Version 12 of ShoreTel is all about Web Collaboration and enhanced Unified Communications functionality! For Example, ShoreTel has had an IM capability since Version 8, but historically you required a Microsoft OCS server to enjoy this feature. Not that Microsoft OCS is a bad solution, but it is really over kill for a functionality as simple as Internet Messaging! The ShoreTel Professional Communicator enabled the IM function as an integrated, single desktop client and many users wanted that functionality without [...]

We have been steadily moving through a range of mobility options on our way to achieving true fixed mobile convergence.  We want to take our Office Extension away on our Cell phones and have the same functionality away from the office as we do in the office!  Originally, people forwarded their office extensions to their Cell phones.   Not the best solution, but clearly the easiest to set up.  The problem however, is that the caller to your office extension might [...]

We have not had an update to our System Administration video series since Version 8.    System Administration had not significantly changed over the various new releases, so we did not feel the need to do an update.  Our Version 8 stuff is still relevant and useful no matter what Version of ShoreTel you are on.   We actually installed our first ShoreTel system on Version 3 Build 3.1.11100  back in the day when Shoreline only had Analog phones!  You [...]

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 [...]

Software development is a process, not an event.  Having said that, from time to time, we have an event.  The release of a new version of software is such an event.  The software development process, however, continues.   The decision as to where to draw the line to separate one release from another is a complex interaction of competing goals.  The Marketing folks are trying to keep up with the competitive feature package from another vendor.   The support team desperately needs [...]

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.

Yeah, I am sure you were just dying to know how to call your iPhone and have your ShoreTel phone ring?  Better yet, pick up your ShoreTel handset and make a call out your iPhone?    Actually, it is a useful integration and one that I recently had the opportunity to implement.   Many carriers have plans in which you can  call any of your “family members” without racking up minutes.   This is useful when calling from cell phone to cell phone, [...]

Running the ECC on a virtual server is “not a supported configuration”, but will it work?  Often we encounter installed base solutions that are pushing the support envelop with market driven customer requirements.  Windows 7 may not be a supported desktop OS for a ShoreTel Communicator, but try telling an end user client that is it “not a supported configuration” after they just did an enterprise wide PC refresh.   We quickly learn the difference between “not supported” and “does not [...]

It was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a create was stirring, except the technical support team!  It does not matter what holiday it is, the result is always the same.  At 4:45PM the day before the Holiday our Call Center breaks new records for inbound calls from the client base.   The question is always the same: “we are closing for a ½ day and how do we set the Holiday Greeting”.  Ugh!   Not like we [...]

  Virtualization is an emerging area that is making a significant change in enterprise infrastructure planning, implementation and operation.  The pressure comes from several areas.  First, the operating costs of even a small business can be dramatically impacted with Virtualization.  Secondly, even a small enterprise is planning for “disaster recovery” and “business continuity” in the event of an emergency that renders existing systems unavailable.  Virtualization offers clear solutions to each of these issues.   Voice is now regularly deployed as an [...]