In my current role, I speak to number of Retail, CPG, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Healthcare (LSH) customers etc. globally and all want to adopt Microsoft Teams but had a common pain point in terms of “No Microsoft Certified DECT solution”. All settled with some legacy 3rd party solutions, making the environment complex and inconsistent solutions were deployed, globally.
For eg, One Consumer Goods organization wanted a DECT replacement solution working with Teams, however we had to suggest Samsung Galaxy Xcover Pro phones as an alternative solution.
Another Oil & Gas organization wanted a DECT replacement solution working with Teams, hence we implemented Yealink DECT solution as an alternative.
Some Organizations try and use cordless solutions from Vodafone and other providers.
This article is about the recent induction of SPECTRALINK DECT devices in the Microsoft Teams Universe.
Spectralink since 1990 has been enabling mobile workers. They have built the most comprehensive, most reliable business phones for the market and work through partners to deliver the best mobile enterprise solutions.
In this article, you will learn about:
- Spectralink Solution
- How it Functions
- High Level Architecture
- Features and Benefits
- Replacing your current DECT Infrastructure with Spectralink Solution.
Hopefully, at the end of this, you should be equipped enough to create a Microsoft Teams certified DECT solution for your customers.
Let’s Get Started…
What is this Spectralink DECT Solution?
Recently, I wrote 2 articles, where I talked about 3rd party devices registering to Microsoft Teams using SIP Gateway functionality and my experience of deploying Yealink DECT phones with Teams.
Realizing Legacy UC Infrastructure Potential with UCaaS Solutions
MS Teams SIP Gateway – Much Awaited!
Also at Commsverse I met Spectralink Executives and they talked about Spectralink DECT devices being Microsoft Teams certified. And Here they are!
For organizations who are using legacy DECT phones and want to use it in future, also are running Microsoft Teams as their primary collaboration solution, Spectralink DECT solution would be the right choice for them.
It is a set of DECT Handsets, DECT Server (Virtual or On premises) and DECT Base Stations running in either a Single Cell or Multi Cell deployments. For Single Cell deployments, you may or may not need Base stations . The DECT handsets boots with a Teams logo wherein you can register this device to MS Teams SIP Gateway using a pairing code and then authenticating with your MS Teams ID (Email address).
Once that’s done, it will register with MS Teams SIP Gateway and you will be able to make and receive calls, as you do from your Teams client on your laptop. Obviously, the benefit with DECT handset you will get is MOBILITY!
Multiple Spectralink products are available and Microsoft certified. See below.
Note:
- Spectralink Handsets receive firmware updates over the air from Spectralink IP-DECT servers.
- For support queries, customers using IP-DECT systems with Teams SIP Gateway should reach out to their DECT manufacturer or their implementation channel partners
- For some devices, the minimum firmware version is greater than the approved firmware version. This is because the 3.X version is the Skype for Business version. We update the SIP version which is 2.X.
A Little Bit More Information on this
Microsoft Teams direct integration provides mobile workers access to the same tools as office and remote workers, securely uniting voice, data, and people for greater levels of collaboration. It also ensures a higher level of interaction throughout the workforce and offers employees more flexible work options by breaking down the silos between enterprise teams and ensuring they can access the same secure system no matter where they work.
With Spectralink’s DECT direct integration to Microsoft’s Teams Phone, you can consolidate, simplify, and reduce costs for your DECT solution by getting rid of your on-premise PBXs and 3rd party gateways.
IP DECT Servers
Virtual IP DECT Server:
VIP DECT SERVER ONE delivers Enterprise wide DECT connectivity at significant scale. It is a virtualized server and can be run on the public cloud, interoperable with cloud carrier of choice, in this case it is Microsoft Teams. Uses SIP Protocol to communicate.
Software-only IP-DECT architecture allows you to flexibly connect distributed enterprise sites creating a single virtual network with a common point of control for reliable, scalable communication delivery.
The Spectralink Virtual IP-DECT Server One is a virtualized system with a SIP integration to the host SIP UC / UCaaS (Call Control Platform), which also controls all other infrastructure elements such as Spectralink IP-Base Stations.
Hardware Based
IP DECT SERVER 6500, IP DECT SERVER 400, IP DECT SERVER 200, DECT SERVER 8000 these are hardware based on premises DECT Servers. They function pretty much like Virtual servers but are deployed ON Premises.
The Spectralink IP-DECT Servers (hardware based) are both a radio unit and a SIP DECT controller unit to the host SIP Call Control / UC platform. Additionally, it controls and handles the Spectralink IP-DECT Base Stations.
For eg for IP DECT SERVER 400
Single-cell configuration:
1 x Spectralink IP-DECT Server 400 and up to 3 x Spectralink DECT Repeaters 12 wireless users / 6 simultaneous calls
Multi-cell configuration:
1 x Spectralink IP-DECT Server 400, up to 9 x External IP-DECT Base Stations and up to 3 x DECT Repeaters connected on each IP-DECT Server or IP-DECT Base Station.
Up to 60 users/24 simultaneous calls
Spectralink Base Station Capacity:
Single-Cell: 12 Channels
Multi-Cell: 11 Channels** (Air Sync)
Base Stations
The Spectralink IP-DECT Base Station provides radio coverage and channels for DECT phone calls and connects to any of the Spectralink DECT Servers: IP-DECT Server 400, IP-DECT Server 6500, Virtual IP-DECT Server One, and the DECT 8000.
The Spectralink IP-DECT Base Stations can be powered by Power Over Ethernet (POE) IEEE 802.3af or via an external power supply. Each Spectralink IP-DECT Base Station has 12 speech channels and provides a typical radio coverage distance: up to 50m indoors or 300m open space (150-1000 feet). Because coverage depends on location specifics such as building materials and interference, a site assessment and site survey before installation is essential to determine the proper number and placement of base stations.
Up to three Spectralink DECT Repeaters can also be used to extend radio coverage. An External Antenna can also be attached to extend or direct coverage where needed. The Base Station can be synchronized by Radio (over the air) or by LAN (server license required) to ensure quality call handover and seamless roaming across the entire multi-cell coverage area.
DECT Handsets
Microsoft has certified Spectralinks 72, 75, 76 and 77 Series DECT handsets. Depending on the business requirements you can look at their data sheets, and decide which is the best solution. They all work with Microsoft Certified Spectralink IP DECT Servers and IP DECT Base Stations.
How Does it Work?
To put it very simply, in a MultiCell environment where you need to roam in the building, IP DECT Server is configured to control the IP DECT Base Stations, which are required to setup calls between DECT handsets and the destination. See the image below.
Now, you can use repeaters to boost signals but it is just an extension to the overall solution.
To monitor and manage the entire Spectralink DECT infrastructure, you can also use Advanced Mobile Intelligence for Enterprise
As I have deployed Yealink DECT solution in the past, one thing for sure is a massive benefit, is that Spectralink DECT registers to Microsoft Cloud directly. For Yealink, we had to register it to Ribbon SBC’s.
Features
- Software-only IP-DECT Server Solution designed for VM hypervisor environments
- Delivers high quality secure voice communications
- Interoperable with market leading Call Control /Unified Communications (UC/UCaaS) platforms. However we are specifically talking about Microsoft Teams.
- Redundancy makes it possible to deploy a Spectralink VIP-DECT Server One solution as a load- balancing cluster of two servers with automatic failover increasing High Availability
- Provides branch survivability if connection with host UC/ UCaaS platform is lost
- Single centralized web portal for administration and maintenance
- Supports deployment within enterprise data centre to fit IT infrastructure
- Supports both LAN sync as well as Air sync
- Upgradable with optional licenses as your business needs grow
Benefits of using SPECTRALINK solution
- Standardized IT Infrastructure
- Increased Operation Efficiency
- Optimize Resource and Reduce Workloads
- Increase Uptime
- Saves Operational and Capital Costs
- Always on Voice Communications
- Reduced Hardware Need due to Virtualization
- Scalability as your business grows
VIP-Dect Serve One enables installation in any data center with the capacity to serve up to 100,000* users across large campus environments and distributed business sites.
Optimize resources and reduce workloads.
Manage multiple sites, push new DECT features, add or remove users, and perform administrative functions all from a single centralized web portal.
Add more efficiency and savings to your business by using your current data center servers; consolidate the number of DECT servers needed. Reduce maintenance and support costs.
No need to go on site to update firmware; manage your entire DECT network from one location. * NOTE: Up to 100K handsets supported when combined with AMIE
Replace your Current DECT to Spectralink DECT
When looking to replace the existing DECT solution with the Spectralink IP based DECT solution, consider following things:
- First and foremost, understand the use cases. Sometimes the use case and business requirement may easily be solved by MS Teams softclient on a mobile phone.
- Make yourself familiar with the location where DECT Servers and Base Stations will be deployed.
- Are you looking to deploy across multiple floors of multiple building
- Understand the Current Data & Voice Network Path.
- Is your organization ok to have a virtual cloud based IP DECT server or there is a need to deploy on premises DECT Servers?
- How many handsets you are looking to deploy?
- Will this be a Single Cell or MultiCell deployments?
- Do you need IP DECT Base Stations to be deployed or just the IP DECT Server?
- What functionalities you are looking to provide? For eg, do you need bluetooth or you need ruggedized handsets or will the base stations be deployed outdoors etc.
- Compare data sheet to find the right products.
- Understand the current user experience
- Do you need Site Survey to be conducted for the Spectralink Solution? I prefer conducting site surveys but it is optional and depends on customer requirements.
These are some high level questions that you need to answer for a proper solution design.
That’s it Folks! Let me know your thoughts. Post for any questions, thoughts. I can also be reached at LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook.
Appendix
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/sip-gateway-plan
A enthusiast technical blogger, speaker, writer and have an interest in learning & sharing new capabilities.
I work as a Digital Workplace Consultant, with a primary focus on Microsoft Teams, Cisco Telephony, Zoom, Office 365, Azure.
Like to talk about #FutureOfCollaboration #AgileManagedServices #AI, #UCAAS #WorkplaceTransformation #HybridWorkplace #WXC #TimeManagement #Productivity
Professionally, I am an Experienced Digital Communication and Workplace Transformation Consultant.
Total Experience of over 10 years. Currently leading a UC Presales Team and based out of London, UK. Responsible for consulting EN and NN customers on:
• Continued Innovation & Automation potential by data analytics.
• Solution transformation or Platform Harmonization approach.
• Potential of transforming traditional Managed Operations to Next Gen Agile Ops.
• Helping customers understand importance of experience transformation(CX) and technology adoption.
Apart from this, I have interests in Spirituality, Finance & Investments, Physical Sports and currently based out of London, UK.