Cloud PBX is a popular service for small businesses. Such a product can generate significant revenue for telephone companies, but initially, they need to choose a platform for launching the system. This article will explain how to set up the cloud PBX using Digital Tide.
What’s the Most Important When Choosing a Cloud PBX Platform?
Carrier-grade cloud PBX platforms have the following requirements:
High performance on par with global leaders.
Well-known cloud PBX providers like RingCentral, 8×8, and Vonage set a high standard worldwide. Telephone companies need to select a platform that allows them to provide services at least as well as these companies to stay competitive.
The capacity to handle high loads.
Free and open-source software may struggle to accommodate many subscribers; sometimes, connecting 500 to 2000 employees can lead to disruptions. Choosing a platform that efficiently manages the load from tens of thousands of companies is vital.
Minimal upfront investment.
There are two popular payment models for platform acquisition: operators can purchase everything upfront (CapEx) or subscribe (OpEx). In the former case, there’s a risk that operators won’t pay off substantial investment and stay with unsellable licenses. In the latter case, the operator can pause the project if things don’t go as planned. Furthermore, in the CapEx model, the vendor receives a lump-sum payment upfront, potentially reducing their motivation for ongoing product development. In the OpEx model, the vendor is interested in platform development since the operator will pay for more licenses if customers adopt the product.
Regular updates.
If a vendor invests little in development and infrequently updates the platform, the operator may gradually lose ground to competitors using cutting-edge technology.
Vendors often may lack one or two of these criteria, but the Digital Tide platform encompasses all these advantages. It enables operators to compete with market leaders, handles the connection of hundreds of thousands of employees, is offered through a subscription model, and receives updates every 2-3 weeks.
However, these are not the only benefits of Digital Tide. Let’s delve into the value of this platform and how it works.
Digital Tide Advantages
Digital Tide offers a platform that allows operators to launch a cloud PBX service for end-users quickly. Additionally, the Digital Tide team will assist in developing a marketing strategy, provide training for engineers and sales representatives, and streamline turnkey sales processes. The operator will only need to focus on sales while the vendor controls maintenance, monitoring, and platform updates.
Furthermore, Digital Tide offers the following essential features:
Mobile Application: Your subscribers can listen to call recordings, access employee statistics, and customize Digital Tide on their cell phones.
CRM System Integration: You can integrate your CRM system through REST APIs or connect popular solutions like Pipedrive, ZOHO CRM, Salesforce, etc.
Communicator: This is a softphone for end-user computers — it completely replaces the need for a physical desk phone.
How Does Digital Tide Work?
Digital Tide consists of three types of nodes: back ends (BE), front ends (FE), and media gateways (MG):
Front ends process calls and requests, providing a command-line interface for cluster management. Subscribers register on the FE that functions as an SBC (Session Border Controller) and safeguards the platform against attacks and fraud.
Back ends store information about domains and users, synchronize tasks, and ensure data replication.
Media gateways handle voice streams, transforming formats and merging data from multiple subscribers to facilitate voice communication through the platform.
The platform also includes a History Server, which provides access to call history and user statistics. High availability and reliability are achieved through SIP, HTTP, and WebSocket protocols, essential for communication between components.
Our platform is designed with scalability and reliability, capable of handling many requests and enduring complete updates without downtime. Our reliability level is 0.99994, meaning only 30 minutes of downtime per year due to network infrastructure failure.
Platform Launching
You can deploy the platform in two ways:
In a cloud. This is the fastest method since you don't need to allocate server resources. The vendor already has an installation, and you gain access to the deployed platform and start using it.
In this case, the vendor provides the operator with a subdomain where the operator can offer cloud PBX services to its subscribers. End-users will connect to the domains created by the operator.
On-premises. You allocate two servers (primary and backup) in your data center or a virtual machine in your virtual infrastructure.
For example, you create virtual servers on a virtual machine resource, and Digital Tide specialists access and deploy the platform. As a result, you will launch the platform in your environment.
This scenario may suit operators with strict data storage requirements for their users and restrictions on sending voice traffic outside a country.
Telephony Connection
The platform connects to the operator’s station or softswitch using SIP. In most cases, a simple trunking is sufficient. With TDM, industrial VoIP gateways can be used.
If you have deployed the platform in Digital Tide’s infrastructure, the telephony will work via the Internet. If you have deployed the platform in your environment, telephony will operate through a dedicated channel within your network.
Promotion and Monitoring
Operators can manage the platform through the operator's API. Additionally, integration with billing systems can be configured, covering everything from basic operations to domain settings management, including adding employees and numbers.
Although platform monitoring is performed by the vendor, if desired, operator support can gain access to the Zabbix service.
Platform Management
The operator’s engineers will have access to the administrator's interface for technical support and domain management.
Subscriber Interface
Each subscriber will have a domain with restrictions corresponding to the selected pricing plan. The user dashboard will be available through a web interface or mobile application.
As a result, subscribers will connect to the cloud PBX via the Internet or through the operator’s internal network. End-users can call with IP phones, softphones, and old analog phones connected via a VoIP gateway.
Conclusion
Let’s discuss the critical points of the article:
When choosing a cloud PBX platform, consider specific criteria. For example, it should be capable of handling carrier-grade loads and not require substantial investments.
Digital Tide offers a quality solution for fixed-line operators. With Digital Tide, operators can quickly launch a cloud PBX service for end-users. Additionally, our team can assist in deploying the product as a turnkey solution.
Digital Tide can be deployed on the vendor’s server or within the operator’s environment. In the first case, the operator gains access to the vendor’s installation, while in the second case, they set up the platform in their own data center or virtual infrastructure.
Subscribers access the main Digital Tide features. For example, they can download the communicator on their computer, use the mobile application to control calls, configure integration with CRM systems, and access other advanced features.
Digital Tide allows for integration with operator systems. For instance, operators can integrate billing systems.