory hardware that needs to be obtained aside from IP phones.

And, adding new users to the network is cheaper on a per-user basis too.

4. It Is More Flexible Than An On-Premise Solution

The flexibility of a UCaaS solution already comes from its scalability, however, there is also the fact that a lot of these modern businesses have workers who work remotely or have a hybrid work setup.

An on-premise solution is limited to its hardware more often than not as it usually is a closed system that only covers the building.

Meanwhile, a cloud hosted solution offers users with the right credentials access to the network remotely, letting them work from anywhere with a stable internet connection due to no hardware limitations.

5. It Requires No Setup Or Maintenance From The Client’s Side

Finally, there is no extra work that needs to be done by the client aside from negotiating the deal.

The setup for a UCaaS PBX option is done by the host as is the job of security and maintenance. The client pays for the subscription and reaps the benefits, keeping operation costs low and not needing to create a new department to manage the PBX server.

Why More Seasoned Businesses Like An On-Premise Solution

A cloud system is all well and good and its benefits may paint an on-premise PBX option as something inferior, but it does have its own merits too.

All it comes down to is a matter of business structure and preference on a case by case basis.

Here are some of the main highlights of an on-premise solution.

1. The Client Owns It

While a somewhat aged preference, some clients simply do not enjoy being glued to a subscription and having to rely on outside factors and third parties for their business performance.

Even if it costs them more upfront, they prefer having all the moving parts in-house (the server, in this case).

The business likely has an idea of where to house it without causing any particular workflow disruptions and has a team ready to take care of it.

2. It Offers More Customization Options

Having the PBX server in-house allows these teams to maintain server uptime and security in real time without having to worry about a service-wide outage that may overburden their provider if they were on a cloud-hosted option.

While those rarely happen, having a team at the ready that can start working on removing the issue at hand lets these clients breathe easier knowing they will have minimal downtime.

3. There Is Less Latency

Another obvious benefit of an on-premise PBX solution is the proximity of the server to the business itself.

The larger the distance, the more latency there is between calls and inputs, whereas a server being right in the office means that there is virtually no latency to speak of, greatly improving response time and call quality.

4. The Business Controls The Whole Process

From server location to issue-solving in-house and planned update, the client gets to be in charge of the whole process.

They get to dictate the times at which updates are applied to the system, what features they add and how well everything functions.

A good service provider will cover all of that in a cloud-based system too, certainly, but sometimes clients do not find exactly what they need in any package.

An on-premise solution allows them to tweak this to their benefit through custom security fixes and the like.

Plus, it feels better knowing that they have a team they can trust to be on top of things.

And, depending on how they manage it, the costs of an on-premise PBX system can end up being lower in the long-term than a UCaaS solution would be.

But Which One Is Better?

That is the trick, it depends on the type of business that the client operates.

A cloud-based PBX option offers more flexibility for the worker and relieves a lot of setup and maintenance woes from the business itself.

It is also cheaper and it scales better which makes it the better choice for small to medium sized businesses that are still looking to gain a proper foothold in their respective field and grow some more.

An on-premise solution, on the other hand, is more reliable if the client has a team dedicated to managing it and creating custom solutions that fit their specific business needs.

It also offers better response times and the client owns the whole thing, not to mention that, even in an outage, IP telephony will still function on the premises.

While none of these sound particularly exciting for a newer business, it is an option that a lot of well established businesses prefer for their communication needs.

That is why, there is no definitive answer as to which of the two is better, they just fit some businesses better than others.

What is important is that PBX service providers can recognize these businesses and utilize an adequate marketing strategy on the fly.

Just A Matter Of Preference

Naturally, there are exceptions to the rule, but one needs to read the room to understand this.

It is still best to lay out the benefits of both systems to the client and see which of the two they resonate the best with, then continue pitching the better option of the two.

If one can manage that, they are sure to come to a satisfying deal for both parties.

For those who wish to learn more about the differences between the two, feel free to Contact Us or to Request a Demo to see the capabilities of our two different PBXware deployments.