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{{Short description|Canadian communications company}}
{{Infobox Company |
{{Orphan|date=July 2023}}
company_name = TalkSwitch, Inc.|

company_logo = [[Image:2007 TalkSwitch 2c logo.png|317px]]|
{{Cleanup press release|date=August 2010}}
company_type = [[Private company|Private]]|
{{Infobox company
company_slogan = Answers With Intelligence|
| name = TalkSwitch
foundation = [[1990]] |
| logo = 2007 TalkSwitch 2c logo.png
location_city = [[Ottawa, Ontario|Ottawa]], [[Ontario]] |
| logo_size = 150px
location_country = [[Canada]] |
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
key_people = President and CEO: [[Jan Scheeren (CEO)|Jan Scheeren]]|
| foundation = 1990
industry = [[Telecommunications]]|
| location_city = [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]]
products = Telephone systems for small businesses, analog and IP telephones, productivity applications|
| location_country = [[Canada]]
revenue = {{profit}} Private|
| key_people = President and CEO: Jan Scheeren
num_employees = 65 ([[2007]])<!--November 2007-->|
| industry = [[Telecommunications]]
homepage = [http://www.talkswitch.com/ www.talkswitch.com]
| products = Telephone systems for small businesses, Analog and IP telephones, Productivity applications
| num_employees = 65 (2007)<!--November 2007-->
| parent = https://www.fortinet.com/
}}
}}
TalkSwitch designs and builds hybrid IP and traditional PBX telephone systems for the small and multi-location business market.


'''TalkSwitch''' was a company that designed and built telephone systems for [[small business|small]] and multi-location businesses. The company's [[Private branch exchange]] (PBX) and hybrid IP-PBX products enable communication over [[PSTN|telephone]] and [[VoIP|Voice over IP (VoIP)]] networks.
==Corporate history==
TalkSwitch was founded (as Centrepoint Technologies) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in 1990 by entrepreneurs Jan Scheeren and Glen Collie. The men recognized that traditional telephone system manufacturers had been largely ignoring the small business market, forcing those companies to settle for scaled down versions of their big business systems, and set out to see if they could do better.


==Corporate history==
They realized that to adequately meet the needs of the small business a new approach was necessary. Scaling down a phone system intended for a large business wasn’t enough. Small businesses have unique needs requiring a unique solution, so they set out to build a new kind of phone system, from the ground up, specifically to meet those needs.
TalkSwitch was founded in [[Ottawa, Ontario]], [[Canada]] in 1990 by entrepreneurs Jan Scheeren and Glen Collie. The men recognized that traditional telephone system manufacturers had been largely ignoring the [[small business]] market, forcing those companies to settle for scaled down versions of their big business systems. They worked on a system that would be less expensive than a traditional PBX system and could be installed, configured and maintained by its end users. TalkSwitch was acquired by Fortinet in April 2011.<ref>Roesler, Kelly (March 27, 2008). "Reinventing the telephone to stay ahead". Ottawa Citizen. http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=f8a22e43-20d4-4688-b3fa-f0c959a1c4ff retrieved 2008-10-30</ref>


The company launched the Concero Switchboard in 1997. The Concero was a small PBX with capacity for 2 incoming phone lines and 4 local extensions. It provided automatic fax detection, automated attendants, built-in voicemail and a host of other features that were beneficial to small businesses.
The company launched the Concero Switchboard in 1996. The Concero was a small [[Private branch exchange|PBX]] with capacity for 2 incoming [[telephone line|phone lines]] and 4 local [[Extension (telephone)|extensions]]. It provided automatic [[fax]] detection, [[automated attendant]]s, built-in [[voicemail]] and a host of other features that were beneficial to small businesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.podsqod.com/2007/12/05/podsqod-holiday-product-roundup-part-iii/|title=PodSqod Holiday Product Roundup - Part III|date=December 2005|publisher=PodSqod|accessdate=2008-10-30|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511220703/http://www.podsqod.com/2007/12/05/podsqod-holiday-product-roundup-part-iii/|archivedate=2008-05-11}}</ref> It received several awards but did not sell well due to lack of exposure.


The company built on the success of the Concero Switchboard, and launched the TalkSwitch line in 2000. TalkSwitch systems offered an expanded feature set over what Concero had, and were designed to grow with a user’s business. They were also built on a new software platform that allowed the company to launch its first [[VoIP|Voice over IP]] products in March of 2004.
Centerpoint Technologies launched the TalkSwitch line in 2000. Building this new system from the ground up, TalkSwitch systems offered an expanded feature set over what Concero had, and were designed to grow with a user's business. The sales of this system were much better because they were able to gain a high ranking on Google. They were also built on a new software platform that allowed the company to launch its first [[VoIP|Voice over IP]] products in March 2004. {{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}


In November of 2006, the company introduced its TalkSwitch VS line, which added new expansion and configuration options. For the first time, customers could set local extensions as either analog or IP, establishing TalkSwitch as one of the first truly hybrid systems on the market.
In November 2006, the company introduced its TalkSwitch VS line, which added new expansion and configuration options. For the first time, customers could set local [[Extension (telephone)|extensions]] as either analog or [[IP phone|IP]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voipplanet.com/solutions/article.php/3681046|title=New Hybrid Phone System for Very Small Businesses|last=Stevenson|first=Ted |date=June 1, 2007|publisher=VoIP Planet|accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref> establishing TalkSwitch as one of the first truly hybrid systems on the market. {{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}


TalkSwitch systems are designed to be easy to use. They are meant to be installed, configured and maintained by the end-user, and they are priced to fit small business budgets. They can be used as standalone devices, or in a network and can combine both traditional telephone lines and VoIP services, using analog and/or IP phones. The company has interoperability partnerships with a number of leading VoIP service providers including [http://www.primus.com Primus], [http://www.babytel.ca BabyTel], [http://www.broadvoice.com BroadVoice], [http://www.callserve.com Callserve], [http://www.cbeyond.com CBeyond], [http://www.covad.com Covad], and [http://www.surewest.com SureWest].
They can be used as standalone devices, or in a network and can combine both traditional [[telephone line]]s and [[ITSP|VoIP services]], using analog and/or [[IP phone]]s. The company has interoperability partnerships with a number of leading [[VoIP]] [[Telecommunications Service Provider|service providers]] including [[Primus Telecom|Primus]], [[Covad]], [[Bandwidth.com]], [[Broadvoice]] and [[SureWest]]{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}.


TalkSwitch was acquired by [[Fortinet]] in April 2011, and in 2012 its products are sold as the FortiVoice product line.
==Corporate affairs==
The company has its corporate headquarters in [[Ottawa, Ontario]].

===Executives===
[[Jan Scheeren (CEO)|Jan Scheeren]] is currently the president, and [[CEO]].

Other senior executives including:
*[[Glen Collie]] - Vice President, Engineering

==Products and services==

TalkSwitch PBX systems are designed for businesses with between 2 and 64 telephone users per office location. Systems are available with a wide range of capacity and configuration options starting as small as 2 lines and 4 extensions. TalkSwitch systems are designed to be networked together, and all come with the ability to set local extensions as either analog or IP, allowing users to customize the systems to fit their specific business needs.

TalkSwitch systems are different from other phone systems. They are designed to be owner-friendly, meaning even a small business person with no technical training can install a system; and vendor-friendly, meaning TalkSwitch resellers can easily bundle TalkSwitch systems with other equipment, and that they don’t need to do expensive truck rolls to support systems they’ve deployed.

TalkSwitch also offers its own line of telephone handsets that are designed for easy integration with its phone systems.

TalkSwitch products are distributed through a network of value added resellers or directly via the company website at [http://www.talkswitch.com www.talkswitch.com].

=== PBX products ===

TalkSwitch currently offers 12 hybrid IP PBX models:
* 240vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001124001US description] which offers capacity for 2 incoming phone lines and 16 local extensions (4 analog or IP; 12 pure IP)
* 244vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001124401 description] which offers capacity for 2 incoming lines, 16 local extension (4 analog or IP; 12 pure IP) and 4 VoIP trunks
* 248vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001124801 description] which has capacity for 2 incoming phone lines, 16 local extensions (4 analog or IP; 12 pure IP) and 8 VoIP trunks
* 280vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001128001 description] which offers capacity for 2 incoming phone lines and 16 local extensions (8 analog or IP; 8 pure IP)
* 284vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001128401 description] which has capacity for 2 incoming phone lines, 16 local extensions (8 analog or IP; 8 pure IP) and 4 VoIP trunks
* 288vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001128801 description] with capacity for 2 incoming phone lines, 16 local extensions (8 analog or IP; 8 pure IP) and 8 VoIP trunks
* 480vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001148001 description] with capacity for 4 incoming phone lines and 16 local extensions (8 analog or IP; 8 pure IP)
* 484vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001148401 description] with capacity for 4 incoming phone lines, 16 local extensions (8 analog or IP; 8 pure IP) and 4 VoIP trunks
* 488vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001148801 description] with capacity for 4 incoming phone lines, 16 local extensions (8 analog or IP; 8 pure IP) and 8 VoIP trunks
* 840vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001184001 description] which offers capacity for 8 incoming phone lines and 16 local extensions (4 analog or IP; 12 pure IP)
* 844vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001184401 description] with capacity for 8 incoming phone lines, 16 local extensions (4 analog or IP; 12 pure IP) and 4 VoIP trunks
* 848vs [http://shop.talkswitch.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CTTS001184801 description] with capacity for 8 incoming phone lines, 16 local extensions (4 analog or IP; 12 pure IP) and 8 VoIP trunks


===Partial list of software products===
===Partial list of software products===
In April of 2007, TalkSwitch introduced its [http://www.talkswitch.com/news/press/talkswitch_ac.aspx Attendant Console] application, the first software application built to augment its line of phone systems. The Attendant Console allows users to monitor and manage calls directly from their PCs, without requiring any additional hardware.
In April 2007, TalkSwitch introduced its ''Attendant Console'' application, the first software application built to augment its line of phone systems. The Attendant Console allows users to monitor and manage calls directly from their PCs, without requiring any additional hardware.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/290147941888332.php |title=TalkSwitch launches new hardware, software lines |date=October 26, 2007 |publisher=Ottawa Business Journal |accessdate=2008-10-30 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724203520/http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/290147941888332.php |archivedate=July 24, 2008 }}</ref>


In August of 2007 the company then launched its [http://www.talkswitch.com/news/press/call_reporting.aspx Call Reporting Software], which is used to generate detailed reports on all telephone system activity. Every activity on a TalkSwitch system can be tracked and reported on. Users are able to assign built-in account codes so they can accurately bill clients for telephone charges, and management can monitor the real-time call activity of particular departments.
In August 2007 the company then launched its ''Call Reporting Software'', which is used to generate detailed reports on all telephone system activity. Every activity on a TalkSwitch system can be tracked and reported on. Users are able to assign built-in account codes so they can accurately bill clients for telephone charges, and management can monitor the real-time call activity of particular departments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fusix.com/news.html?id=166|title=TalkSwitch Call Reporting|date=August 7, 2007|publisher=Fusix|accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref>


==References==
== Major Partners and Resellers ==
<!-- -->
<!-- Please do not change alphabetical sort order (by company name)-->
<!-- -->
TalkSwitch systems are available directly from TalkSwitch’s e-commerce site, or through a network of resellers and distributors around the globe. Major North American reseller partners include:


{{Reflist}}
*[[Amazon.com]]
*[http://www.BestDealTalk.com Platinum-Partner with Nationwide Installation] - TCE Company, Inc
*[[CDW]]
*[http://www.crossoverdistribution.com Crossover Distribution]
*[http://www.dandh.com D&H Distributors]
*[http://www.dataphone.com.mx/ Dataphone] - Mexican Distributor
*[http://www.fandis.com.mx/ Fandis S.A. de C.V.] - Mexican Distributor
*[http://www.hellodirect.com Hello Direct / Jabra]
*[http://www.imecotelecom.com Groupe Imeco] - Canadian Distributor
*[http://www.neobits.com Neobits] - Talkswitch Platinum Partner
*[[Newegg]]
*[http://www.powersystemsdirect.com Power Systems]
*[http://www.telsanet.com/ TELSA] - Mexican Distributor
*[http://www.whiteradio.com White Radio] - Canadian Distributor


==See also==
==External links==
[http://support.neobits.com Talkswitch support, forums] - Neobits support site <br>
[http://var.neobits.com Talkswitch reseller site] - Neobits reseller site <br>
<!-- [http://blog.sohopbxconsulting.biz SOHO PBX Consulting Talkswitch blog] - Features, tips, and more -->


==References==
==External links==
<!-- -->
<!-- Do not add forum, reseller, spam links to this article -->
<!-- Do not add forum, reseller, spam links to this article -->
*[http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2007/041707gearhead.html Hybrid VoIP telephony product review] - Network World, April 17, 2007
<!-- -->
*[http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Infrastructure/POTS-Reaches-Out-and-Touches-VOIP/ POTS reaches out and touches VoIP - TalkSwitch product review] - eWEEK, February 16, 2007
*[http://www.talkswitch.com TalkSwitch website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070813201355/http://www.vonmag-digital.com/vonmag/200701/?pg=13 TalkSwitch: VoIP at the Edge of the World] - VON Magazine, January 1, 2007
*[http://www.phoneplusmag.com/hotnews/79h7144353.html Phone+ Magazine] - TalkSwitch, the Right move for [[MaidPro]]
*[http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/Comm_Network/News.asp?id=39017 Mining Exploration with TalkSwitch] - Communications and Networking, April 11, 2006
*[http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2007/041707gearhead.html Network World Magazine] - Hybrid VoIP Products review
*[http://www.phoneplusmag.com/hotnews/79h7144353.html TalkSwitch, the right move for MaidPro ] - Phone+ Magazine, September 7, 2007
*[http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2095615,00.asp eWEEK Magazine] - [[POTS]] reaches out and touches VoIP
*[http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/testdrive/article.php/3506276 A Big-Biz phone system for SMBs] - Small Business Computing, May 19, 2005
*[http://www.vonmag-digital.com/vonmag/200701/?pg=13 VON Magazine] - TalkSwitch: VoIP at the Edge of the World
*[http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/290147941888332.php Ottawa Business Journal] - TalkSwitch launches new hardware, software lines
*[http://internetcommunications.tmcnet.com/topics/broadband-mobile/articles/13034-talkswitch-unveils-new-ip-telephone-handsets-new-hybrid.htm Internet Telephony Magazine] - TalkSwitch Unveils new IP Telephone handsets and Hybrid IP PBXs
*[https://www.edc.ca/english/publications_13520.htm ExportWise Magazine] - Focus on the Mid-Atlantic market


{{DEFAULTSORT:Talkswitch}}
[[Category:Companies established in 1990]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies established in 1990]]
[[Category:Networking hardware companies]]
[[Category:VoIP companies of Canada]]
[[Category:VoIP companies]]
[[Category:VoIP hardware]]

Latest revision as of 02:44, 12 November 2023

TalkSwitch
Company typePrivate
IndustryTelecommunications
Founded1990
Headquarters
Ottawa, Ontario
,
Canada
Key people
President and CEO: Jan Scheeren
ProductsTelephone systems for small businesses, Analog and IP telephones, Productivity applications
Number of employees
65 (2007)
Parenthttps://www.fortinet.com/

TalkSwitch was a company that designed and built telephone systems for small and multi-location businesses. The company's Private branch exchange (PBX) and hybrid IP-PBX products enable communication over telephone and Voice over IP (VoIP) networks.

Corporate history

[edit]

TalkSwitch was founded in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in 1990 by entrepreneurs Jan Scheeren and Glen Collie. The men recognized that traditional telephone system manufacturers had been largely ignoring the small business market, forcing those companies to settle for scaled down versions of their big business systems. They worked on a system that would be less expensive than a traditional PBX system and could be installed, configured and maintained by its end users. TalkSwitch was acquired by Fortinet in April 2011.[1]

The company launched the Concero Switchboard in 1996. The Concero was a small PBX with capacity for 2 incoming phone lines and 4 local extensions. It provided automatic fax detection, automated attendants, built-in voicemail and a host of other features that were beneficial to small businesses.[2] It received several awards but did not sell well due to lack of exposure.

Centerpoint Technologies launched the TalkSwitch line in 2000. Building this new system from the ground up, TalkSwitch systems offered an expanded feature set over what Concero had, and were designed to grow with a user's business. The sales of this system were much better because they were able to gain a high ranking on Google. They were also built on a new software platform that allowed the company to launch its first Voice over IP products in March 2004. [citation needed]

In November 2006, the company introduced its TalkSwitch VS line, which added new expansion and configuration options. For the first time, customers could set local extensions as either analog or IP,[3] establishing TalkSwitch as one of the first truly hybrid systems on the market. [citation needed]

They can be used as standalone devices, or in a network and can combine both traditional telephone lines and VoIP services, using analog and/or IP phones. The company has interoperability partnerships with a number of leading VoIP service providers including Primus, Covad, Bandwidth.com, Broadvoice and SureWest[citation needed].

TalkSwitch was acquired by Fortinet in April 2011, and in 2012 its products are sold as the FortiVoice product line.

Partial list of software products

[edit]

In April 2007, TalkSwitch introduced its Attendant Console application, the first software application built to augment its line of phone systems. The Attendant Console allows users to monitor and manage calls directly from their PCs, without requiring any additional hardware.[4]

In August 2007 the company then launched its Call Reporting Software, which is used to generate detailed reports on all telephone system activity. Every activity on a TalkSwitch system can be tracked and reported on. Users are able to assign built-in account codes so they can accurately bill clients for telephone charges, and management can monitor the real-time call activity of particular departments.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Roesler, Kelly (March 27, 2008). "Reinventing the telephone to stay ahead". Ottawa Citizen. http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=f8a22e43-20d4-4688-b3fa-f0c959a1c4ff retrieved 2008-10-30
  2. ^ "PodSqod Holiday Product Roundup - Part III". PodSqod. December 2005. Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  3. ^ Stevenson, Ted (June 1, 2007). "New Hybrid Phone System for Very Small Businesses". VoIP Planet. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  4. ^ "TalkSwitch launches new hardware, software lines". Ottawa Business Journal. October 26, 2007. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  5. ^ "TalkSwitch Call Reporting". Fusix. August 7, 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
[edit]
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