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News
Lucent Technologies Intros New ORiNOCO
AP-500
Lucent Technologies has introduced the ORiNOCO AP-500 Access Point for
the enterprise. The AP-500 provides full wireless networking functionality
at 11 Mbps speed (802.11 b), 128-bit encryption, built-in Wi-Fi-compliant
radio, and AP manager software. An optional external range extender
antenna is also available to maximize coverage for the AP-500 and its
integrated radio. The ORiNOCO solution can enable mobile professionals to
connect wirelessly to their network, providing full access to their
e-mail, important files, and the Internet, all at Ethernet network
performance levels. It also consists of Type II PC cards for notebook
computers and mobile computing devices, ISA and PCI adapters for desktop
computers, and Ethernet/serial port adapters for legacy devices. Lucent
has announced it will spin off their Microelectronics Group, which
includes the ORiNOCO product line, as an independent company. The spin off
is slated for completion by summer 2001.
MCK Announces PBXgateway II
MCK Communications has announced the
availability of its PBXgateway II, a comprehensive new product
architecture designed to support a full suite of MCK, IP-enabled, and
third party telephony clients. With MCK's PBXgateway II, customers will be
able to take advantage of the latest developments in IP-based voice
transmission while leveraging their investments in existing voice systems.
A single PBXgateway II can terminate all of MCK's EXTender family of
products, including the EXTender 6000, 4000, 3200, 3000, 1000+, and 100
clients. In addition, the PBXgateway II is capable of supporting MCK's new
Mobile EXTender, a software-based enhancement that extends PBX dial tone
and features to any cellular or remote touch-tone phone. The PBXgateway II
is compatible with Nortel's Meridian and Norstar, and Lucent DEFINITY ECS.
The PBXgateway II will be compatible with a wider range of PBX/KTSs at a
later date.
Vodavi Intros New Starplus 2706 Caller ID
Vodavi Technology has announced the introduction of its Starplus 2706
Caller ID business telephone. The 2706 Caller ID joins the Starplus 2700
series of business telephones introduced in 1999. The Starplus 2700
Series, a collection of six different telephone models, is a
non-proprietary solution that is compatible with nearly any key telephone
system, PBX, or Centrex service. The Starplus 2706 Caller ID is a single
line telephone with a fully integrated speakerphone that is FCC-registered
and both hearing aid and American Disability Act-compliant. Key features
include caller-ID with call waiting, bi-lingual display (English or
Spanish), 12 memory buttons with special ring alert, and 100 name and
number storage.
Nuasis Announces NuContact
Nuasis has announced a fully digital,
mixed-media Internet contact center delivered as a hosted service. The
complete solution incorporates voice, e-mail, and Web customer
interactions, all within a 100 percent digital architecture. The NuContact
service frees e-businesses from technology acquisition, integration, and
maintenance. The service lets online customers select their most
convenient medium: telephone, e-mail, or Web, while still allowing the
e-business to control costs of operations. By hosting the entire call/Web
center infrastructure and providing an integrated suite of customer
communication applications, e-businesses can be up and running in days or
weeks. Contact management, including queuing, skills-based routing,
synchronized screen delivery, and reporting is applied uniformly across
all channels of contact so that customers are provided assistance based on
their needs and their value to the business.
ASC Certified As NEC Fusion Partner
ASC has announced the certification of
the Marathon suite as an NEC Fusion Partner.
NEC will increase ASC's ability to offer comprehensive, enterprise-wide
solutions to its clients. NEC will benefit from ASC's quality voice
recording and quality assurance products targeted to the rapidly-growing
small and medium end of the market. Richard D'Aprix, Director of Global
Alliances for ASC, noted "Both NEC and ASC are focused on the same
markets and providing the same high level of technology and service.
Together, we will provide the right solution at the right cost for our
mutual customers." Tony Procops, senior vice president of ASC, noted
"We look forward to partnering with NEC. Their global presence, keen
understanding of their markets, and excellent products complement our
focus on appropriately sizing and customizing solutions to our customers'
needs."
AudioCodes To Deliver VoIP And VoATM
AudioCodes has announced the
availability of carrier-class VoIP and VoATM (Voice over ATM) media
gateways on a single platform. AudioCodes announced the TPM-800 in May, a
standards-compliant AAL2 solution on a PMC module. It is now adding VoATM
with new products in its TrunkPack series of cPCI communication boards.
OEMs can integrate the media gateway cPCI boards into open telephony
systems and the PMC modules into proprietary designed or legacy platforms.
These flexible platforms enable telecom OEMs to offer service providers an
upgrade to next-generation equipment with carrier-class solutions based on
ATM today, while offering easy migration to VoIP in the future. With VoATM
AAL2, service providers can efficiently packetize and compress voice
traffic. In addition, with VoATM over a DSL or T1 line, service providers
can reduce end user churn by supplying a bundled voice and data offering.
The TPM-800 is currently shipping to beta customers.
Plaintree Announces New WaveBridge
Multiplex Series
Plaintree Systems has announced the
WaveBridge Multiplex (MT) series of infrared fiberless links to provide
high-speed connectivity. This high-bandwidth solution solves the problem
of interference experienced with radio frequency (RF) solutions by using
the infrared spectrum. Also, WaveBridge solutions do not require licensing
in comparison to RF or microwave solutions. The WaveBridge MT series is
specifically designed to meet the requirements of the GSM communications
and ISP markets. These links enable GSM and ISP customers to transmit data
at high bandwidth speeds over Ethernet, while continuing to offer E1/T1
speeds together or separately in the same unit. This way, users can access
telephone lines and Ethernet data transmission over the same link.
Chordiant Partners With Witness
Chordiant Software and Witness
Systems have announced a technology partnership that allows for
integration of the two companies' solutions, as well as co-marketing
activities. Witness will integrate its eQuality performance optimization
software with Chordiant's eCRM infrastructure software. The integrated
solution will allow joint customers to strengthen their CRM initiatives;
help ensure consistent, quality service across multiple customer access
channels; and enhance customer loyalty. To that end, Chordiant's unified
multi-channel eCRM infrastructure provides a single view of customers and
the business practices used to service them. The solution is designed to
meet the unique needs of companies with specialized CRM requirements, such
as those with large and diverse customer pools, extensive product
offerings, and complex business processes. To gauge consistency and
quality of service, Witness Systems' eQuality suite of multimedia
solutions records and analyzes key customer contacts across a variety of
touch points (including the telephone, e-mail, and Web chat) in an effort
to optimize performance and ensure continuous world-class sales and
service experiences.
BellSouth Completes Technical Trial
BellSouth has announced the
completion of a technical trial of IP telephony utilizing its DSL
broadband access. The trial, conducted with Tampa-based IPAXS
Corporation, supplied BellSouth customers with the new technology for
a three-month period. "The successful completion of this trial has
provided us with information that is helping shape our future technology
directions and service offerings as we migrate from a circuit-switched to
a packet-centric network," said Bill Smith, executive vice president
Network Services and CTO. The trial was conducted in the Atlanta area
with BellSouth small business and work-at-home customers. IPAXS supplied
the technology and hardware.
Gabriel Communications And TriVergent
Complete Merger
Gabriel Communications, a
facilities-based broadband service provider, has announced that it has
completed its merger with TriVergent
Communications. The combined company provides integrated voice and
data services to more than 19,000 customers in thirteen contiguous
midwestern and southeastern states. Gabriel, through a joint venture with
Solutech, this year launched WebBizApps, a provider of a variety of
web-enabled business applications for small to medium-sized businesses.
Also this year, TriVergent debuted WebArchitect, an automated Web site
design product.
Teloquent Unveils Interchange
Teloquent has announced the launch
of Teloquent Interchange, an open, multiple communication platform that
integrates call center and CRM systems, creating a unified, networked
customer interaction center. Teloquent Interchange was developed as a
means to meet customers' demand for personalized, immediate, live support
and service. It is VoIP and wireless-ready. Based on a scalable Java 2
platform, Enterprise Edition architecture, it is interoperable with any
CRM or enterprise application. The product will be distributed through the
company's direct sales force, partners, and international channels. The
pricing strategy will consist of a software license purchase, with user
and capability-based pricing. Teloquent has committed customers, including
CenterBeam, to implement Teloquent Interchange when available in February
2001.
Envision Telephony, TriVium To Maximize
CRM
Envision Telephony and TriVium
Systems have announced a partnership aimed at helping customer-centric
organizations maximize both the financial and intrinsic value of their CRM
and contact center technology. Envision's Click2Coach solution provides a
coaching approach and integrates it with quality monitoring technology.
TriVium's SimpleRM delivers electronic customer relationship management (eCRM)
solutions for mid-sized companies. By integrating both products in their
CRM/contact center environments, organizations will see an increased
long-term value and profitability through managing the total customer
experience across multiple departments and customer touch points. Customer
information can be seamlessly integrated among many functions (for
example, a potential lead can be passed from either marketing or support
to sales) and across multiple channels (e-mail, telephone, PDA, and Web
chat).
SBC Announces Roadmap For IP Telephony
Business Solutions
SBC Communications has announced a
roadmap for its introduction of a range of business telephony offerings
based on Internet Protocol. IP telephony is recognized as the future of
business communications, but up to now the adoption of IP telephony
solutions has been limited. SBC's IP telephony offerings will provide both
for businesses planning to implement next-generation distributed IP-PBX
and Centrex telephone systems and services, and for those that want to
transition to IP with systems that link existing switched-voice networks
to IP-based data networks. The company will provide its customers with
best-in-class solutions from Cisco, Lucent Technologies, and Nortel
Networks. SBC will make these solutions available following successful
completion of extensive qualification testing at its applied research labs
and successful customer beta testing.
GoAmerica And Centrinity Team For Wireless
Unified Communications
Centrinity and GoAmerica
have announced they will integrate their technologies to offer business
customers wireless access to unified messaging. The companies expect the
combined offering to be available in the first quarter of 2001. Under the
terms of the three-year worldwide software and maintenance licensing
agreement, GoAmerica will combine its Go.Web technology with Centrinity's
Unified Communications software solution. The offering will be customized
to provide the convenience of access to centralized messaging, enabling
wireless interaction with voice mail, e-mail, and fax information stored
in one location.
AVT To Introduce Mobile Delivery
AVT has embarked on a strategy to deliver mobile wireless data solutions
to the business market. The AVT Mobile Delivery offering will provide a
single standards-based, scalable platform that allows key business
information to be accessible from a Web-enabled mobile phone or wireless
PDA. Designed for both enterprise and ASP environments, Mobile Delivery is
wireless service- and device-independent, ensuring that the varying types
of wireless devices and service providers will be compatible. AVT will
embrace new standards such as WAP and WML (Wireless Markup Language) to
hasten its time to market. Mobile Delivery will be available in the first
half of 2001.
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