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Major Updates to Centile ISTRA

Back to overview 19.09.2019

ISTRA 10.1 is the epitome of next-level Unified Communications  

Back in March, I wrote an in-depth review of Centile’s ISTRA platform. The turnkey solution for fixed-line, mobile operators, MVNOs, integrators, and resellers, this week underwent some major renovations. I caught up with Jean-Charles Collin, Head of Product Sales Experts at Centile. He gave me a rundown of the platform, which looks a lot different today than it did in March. Collin told me: 

“We wanted to develop easily-deployable yet cost-effective features to address customers who don’t need to extend the use of valuable features like video conferencing to hundreds of participants. This is why we worked hard to establish our own powerful solutions” 

“We also wanted our customers to enjoy the flexibility of APIs, so they could integrate with platforms they use like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Skype for Business.” 

What’s New in ISTRA 10.1? 

With its latest update to ISTRA, Centile sought to advance the evolution of workplace collaboration, adding a worthwhile business feature to its UC offering, ‘ISTRA Collab Business.’ The internal deployment, developed in partnership with VoiceWorks (a Within Reach Group company which acquired Centile) is for video conferencing. ‘ISTRA Collab Business,’ branded under Centile’s neutral brand ‘Meetings,’ is a more affordable proposition that hosts up to five participants. 

Centile already has a similar high-end feature for large enterprises and conferences, powered by long-standing partner Zoom. ‘ISTRA Collab Enterprise’ targets those who need a higher number of participants, more mobile usage on the go, or more video conferencing licenses – that’s where Zoom comes in. 

Updates to MOBiiS 

Centile also revamped its mobile app, MOBiiS, another neutral branded UC offering they market as a ‘more affordable alternative to white-labeled or carrier-branded solutions.’ MOBiiS addresses the needs of call centers and extends a breadth of convenient features. MOBiiS now brings Centile’s full desktop experience to mobile devices, letting users manage their presence and more. Collin told me about another tweak Centile made to MOBiiS, designed to enhance workplace mobility. 

With the press of a button, end users can start a VoIP call and continue on a GSM network, resulting in a major boost to UX. Centile’s final improvement to ISTRA relies on the strength of Matrix technology. In its previous iteration, ISTRA only facilitated one-to-one chats. This time around, Collin said, ‘Centile wanted to foster a more collaborative culture,’ and they plan to do so with the help of a new instant messaging component designed for many users to share photos, videos, files, create public/private groups, as well as, receive push notifications. 

All this suggests Centile is stepping up its game, further differentiating an already robust UC solution by extending the use of more advanced UC capabilities. 

A Continued Focus on Customer Needs 

Centile is putting out a host of useful reactions to real-world business challenges at a healthy rate, keeping up with the demands of the ever-evolving Digital Transformation. Collin told me, they want to: 

“Put ISTRA in the middle of the UC world” 

Centile plans to continue its crusade for UC greatness by providing features, services, and APIs that make it straightforward to integrate with the systems its customers rely on to run a hiccup-free organization. 

 

+ What is ISTRA 10.1 and what are its main features?

ISTRA 10.1 is an updated version of Centile's Unified Communications platform, designed to enhance workplace collaboration with features like 'ISTRA Collab Business' for video conferencing, improved mobile app functionality through MOBiiS, and a new instant messaging component for group communication.

+ How does 'ISTRA Collab Business' differ from 'ISTRA Collab Enterprise'?

'ISTRA Collab Business' is a cost-effective video conferencing solution that supports up to five participants, while 'ISTRA Collab Enterprise' is aimed at larger enterprises needing more participants and advanced features, powered by Zoom.

+ What improvements have been made to the MOBiiS mobile app?

The MOBiiS app has been revamped to provide a full desktop experience on mobile devices, allowing users to manage their presence and seamlessly transition from VoIP calls to GSM networks for enhanced user experience.

+ What new capabilities does the instant messaging component offer?

The new instant messaging feature allows users to share photos, videos, and files, create public/private groups, and receive push notifications, fostering a more collaborative culture within organizations.

+ How does Centile plan to address customer needs with ISTRA?

Centile aims to keep ISTRA at the center of the Unified Communications landscape by continuously developing features, services, and APIs that integrate smoothly with existing systems, addressing real-world business challenges.

+ What is Centile's approach to digital transformation?

Centile is focused on responding to the evolving demands of digital transformation by providing innovative solutions that enhance collaboration and communication for businesses, ensuring a seamless operational experience.