Thanks in part to its strong retail presence, D-Link is a brand name that is familiar to many. D-Link is now taking its good name and rolling out a complete VoIP solution with an IP PBX, trunk gateway, and VoIP phone, specifically targeted at SMBs.
The three new products are collectively called the D-Link xStack IP Telephony Solution for Small Business. On the IP PBX side, the DVX-1000 is a SIP-based device that has the usual PBX functionality (voicemail, call forwarding, call hold, auto-attendant, etc.), support for up to 25 extensions, and a conferencing server as well. The conferencing bridge functionality includes a web-based interface for users to schedule and invite participants to a conference. The web configuration tool allows enables the PBX administrator to assign extension features as well.
Security is another key feature of the DVX-1000, which includes an integrated firewall and MD5 SIP authentication encryption encoder software to protect users.
Connecting to the PSTN is done via the DVG-3004S SIP Analog Trunk Gateway product. The DVG-3004S has one LAN port and four RJ-11 ports for PSTN phone line connection. The gateway can also be peered with other PBXs for direct IP interconnection that bypasses the PSTN altogether. Rounding out D-Link’s xStack IP Telephony solution is the DPH-140S Business IP Phone.
The xStack IP Telephony product rollout is all part of D-Link’s strategy to be the premiere end-to-end solution provider for SMB. D-Link technical marketing engineer Rocky Rosas noted that D-Link already has a large selection of infrastructure products for switching and wireless.
“We’ve now added IP Telephony to that and will be releasing both business-class firewall / VPN and wireless switching gear by the end of the year,” Rosas told VoIPplanet.com.
“As far as the IP PBX space we are starting at the 5–25 seat market, which we feel is still somewhat underserved and open to feature-rich, affordable solutions,” Rosas explained. “The target is small businesses and small remote or branch offices looking to expand their existing telephone system.”
One of the keys to adoption by SMBs, according to Rosas is the pay-as-you-grow pricing structure that allows for lower entry costs for SMBs. The units come standard with a five-user license and are field upgradeable up to 25 users.
Rosas sees a few principal areas that need to be addressed for greater IP PBX adoption by SMBs to occur. VARs need to fill the knowledge/risk gap for SMBs, with feature-rich products at affordable prices that are attractive for SMBs and still allow for VARs to make decent margin. Simple product administration and maintenance are also key factors for adoption. Lastly, the IP PBX needs to be a part of an integrated and converged, end-to-end solution with 24×7 support options for even the smallest customer.
There is still more VoIP product to come from D-Link.
“On the business side we are looking at scaling up the IP PBX platform to support more seats, the exact number for our next platform has not yet been finalized but we’re looking at the 200–500 range,” Rosas said. “On the consumer VoIP side we will soon announce a plan to deliver terminal adapters [ATAs] for a major VoIP service provider that will be similar in scope to our current supply agreements with Lingo and AT&T.”
The DVX-1000 IP PBX has an MSRP of $1,599, the D-Link DVG-3004S gateway is $699 and the DPH-140S IP phone is $149.99.
