ShorTel Tech Tip – Bulk Sound File Converter for WAV to ShoreTel format

We have previously posted a blog on the creation of ShoreTel WAV files using the Call Manager the desired result. This is clearly a readily available tool and can reliably be used for small Automated Attendant greetings and to meet other WAV file requirements. Generally in our standard deployments, we use an outside professional voice production studio to give our clients that extra level of attention that defines a quality Automated Attendant Greeting. It seems however, that no matter how many times we specify the WAV file format we expect returned, there is an issue. This requires us to reformat each WAV file and that all takes time. Given that the clients usually wait until the absolute last minute to provide the script for their Automated Attendants, this extra step takes time the project really cant spare! We have also noted that, even when we are assured that we have a WAV file formatted with the correct parameters, we have audio playback issues. Our outside studio uses Mac based applications and they swear they output to the correct format, but we still have playback issues! In an ECC deployment you might have 100 different recordings that define your call flow, agent busy messages and Interactive Voice Response applications. What is the best practice in converting these files to the proper ShoreTel WAV format? Regardless of how the WAV was produced or how certain we are that it is in the correct format, we reformat the files anyway. Loading a WAV file, only to find that it is defective when you are testing your Call Flow is a waste of time. Using some SOX a Linux utility ported for Windows, we were able to create utility to convert WAV files in bulk. You can download SOX from the following site, or send us an email and I will forward you a link to download a ZIP file containing a complete batch utility. The zip file will create a new folder with three files inside including the SOX application and the Batch instructions. Running this application is very easy. Just drag your WAV files to the file named batch-convert-shoretel. This will cause the Batch utility to initialize and run. The output of the newly formatted files will be located in a new folder aptly named ShoreTel-Ready. Send me an email and I will send you a link to the Utility. For immediate download head over to our Free Membership page where you can download this file for Free immediately.

First Look at ShoreTel Mobility Router

The ShoreTel Mobility Routers (aka SMR) is an exciting product that can make fixed/mobile convergence a reality! It builds heavily on inherent SIP functionality in call setup, call flow and Session Description Protocol. It acts as both a SIP client and as a SIP proxy server (e.g. B2BUA). If you are comfortable with SIP protocol, the SMR is a relatively simple device to understand. The products primary contribution to the state of the art is the ShoreTel Roam Anywhere Client (aka SRAC) and the fact that it is available now; it works and there are plenty of reference accounts. The product demands a pervasive, voice enabled wireless network with a best practice recommendation of controller based access points. In my opiniion the product is optimized for Campus environments in which the same QOS requirements that you would expect for WAN connectivity are strictly adhered to. The Wireless environment requirements are for advanced network and power management strategies. The product is oriented toward a CISCO like Wireless networks “best practice” deployment. Clearly, you can make VoIP calls from StarBucks but you will not have the QOS that you would have on an enterprise Wireless Network. The product can be integrated with most any PBX that supports SIP integraton including Microsoft Linx. When implemented as part of a ShoreTel deployment there are license requirements for both the SMR and the ShoreTel iPBX. For example, the SMR interconnects to the ShoreTel with both SIP extensions (Wifi connections) and Sip Trunks (Cellular connections). The number of paths, as you would assume, is calculated based on simultaneous conversation estimates. You are required to have two different ShoreTel PBX extensions if you are Mobility user. (My guess is the ShoreTel “twinning feature “was developed in part, primarily to support the SMR). It is not clear if the required SIP trunk, SIP extension and ShoreTel User licenses are bundled in the SMR acquisition cost but they are required. There are also extra SMR licenses required for presence and secure voice. The best working model you might use for discussion purposes, is to envision a “tie-line” configuration between two pbx systems. In this case the SMR acts as a tie line between the iPBX and the Cellular network. You do a 10 – 4 Digit translation on the Cellular side of the tie line to reach ShoreTel extensions; and you do a 4 – 10 Digit translation on the PBX side of the tie line to reach Mobile phones. The SMR acts as a registration point and based on the SRAC calculations of WAP signal strength and active call can be handed off to the cellular network. An incoming call to a ShoreTel users deskphone, also rings the associated SIP extension via the SMR. The Wireless SIP extension is the ShoreTel Roam Anywhere Client running on your faviorite smart phone. The SRAC is smart enought to register with the SMR either wirelessly or over the Cellular network depending on signal strenght. A call from the SIP extension displays the CID of the ShoreTel deskphone. The product is fully formed and is an exciting addition to the ShoreTel product family. Another Brilliantly Simple Solution!

VoIP-Pal Terminates Big Apple Agreement, Hints About New Product

VoIP-PAL.com, a telecommunications products, announced the termination of an agreement between it and Big Apple Consulting USA. “We have had many inquiries asking us if we have an investor relations firm working with us,” said Richard Kipping, chief executive officer of VoIP-PAL.com. “So to clarify, we thought we should announce that VoIP-PAL.com, Inc. suspended its agreement with BigApple Consulting USA on October 17, 2007 for a three-month period pending clarification on certain matters relating to the agreement. After an internal review we decided to terminate the agreement.” VoIP-PAL and WorldTel Xchange Inc. announced an alliance in April. The two companies will be jointly marketing an “exciting new product” through VoIP-PAL’s Niche Sales Channel, according to a news release. Steve Lipman, pesident of WorldTel Xchange, Inc., said, “The combination of VoIP-PAL’s relationship with the Airline Points Program and WorldTel’s new ‘1ButtontoWiFi’ patented cellular/VoIP 1-touch technology will have a tremendous impact with consumers that have accumulated thousands of unused miles.” The new product aims to capture the “untapped market of 3.2 billion cell phones worldwide,” and is purported to turn any cell phone, PDA or Smartphone—including the iPhone—into a WiFi phone. VoIP-PAL.com offers local and long distance voice over IP phone services for both retail and business customers, as well as turnkey solutions through its Partners for the Loyalty Transactional platform, according to officials.