Snom, a manufacturer of VoIP solutions, has highlighted the development and benefits of its hosted provisioning service, SRAPS, which has been operational since 2019, for value added resellers (VARs) and IT specialists.
In the telecommunications sector, IP service providers often encounter challenges in configuring and maintaining a multitude of IP end devices, tasks that are both time-consuming and costly. Snom's SRAPS was introduced as a successor to the Redirection Server (RDS) to ease these challenges associated with IP PBXs and device management. Unlike a redirection server, SRAPS provides a hosted provisioning service that supports automated installation and management of IP phones, even remotely.
Mark Wiegleb, Head of Customer Success at Snom, stated, "Drop-shipment models are based on systems such as SRAPS. Service providers would not be able to offer and scale their services in the same way if service staff had to install the phones on site and configure them individually." Currently, approximately 95% of all installed Snom phones are commissioned via SRAPS.
Snom has continually invested in the optimisation and development of the SRAPS platform. Key improvements include enhancing security features and creating a comprehensive REST API to enable seamless integration into existing systems and processes. This facilitates customisation of IP end devices with specific settings before receiving provisioning data from the PBX, allowing for tasks such as firmware updates, user interface customisation, and the automatic import of client certificates or XML telephone directories to be carried out efficiently. To ensure account protection and prevent unauthorised access, SRAPS also includes multi-factor authentication.
The platform's capabilities have contributed to an increase in the popularity of IP end devices, particularly in larger projects over the past five years. SRAPS's compliance with GDPR and the fact that all data is stored in Germany are significant factors for organisations prioritising data security and privacy.
"The advantages for providers and service technicians are obvious," Wiegleb explained. "Automated configuration and provisioning of phones allows technicians to save time and money and focus on more demanding tasks. Many configuration issues can also be resolved remotely via SRAPS, reducing the time and cost of on-site visits and increasing customer satisfaction."
Further functions and integrations are under continual development, and while many competitors charge for such platforms, Snom offers SRAPS to its customers at no cost. Wiegleb concluded, "This is our concrete contribution to increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of our partners."
