Solution providers serving the SMB space often don’t have the breadth of technology choices that their enterprise brethren do. Many times their customers have to settle with what’s available, receiving far fewer benefits of the technology than what larger customers enjoy.

That was especially true with unified communications. But pair a few companies who have the right combination of technology, and even the smallest of small businesses are provided the ability to take advantage of the features, functions and benefits that UC offers. Case in point: Grandstream and Broadvox, which have partnered to present a plug-and-play, turnkey UC solution targeted at both SMB and enterprise environments.

The two channel-friendly companies have announced that Grandstream Networks’ GXV3140 IP multimedia CPE device will be deployed with Broadvox’s GO! SIP Trunking, creating a solution that enables companies to add videoconferencing and telepresence capabilities to their existing infrastructure.

GO! SIP Trunking sends calls over the Broadvox national network, providing users with free local and discounted long distance calling, as well as features including direct inward dialing and local number portability. It works with both IP PBX and legacy CPE technology.

The GXV3140 is Grandstream’s everything-but-the-kitchen-sink IP CPE device, featuring a 4.3-inch digital color LCD screen and an integrated web browser. Users have one-touch access to personalized real-time online information services such as videos, RSS updates, stock, currencies and weather. In addition, the GVX3140 integrates thousands of Internet radio stations and some major online video and music services such as Youtube and Last.fm.

The device also supports instant messaging through Yahoo, MSN, Google and QQ; major online photo sites such as Yahoo Flickr, Photobucket and Phanfare; social networks including Facebook and Twitter. It comes equipped with an alarm clock, calendar, games and music ringtones.

What is perhaps the most compelling feature of this system is the fact that it runs concurrently with existing communications networks, so customers don’t have to rip and replace to enjoy the benefits of unified communications. Of course, that’s also an option, since Broadvox’s GO! SIP Trunking offers all the features of a full-boat communications system. But a UC system that is layered on top of and runs separately from a company’s existing network may be an easier sell to those customers on the fence about UC technology – especially those in the SMB space.

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