3CX Phone System

Last updated
3CX
Developer(s) 3CX
Stable release
Version 18 Update 8 / September 2023 (September 2023)
Written in C++ and .NET
Operating system Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, IOS, Android
Type Voice over Internet Protocol
License Proprietary
Website www.3cx.com

The 3CXPhone System is the software-based private branch exchange (PBX) phone system developed and marketed by the company, 3CX. The 3CX Phone System is based on the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) standard and enables extensions to make calls via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services on premises, in the cloud, or via a cloud service owned and operated by the 3CX company. The 3CX Phone System is available for Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi [1] [lower-alpha 1] and supports standard SIP soft/hard phones, VoIP services, faxing, voice and web meetings, as well as traditional PSTN phone lines.

Contents

Nick Galea is the CEO and Founder of 3CX. He manages the company alongside key executives: Michael Borg as CTO, Natassia Allery as Global Sales & Support Director, and Ruth Elizabeth Abbott as Operations Director.

History

The product was developed by 3CX, an international VoIP IP PBX software development technology company as an open-standards, software-based PBX. First published as a free IP PBX product in 2006, the product was intended to provide a VoIP product for use in a Microsoft Windows environment. [3]

The first commercial edition of the product was launched in 2007. Reviews of the product have noted its easy configuration, management, and hardware compatibility. [4] [5] [6] [7] Smith on VoIP commented in a blog post about 3CX that it was very easy to use. [8] In 2009, it was featured on the internet TV show Hak5. [9] On 7 June 2017, 3CX released version 15.5 with a feature set from WebRTC video conferencing, presence, chat, voicemail and a new Web Client. In the years that followed, Live Chat, SMS and Facebook integrations were added, as well as the Microsoft Teams in the latest V18.

In March 2023, 3CX announced that their desktop client had been taken over by hackers and spread malware after a supply chain attack. [10] The company has confirmed on their website and their community forum. [11] Also, cybersecurity technology companies CrowdStrike and SentinelOne wrote about this hack on their websites, with CrowdStrike mentioning there is suspected nation-state involvement. [12] [13] In response to this, 3CX appointed Mandiant, a renowned American cyber security firm and subsidiary of Google. With their help, 3CX was able to review this incident in full.

In July 2023, in an effort to cater specifically to the needs of small businesses, 3CX announced the new edition "3CX Small Business". This offering draws upon the company's extensive experience with a global customer base of over 350,000. 3CX Small Business is designed to eliminate common challenges faced by small enterprises in adopting VoIP solutions. It features a user-friendly setup requiring no specialized IT skills, along with a comprehensive suite of functionalities accessible via as web client, mobile apps and desk phones.

Features

3CX Phone System consists of a number of software-based [14] components. The PBX, accessed and managed via a Web Client, PWA, Desktop App, Management & Admin consoles, softphone for Windows, and smartphone clients for iOS and Android.

The phone system can be used with either SIP phones or the clients, or a combination of the two. The PBX provides unified communications functionality including call recordings, multi-level IVR, call center features, voicemail to email, fax to email, integrated video & call conferencing, free live chat, SMS & MMS, inbound WhatsApp messaging, additional integrations with Facebook and a number of CRM platforms.

Release History

VersionBuild NumberRelease date
v18 - Update 818.0.8.939September 2023
v18 - Update 718.0.7.441April 2023
v18 - Update 618.0.6.908February 2023
v18 - Update 518.0.5.415September 2022
v18 - Update 418.0.4.965July 2022
v18 - Update 318.0.3.450February 2022
v18 - Update 218.0.2.307December 2021
v18 - Update 118.0.1.234October 2021
v1818.0.0.1880August 2021
v16 - Update 816.0.8.9February 2021
v16 - Update 716.0.7.1078December 2020
v16 - Update 616.0.6.641August 2020
v16 - Update 516.0.5.611April 2020
v16 - Update 416.0.4.493December 2019
v16 - Update 316.0.3.676October 2019
v16 - Update 216.0.2.9105 July 2019
v16 - Update 116.0.1.27316 May 2019
v1616.0.0.158127 March 2019
v15.5 - Update 615.5.15502.630 August 2018
v15.5 - Update 515.5.13105.51 June 2018
v15.5 - Update 415.5.10244.41 March 2018
v15.5 - Update 315.5.8801.31 January 2018
v15.5 - Update 215.5.6354.21 November 2017
v15.5 - Update 115.5.3849.11 August 2017
v15.515.5.1694.01 July 2017
v15 SP515.0.62928.51 March 2017
v15 SP4609031 December 2016
v15 SP3599501 October 2016
v15 SP2593811 October 2016
v15 SP1567721 July 2016
v15560081 July 2016
v14 SP3491691 February 2016
v14 SP2470201 December 2015
v14 SP1458261 October 2015
v14442411 September 2015
v12.512.5.37957.88021 October 2014
v12 SP636097.676 June 2014
v12 SP535528.645 May 2014
v12 SP434902.64 March 2014
v12 SP333517.4653 November 2013
v12 SP232816.3972 October 2013
v12 SP132495.3621 September 2013
v11 SP41 February 2013
v11 SP31 December 2012
v11 SP21 November 2012
v11 SP11 September 2012
v111 July 2012
v10 SP610.240181 February 2012
v10 SP510.226861 December 2011
v10 SP410.220521 November 2011
v10 SP310.211971 September 2011
v10 SP210.204011 July 2011
v10 SP110.195471 May 2011
v1010.191171 March 2011
v09 SP49.1490110 November 2010
v09 SP39.1450716 October 2010
v09 SP19.137631 July 2010
v08 - Update 48.0.1082429 January 2010
v088.0.94142 October 2009
v07.107.01.658917 April 2009
v077.0.42494 December 2008
v06.16.1.179312 September 2008
v066.0.61223 June 2008

Table created according to the "3CX Phone System Build History". [15]

See also

Notes

  1. 3CX stopped Support for Raspberry Pi-Based PBX Systems. They may still be used as SBCs [2]

Related Research Articles

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also called IP telephony, is a method and group of technologies for voice calls, the delivery of voice communication sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asterisk (PBX)</span> PBX software

Asterisk is a software implementation of a private branch exchange (PBX). In conjunction with suitable telephony hardware interfaces and network applications, Asterisk is used to establish and control telephone calls between telecommunication endpoints, such as customary telephone sets, destinations on the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and devices or services on voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks. Its name comes from the asterisk (*) symbol for a signal used in dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) dialing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skype for Business Server</span> Real-time communications server software

Skype for Business Server is real-time communications server software that provides the infrastructure for enterprise instant messaging, presence, VoIP, ad hoc and structured conferences and PSTN connectivity through a third-party gateway or SIP trunk. These features are available within an organization, between organizations and with external users on the public internet or standard phones.

Sipgate, stylised as sipgate, is a European VoIP and mobile telephony operator.

Wengo was at the beginning of 2004 a subsidiary of French telecom service provider Neuf Cegetel. As of February 2012, Wengo employs 80 people in the Paris headquarters, and is a subsidiary of Vivendi. Wengo is now repositioned as an online personal and consulting services marketplace.

This is a comparison of voice over IP (VoIP) software used to conduct telephone-like voice conversations across Internet Protocol (IP) based networks. For residential markets, voice over IP phone service is often cheaper than traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) service and can remove geographic restrictions to telephone numbers, e.g., have a PSTN phone number in a New York area code ring in Tokyo.

Mobile VoIP or simply mVoIP is an extension of mobility to a voice over IP network. Two types of communication are generally supported: cordless telephones using DECT or PCS protocols for short range or campus communications where all base stations are linked into the same LAN, and wider area communications using 3G or 4G protocols.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jitsi</span> Videoconferencing and messaging software

Jitsi is a collection of free and open-source multiplatform voice (VoIP), video conferencing and instant messaging applications for the Web platform, Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android. The Jitsi project began with the Jitsi Desktop. With the growth of WebRTC, the project team focus shifted to the Jitsi Videobridge for allowing web-based multi-party video calling. Later the team added Jitsi Meet, a full video conferencing application that includes web, Android, and iOS clients. Jitsi also operates meet.jit.si, a version of Jitsi Meet hosted by Jitsi for free community use. Other projects include: Jigasi, lib-jitsi-meet, Jidesha, and Jitsi.

Zultys, Inc. is a privately owned software company headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. It develops unified communications products and integrated desktop IP phones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft Response Point</span>

Microsoft Response Point was an advanced software-based telephone system developed by Microsoft. Response Point, a PBX system targeting small businesses with less than 50 employees, was launched in March 2007, with systems available on the market in the fourth quarter of that year. Response Point is VoIP-based, and uses SIP as its signaling and call setup protocol. Response Point supports voicemail and multi-party calling in addition to two party VoIP calls. Response Point features innovative voice recognition technology to manage calls and voice mail. Voicemail messages can, optionally, be sent to e-mail where they can be retrieved and archived. Response Point voice dialing can work with the Response Point phone directory which is currently limited to 1100 contacts per user. Contacts may be imported from the Windows Address Book or Microsoft Outlook. Response Point automatically detects gateways and phones connected to the network.

An IP PBX is a system that connects telephone extensions to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and provides internal communication for a business. An IP PBX is a PBX system with IP connectivity and may provide additional audio, video, or instant messaging communication utilizing the TCP/IP protocol stack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elastix</span>

Elastix is a unified communications server software that brings together IP PBX, email, IM, faxing and collaboration functionality. It has a Web interface and includes capabilities such as a call center software with predictive dialing.

Iristel is a Canadian provider of telecommunication services that is a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC). The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Markham, Ontario.

Aculab is a privately held, UK-based limited company that was founded in 1978. It is a designer, developer and manufacturer that specialises in providing API-driven, enabling technology sub-systems for telecommunications related OEM products such as are used in fixed line PSTN, wireless and VoIP networks. Aculab's products are sold worldwide, primarily through direct sales and also via the reseller channel. Aculab's headquarters and R&D facilities are located in Milton Keynes, UK. It has a branch office in Norwood, Massachusetts, USA.

SunComm Technology is a Taiwan multinational computer technology and GSM Voice over IP gateway manufacturer. The main products in 2010 focused on GSM VoIP gateways & IP surveillance camera devices. Core members have been engaging in the communication & networks industry since 1977.

VaxTele SIP Server SDK is a complete development toolkit, which allows software vendors and Internet telephony service providers (ITSP) to develop SIP Server and (SIP) Session Initiation Protocol based VoIP systems for Microsoft Windows to install computer to computer voice chat, chat rooms, IVR systems, call center services, calling card services, dial/receive computer to PSTN and mobile phone calling services.

Dialexia Communications, Inc. is a privately held Canadian corporation headquartered in Montréal, Quebec, that develops, manufactures, and sells VoIP-based Telecommunication products and services.

Dial-Gate VoIP Softswitch is a SIP-based IP-PBX software for businesses, first released in 2006 by Canadian VoIP PBX solution provider Dialexia. The software serves as a web-based softswitch and billing server for VoIP and PSTN networks. On June 3, 2014, the Dialexia development team announced in a client newsletter that support for Dial-Gate Softswitch versions 3.9 and earlier would cease effective September 1, 2014. The company advised customers to migrate to a currently-supported operating system in order to receive future security updates & technical support.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3CX</span> Cyprus software company

3CX is a software development company and developer of the 3CX Phone System, an all-in-one business communication system that includes phone calls, video conferencing, live chat, Facebook and inbound WhatsApp messaging integration.

References

  1. "Install your PBX on a credit card size Raspberry Pi device". 3CX. 2019-02-22. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  2. "Raspberry Pi4 PBX Users: Migrate to StartUP". 3CX. 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  3. Alexis Argent (2009-09-30). "VoIP Uncovered » Why 3CX? Interview with Nick Galea, the CEO of 3CX". Blog.voipon.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  4. "Latest Topics | ZDNet". Reviews.zdnet.co.uk. 2015-06-30. Archived from the original on 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  5. "3CX - 3CX Phone System for Windows review". IT Reviews. Unusual Publishing Ltd. 2008-04-14. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2018-06-18.}
  6. "Unified Communications". Vipplanet.com. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  7. Wright, Karl. "3CX Phone System Free Edition [Computer Shopper]". expertreviews.co.uk. Dennis Publishing Limited. Archived from the original on 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
  8. "3CX Review | DIY PBX". Smithonvoip.com. Archived from the original on 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  9. "Episode 503 – Build a free VoIP PBX in under 10 minutes – Start programming a USB Dev Board for less than $20 | Technolust since 2005". Hak5.org. Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  10. Jourdan, Pierre (2023-03-30). "3CX DesktopApp Security Alert". 3CX. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  11. "3CX DesktopApp Security Alert". 3CX Forums. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  12. CrowdStrike (2023-03-29). "CrowdStrike Prevents 3CXDesktopApp Intrusion Campaign". crowdstrike.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  13. Guerrero-Saade, Juan Andrés (2023-03-29). "SmoothOperator | Ongoing Campaign Trojanizes 3CXDesktopApp in Supply Chain Attack". SentinelOne. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  14. "3CX Review | Under the Lid of the Software Revolution". www.uctoday.com. 2017-04-18. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  15. "3CX Phone System Build History". www.3cx.com. Retrieved 2018-05-07.