Panasonic Communications Assistant- New Enhancements to Improve your Business Productivity

Panasonic has recently improved the Communications Assistant for the Panasonic KX-TDE and Panasonic KX-NCP Platforms.  The latest version is Panasonic Communications Assistant 3.0 and there are many new features added.

Some of the key features are:

• Conference Management:  Have the ability to manage your conference calls from your computer screen.  Easily add or drop callers from your conference call.  With the latest release of  KX-TDE and KX-NCP you may set up a conference call with up to 32 listening members and up to 8 speaking members.
• Improved Features such as:  New Function Keys, and Multiple Site Networking.
• Chat Options:  Have the ability to send an instant message to other users within your organization and at Networked Sites.  This will allow your employees to easily send a message to a user who may be on the phone.  You may also see who is available for a call, as well as other presence settings such as “On Vacation” or “At a meeting till 3 pm”
• Microsoft Outlook Integration Options

Panasonic Communications Assistant can help your employees to work more efficiently.

How do I Remotely Program a Panasonic KX-TDE100 Phone System?

Customers will often ask, what is the best way to make programming changes to my Panasonic Phone System remotely?  Remote programming can save a company a good deal of money, rather than having to pay a technician to come on site to make a change.  So what is the best way to remotely program a Panasonic KX-NCP500 or a Panasonic KX-TDE200 System?

A Panasonic KX-TDE and a Panasonic KX-NCP Phone System both have a built in LAN port on the processor.  This LAN port will allow you to connect your phone system to your network.  Once this is in place, your technician or IT manager can assign the system an IP Address on the LAN.  From there, he can connect a VPN router to the LAN with access to your Panasonic Phone System.  The technician must also have VPN client software and Panasonic PCMC or Panasonic Programming Software loaded onto their laptop.  From there, the technician can access the phone system through a high speed internet connection, rather than an analog modem, as was usually the case in the past.

There are many different models of VPN Routers that you can purchase for remote programming.

One model that we often use is Netgear FVG318 VPN Router.  This router has 8 VPN Tunnels, 19 MB throughput, and it can also be used to give your client wireless internet access in replacement of a separate wireless router.   Compatible VPN client software would be Netgear VPNG01L single user license.

Keep in mind that if you also need to access the voicemail for remote programming, the Panasonic KX-TVA50 Voicemail System requires the addition of a LAN Card KX-TVA594.

Your technician would also connect the voicemail to the network and assign it a second IP address.   Panasonic KX-TVA200 has a built in LAN port and does not require any other equipment to connect to the LAN.

You may want to work closely with an IT manager in order to properly connect your Panasonic IP Phone System to your IT infrastructure.

 

Configuring a Panasonic KX-TDE200

We had a recent issue that arose when configuring a TDE200 Phone System.
Panasonic KX-TDE200 has 11 slots for expansion; however, you must be aware of the maximum amount of extension cards and line cards that you can add to the cabinet.

Our customer was trying to use 2 slots for line cards, and 9 slots for extension cards.

When the last extension card was added to the system, we received an error message:  Error 90 Over Card Limitation.

Initially we believed that it could be an issue with the power supply; however, we were well below the maximum amount on the Large Power Supply (KX-TDA0103).
When we looked into it further, the maximum amount of extension cards that you can use on a Panasonic KX-TDE200 Telephone system is 8.  You can use any combination of 8 cards, whether it be single line extensions or digital extensions.  And you can only use a maximum of 8 of any of any one type of card as well.

If this error message comes up, you should look into your card count to fix the issue.

One other thing to keep in mind, if you have this error message on a KX-TDE200 phone system, you may not have an easy upgrade to a Panasonic KX-TDE600 phone system.

The TDE600 and TDE200 do not use all of the same cards.  For example, there is a special card for POTS lines (KX-TDA6180), and for single line extension cards (KX-TDE6174, KX-TDA6175, KX-TDA6178).  If you are using the cards that work on the TDE200 System, these cards will not work on TDE600 phone system.   You must upgrade to the TDE600 cards.  Also, the TDE600 has a 10 slot main cabinet, versus the TDE200 has an 11 slot cabinet.  The TDE600 expansion cabinet KX-TDE620 has 11 slots, but also requires an expansion card KX-TDE6110.

So if you are close to the maximum configuration on a Panasonic TDE 200, it is best to propose a TDE600 instead.

 

How to Choose Which Wireless Headset will Work Best with your Panasonic Phone

Panasonic Phones are compatible with many types of wired and wireless phones. When using a wireless headset on a Panasonic Telephone, you must always include a handset lifter as well.  

Two very popular Plantronics Headsets are the Plantronics CS50and the  Plantronics CS55models.  Many of our customers ask us what the difference is between the two headsets.  Some people like the Plantronics CS55 because they are used to it, and some people may be more comfortable using the Plantronics CS50 since they are accustomed to that headset.  Both products are current products on Plantronics and there are no plans to discontinue either headset.

So what are the differences and similarities between the two Plantronics Wireless Headsets? They both look absolutely the same and have the same wearing styles except the charging base for the Plantronics CS55 is a little bit smaller. It is very hard to detect any difference. The Plantronics CS55 has a blinking light on the charger to indicate whether you are on the phone or not, while that feature is not included on the Plantronics CS50 The batteries are also the same and interchangeable.  The Plantronics CS50 has battery talk time up to 8 hours.  Plantronics CS55 has battery talk time up to 10 hours. The Plantronics CS50 is 900MHz and the Plantronics CS55 is 1.9 GHz.

The average person in a call center is on the phone for no more than 4 hours per day.  According to the national average even dispatchers are on the phone 4 to 5 hours a day.   So the talk time is not relevant when making a decision on which headset to purchase. 900 MHz has a little better penetration which means that the Plantronics CS50 will have a little better range than Plantronics CS55. This is why the battery talk time is a little longer on a Plantronics CS55.   900 MHz and 1.9 GHz both do not interfere with Computer WiFi Networks since those units run on 2.4 GHz frequency.

Some people are under the impression that 900MHz is not obsolete signal since it has been used far longer than 2.4 or 1.9 GHZ, however this is not the case.  Some people also believe that 900 MHz is a weaker signal, however it is not much worse or better than 1.9GHz it is just a different method of sending a signal over air waves.

To avoid overcrowding of airways, manufacturers have come out with different frequencies to accommodate many different types of devices that may use radio waves.   Most manufacturers encourage customers with multiple types of wireless devices to mix models of frequencies while using wireless headsets.  This will help the users to avoid cross talk and interference between devices.

Always check with the manufacturer as some frequencies may not be used in the same environment.   

The Plantronics CS50 and the Plantronics CS55 may be used in the same environment and Plantronics does encourage that you mix them when you have many users with wireless headsets.   

Plantronics has several models of wireless headsets, and it is always best to check each model to see which will accommodate the user best.

New Panasonic DECT Phones and Devices to be Released in 2011

Panasonic DECT Wireless Phones

Panasonic has announced that there will be two new models of Panasonic DECT Wireless Phones available to distribution in January 2011. 

The two new models are the Panasonic KX-WT125 and Panasonic KX-WT126. Both phones are compatible with the Panasonic DECT wireless cell stations.   The difference between the two new models is that the KX-WT126 has the option to vibrate instead of ring tone. You can mix these Panasonic Wireless Phones with the current models of DECT phones, such as the KX-TD7685, KX-TD7695 and KX-TD7696 Phones. The newer models are larger in size than the current models, but with a smaller display and less talk time.   However, when they are released they are supposed to be lower in price than the current models.

There will also be a new Repeater for the cell stations (KX-A405) that will be available in the spring.   This repeater allows you to go 3 times as far as the normal range of a cell station (approx 150 ft from cell station currently = 450 ft with a repeater).  The repeaters do not require cable runs.

Panasonic KX-TDA50 - KX-TVA50

Panasonic business phone systems are the choice for companies that are looking for expandable phone systems.  The Panasonic solution will grow and upgrade with your company over time.

Panasonic Phone Systems were designed to be user friendly and upgradeable, therefore in some cases you may be able to just change the software or processor in your current system to upgrade.  You may upgrade the Panasonic KX-TDA50 to a KX-TDA50G by simply uploading the TDA50G software files. Upgrading a Panasonic TDA100 to a Panasonic TDE100 is as simply as replacing the Panasonic KX-TDA100 processor.  Panasonic has designed these systems to be able to grow with your business needs.

Panasonic systems have been designed to be flexible and functional for the users; therefore Panasonic telephone systems work with Panasonic components old and new.  If you purchase a new Panasonic phone system you can use some of your old Panasonic telephones.  Even the Panasonic KX-TVA50 voice processing system can work with old and new Panasonic systems.   Your company may have a phone system and the voice mail stops working.  The budget is not available to upgrade the entire system with the Panasonic expandable phone system this can be easily resolved with a new Panasonic KX-TVA50 voice mail.  When the budget is available to upgrade the phone system then you can use the new voice mail on that system.

Panasonic has designed the upgrade process to be as user friendly as possible.  Panasonic phone system programming and the software are the same from the small office phone systems to the corporate phone systems.  So if you need to upgrade the system you will not need to learn a new program.  If you have been maintaining the Panasonic KX-TDE100 the Panasonic KX-TDE600 is very much the same application eliminating the need to learn new programming.  Panasonic is the choice for small business phone systems or large enterprise solutions.  Today you may only have a few lines, but in the future you may plan to have a few hundred with a voice mail system.  Panasonic can accommodate your needs today and into the future.

Panasonic Telephone Systems are a Perfect Solution for a Mobile Work Force

The Panasonic phone system is an excellent choice for a company with a mobile work force.  Panasonichas created various options that allow the phone system to accommodate mobile workers.

For employees who would like to work from home, you can either set up a remote IP Phone or an IP soft phone.  A remote IP phone works just as if you are in the office.  You can access any phone system feature, receive calls to your extension, access your voicemail box, and much, much more.  An IP soft phone is best for employees who spend time travelling for appointments or between sites.  The soft phone is a software application that is loaded on your laptop.  It features a telephone keypad as well as LED buttons that represent BLF buttons, speed dials, feature buttons, or line appearances.  Your soft phone can mirror your extension in the office.  Any feature or application that you can access from your desk phone can be access from your remote IP phone or IP soft phone.

For employees who are often away from their desk, there are a number of Panasonic cordless phones available.  These Panasonic Phones allow your employee to be mobile, with differed versions available for different working environments.  There are three Panasonic Wireless DECT Phone options.  The KX-TD7685 Wireless DECT Phone is for most every day employees.   The KX-TD7695 Phone is a compact model yet has all the same features of the 7685 phone.  For companies may have an environment where the phone may need to be sturdy, there is the Panasonic KX-TD7696Ruggedized Handset.  This Panasonic Cordless Phone is a good option in an environment where it may get wet such as a residence with a pool.   The 7696 cordless phone is also often used in an auto body shop where it may be exposed to dirt and grease.  The TD7696 is dirt, dust, and water resistant.

If a customer wants to extend the phone system to be a truly mobile solution the Panasonic system is the correct choice.  The system can be configured to work with the employee’s cell phone in many important ways.  One particular feature is called mobile twinning and it makes a cell phone an extension on the Panasonic Phone system.    This solution is different then just forwarding a call to a cell phone, because the phone system is not giving up control of the call.  Mobile twinning feature allows the system to simultaneously ring the user’s desk phone and cell phone.  If the call is not answered, then it is sent into the phone system voice mail rather than the cell phone voice mail.  Additionally when you receive a call on your cell phone and have the ability transfer the call back to another employees’ extension in the office.  The user also has access to phone system resources such as utilizing the paging system, accessing their company voicemail box, setting up a conference call, or dialing outbound showing the phone system caller ID rather than their cell phone caller ID.  An enhancement to the mobile twinning feature is new GUI software called Mobisma.  Mobisma works with a smart phone and allows the user to easily access Mobile features with one touch buttons.

Panasonic Phone Systems

A Panasonic phone system is an ideal choice for small to medium size businesses. Panasonic telephone systems have the versatility to expand and upgrade over time. Start with as little as two phones and two lines and grow to over 1000. One of the benefits of using a Panasonic system is that when you want to upgrade, you can usually keep some of your equipment such as your Panasonic KX phone and your Panasonic Voicemail. The Panasonic TVA voicemail systems can also be configured to send your voice mail messages as a wave file to your email. You can hear your voice mail from your computer or cell phone no matter where you are.

The Panasonic TDA phone system also works with Panasonic DECT Cordless Phones. These phones can reach much further range than your typical cordless phone because they work with cell stations rather than a cordless base. Panasonic Cell Stations work like wireless access points. You can place them at various spots around the office and your Panasonic Cordless DECT phone can hop from cell station to cell station without dropping the call. It will connect to the cell station within the best range of your handset.

The Panasonic KX-TDA50G phone system is so versatile and smart that we recently had to configure contact door closures to open doors remotely using a cell phone after hours. The client had temporary contract workers that needed to access the building after hours but they did not want to provide keys to all these contractors. We configured the Panasonic TDA 50 phone system to work with a contact closure on the building doors. When these workers arrived at the building they called into the phone system and dialed a code that allowed a signal to be sent to the closure to open the door.

You will find that a Panasonic Telephone System has many functions that will help your office to run smoothly.  New features are being added all the time that will help increase efficiency in your business.

Updated Panasonic Programming Software now Available on BTS Dealer

Panasonic has recently updated their Unified PC Maintenance Console or Panasonic Phone System Programming Software to v6.2.1.1. The latest release will now support Windows 7, 64-bit software as an operating system on your programming PC. The previous release supported Windows 7, 32-bit software, so the only major difference between the two versions is the support of 32-bit versus 64-bit. If you are not using Windows 7 or if you only use 32-bit software then there is no need to download the latest version. The only real obstacle in using the 64-bit version is that the TVA programming software has only been upgraded to support the 32-bit version. Panasonic does have plans to upgrade the TVA voicemail as well. There has not been a release date given yet, but you should expect to see it within the next few months.

The Unified PCMC or Unified PC Maintenance Console will allow you to program several Panasonic Phone Systems including the KX-TDA50, KX-TDA50G, KX-NCP500, KX-NCP1000, KX-TDA100, KX-TDA200, KX-TDA600, KX-TDE100, KX-TDE200, and KX-TDE600. The KX-TA824 system has a separate Programming Tool on the Panasonic website. That software is only compatible with Windows XP. The Unified PCMC is compatible with both Windows XP and Windows 7; however, there are no plans to allow compatibility with Windows Vista.

Why Purchase a Panasonic Phone System?

 When it comes to purchasing a new telephone system or IP telephone system, it can often be difficult to choose which system will work best. Millions of customers choose Panasonic business telephone products over all the other brands. Many companies who are looking for a quality small business phone system have decided to use Panasonic for their own reasons. Here are a few that we think are important.

Quality Telecom Products:

Panasonic has built their reputation by making phone systems and business phones that are built to last. Their dedication to quality, innovation and value can been seen in all the products that they make. If you’ve got an old telephone system in the closet that just won’t quit, chances are it’s a Panasonic PBX.

Longevity:

Panasonic has been around for more than forty years, and they will continue to innovate well into the future. Voicesonic has been selling and supporting Panasonic telephone systems for over 25 years. Panasonic has strived to become a "Customer Value Company" by providing safety, security, comfort and convenience with products that are designed for use with cutting edge technology including voice over IP systems. When you buy Panasonic telephone systems today, you can rest assured that Voicesonic we'll be there to support you tomorrow. Panasonic Phone Systems can easily integrate with each other. Many other manufacturers do not have system interoperability, meaning that if you grow beyond the maximum capacity of the phone system, or your system becomes discontinued, you may have to completely replace your entire telephone system when needing an upgrade. Panasonic systems have many interoperable parts such as phones and voicemail, as well as other critical parts. This can easily save your company thousands of dollars down the road. Panasonic Systems are easily upgradable through software downloads. 

Panasonic make products that People Want:

Panasonic products do not just come out of research and development lab, although they do plenty of R&D prior to release. Panasonic research team asks people like you about your needs and wants in a telephone system or phone product. They use this information as a basis for many of their product designs. The end results are telecom products and features that help you get more out of your business. When customers are not satisfied with the functionality of certain features of the Panasonic Phone System, or Panasonic Voicemail, or phones, you can typically find the next release of software specifically addresses those features and improves them.

A company’s telephone system is the life line to the world and without a quality product, your business will suffer. So choose the best and go with a Panasonic Business Telephone system. There are millions of happy Panasonic telephone systems owners who can attest to that.

Voicesonic, a leading Panasonic Phone System Dealer, can help you purchase, install and support all Panasonic Phone Telephone System Products including KX-TDE100, KX-TDE200, KX-TDA600, KX-TDE600, KX-NCP500, KX-NCP1000, KX-TDA50G and KX-TA824 as well as discontinued systems such as KX-TDA100, KX-TDA200, KX-TDA50, KX-TAW848, KX-TA624, KX-TD1232, KX-TD816, KX-TD500, KX-TA1232, KX-T308, KX-T616 and even Panasonic DBS Phone System Products