ShoreTel Adds PBX Video-Calling

Claiming to offer one of the most user-friendly IP PBX’s, ShoreTel Inc. is now offering it’s latest 8.0 release with the addition of many more convenient features to it’s newest PBX version. Now users will have access to IM (instant messaging), presence, softphone and even video capabilities. In addition, the company is also introducing new target specific hardware configurations.

An optional call-control application, ShoreWare Professional Call Manager, gives users many more useful features over the standard Personal Call Manager that comes with ShoreTel’s products. The upgraded software allows users to easily communicate with other workers and transition between various applications such as clicking from within an IM window to connect to a voice or video call.

Using the video capability is as simple as clicking to turn it on during or at the start of a call. Since the softphone now comes standard with the Professional Call Manager, the video call sound can go through the desk phone or the computer using a microphone and speakers. The Professional Call Manager package is listed at $80 per seat.

ShoreTel is offering various packages to meet the needs of particular work goups such as call centers. A work-group package includes IM, presence and softphone, but does not include video capabilities for workers that will never use it.

The company has made improvements on securuty with the new release as well. The encryption-key length has increased to 128 bits from 64 bits. An additional interface for SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) terminals has also been added and ShoreTel is now certifying SIP phones that are compatible with its products.