Xtended Contest entry "Walkthrough of QuickSet"

• Posted by jfarrar on September 1, 2008
• 0 comments

Last entry I made was all about this new thing that I had been working on for the Xtended Contest. Now I will reveal what that application is and provide you with a walkthrough of how it works and where you can download it.

The name of the application is QuickSet. It's an Adobe Air application that allows you to dial out from it and configure several services. The true beauty of the application is it's ability to be run on both Windows, MAC and Linux operating systems. It crosses the divide of compatibility to allow almost every user out there to configure their Broadsoft services without ever having to leave their desktop.

Here is some instructions that I put together to help you get started with it

To get started you would need to go to  http://www.joedeveloper.net/quickset/  and click on the Install Now button.

Does the following window should pop up?


If so please press Open.
If that window doesn’t pop open you may see:



This is the Adobe Air platform that QuickSet runs on. Please press yes.
After this point if you are having any more problems it would be a good time to make sure you have the latest Flash Player and Adobe air.

Flash Player 9.0.115 or higher. (you can get that here: http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer)
Adobe Air 1.1 or higher. (you can get that here: http://get.adobe.com/air/)

After you press open, or press install the adobe air platform the next screen should be:



Please click on “Install”
If this is your first time installing the application you may also see the following screen:


This is an agreement for the Adobe Air platform installation. Please click “I Agree”.
The next screen will ask you about how you would like the application to install. It’s completely optional to put an icon on your desktop. Please click continue to start the installation.



After it finishes installing it should launch the application automatically. If it doesn’t, you can go to your programs or desktop and launch if from there as well.
Once you launch QuickSet for the first time you should see the “Configure your settings” box:


This box needs to have some information filled in: Server, Username and Password. Once that is filled in and you click save it will attempt to connect to the server. Currently the easiest way to test out the application is by having an account on the Broadsoft Xtended Platform by going to http://developer.broadsoft.com , signing up and getting a sandbox account. For instance the server address would be “xsp.xdp.broadsoft.com” excluding the “http://” from the beginning.

The next thing that should happen is the app will load in your services:
To find out how the different services and application work, please continue reading through the guide by going to http://www.joedeveloper.net/quickset/QuickSet_QuickGuide.pdf.

Hope you enjoy the application! Leave some comments and let me know.

Broadsoft Xtended contest announced

• Posted by jfarrar on July 8, 2008
• 0 comments

Let me just start out by saying that today is a great day because of this contest. The reason for this cannot be better illustrated then by going to one of my first blogs on the site here. If you don't have time to read that I'll give you a quick rundown:

 Broadsoft didn't used to have an easy way for any third-party developer to work with their platform.
 No longer is this the case which is why I'm very happy.

I had already said that I think it makes complete sense to allow third-party developers to build against your platform. Granted we haven't seen the greatest success with sites like Facebook or MySpace and their third party developer network. However, before I get attacked for the blasphemy that I just spoke, things ARE getting better. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of good applications on Facebook and MySpace. However, by opening up your platform you do have to watch for the bad applications.

There surely are obstacles to launching an open platform, from the logistics to the legal to the implementation. However, regardless of all of these things Broadsoft has done it and done it well. Their platform is open to any developer who registers and requests a sandbox account. Additionally, there is now added incentive for the developer.

Here's the thing making applications is fun once you finish them, even fun while you are developing them. I'm definitely going to enter a few applications into the contest. I mean who doesn't want cash for what they do. Not only, do you get cash though, you get to be at Broadsoft's annual event called Connections. I've never been to it, but from what I have heard it's a blast. Additionally, it's a great way to network and show you product to potential buyers (carriers, customers etc).

In the short period that I've used Broadsoft Xtended I have been approached by several large service providers. Don't forget that Broadsoft's platform is in places like Cox, Verizon, Sprint; or as they put it:

"BroadSoft provides VoIP applications to 7 of the top 10 and 13 of the top 25 largest carriers worldwide, as measured by recent annual revenue, including Korea Telecom, KPN, SingTel, Sprint, Telefonica de Espana, Telstra, T-Systems, and Verizon"

Additionally, you (developers) don't have to know VoIP or telephony to benefit from this opportunity. Now granted, knowing some terms and how things work is important, but don't worry all of that information is accessible here.

You have until September 2nd, so get to it. Additionally, if you need any help post a question to forums on developer.broadsoft.com. The forums are very active and there are alot of knowledgeable Broadsoft engineers and developers on them answering questions real quick. I'm always interested in a cool web app, so I am looking forward to see what comes of this.

Broadsoft launches Xtended Platform with REST APIs

• Posted by jfarrar on June 26, 2008
• 0 comments

Today, or I should say Yesterday, was a really cool day. Broadsoft officially launched their Xtended Platform, which includes their new RESTful API's called XSI. In my mind this is really awesome for a couple different reasons. From what I know, and what I have researched, there is NO ONE and I mean no one that is doing this in the telecom space. Especially not on the same level and caliber as Broadsoft.

Here you have a carrier-grade VoIP software platform provider who provides VoIP applications to seven of the top 10 and 13 of the top 25 largest carriers worldwide. This was measured by recent annual revenue, including Korea Telecom, KPN, SingTel, Sprint, Telefonica de Espana, Telstra, T-Systems, and Verizon.

Now any developer can access their API platform by going to here and creating an account. What will you have access to? Everything a normal Broadsoft user will have access to, however including the ability to program against their API layer.

What kind's of things can you do with this? Well you can do some simple stuff, for instance turn on or off Do-Not-Disturb. On top of that you have the full ability to build applications around the rest of the some 50+ base function calls.

What kind if things could you build?

• A service configuration portal.
• A call control virtual office.
• A click-to-dial appointment system.
• etc.

You basically have free reign to decide what you want to build. This is really going to open up the floodgate of web based voice 2.0 applications.
On another note it seems that there are skeptics out there regarding whether or not it will be successful. It also appears that the author is partial to Sylantro. Unfortunately, I can't say I had a great experience with Sylantro. Additionally, their developer program never caught traction. However, Broadsoft has already starting showcasing third-party solutions inside their marketplace.

I shouldn't even be linking to this negative article but here goes. Enough with all of the negativity. Do you homework as a blogger/editor and actually read about what's going on. I mean this guy Rich says "So-Called RESTful API".

So-called? What the heck do you mean so-called? It either is or it isn't there is not such thing called "So-Called". And I can tell you personally that it's not so-called. IT IS RESTful. Do your homework. Believe me when I say that there will be some mass market applications as time goes on the produce quite a bit of revenue. There will always be naysayers regarding whether or not something will be successful.

I for one am a developer that takes action and knows something good when I see it. Broadsoft has something good going on, don't miss out.

Go to: http://developer.broadsoft.com/ to signup for a developer account
or
Go to: http://marketplace.broadsoft.com/ to learn about applications already built.

UPDATE: Found this cool polling system called slantly, you can check it out above

Consume your own service

• Posted by jfarrar on May 8, 2008
• 0 comments

So I guess it makes sense to consume your own service and find out how it works. So I have added the click2message application to the right side of the blog. Try it out, it will actually call me (JoeDeveloper) and you can see for yourself how simple and powerful this service can be. We are underway with development to provide users the ability to manage their account on www.click2message.com and post the click2message flash application to alot of different social networking and blog sites.

Also we have updated the blog to be a little more colorful. Stay tuned for more information. We have some cool stuff on the way.

Thanks!
Joseph Farrar

The real JoeDeveloper

Official Click2Message Beta Launch

• Posted by joedeveloper on April 23, 2008
• 0 comments

It's official, we have launched the Click2Message application into beta. We have made some stability changes to the application and are continuing to make sure everything is running smoothly. If anyone needs help or has problems please don't hesitate to add a comment or send an email to click2message@joedeveloper.net.

Keep checking in for updates to the Click2Message application. Shortly we will be unveiling the website. This will allow you to manage your account as well as distribute the application to different social networking sites or even your own website. Additionally we have quite a few new features that we will be rolling out soon. Once again if you have any feedback or want to know more feel free to email us.

There has been some really great press regarding the application lately so please check it out:

http://www.broadsoft.com/Newsroom/Press2008/voip-application-on-facebook.htm

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/080422/0389268.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24255832/

http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/broadsoft-and-joedeveloper-net-mashup-facebook/2008-04-22

Also don't forget that Broadsoft is at Web 2.0 in San Francisco.
Visit the BroadSoft Xtended booth (#220) at Web 2.0 Expo from April 23 to 25 for a live demo of the Click2Message Facebook application.

Thanks!
JoeDeveloper.NET

P.S.
Congratulations to Joseph and his Wife who just had their second child Micah.

Click2Message In Beta

• Posted by jfarrar on March 25, 2008
• 4 comments

Exciting news! Click2Message is now in beta. It's really actually is Alpha but who cares. When you have a team of a few developers it really all works out to be the same thing. So what is this all about and what the heck is Click2Message?

Click2Message is focused on enabling voice communication in the social networking space. It allows you to put a little "widget" on your social profile. This widget allows someone to put in their cell phone or any other phone number and click call. What happens is some cool magic with the Broadsoft platform. Immediately you will get connected to the person who put the widget on their page. This allows you to talk to them without needing to know their number.

Perfect examples are long lost friends, colleagues and more. Currently Click2Message is in Beta so that means there are a lot of things that aren't quite there yet. However, I feel it's better for this application to be shaped by the users and not by the company. Yes, while it ultimately has to be adopted into the application, I believe in user interaction and feedback to make it what you want and have what you want.

So what is there to look forward to in the next couple of months?

Shhh... don't tell anyone just yet:

• Visual Voicemail (meaning you can read your voicemails instead of listening to them. All thanks to simulscribe. this feature will cost... sorry)
• Outbound calling (low cost outbound calling, meaning you can call out from the application)
• Remind me (get pre-scheduled calls to your phone to alert you of an appointment or anything you choose it to be)
• Blast a message (post out a audio file that your friends can listen to)

At least that's the general idea. There's actually a ton more ideas and cool features on the way.

So if this doesn't do the application justice then check it out on facebook.com!

It's currently in a private beta so once you install it you will need to go to http://www.click2message.com and put in a invitation code. The beta is open only to a limited amount of users doing this current phase, so don't wait to sign up. Invitation code is: BETAC2M

In case you are interested in any of the PR that's out there:

http://www.broadsoft.com/xtendedpr/

http://blogs.wsj.com/biztech/2008/03/18/business-software-gets-a-voice-makeover/

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/17/broadsoft-going-up-against-ribbit-with-voip-platform-for-web-apps/

I'm excited to see this appliciation move forward. Its been awhile coming.

Until next time,
Joseph

Cool Stuff

• Posted by jfarrar on October 30, 2007
• 0 comments

CallControl.NET has had it's first official sale to an undisclosed entity. It's exciting to see it's potential and I'm excited to see how it gets integrated into different solutions. Only time will tell whether or not this is a needed solution in the voip industry. In my personal opinion I feel that it has great potential to take off for several reasons.

1. CallControl.NET allows you to integrate the call control functionality of Broadsoft™ into any existing or new .NET windows application.
2. Broadsoft™ continues to rank as one of the top fastest growing technology company Here and Here.

Basically, this component will allow a quicker time to market for new applications with the added call control functionality. Additionally, it provides an easy ability to enhance existing applications.

It's really been a busy month and I'm sure as the holiday's approach it won't slow down. However, I'm excited to see what kind of applications will be developed with this component.