In 2006, 3CX released the 3CX Phone System as a free IP PBX for use in a Microsoft Windows environment. [1] The phone system's first commercial edition, v6.0, was released a year later in 2007. Reviews of the product have noted its easy configuration, management, and hardware compatibility.[2][3][4][5]
In the following years, 3CX made a number of acquisitions including eWorks technologies in 2013,[6] the Elastix project and PBX in a Flash in 2016, and Askozia in 2017. In 2019, 3CX acquired WP Live Chat, a free WordPress plugin for live chat integration.[7]
In September 2016, 3CX announced a partnership with BT Wholesale SIP Trunking platform to serve resellers.[8]
In 2017 "PBX Express" was released, allowing a hosted PBX to be created on any hosted virtual private server. [9] The company would later launch a "Hosted by 3CX" offering.
In 2019, Stefan Walther was appointed as the new CEO of the company. [citation needed] In the same year, 3CX was featured on the internet TV show Hak5. [10]
In 2021 with the launch of version 18, 3CX integrated with Microsoft Teams to allow direct routing through the Microsoft platform.[11]
In June 2022, it was announced Walther would step down as CEO, with Galea returning to the position.[12]
Phone system
3CX produces a telephone system under the same name. The system consists of a number of software-based[13] components. It can be accessed via a Web Client, PWA, Desktop App, Management & Admin consoles, softphone for Windows, and smartphone clients for iOS and Android.
3CX can be used with either SIP phones or the clients, or a combination of the two. It provides unified communications functionality including call recordings, multi-level IVR, call center features, voicemail to email, fax to email, integrated video & call conferencing and omnichannel live chat messaging integration.
On 29 March 2023, 3CX acknowledged its desktop client, 3CXDesktopApp, had been compromised to distribute malware.[14] Global cybersecurity firm Mandiant were appointed to conduct a full investigation.[14]
On 20 April 2023, 3CX published the investigation's conclusions, revealing the hacking operation was a byproduct of an earlier software hack from an application from financial software company Trading Technologies, accessed through a 3CX employee's PC.[15] The hack was linked to the same North Korean operators that compromised the Trading Technologies app.[16] As a result, 3CX announced a Security Action Plan to minimize risk of future attacks.[17]
Major releases
Each major release listed below was followed by multiple maintenance updates.
Version
Build Number
Release date
v20
20.0.0.1620
February 2024
v18
18.0.0.1880
August 2021
v16
16.0.0.1581
27 March 2019
v15.5
15.5.1694.0
1 July 2017
v15
56008
1 July 2016
v14
44241
1 September 2015
v12.5
12.5.37957.880
21 October 2014
v12 SP1
32495.362
1 September 2013
v11
1 July 2012
v10
10.19117
1 March 2011
v09 SP1
9.13763
1 July 2010
v08
8.0.9414
2 October 2009
v07
7.0.4249
4 December 2008
v06
6.0.612
23 June 2008
Table created according to the "3CX Phone System Build History".[18]
Awards
2015: 'Price/Performance Value Leadership Award', awarded by Frost & Sullivan[19]
2012: 'Best Emerging Technology Vendor' awarded by CRN[22]
2011: 'Best Emerging Technology Vendor' awarded by CRN
Association with sports
On 8 July 2016, 3CX announced that it has become an official sponsor of Cypriot football club, APOEL FC of Nicosia, Cyprus for a period of 3 years. The sponsorship was renewed once again in 2019 until 2022.[citation needed] 3CX supports and takes part of the Corporate Futsal Tournament.[citation needed]
