The final release for Version 18 Update 6 is now live. By introducing SBC-capable IP Phones, new group features, and seven user roles in rights management, we’ve worked hard to simplify your setup, and modernize your configuration. The result? A 3CX fit for the next generation. Let’s take a look at what we’ve achieved, as well as what’s next on the horizon.

3CX SBC-Capable Phones for Easy Cloud Deployment

SBC Phones in 3CX Web Client

Update 6 saw the advent of SBC-capable phones. Not only has this removed the need for a dedicated device on the network, but it's also much easier and cost-effective to set up remote phones. By deploying a router phone to your remote location, you can connect up to 10 handsets - maybe more - that can proxy the router phone.

You’ll recall the SBC functionality is a key feature of 3CX when used in the cloud. By proxying voice traffic via the SBC, it’s allowed us to both encrypt it and make it “firewall-proof”. The impact? Voice traffic can traverse firewalls more easily, more reliably, and more securely through an SBC than when using STUN.

At this time, the following models can be configured as router phones with more in the pipeline:

In Summary SBC Phones

  • Yealink and Fanvil have the SBC proxy built-in to selected phones
  • You get a phone and an SBC for the network combined
  • It’s cheaper to buy a new $125 phone than piece together a Raspberry Pi
  • Up to 10 phones to proxy via the phone
  • Easier to set up than a “stand-alone” SBC
  • Required if running 3CX in the cloud
  • Required on-premise where the first configured phone is remote and not located on the same network

Group Functionality Gets a Boost

Office Hours in 3CX Web Client and assigned DIDs

In Update 6, groups got a major boost. Moving away from simply grouping extensions together and applying some rights, you now have the option to configure unique time zones, languages and office hours. Each member of the group uses their default role. So if a user has the Manager role on his extension, then he’ll be a manager for all the groups he’s a member of.

For teams in larger installs working across different time zones and in various languages, administration can be delegated to Group Admins. Larger installs, spanning multiple physical office locations, can also use groups to separate routing, SIP trunks, and more - with ease.

We can't think of a better example than our own! 3CX at 3CX had become too complex and a big headache to manage. We’ve made separate groups for each sales team and configured this more efficiently. Our remote offices have their own IVR and office / time zones. We’ve also delegated Group Admin to admins or managers of particular offices and departments. The bottom line? We’ve reduced our admin time by some 300%.

Follow our team setup guide to create and manage groups.

In Summary Groups:

  • Callable with an inbuilt menu that routes calls based on time received
  • Extensions inherit Group Office hours by default
  • New installs group extensions in Default group

User Rights Management With 7 Roles

In Update 6 we’ve made rights management much simpler through the use of “Roles”, flushing out unnecessary complexity and confusion. Roles can be defined in the Admin section of the Web Client. The old Management Console remains as is with any rights assigned to users in the Management Console left as they are.

Here’s a recap of the new roles:

  • User
    • The most basic
    • Sees the presence of other Users
  • Receptionist
    • Intended for a receptionist
    • Overrides office hours
      • Open, break and close, for groups they’re a member of
    • Sees group calls, presence and perform operations
      • Divert, transfer, pickup, park and intercom
  • Group Administrator
    • Access to the “Admin” view
    • By default doesn’t see reports or recordings and cannot Listen in or Barge in
    • Configures call handling, SIP trunks, WhatsApp, live chat and so on
  • Manager
    • “Admin” view in the Web Client
    • Configures user settings such as call forwarding
    • Creates Users and elevate roles
    • Sees reports and recordings
    • Sees group calls, presence and performs operations
      • Divert, transfer, pickup, park and intercom
    • Listens / or Barges in
  • Owner
    • Everything a Group Admin AND a Manager can do
    • Meant for owners of companies or at least “owners of a department”
    • Can Barge in, Listen in or Whisper in addition to administering their group
    • Can only elevate people to Manager or Group Administrator within his own group
  • System Administrator
    • Sees everything for all the groups and all SIP trunks, even if they’re not part of the group
    • Cannot Barge in or Listen in on calls
    • Cannot make anybody else System Administrator or System Owner
      • Applies to Dedicated instances only
  • System Owner
    • Everything a System Administrator can do AND
    • Can Barge in, Listen in and view recordings and reports
    • The only one who can elevate users to System Administration or System Owner
      • Applies to Dedicated instances only

Roles apply for all groups that the User is a member of. The System Administrator and System Owner roles, on the other hand, apply to the whole system.

For a full breakdown of all the roles, see the User Guide section on security roles.

Important! Assign your System Owner Now

Warning to assign your system owner

  • At least one user must be assigned the role of System Owner
  • An extension must also be assigned or created for the user System Administrator / Owner

In Summary Roles:

  • 3CX has a new way of assigning rights
  • Delegation of admin and management tasks is much more detailed
  • Different roles in your organization are matched to 7 unique user roles
  • At least one user must be assigned the role of System Owner
  • An extension must also be assigned or created for the user System Administrator / Owner

Other features…

  • We’ve revamped IP Phone configuration and management.
  • We’ve also centralized and extended the number of admin functions that can be configured directly from the Web Client - first introduced in Update 5.

To get the latest updates on these follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

How to Get Update 6

Users can access the update as follows:

View the complete changelog here.

Join Us at U6 Webinars

Register to our free 3CX webinars next week to explore U6 features and improvements. Don’t miss out, reserve your spot now!

Tell Us What You Think

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