Windows client and click2chat functionality

[perfect-touch]

It's been two years since I evaluated 3cx for our company.

I've come back to check out V16 and have installed/licensed the pro version.

Everything is looking good so far - must say, I *loved* the web click2chat function with one small problem. Fine on the webclient and ios client (we don't have Android to test). But on the windows client which is our preferred solution - the username/email passed by the remote user appears as a weird GUID-type thing.

I am desperately hoping that work is still ongoing with the Windows client. Whilst the webclient is very good, I just don't see our users growing to like it.

 

[VoIPTools]

3CX has held the future of 3CX Phone for Windows pretty close to the chest. What I can tell you is that at best it is depreciated, and at worst, it is on the way out. Here is what I know:

• 3CX has said no new features will be added. All new features will be added to the web client.
  
  
• 3CX has removed links to the 3CX Phone for Windows download from the welcome email
  
  
• 3CX has removed all of their CRM plugins for 3CX phone from their website and I'm not sure if they are still even supported

It is very clear that 3CX is pushing everyone to the web client, and for good reason. As a developer myself, I know how much effort is required to support multiple applications. If 3CX can migrate everyone to the web client, then they have one client that works on Windows, MAC and even Linux? Consolidating all their clients down to one would free up a huge amount of developer and support resources and free them up to build new features. I would do precisely the same thing.

Having said that, I am a big fan of 3CX Phone for Windows. I will be sad when the day comes that it is retired. Whether that happens this year, or in 5 years is unknown, but the writing is on the wall -- 3CX Phone for Windows will likely go away at some point. I hope I'm wrong, but that's where I would put my bet.

 

[VoIPTools]

In case you missed it:

On March 25, 2020 Nick Galea, CTO and Founder of 3CX had this to say about 3CX Phone for Windows:

The links are going back in Update 5. It was never the intention to discontinue a windows softphone but rather make the client more like a softphone. That said, in update 5 we have put a lot of work into the current Windows client – updating its libraries, fixing issues and making it more efficient, with a view to keeping it as a client for the coming years.

On March 31, 2020, a 3CX newsletter stated:

We also decided to update and improve the Windows client. We integrated our new APIs, updated its libraries, fixed outstanding issues and made it much more efficient. All with a view to keep it as a client for the coming years. More improvements are planned such as bringing CSTA support to it.
Update 5 should be released by the end of the month and it’s important to update as soon as possible this time. Plan for it now.

 

[neville]

I am using the windows client on my test server with the latest beta and it is working wonderfully. Thanks 3CX for continuing to support and improve it. Many of our clients have used it for years and love it.

Chuck

 

[perfect-touch]

I am using the windows client on my test server with the latest beta and it is working wonderfully. Thanks 3CX for continuing to support and improve it. Many of our clients have used it for years and love it.

Chuck - when you say it works wonderfully - is the problem with live chat messages appearing with a GUID in place of the customer's name in the Windows client fixed?

 

[neville]

I have not seen that issue.

Chuck

 

[perfect-touch]

Chuck, sorry... just to confirm... if a customer clicks on the WP live chat on a website, when their message comes in on a 3cx windows app client, the name they used when the signed onto live chat is displayed?

 

[neville]

It shows the name of the person starting the Chat on the WordPress site. I sent you a message if you want to test it.

Chuck

 

[perfect-touch]

Chuck - you're an absolute star - thanks for the offer of help and patiently testing with me.

 

[neville]

You are welcome.