March 2025 – UC Channel Update

by | Mar 25, 2025 | 3CX, Grandstream, Jabra, UC Update, Unified Communications, Yealink

In this UC Channel Update:

  • 3CX’s Latest Product News
  • Yealink product updates
  • Grandstream End of Financial Stocktake Savings
  • CommBox product updates
  • Jabra product updates
  • Fanvil product updates
  • Demo equipment
  • 3CX Technical Certifications – May dates
  • Case studies – stories sell products!
  • Join our LinkedIn UC community to see news first

3CX’s Latest Product News

During March the final release of update 5 for v20 has occurred. This release has focussed on adding Google Workspace integration; enhanced Teams status control; along with enhancements to the voice mail transcription. We’ve also seen some further enhancements to the multi-tenant solution with department owners now able to create trunks; transcription control per tenant; holiday prompts; and configurable paging and multicast. The paging and multicast is a specific feature that has held some of our NZ customers back from adopting multi-tenant for grouping small customers together.

Update 5 progression and links – below are the links to each of the blog releases along the development of update 5 with the final being made live on March 10th:

  • Alpha Blog – the first look at update 5 introduces status sync between 3CX and MS Teams; voicemail transcription for Pro is back (NB: 8-SC or higher license required); receive call recording transcription via e-mail; queues and ring groups can have their own custom voicemail greetings; improvements to multi-tenant.
  • Beta Blog – in this beta we see the introduction of Google Workspace integration – very similar to the way M365 integration works. Transcription licensing – 8-SC or higher only. Pro users can only access voicemail transcription, Enterprise edition has full capabilities. Read the full blog for all the info.
  • Beta 2 Blog – addition of Snom and Fanvil DECT new products along with fixes and a note about Bridges needing to be on the same update and update 5 introduces key improvements for the bridge functionality.
  • Release Candidate Blog – we’re almost there with update 5 – the RC brings final fixes and improvements.
  • Final release – and update 5 is now live.

3CX Multi-Tenant Blog by Bluechip Infotech NZ – in this blog, Akhila has looked at what the multi-tenant solution is and what it can and cannot do. This blog has lots of information to assist in decision making around moving lots of small customers into one tenant. Akhila looked at the most common queries we receive and has broken that into a FAQ section towards the end of the blog. Check it out on our website at this link.

Updates to Live Chat and WordPress Plugins – updates were released very late in February bringing improved performance and compatibility. The full blog is here and the 3CX team has explained all the updates along with the benefits of implementing Live Chat on your website. This is well worth a read.

V20 Mobile apps – this month we’ve seen betas and final release updates for both Android and iOS platforms. The iOS platform has focused on adding BLF support for even easier call handling along with enhancements on editing phone numbers and call quality monitoring. View the iOS final release blog here and the beta information here.  For Android users, the BLF support has also been added along with Queue Login and Status controls.  The final release blog is here and the beta is found here.  Both platforms can also synchronise with Google Workspace for your contacts.

Call Flow Designer for 3CX v20 – an updated Call Flow Designer (20.2.84) was released at the end of February in Cyprus (1st March in NZ). This update brings an enhanced DateTime component which allows creation of advanced time-based call flows. There is a great level of detail in the launch blog at this link.

Call Flow Scripts explained – one of the great features of 3CX v20 is the APIs that are being made via the API store. We covered 6 of these in last months’ newsletter and this month there are two more for you to review:

Call Reporting – this is the hottest topic that we get queries about so just dropping the links back in the newsletter this month. There have been some key announcements on what’s to come in 2025:

  • Reporting 2.0 – the roadmap – this will be the advanced reporting which will revolutionise analytics at 3CX. We’ve talked about what’s coming with integrations to tools like Grafana and Power BI, a lot more details are unveiled in this blog (linked in the heading). This will be for Enterprise customers only.
  • Reporting for Pro users – changes to the “standard or included” reporting are coming soon. 3CX has acknowledged that some things from v18 are missing and they’re coming back along with four new reports.
  • The latest update on “standard/included” reporting is here. It’s taking a bit longer than 3CX anticipated but good things are worth the wait. We now expect this in update 6.

Upgrading to v20:
Important reminders before upgrading to version 20 – if you do nothing else, please ensure that you read these two very important documents:
• Upgrade from v18 to v20 Configuration Guide – this guide is kept up-to-date by 3CX and part of the Administration Manual.
• Upgrade checklist & FAQ Blog – this was released in early January 2024 to cover all the important steps you must do before proceeding with an upgrade. Remember you’re moving from Debian 10 through to Debian 12 and there is no roll back from the upgrade. License keys move from being v18 to v20 keys as part of this process.

IMPORTANT – SET YOUR SYSTEM OWNER! We’ve had a few cases of customers locking themselves out during the upgrade process and new charges will be incurred if you need 3CX’s support teams help.

V18 went EOL at the end of 2024, and while v18 update 9b is still able to communicate with the 3CX Activation Servers that time is limited.

Yealink product updates

The Yealink product roadmap for 2025 is strong with new headsets and meeting room devices scheduled to launch in Q2. Included in the announcement webinar from Yealink earlier this week are an updated MeetingBoard Pro which will be in 3 sizes – 65”, 75”, and 86”, along with room displays. More on these exciting developments as we have it!

The requirement for meeting rooms to be fitted out is increasing and Yealink has a solution for all spaces. The Android meeting room range covers small to large spaces – with the most popular unit right now being the A40 Android MeetingBar bundled with CTP25 touch controller.

Already in 2025, we’ve seen a real focus from businesses to fit out their spaces with the appropriate equipment especially in that small to medium space. We are here to guide you with ensuring you suggest the right equipment for the space and your client’s budget. We also have partnered with installers who can help you with installation if you don’t have inhouse resources to do so. Reach us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz or give us a call via 0800 733 233.

A40-031 Android MeetingBar NFR offer

You as the partners are not forgotten, Yealink has a special NFR option to equip your own small to medium meeting room with an A40 Android MeetingBar. The pricing is HOT – reach us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz to hear about it! There is nothing better than saying to a customer – just drop by our office and we can show you how it works!

Below are some of the most popular conferencing solutions, but remember Yealink has an option for all spaces.

We also have a deal registration promotion for both Android and Windows Meeting Room equipment – we do the registering of the deal for you and then a couple of months after you win the deal, you’ll get some vouchers to share with your customer!

Grandstream End of Financial Stocktake Savings

It’s that time of the year where stocktake is fast approaching and we’d like to make life easier for our team with the annual task!  For a limited time, you’ll see some great prices across the Grandstream range for the stock we currently have on hand.  Our website reflects the lower buy prices – retails remain unchanged.  If you’d like to know more reach our UC Team on uc@bluechipit.co.nz.

CommBox product updates

Over the last few newsletters, we’ve started introducing the CommBox range of commercial displays from basic displays to intelligent and then interactive touch displays like the newly launched S5.  If you need large displays and LED – the range is expansive and has you covered.

CommBox goes beyond physical products to fantastic tools that allow you to take full advantage of your investment.  With an intelligent display or above you can add a Signage license plan to each display to create and display digital signage either permanently or in between meetings.  We have customers that are looking for displays to be used permanently for digital signage and others that just want to use it occasionally.

If you’d like to know more about Signage or any of the CommBox family of products, reach out to us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz.

Jabra product updates

Jabra have you covered for all your headset requirements from wired; Bluetooth wireless; and DECT wireless options. They also have the fantastic video conferencing solutions available.

The Panacast 20 is your next webcam but it’s not just a webcam!  Engineered for intelligent AI-enabled personal video conferencing it features 4K Ultra-HD video, AI-enabled image enhancement technology, and yet it’s flexible and portable!  These units really take your meeting experience to the next level – they’re in stock now.

Fanvil product updates

The new Fanvil V62 Pro features a cordless Bluetooth handset!  It features a 2.8” HD colour screen, 21 DSS keys, 12 SIP lines and 6-way conferencing along with dual Gigabit ports.  Then add to that an enriched Bluetooth handset for enhanced work productivity.  Some employees need both a desk and portable phone – this allows them the flexibility of both in just one unit.

We’ve put it through its paces with 3CX already and can confirm it works well!

If you’d like to know more around any of the Fanvil units, reach us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz – we have demo stock available for you to take for a test drive!

Demo equipment

Here at Bluechip Infotech New Zealand, we hold a demo pool of Yealink, Grandstream, Jabra and Fanvil products which are available to borrow.  We have IP phones, DECT phones, headsets, WiFi Access Points, facility access and more available to borrow and test. It’s a great way to be able to test out units and see if they meet the needs of your clients. A great way to evaluate new offerings ahead of purchase. If you’d like to borrow anything, please reach out to Megan Twentyman our BDM – UC in the first instance.

3CX Technical Certifications – May dates

The 3CX Basic and Advanced certifications have been updated for version 20! 3CX have now made the new v20 exams available to everyone that holds the v18 certs. You’ll see the “Take the Basic Exam” option at the top of your page again.

Be sure to prepare by visiting the Academy landing page and the Basic and Advanced pages. There are links to all the relevant guides. The current exams are accessible from your Partner Portal and/or your own personal login to the portal. It is highly encouraged that all 3CX Partners have at least one staff member fully technical certified. The 3CX training preparation pages on their website are updated and you can access these at:

We have training coming up in May – places will be allocated on a first-come basis.  The dates are:

  • Wednesday 14th May 9am to 4.30pm – 3CX Basic Certification Training and Exam – online
  • Thursday 15th May 9am to 4.30pm – 3CX Advanced Certification Training and Exam – online

To reserve a spot for you or your team please e-mail uc@bluechipit.co.nz with full name, e-mail address, and position title.  The spaces are limited, and we’ll confirm whether you have or have not been successful in securing a spot this time around.

Case studies – stories sell products!

We value the opportunity to work with you to produce case studies on success stories with our UC brands. If you have a good story to share, please reach out to us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz and we can work with you. Case studies help sell the products to another customer. Grandstream have an incentive for GWN case studies but for case studies that we produce we’re happy to shout your team a pizza lunch. Get in touch so we can help you grow through sharing successes.

Join our LinkedIn UC community to see news first

Our “Bluechip UC Community” group has been created so our customers quickly get all the latest news. We post regularly and welcome new members to the group. Keep up to date with upcoming Bluechip Infotech New Zealand events, UC-related updates and any other general UC news. Join the LinkedIn group here.