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OnSIP CEO Discusses New WebRTC Apps and Free Plan on VUC [VIDEO]

by Joe DeBari

OnSIP's CEO, Mike Oeth, joins Randy Resnick and Michael Graves on the VUC for a wide-ranging discussion about OnSIP's WebRTC-based products and apps.

Published: October 17, 2016

A couple of weeks ago, OnSIP Cofounder and CEO Mike Oeth stopped by the VoIP Users Conference (VUC) for a chat about OnSIP's latest integrations and WebRTC-based offerings. The moderators of the VUC are Randy Resnick and Michael Graves, and they host live discussions on telecom, VoIP, and WebRTC topics every Friday at 12 Noon ET. OnSIP is proud to be one of the sponsors of the VUC, and Mike was happy to join them for a wide-ranging conversation.

Check out the video or read our summary below.

New OnSIP Features: OnSIP App and Slack Integration

Michael begins the conversation by pointing out how OnSIP has released a couple of new integrations and products that are entirely software-based, and asks Mike about how these new features came about. Mike explains that it has to do with OnSIP's focus on moving business calls to the web, and using WebRTC technology as a way to do so: "WebRTC now gives the browser direct access to the media [microphone and speakers] on your laptop or desktop, without any software to download. We saw that as a way to make voice and video phone calls directly through the browser."

While talking about the details of WebRTC, Mike elaborates on how OnSIP addressed an open-ended issue with WebRTC: how should calls be handled in-the-browser? WebRTC technology leaves actions like how to set up a call, end a call, negotiate the audio stream ("codecs") between the two browsers, etc., unresolved. OnSIP decided to use the SIP protocol to fulfill this role. Mike explains how our Engineering department created an open-sourced JavaScript library, SIP.js, that web developers can use to incorporate SIP into their WebRTC apps.

Mike goes on to explain how OnSIP created business calling apps using the combination of WebRTC and the SIP protocol:

  • The OnSIP app - a webphone that can be used to make/receive voice and video calls, dial outside numbers through the PSTN, display the status of a user's coworkers (if they are online, on a call, etc.), and more, all within a browser window.
  • The OnSIP Slack app - users can create web call links right within Slack. Once shared on social media, email, or Slack channels, those links will setup a voice/video call to the user right within a browser window.

Michael follows up by asking if OnSIP has any particular success stories of customers using WebRTC-based calling. Mike describes how a public TV station in Detroit was able to create a temporary call center using just web browsers, their Internet connection, and an OnSIP account. They brought in volunteers, set each person up with a laptop and their own OnSIP app login, had the call-in marathon, and then disabled all users once it was over. They didn't have to worry about long-term contracts, setting up the hardware, wiring, etc.

Michael later makes an observation of how this TV station can continue to use WebRTC by placing a call button [InstaCall] on its website that will enable site visitors to call station reps directly from their browsers. He notes, "Just as easily as that station put up a pop up call center using just browsers, they could have put that click-to-call button on their website to bring [site visitors] in. And they could have done it with all of the quality of an FM radio station, for very little money."

Cloud Phone Service Office Moving Guide (iStock-628331392)
WebRTC allows you to make and receive phone calls directly through your browser - no deskphone required!

The OnSIP Free Plan: A Free, Web-Based Phone System for Businesses

Michael asks Mike to talk about the motivation behind OnSIP's new Free Plan, which offers an entirely free, web-based phone system for businesses. Mike explains that OnSIP wants to empower companies to provide free internal communication among their employees, while also moving their external communications to the web.

With the Free Plan, users can register for free SIP addresses and have access to an Admin Portal for user management. Free Plan customers can create their own domain, add or delete users as needed, and assign internal extensions to their users. Each user on the Free Plan has access to the OnSIP app, for free web calling, extension-to-extension dialing, presence notifications, and a Slack integration for messaging. As OnSIP uses a lot of open source technology, "we wanted to give back to the open source community," says Mike.

How Else Can WebRTC Be Used in Real-World Situations?

The moderators wrap up the discussion by asking about what's coming next for OnSIP, as well as what other applications WebRTC might be used for in the future. Mike mentions that since SIP.js and the company's own APIs are also available to the general public, he's really interested in seeing what OnSIP's customers will be developing using these same interfaces. As an example, he brings up the LiveNinja Kiosk, an application of WebRTC for retail environments. Developed by LiveNinja (an OnSIP customer), this product enables shoppers to video talk with a salesperson in real-time via a kiosk. This reduces staffing costs for the retailer by allowing fewer salespeople to service multiple stores.

As for how else WebRTC can be used in the future, Mike talks about one potential application in the medical field. An ambulance company has been using WebRTC-enabled devices in all of their ambulances that connect directly to the hospital ER. When a vehicle is transporting a patient to the hospital, the medical techs in the ambulance can video talk with the ER doctors on the way, giving them the patient's vital health info and even showing them any injuries that the patient sustained.

Enjoyed this video? Randy and Michael joined Mike on OnSIP's #SMBlab a few months ago, where they chatted more about WebRTC- check out the video here!