V20 & Windows

[Hayward-i1]

Not sure this is the right thread, but....

I have just received an email saying V20 is now released for Linux and that a Windows installer will be released shortly.

However, it then goes on to say if you are using Windows (which I am), then I will need an Enterprise license (I am a PRO user) however then goes onto say PRO users will upgraded free to Enterprise edition for the duration of the subscription.

But words are a funny thing. What does it mean my duration of the subscription? I have an annual subscription, so do I lose out at the end of the year? or does it mean providing I maintain the license I have now and keep renewing I will keep the Enterprise license????

I know it's semantics, but I do not want to upgrade to V20 only to lose it when my subscription renews and then be left with nothing. And before you ask, yes I can't believe they would cut me off at the end of this year, but I am an IT guy and I see detail and only looking for reassurance.

 

[OlegR_3CX]

@Hayward-i1 Hi there.
This topic was discussed, and you can see more here

 

[Alphabetic]

TLDR - To run v20 and above on Windows you need 3CX ENT. 3CX Pro running on Windows will be upgraded to ENT for the remainder of the sub but will need to be renewed as ENT to continue to run on Windows.

 

[Hayward-i1]

Thank you. Guess the answer is YES you do have to upgrade or go to Linux. As we're exclusive Windows that's disappointing.

 

[Alphabetic]

It shouldnt be so much of a headache, 3CX pretty much give you the OS and PBX in their ISO. If you have a hyperv this should be no problem. Or, on the PC youre running the 3CX on, install the hyperv role and install. Or.... move your 3CX to hosted and job done.

 

[Evolute IT]

Thank you. Guess the answer is YES you do have to upgrade or go to Linux. As we're exclusive Windows that's disappointing.

If you pay for Windows licenses for this, then paying a bit more for 3CX to support it should not be a problem.

 

[Hayward-i1]

There are people who get away with such an attitude but you are not one of them.

Fortunately you are not 3CX and I am happy with their product and have been using it consistently since V9 (2011?)

I never said I had a big issue with it, just it is disappointing as I chose not to go with the Enterprise edition as I didn't need or want the additional functionality.

 

[Evolute IT]

There are people who get away with such an attitude but you are not one of them.

Fortunately you are not 3CX and I am happy with their product and have been using it consistently since V9 (2011?)

I never said I had a big issue with it, just it is disappointing as I chose not to go with the Enterprise edition as I didn't need or want the additional functionality.

I'm on the side of logic. And supporting Windows is more work, more testing, more supporting.

I totally understand why they require Enterprise now.

You can run on Linux for free like most 3CX users, and avoid Enterprise and a Windows license.

 

[Hayward-i1]

I'm on the side of logic. And supporting Windows is more work, more testing, more supporting.

I totally understand why they require Enterprise now.

You can run on Linux for free like most 3CX users, and avoid Enterprise and a Windows license.

Logic you say?

Interesting, I thought 3CX charged for support and we're talking about the license. But what do I know!

 

[Evolute IT]

Logic you say?

Interesting, I thought 3CX charged for support and we're talking about the license. But what do I know!

3CX doesn't charge partners for support, only direct customers. Thus why it's recommended to have a partner.

 

[Hayward-i1]

Hmm, so you're on the side of logic, yet talk about the cost of support when discussing the license fee. Let me think about that for a moment .

TBH, I think someone should have a little chat with the S/w licensing manager. Making Windows installations the premium option is just as good a way of proceeding and they could keep the Pro and Enterprise. However, for me, the only thing I will need to work out is how to stop someone from pausing the recording during the phone call, I didn't want a feature that I then had to block so PRO is/was perfect for me.

Oh, and BTW, 3CX used to have a maintenance cost back when I started using it in 2011, but I have been self supporting so didn't realise that had changed.

 

[NicholasP_3CX]

However, for me, the only thing I will need to work out is how to stop someone from pausing the recording during the phone call,

To be able to do this you will need the Enterprise edition. This is built in

 

[Hayward-i1]

To be able to do this you will need the Enterprise edition. This is built in

View attachment 40188

You are a STAR, thank you

 

[VoIPTools]

As the owner of a commercial software company, providing technical support 24/7/365 is a significant cost. I've been in the industry for over 40 years. I started with CPM (OS) on PCs, and punch cards on the mainframe (CICS). I learned to use OS2/Windows (version 1) without a mouse because a corded mouse in those days cost over $250 and my boss wouldn't pay for it. I later moved to AIX (IBM's version UNIX).

My point is that I've supported Windows for a very, very long time and have been an advocate for Windows most of my career in spite of working with multiple competing operating systems over the years (I've supported many more OS but I'll not bore you further). But you cannot argue (with integrity) with the fact that Linux requires less hardware, runs faster, and is EASIER TO SUPPORT than Windows.

It would seem that 3CX has concluded that if you want to use Windows, and you want 3CX to support that choice, then you are going to need to help fund the extra cost 3CX has to cover supporting the platform. It's never fun to go back to a customer and say the rules have changed, but 3CX operates in a very competitive market and I understand the need to make business adjustments.

 

[Hayward-i1]

As the owner of a commercial software company, providing technical support 24/7/365 is a significant cost. I've been in the industry for over 40 years. I started with CPM (OS) on PCs, and punch cards on the mainframe (CICS). I learned to use OS2/Windows (version 1) without a mouse because a corded mouse in those days cost over $250 and my boss wouldn't pay for it. I later moved to AIX (IBM's version UNIX).

My point is that I've supported Windows for a very, very long time and have been an advocate for Windows most of my career in spite of working with multiple competing operating systems over the years (I've supported many more OS but I'll not bore you further). But you cannot argue (with integrity) with the fact that Linux requires less hardware, runs faster, and is EASIER TO SUPPORT than Windows.

It would seem that 3CX has concluded that if you want to use Windows, and you want 3CX to support that choice, then you are going to need to help fund the extra cost 3CX has to cover supporting the platform. It's never fun to go back to a customer and say the rules have changed, but 3CX operates in a very competitive market and I understand the need to make business adjustments.

Hi, sounds like we are both veterans in the it industry. Personally I started as a software engineer on RSTS/e and also used cpm and mpm, so that should date me in the same period.

Despite my original post, I get the rational and don't really have a problem with it (that's doesn't mean I like it, but there are lots of things in life I don't like ).
However I'm a Windows shop with enough on my plate not to start on another os. Maybe one day I'll get around to Linux and then kick myself for not converting earlier but right now it's a hassle I can do without.

I also don't know the internal politics at 3cx, but it's odd to simply withdraw the pro version for Windows alone.

Am I got to rush out and dump 3cx, no. I like it so I will just pay up but if the differential gets to big maybe it'll encourage me to investigate Linux.

 

[SteveITS]

@Hayward-i1 If you think of it as an appliance it’s simpler. After the install, which is prompted, before switching to the web, there’s really nothing to do. Turn on automatic updates (when desired) and 3CX installs OS updates too. We basically never log in to the servers after that. Just adding a POV.

 

[Hayward-i1]

Hi, sounds like we are both veterans in the it industry. Personally I started as a software engineer on RSTS/e and also used cpm and mpm, so that should date me in the same period.

Despite my original post, I get the rational and don't really have a problem with it (that's doesn't mean I like it, but there are lots of things in life I don't like ).
However I'm a Windows shop with enough on my plate not to start on another os. Maybe one day I'll get around to Linux and then kick myself for not converting earlier but right now it's a hassle I can do without.

I also don't know the internal politics at 3cx, but it's odd to simply withdraw the pro version for Windows alone.

Am I got to rush out and dump 3cx, no. I like it so I will just pay up but if the differential gets to big maybe it'll encourage me to investigate Linux.

@Hayward-i1 If you think of it as an appliance it’s simpler. After the install, which is prompted, before switching to the web, there’s really nothing to do. Turn on automatic updates (when desired) and 3CX installs OS updates too. We basically never log in to the servers after that. Just adding a POV.

I get that, but I would worry I didn't know how to set security properly until someone else found that I didn't and I got hacked and I would worry what to do when there is a problem.

That said, so many are so keen on Linux I may buy a small test rig and start experimenting, perhaps I could reach out to you when I do?

 

[SteveITS]

You can link us as your partner and/or we can set you up as a client, sure. DM me to follow up.

Re security, don’t change anything outside of the 3CX web GUI.

Re recovery, restore from a VM snapshot, or install clean and restore from backup. Otherwise anything “inside” 3CX like a compromised extension password is the same.

 

[aviorama]

As the owner of a commercial software company, providing technical support 24/7/365 is a significant cost. I've been in the industry for over 40 years. I started with CPM (OS) on PCs, and punch cards on the mainframe (CICS). I learned to use OS2/Windows (version 1) without a mouse because a corded mouse in those days cost over $250 and my boss wouldn't pay for it. I later moved to AIX (IBM's version UNIX).

My point is that I've supported Windows for a very, very long time and have been an advocate for Windows most of my career in spite of working with multiple competing operating systems over the years (I've supported many more OS but I'll not bore you further). But you cannot argue (with integrity) with the fact that Linux requires less hardware, runs faster, and is EASIER TO SUPPORT than Windows.

It would seem that 3CX has concluded that if you want to use Windows, and you want 3CX to support that choice, then you are going to need to help fund the extra cost 3CX has to cover supporting the platform. It's never fun to go back to a customer and say the rules have changed, but 3CX operates in a very competitive market and I understand the need to make business adjustments.

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