3CX Cloud transcription revoked

[Area69]

We have a 24 SC ENT license and were using the 3cx cloud transcription and summary feature, but now we no longer have access to this feature and is grayed out. When we bought our license there was no ENT + and the AI features were apart of ENT. So now do I have to buy an addon for something we already had?

 

[Evolute IT]

We have a 24 SC ENT license and were using the 3cx cloud transcription and summary feature, but now we no longer have access to this feature and is grayed out. When we bought our license there was no ENT + and the AI features were apart of ENT. So now do I have to buy an addon for something we already had?

The Cloud Transcription was free during the beta period. It was always advertised as such and they always said it would be an addon.

If you wish to keep those features, you will need to upgrade to ENT+ or setup your own GPU rig to run the OnBoard engine. Alternatively, you can also setup OpenAI/Google.

 

[Area69]

The Cloud Transcription was free during the beta period. It was always advertised as such and they always said it would be an addon.

If you wish to keep those features, you will need to upgrade to ENT+ or setup your own GPU rig to run the OnBoard engine. Alternatively, you can also setup OpenAI/Google.

It showed as a beta feature but gave no warning in the console this would not be a continuing feature or that it was removed. Little notice would have been nice.

 

[N_G]

There were plenty of blog articles mentioning it. You got it free of charge for a whole year.

 

[Area69]

There were plenty of blog articles mentioning it. You got it free of charge for a whole year.

I did not get it free for a whole year. When I paid for our subscription the ENT + was not available in September, so we were paying for at the time the top tier. Just frustrated it wasn't mentioned in the admin portal with a simple alert or "!" next to the feature. Now licensing limits are going into effect, and we are required to renew with an even higher SC volume than we need. Of course it was in a "Blog Post", but wasn't shown when we purchase the license, because why would it be. Just an unexpected welcome to this system since the switch.

 

[Alphabetic]

You should be able to upgrade pro rata to the other edition, can you not?

 

[VoIPTools]

We can agree that it is not uncommon for pricing to change for services, or to pay more for certain features. In this case, 3CX made every reasonable effort to explain that the transcriptions were free only for a limited time. That clearly means if you want the feature going forward, you will have help fund the service. I would not be surprised if the license change does not completely cover the actual cost of providing the AI services.

So, how can 3CX move from a "temporary free" trial service, to a funded service? 3CX could implement a charge-up account approach, or send invoices, or fund the service through a change in licensing. I really don't see any other alternatives, do you?

If it makes you feel more comfortable with the change, look at the new licensing requirement as a fixed-fee (rather than a pay-per-transcription) approach for funding the service in place of a monthly charge. It may "feel" like you are being pushed to a higher, more expensive license, but it is really simply a means for covering the new paid service. If you do not want to pay for the service, then you do not need to upgrade to the Enterprise + license. That seems straightforward to me.

 

[N_G]

I did not get it free for a whole year. When I paid for our subscription the ENT + was not available in September, so we were paying for at the time the top tier. Just frustrated it wasn't mentioned in the admin portal with a simple alert or "!" next to the feature. Now licensing limits are going into effect, and we are required to renew with an even higher SC volume than we need. Of course it was in a "Blog Post", but wasn't shown when we purchase the license, because why would it be. Just an unexpected welcome to this system since the switch.

Would you like to get a refund so you can go back to your old system? No problem at all, just let me know.

 

[Guillaume Bourgeois]

It showed as a beta feature but gave no warning in the console this would not be a continuing feature or that it was removed. Little notice would have been nice.

Are you aware that the term “beta” means the feature is still under development ?
In other words, the costs associated with development, maintenance, and support are not yet fully known, as the project is not complete. If you are not familiar with standard Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) terminology, that does not place responsibility on the developer. The “beta” label is, in itself, the warning you’re referring to. Rather than spending time complaining, use that time to do some research.

It has become incredibly easy to get answers now. You do not even need to search anymore, you just have to ask the question.
Let me give you a little help, it might come in handy when evaluating your next beta software .

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Just frustrated it wasn't mentioned

Special mentions:
* Just because it’s blurred doesn’t mean the content is relevant.
* Keep in mind that, regardless of the software, when a feature is labeled “beta,” it means its behavior, availability, or business model may still change.
* Keep in mind that when software is offered as a free “Community Edition,” it usually means certain features are not included in that version.
* Keep in mind that when you buy a gasoline car, future fuel is not included, even if the tank had gas in it at the time of purchase.
* Keep in mind that an “all-you-can-eat” buffet does not mean you can take the kitchen home with you.
* Keep in mind that if the light is red, honking will not turn it green.
* Keep in mind that if you are in a line, pushing will not make you move faster.
* Just because I write it doesn't necessarily make it funny.

 

[Area69]

Are you aware that the term “beta” means the feature is still under development ?
In other words, the costs associated with development, maintenance, and support are not yet fully known, as the project is not complete. If you are not familiar with standard Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) terminology, that does not place responsibility on the developer. The “beta” label is, in itself, the warning you’re referring to. Rather than spending time complaining, use that time to do some research.

It has become incredibly easy to get answers now. You do not even need to search anymore, you just have to ask the question.
Let me give you a little help, it might come in handy when evaluating your next beta software .

View attachment 51387​

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Special mentions:
* Just because it’s blurred doesn’t mean the content is relevant.
* Keep in mind that, regardless of the software, when a feature is labeled “beta,” it means its behavior, availability, or business model may still change.
* Keep in mind that when software is offered as a free “Community Edition,” it usually means certain features are not included in that version.
* Keep in mind that when you buy a gasoline car, future fuel is not included, even if the tank had gas in it at the time of purchase.
* Keep in mind that an “all-you-can-eat” buffet does not mean you can take the kitchen home with you.
* Keep in mind that if the light is red, honking will not turn it green.
* Keep in mind that if you are in a line, pushing will not make you move faster.
* Just because I write it doesn't necessarily make it funny.

Just because something is in beta does not mean it will become a paywalled feature, thank you for your explanation though as someone may find it useful.

 

[Guillaume Bourgeois]

Just because something is in beta does not mean it will become a paywalled feature, thank you for your explanation though as someone may find it useful.

I'm not saying otherwise.
Although this is relatively uncommon when it comes to a completely new and significant service such as AI, we are not dealing with a simple feature or an ordinary function, but with a full-fledged service. However, you stated:

Just frustrated it wasn't mentioned in the admin portal with a simple alert or "!" next to the feature.

I disagree with that point. The term "beta" is, in itself, a form of warning.

Of course it was in a "Blog Post", but wasn't shown when we purchase the license

It is remarkable how readily people avoid accountability by shifting the blame onto the manufacturer..

Did you purchase your license through a 3CX partner ? No? At the very least, take the time to follow 3CX's announcements on their blog. If you choose to operate autonomously, then it is your responsibility to stay informed. Do not limit yourself to an ordering portal alone.

When I buy a new car, I do not rely solely on what is written on the window sticker.
I also ask the representative or salesperson questions about the product BEFORE BUYING. How is this any different ?

If you do not have the time to do so, entrust that responsibility to a professional. That is precisely the role of a 3CX partner. Reputable partners closely monitor announcements and actively participate in the forums. They act as advisors.

A phone system is not a toy. It is an essential tool that requires special attention, particularly in terms of monitoring and security. This should not be taken lightly.

Just because it is easy to install does not mean you do not need an expert !
https://www.3cx.com/ordering/find-reseller/​

 

[VoIPTools]

As a software developer and business owner, I always look closely at where our customers struggle with our software, our ordering process, or interacting with our support team, etc. Regardless of who is at fault, discussions like this are an opportunity to consider whether we can make changes to reduce friction further and to communicate more successfully.

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Logic would suggest that placing a warning in bold red letters adjacent to where you activate a feature, that this would be sufficient to solve the problem and eliminate complaints. That is a false assumption.

Unfortunately, you and I both know that even if you put the warning in huge bold red flashing letters, in multiple places on the screen, and force the user to check a box to acknowledge the warning, there will be a subset of users that "forgets" that they ever acknowledged the warning, and will still complain.

As a programmer, I put significant effort into the layout of our screens. I really hate clutter. Sure, you could add a little warning icon that does not impact the screen layout much, but will any reasonable effort actually solve the problem? I find most people just look for the "activate" button and do not read.

I guess the whole point of my post is to acknowledge the frustration and garbage 3CX has to live with because, in spite of all our efforts to shout from the rooftops coming changes, frequently with very clearly defined deadlines, there will always be people who did not get the memo, and there is no fix for that.