Digium introduces new family of HD IP phones

VoIP, unified messaging, products and services

Digium, the company that leverages Asterisk open source software, has introduced a new family of high-definition IP phones. The phones are engineered to leverage Asterisk software, and Switchvox, Digium's unified communications (UC) system.

Commenting is a statement, Danny Windham, president and CEO of Digium, said, "Digium's new phones mark the launch of the next chapter in our history of innovation. These are the first phones designed specifically for Asterisk -- with the tightest integration possible between the phones and Asterisk ... all at a very competitive price point."

BACKGROUND: Asterisk preps assault on unified communications

The Digium phones include an app engine with a JavaScript API that lets programmers create custom apps for the phones; the apps can interface directly with core phone features. The company has leveraged this programming interface to create a suite of productivity applications that work with both Asterisk and Switchvox -- including a unique Web interface called Switchboard that gives users control of their personal communications environment. Other advanced features offered include presence management, searchable contact directory, queue monitoring, recording and voicemail control.

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Digium, the company that leverages Asterisk open source software, has introduced a new family of high-definition IP phones. The phones are engineered to leverage Asterisk software, and Switchvox, Digium's unified communications (UC) system.

Commenting is a statement, Danny Windham, president and CEO of Digium, said, "Digium's new phones mark the launch of the next chapter in our history of innovation. These are the first phones designed specifically for Asterisk -- with the tightest integration possible between the phones and Asterisk ... all at a very competitive price point."

BACKGROUND: Asterisk preps assault on unified communications

The Digium phones include an app engine with a JavaScript API that lets programmers create custom apps for the phones; the apps can interface directly with core phone features. The company has leveraged this programming interface to create a suite of productivity applications that work with both Asterisk and Switchvox -- including a unique Web interface called Switchboard that gives users control of their personal communications environment. Other advanced features offered include presence management, searchable contact directory, queue monitoring, recording and voicemail control.

At launch, Digium offers three phone models: the D40 as an entry-level HD IP phone with 2-line keys; the D50, a mid-level HD IP phone with 4-line keys and 10 rapid dial/busy lamp field (BLF) keys; and the D70, an executive-level HD IP phone with 6-line keys and 10 rapid dial/BLF keys and status information displayed on an additional LCD screen.

In other infrastructure-related news this week, Mitel announced that Mitel NetSolutions, the company's service provider division offering cloud-based UCC services, has been certified as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

Mitel also announced updates to its AnyWare hosted cloud-based communications service. The mobile integration enhancements are designed to give enterprise-class UCC delivered as a cloud service, regardless of how user offices are distributed. Mitel AnyWare gives customers access to cloud-based UC and mobility features with an all-inclusive monthly per-user subscription fee.

Read more about voip & convergence in Network World's VoIP & Convergence section.

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. Larry Hettick is a principal analyst at Current Analysis.