Welcome to the November edition of our monthly newsletter dedicated to all things Voice in the SMB space. We cover VoIP, UC, telecom and much much more. Don’t forget you can continue the journey at our sister site Telephonation.com.

As a special treat – I’d like to have you watch this “get to know” SMB Nation video that we have re-released:

For our US readers – advance cheers for a great Thanksgiving!

P.S.: Be sure to check out CloudServicesRoundtable.com's webinar "IBM's Lotus Live" this Wednesday at 9 AM. Rebecca Buisan (Director of the Product Management and Marketing, IBM Social Business Cloud) will be speaking, and I will be co-hosting. For more information or to register, please visit: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/725958248

Harry Brelsford | Founder | SMB Nation, Inc. | www.smbnation.com

Former RPers Set To Launch HookFlash

Many readers are “from” the beloved but all too short Microsoft Response Point (RP) telephony era. It was a grand three years, coming to a crashing end a couple of years ago when Microsoft withdrew RP from the market. Some amazing friendships were made and cultivated. I personally was impressed with the business and technology acumen of two Canadians: Trent Johnsen and Erik Lagerway. These two hotties created SMBphone.com that was specially geared towards providing services in the Response Point community.

Fast forward a couple of years, and the team of Johnsen and Lagerway are back. Sensing an opportunity to reposition to Microsoft Skype acquisition, they two are on the verge of launching Hookflash. This product, currently in beta, is oriented towards filling the void in the market since Skype was gobbled up. I liken it to the fact that for every action, there is a reaction. Hookflash’s multi-device support, including an emphasis on the Apple iPad actually improves upon Skype.

The improvements include more robust peer-to-peer conversation beyond the communication session. I’ve now looked at the beta product twice and I liken it to building upon the assets of Skype (although Hookflash is independent of Skype) and adding telephony features and multi-tenant functionality like video conferencing, etc.

Hookflash is schedule for availability in early 2012. “We want to make sure it’s completely ready and not launch too soon.” Johnsen stated in our meeting last Friday. You can learn more about Hookflash and sign up for its beta program here: http://hookflash.com/

You can also watch a cool Apple iPad tablet demo here: hookflash.com.s59135.gridserver.com/video/banff.mp4

The seriously interested can dig deep into these prior articles:

http://forwardthinking.pcmag.com/show-reports/287850-demo-fall-shows-products-aimed-at-small-business

"Hookflash: Making Social Networking Dreams Come True" - "Maybe the next PBX is simply an i-device."
Matt Brunk | No Jitter - for Enterprise Connect www.nojitter.com/article/231601637

"However, given Skype’s network effect and broad platform support, I can see Hookflash being considered as an acquisition by a post-Microsoft acquisition Skype business unit to provide a richer video calling experience."

Jim Courtney, Voice On The Web http://voiceontheweb.biz/2011/09/hookflash-elevating-the-video-calling-experience/

"Where the startup excels over other competitors is in its built-in ability to interface with multiple established services to make communication easier"

Mac Net News

http://www.macnn.com/articles/11/09/14/real.time.profiles.of.callers.via.social.networks/

"Though the product shares some features with both high-end business phones, like those offered by Cisco, and popular peer-to-peer services, like Skype, Hookflash is trying to fill a void between the two. The company intends to combine the strengths of each into a single, cost-effective product for businesses of all sizes."

Julie Klein VentureBeat

http://venturebeat.com/2011/09/13/demo-hookflash/

2012 International CES Conference
Tuesday, January 10 – Friday, January 13, 2012
Las Vegas, NV

The industry’s brightest minds come here to shine.
Every year, one place brings together the innovators on technology’s cutting edge, and for those four days, Vegas glows brighter.

This January, the 2012 CES boasts 200 conference sessions and 500 speakers ready to expand your knowledge and increase your inspiration. Pair that with the more than 2,700 exhibitors showcasing their most innovative and ingenious products and services, you’ll quickly see why CES is the home of unbridled, jaw-dropping ideas.

Representing 15 product categories ranging from products for your home, health and fitness, and business, you’ll witness technology coming to life across 1.7 million net square feet of exhibit space. These trends setters and originators are located throughout the Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center/the Las Vegas Hilton and The Venetian. Amid these halls, you’ll also discover more than 25 uniquely themed TechZones grouping new technology markets together and featuring up-and-coming products, services, and companies for the industry. This year we’re pleased to introduce two new TechZones: PMA@CES and Eureka Park.

With CES’ global attendees you’ll be sure to make a connection that will spark tomorrow’s innovation: 40,000 senior-level executives, some 30,000 international attendees from 140 countries, 5,000 media and analysts, 4,000 venture capitalists and financial executives, and top international, federal, state and regulatory officials.

International CES also offers all attendees special rates at official CES hotels and discounted flights with many major airlines. See inspiration unveiled at the 2012 International CES, the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, register today at CESweb.org.

How2UnlockiPhones.com, an online company specializing in the “jailbreaking” of iPhones, released new software last week designed to allow any customer to unlock any version of the iPhone. The software works on a gamut of iPhones, from factory-new to phones that have been previously unlocked or damaged by an unlocking process.

How2UnlockiPhones.com claims that using an unlocked or jail broken iPhone can be valuable to users. Unlocked iPhone users are able to access more features on an unlocked phone, as well as apply third party software and applications and use any carrier they please. How2UnlockiPhones.com is one option on the market today, offering Flash and Cydia-enabling, as well as a free GPS Navigation system. Users who decide to employ this solution are granted unlimited lifetime updates to the newest versions of How2UnlockiPhone.com’s software. For more information about How2unlockiPhones.com, please visit their site here: http://how2unlockiphones.com/default.htm

The subject of unlocking or jailbreaking mobile devices has been controversial over the past few years. Apple has historically been against unlocking or jail breaking software, applying strict regulations for their iPhone users and still cautions against putting third-party software on their iPhones. In June 2010, the U.S. Government asserted that unlocking or jailbreaking an iPhone was legal, but it still remains an ethical issue for some users. Users looking to unlock their iPhones should only choose trusted, verified software.

Cisco UC-320 Rocks!

Blast from the past! The Toronto pre-day hands-on lab in June was a hit! Known as SMB Spring, over 20 IT Consultants fully setup the CISCO UC 320 in under an hour without a hitch. (15 had never installed a phone system) This system was the easiest install I have ever seen on a full featured UC product. There is a special website for you to engage with the UC 320 here. You can sign up to be a partner that will get you free training on the system and other goodies. There is no fee or certification cost for this program yet, so we urge you to be an early bird.

Here is what folks learned at the hands-on lab:

• For under $800 the UC 320 is a front runner for the very small business that wants to enjoy cost savings and a robust feature set.

• Fully installs, from opening the box to making calls, in under an hour

• Support for 24 users

• SIP trunking support to deliver clear, high-quality voice over IP services

• Interoperability with up to 12 public switched telephone network (PSTN) analog lines (4 FXO ports)

• Voicemail and automated attendant and Voicemail to email notification

• 4-port Gigabit Ethernet switch with VLAN support, to connect devices or expand

• Gigabit Ethernet WAN port that can be designated as the network edge

• Integrated 802.11n wireless access point for voice and data, so that employees can connect to the network while away from their desks

Why Do You Need to Partner with Cisco, Today?

Teaming with Cisco can be a profitable proposition. Here are the top five reasons to become a Cisco Registered Partner and benefits from the Cisco Small Business Advantage:

• Products: We have the broadest portfolio of solutions to help you meet your customers' needs.

• Profitability: You have the potential to realize greater profits when selling Cisco Small Business products by earning rebates with Partner Development Funds and taking advantage of rewards, promotions, and incentives, offered from programs such as Fast Track 2.

• Support: Get the help you need to sell, deliver, and support Cisco solutions with pre- and post-sales support and customized tools like SMART Designs.

• Marketing: Use co-branded materials to help drive sales; having ready access to free customizable marketing materials can help put more money in your pocket.

• Financing: We have EasyLease options for those who qualify. EasyLease may help you overcome customer budget objections and help eligible customers acquire technology solutions based on business needs.

It's easy to join. No training courses, exams, or additional costs required. Visit HERE.

SMB Nation BeerFest in East Greenwich, RI
SMB Nation is hosting one of their infamous evening BeerFests on Wednesday, November 16th at Bistro Nine in East Greenwich, RI from 4:00pm to 5:45pm. This Beerfest is partnered by D&H Distributing, Tech Collective and Vu Telepresence.

The structure of this SMB Nation BeerFest evening is:
• One part community
• One part SMB Nation
• One part VU Telepresence, D&H and Tech Collective
• One part BEER, WINE and FOOD!

Slightly chilled and poured slowly! Please be responsible…

AGENDA:
• 15 minutes of fame with VU Telepresence
• Community open forum discussion
• Qualify to win epic door prizes!

Register here!: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=158118

Purchasing Power from D&H!

Gain more purchasing power just by tapping into the promos that D&H Distributing has brought to you from leading manufacturers: Save 15% on select Mice and Keyboard from Microsoft, 3% off select Cisco Small Business skus, 3% off Epson Scanners, 3% off all TrendNET and more. For the latest, check out www.dandh.ca/smbnation .

D&H Canada wants to reward you for doing business with them! Check out the Incentives Program, where resellers are eligible to earn reward points on qualifying purchases that are redeemable in the D&H Incentives online mall. Select from hundreds of merchandise items such as: services, travel, gift certificates and many other great incentives! During the month of December only, earn double points on Lenovo purchases!

During the month of December, Cisco purchases earns you an entry to win (1) of (10) $500 gift cards to Canadian Tire. Shop on www.dandh.ca today!

You can learn more about the benefits of doing business with D&H Distributing by visiting www.dandh.ca. Set up a free account and receive a $50 Petro-Canada gift card when you make your first purchase of $1000.

With over 93 years of distribution experience, D&H has a solid history of dedicated service and evolving with the times to offer the latest technologies across networking, infrastructure, servers, mobile and desktop computing and many other categories of interest. D&H has more recently been recognized by the ACSII Group’s second annual Distribution Survey where they won 8 out of 16 categories – more than any other distributor in its class. In 2010, D&H was also recognized by Cisco as Global Distribution Partner of the Year and won Microsoft’s Operational Excellence Award in Licensing for the seventh consecutive year

SMB Nation.com’s sister site, Telephonation.com, is hip and cool!

Telephonation.com boasts an average 16,000 unique views per month (for 2011) and is a great place to connect with fellow telephony enthusiasts, or just to learn more about VoIP services. The forum community is friendly and knowledgeable about all things Telephony. Stop on by and check it out! http://www.telephonation.com.

Nov/Dec 2011 SMB Nation Magazine is HERE! Download NOW!

You can download
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