BOSTON--8x8 is using the VON show to announce additional features for its business customers, including a business-class PBX softphone and new, higher-quality, fax-over-IP service.

The new softphone gives road warriors and telecommuters an in-office experience, allowing them to carry with them, on a laptop computer, Packet8 Softalk Office. It features an easy-to-use graphic keyboard and the ability to plug in a standard office phone. Using the graphical interface, customers can access advanced features and do videoconferencing, said Karen Hong , director of consumer product marketing for Packet8. Features include extension dialing, call ignore and do not disturb, voicemail and voicemail to email, find-me/follow-me service, caller ID and call waiting Caller ID.

“This duplicates the in-office experience on the road,” Hong said.

The company also launched a new Packet8 Softalk1.5 upgrade that features an enhanced H.264 video codec.

The new fax service uses the ITU T.38-based business quality fax capability, according to Huw Rees, vice president of sales and marketing for 8x8.

“Our customers have been asking us for this,” he said. “Most fax service over IP today uses best-effort technology, and that isn’t working, especially for multi-page faxes.”

Some small businesses may not adopt VoIP if they can’t get an appropriate fax solution, he said.