Status
We’re thrilled to announce the official release of ComXchange Version 17. This milestone update represents a significant step forward from Version 14, bringing a suite of powerful new features designed to elevate guest experiences, fortify security, and provide administrators with enhanced control over their communication ecosystem.
From revamped emergency alerting to seamless cloud autoprovisioning of devices, ComXchange v17 ensures your facilities remain at the cutting edge of safety and efficiency. Here is a closer look at the major changes.
Enhanced Safety with Revamped Emergency Alerts
Safety is paramount in the hospitality industry, and Version 17 introduces a total overhaul of our E911 capabilities through the new Emergency Alerts Admin module.
- Centralized Management: This new module replaces “Emergency Notifications,” centralizing all safety configurations into one intuitive interface.
- Fail-Safe Location Data: Admins can now define Default Call-Back Profiles and Default Dispatchable Locations. This ensures first responders receive accurate property location information, even if emergency data has not been specifically set for a phone.
- Flexible E911 Modes: Choose from Caller ID, ClearlyIP Trunking, or Generic PIDF-LO to match your specific infrastructure needs.
- Mass Notification via Code X: Now found under “Advanced Configuration,” Code X can now reach checked-out guest rooms, providing essential coverage during mass notification events.
Modernized Device Management
We’ve streamlined how you manage hardware and connectivity, moving away from legacy constraints toward a more flexible, cloud-ready future.
- Cloud Device Manager (CDM) Integration: The legacy local Endpoint Manager has been replaced by full integration with our cloud-based CDM Portal.
- Broader Device Support: This provides access to a catalog of over 300 SIP endpoints from leading brands, making scaling your network faster than ever.
- Faster Access to New Hardware: Immediately get access to newly supported devices and firmware packages without any software installation.
- More Efficient Deployments: Partners deploying ComXchange can leverage existing device templates to speed up new installations.
Platform and Security Improvements
Security is a moving target and is one of the biggest challenges of managing hospitality platforms. Version 17 delivers big improvements which lets you keep your sites at the cutting-edge.
- Next-Generation OS: An updated underlying operating system provides a more robust security framework and ensures future access to security patches and other OS improvements. (Ubuntu 22 replaces Centos 7.)
- Revamped Backup & Restore module, which now features a simplified configuration for on-demand and scheduled backup/restore jobs. The new Filestore admin module acts as a filesystem abstraction layer, allowing you to set up storage destinations for other modules.
- Enhanced Password Security: Security is bolstered with new settings to define and enforce password strength levels, set expiration dates, and force password resets upon first logins.
- Improved VoIP Framework: ComXchange now exclusively utilizes the PJSIP channel driver, replacing the legacy SIP channel driver, offering superior performance, stability, and device compatibility.
Faster Deployments
Installing complex hospitality environments can be needlessly time consuming. ComXchange v17 introduces several tools to reduce the hassle of manual configurations, making deployments easy.
- Bulk Handler Upgrades: The Bulk Handler module has been supercharged. You can now mass-import Trunks, UCP Templates, Emergency Alerts Device Mappings, PMS Interfaces, Queue Priorities, and Time Groups.
- UCP Templates: A new tab in User Management allows for the creation of UCP Templates, which can be assigned to individual users or entire groups for consistent interface experiences.
Advanced System Insights & Network Diagnostics
Administrators can now perform deep-dive diagnostics without needing to access the command line.
- Network Tools: Diagnostics are now built-in. Administrators can now execute Ping, Trace Path, DNS Lookups, Packet Captures, and more, right from the webUI.
- Storage State module monitors critical system partitions and can trigger automatic email alerts if disk space runs low.
- System Logfiles module: Replacing the “Asterisk Logfiles” module, this new module provides access to all major system logs, including the Operating System’s “messages” log. The new interface now features modern enhancements like auto-highlight, auto-refresh and auto-scroll for a smoother monitoring experience.
Refined Guest & Staff Experience
Version 17 also brings several “quality of life” improvements that make a big difference in daily operations and services:
- Unified Extensions Module: The Extensions module now provides a single-pane-of-glass view for all extensions, including both Hotel Staff and Guest Rooms.
- Dynamic Extension Conversion: A new “Guest Settings” tab within each extension allows administrators to quickly toggle an extension between it being a “Hotel Staff” extension or a “Guest Room” extension.
- External CallerID Lookups: A new CallerID Superfecta module adds incoming name lookups to your system using multiple data sources, ensuring staff always know who is calling.
Experience the Next Generation of ComXchange
ComXchange Version 17 was tailored for the modern hospitality landscape; it’s a commitment to providing a secure, scalable, and user-friendly communication platform tailored for the modern hospitality landscape.
We have created a new Endpoint Provisioning guide for ComXchange 17
Are you ready to elevate your facility’s communications? For more information on upgrading from Version 14 or to see these new features in action, contact our team today or visit our documentation wiki.
