Enterprise Telephony News
Avaya Enhances one-X Quick Edition
Avaya Inc. announces enhancements to its one-X Quick Edition, a plug-and-play SIP-based "server-less" solution for small offices with fewer than 20 people (hardware limit of 100 phones). Nimcat Networks' IP communications software is embedded within an IP telephone, placing intelligence in the phone and eliminating the need for traditional PBX hardware (Avaya 4621SW or 4610SW IP Telephones are available). New Release 2.0 functionality adds SIP trunking, a Multisite Provisioning Tool and the Teleworker Application that connects an IP telephone to a Virtual Private Network so that remote users can access the corporate directory and other features of the one-X Quick Edition. Avaya also adds VLAN tagging (802.11p) which dedicates bandwidth for voice traffic and quality of service.
SIP trunking is available in one of two ways: (1) SIP trunking can be used in WAN networking between one-X Quick Edition locations and Avaya Communication Manager systems or (2) for small independent businesses, SIP trunking is available via SIP service providers, such as AGN Networks. AGN is the first SIP service provider Avaya has announced for one-X Quick Edition; however, a second announcement is expected soon, according to the company.
 Avaya’s one-X Quick Edition has a user interface for easy access to options and popular telephony features, including call forwarding, call logging, redial, transfer, Caller ID, 3-way conferencing (with conference chaining), do not disturb, hold, internal and external paging, 100-number directory, voice mail (20 minute storage per phone) and auto attendant. Per customer feedback, Avaya has also added Call Park with R2.0.
List price for the one-X Quick Edition solution starts at $485 (4610SW) or $585 (4621SW) per phone with embedded software and $375 for the optional PSTN Gateway that connects phones to the PSTN. Currently shipping in North America with other world regions to follow (EMEA in Q4 2006, CALA and APAC in early 2007), one-X Quick Edition is available through Authorized BusinessPartners, including VARs, Service Providers and new 'e-channels" such as bestbuyforbusiness.com, CDW or PCZones.com.
Note: The one-X Quick Edition solution utilizes technology from Nimcat Networks, a Canada-based developer of IP communications applications software acquired by Avaya in September 2005.
eOn Unveils eNterprise IP Telephones for Millennium
eOn Communications Corporation unveils a next-generation series of telephones for the company’s Millennium Converged Communications platform, a modular 1,024-port system on the market since 1993. Ergonomically designed, the new telephones, available in IP or digital versions, feature a five-position tilting stand, a small footprint and customizable feature keys. The IP versions are SIP-based with dual-port connectivity (10/100Base-T) so that a phone and a PC or other IP device can connect to the same network port. Power options include Power over Ethernet or an optional AC power source.
 Two IP and two digital telephones are available. The eNterprise 7022IP, an executive model for moderate call volumes, has a 2-line by 20-character backlit display with adjustable contrast, 12 feature keys and 10 programmable buttons with dual color LEDs, while the eNterprise 7032IP (pictured) for high call volume situations is similar, but has 20 programmable buttons. Both models include a speakerphone and integrated headset jack plus support for an optional 48-button expansion module with or without display (up to four per phone). Similar 22- and 32-button digital telephone models (6022D and 6032D) are available, as well as two updated analog telephones.
The new eNterprise telephones are compatible with existing Millennium interface cards, and can be mixed with eOn’s earlier entry level IP500 Telephone and older digital and analog models.
eOn introduced VoIP functionality for the Millennium with Release 3.11 in early 2006, including the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) station card that adds a TCP/IP interface for up to 32 IP phones or third-party SIP-compatible devices with 100% non-blocking communication. Up to 31 IP Connect Station Cards are allowed per system for a total of nearly 1,000 IP Phones.
NEC Unified Solutions Introduces Managed IP Telephony Service
NEC Unified Solutions, Inc. announces the Managed IP Telephony (MIPT) service designed for the SMB market. MIPT is a managed service that packages premises-based IP Telephony equipment and applications with professional services, maintenance, management and carrier services as a turnkey IP Telephony solution for a single monthly fee. The solution combines the flexibility and customizability of a purchased solution with the reduced business and technology risks of a hosted solution, so that customers can benefit from a full IP Telephony solution without capital expenditure or technical expertise, according to NEC.
NEC will offer its UNIVERGE SV7000 or smaller SV7000 MPS IP system based on the customer’s capacity requirements and expected growth, or the Electra Elite IPK II is available for smaller businesses. The customer can use any equipment and applications from the UNIVERGE portfolio, including telephones, softphones, media servers and gateways, voice/unified messaging and survivability/redundancy options and any NEC UNIVERGE horizontal and vertical applications.
A secure Web portal lets users access professional, maintenance and managed services, get assistance on provisioning and problems, obtain performance trends and view real-time reports. And, authorized personnel at the customer location can request moves, adds and changes over the phone or via secure e-mail. With MIPT, customers can choose from two service levels: (1) Essential Managed IP Telephony Service with 24x7 monitoring, incident management, off-site configuration backup, Web portal access to real-time information, Service Level Agreement on parameters like system availability, quality of service and amount of time for problem resolution; or (2) Comprehensive Managed IP Telephony Service which adds change management for routers/switches, trend analysis, and a dedicated customer service manager.
The monthly service charge for MIPT depends on the configuration of equipment and applications deployed to meet the customer’s requirements. The customer can add 10% more stations if necessary during the service contract without any increase in the monthly charge.
Panasonic Releases KX-TDA600 Hybrid IP PBX for Larger Businesses
Panasonic announces the new KX-TDA600, a hybrid IP PBX and larger version of the company’s KX-TDA100/200 systems. Ideal for businesses with more than 175 employees, the modular and stackable (or rack-mountable) KX-TDA600 includes a Basic Shelf and up to three Expansion Shelves, creating a system that can scale to 640 devices (analog, digital, IP or wireless) or 960 Panasonic KX-T7600 digital proprietary telephones using Panasonic’s Digital eXtra Device Port (XDP) feature. Power supplies, most circuit cards and telephones are compatible among all KX-TDA platforms which results in cost savings for Panasonic customers who outgrow a smaller TDA system.
While most circuit cards are common to all KX-TDA systems, the KX-TDA600 supports some expansion cards specific to the TDA600 (but with similar functionality to smaller TDA systems), including 16-port analog trunk and station cards, a Memory Expansion Card and a Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card required to activate network DSS, centralized voice mail and enhanced CTI functionality.
Additional software is available for a PC Phone and IP Soft Phone, as well as PC Console Software. The IP Soft Phone (KX-TDA0350) emulates Panasonic’s KX-NT136 IP Proprietary Telephone with 24 programmable keys. The company also offers the KX-NT265 IP Telephone with eight programmable keys.
The KX-TDA600 supports Panasonic’s Version 3.0 KX-TDA software, introduced earlier in 2006 for the KX-TDA100/200 systems, with enhanced networking (centralized voice mail, network DSS/BLF, expanded call coverage), portable station roaming, cellular phone XDP, cell phone call transfer and new ICD functionality for call centers (least busy search and call wrap). Panasonic has further enhanced the KX-TDA600 with a few more features, including Primary Directory and Secondary Directory Numbers for manager/secretary environments, and a new Windows-based programming tool with 11 main categories, built-in help menu and multiple security levels (same as the KX-TDA50 3.0 tool) and some new hospitality features.
Sphere Unveils SphereCSE for OEMs and ISVs
Sphere Communications announces the SphereCSE (Communications Service Engine), an IP PBX software development platform that targets Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) looking to build an IP communications solution. Based on the company’s Sphericall software-based IP PBX that scales to 30,000 ports, the SphereCSE call control engine is a standards-based software solution that provides IP PBX and unified communications capabilities, voice mail, unified messaging, multi-level auto attendant, call recording and built-in integration with Microsoft Exchange and Outlook and supports a wide variety of third-party telephone devices and gateways, as well as PSTN and SIP service provider connectivity.
“The offering to OEM’s is new, though it is our core technology that has been developed over the last 10 years, and is proven and reliable. As the industry has matured, we are finding more and more companies of all kinds either looking to bring communications into their solutions, or develop new systems built upon a flexible and scalable communications engine running at the core,” says Andy Mercker, Director of Marketing at Sphere.
To help OEMs and ISVs tailor the system software and develop their own IP PBX solution, Sphere has removed the complexity of traditional development by offering easy-to-use Web Services, a set of industry standard technologies (SOAP, HTTPS and XML) that ease development and application integration. Developers can integrate multiple applications without a deep technical knowledge of PBX technology or SIP stacks, according to Sphere. With the Web Services Software Developer Kit (SDK), developers use the licensed SphereCSE software to build, test and run applications in a simulated environment.
Currently, Sphere has two partners utilizing the SphereCSE engine, Allied Telesis (VioCall Professional Connect IP PBX networking solution) and Pacific Star Communications (PacStar 5500 integrated communications appliance).
A Sphere solution can also be deployed as a “hybrid” solution in which a customer installs a premise-based IP PBX and unified communications system (Sphericall IP PBX or Sphere Business Communications System or BCS) along with purchasing SIP trunks from an Internet Telephony Service Provider such as BandTel. With this solution, the customer eliminates the need for IP/PSTN gateways and TDM-based voice circuits. (Sphere BCS is an IP PBX solution introduced last March by Adtech Global Solutions, Sphere Communications and Polycom which includes the Sphericall IP PBX and Polycom IP phones, while AGS provides the product packaging and professional services and support, as well as pre-configuration and staging services that reduce installation time.)
Active Voice Enhances Repartee LX Unified Messaging Solution
 Active Voice, LLC announces a new version of the company’s messaging platform Repartee LX that addresses larger enterprise customers, increasing capacity to 60 ports (up from 40 ports) and thousands of users (up to 10,000 users tested). Active Voice notes the importance of messaging solutions that “fit organizations of all types and sizes,” and the new scalability of Repartee LX will make the solution attractive to hotels and resorts, hospitals, universities, government offices and other larger businesses. In addition, Repartee LX version 8.1.2 adds support for the Dell PowerEdge 2800 rack-mountable server with RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) for improved speed, performance and reliability. New Catalan system prompts (20 prompt languages and 21 hospitality prompts are available) and an updated Linux operating system are also added.
Repartee LX is a Linux-based voice mail and unified messaging system that supports up to 60 ports, 65,000 mailboxes and 3,200 storage hours. Sold as a turnkey system, Repartee LX includes hardware and pre-loaded voicemail software and 25 free seats of Visual Messaging unified messaging. As an option, customers can purchase a Repartee LX system with a Dell platform or an alternative PC that meets system requirements. Optional software packages can be activated via an upgrade code purchased from Active Voice, including fax integration, multilingual prompt sets, hospitality, text-to-speech and the Visual Messaging suite for management of voice, fax, and e-mail messages on a PC. For voice, fax and e-mail message management, Repartee LX supports integration for Microsoft Exchange, Novell GroupWise and Lotus Domino. The optional text-to-speech functionality (English and Cantonese) enables listening to e-mail over a telephone.
Repartee LX digitally integrates to popular telephone systems from Avaya, Mitel, Nortel, Panasonic, Siemens and Toshiba and to a variety of telephone switches via analog and serial integration.
Active Voice has launched an upgrade program to encourage customers to upgrade from Repartee OS/2, Replay and Replay Plus voice mail systems to the company's latest Repartee for Windows and Repartee LX messaging systems. The "Repartee Hot Swap PLUS" packages (available until December 31, 2006) include a Dell PowerEdge SC430 server, 25 free unified messaging licenses and current Repartee for Windows or Repartee LX messaging software.
Aspect Software Announces Enterprise Contact Server 6.2
Aspect Software Inc. announces the availability of Aspect Enterprise Contact Server 6.2, adding new features to previous versions of the company’s Aspect Enterprise Contact Server 5.x and Aspect Uniphi Suite 6.x. Aspect Enterprise Contact Server users will benefit from built-in historical reports, real-time displays and updated Siebel and SAP support, while Aspect Uniphi Suite users can take advantage of the Siebel and SAP front office capabilities. Performance is addressed with new automatic and recovery features during a network failure - a new “keep-alive” capability detects and corrects server and component failures to minimize work disruption. Security of communication between servers is also enhanced, and stored passwords are encrypted to prevent security risks.
Aspect increases the capacity of Aspect Enterprise Contact Server 6.2 to support up to 1,000 concurrent agents handling blended media at a rate of 22,000 calls in the busiest hour (a maximum of 500 agents can use Web Interaction).
Aspect Software Inc. plans to unveil Aspect Unified IP in early 2007, a new product that consolidates several of the company's products following the merger of Aspect Communications and Concerto Software in September 2005. The solution will be compatible with traditional voice telephone systems, SIP 2.0-compliant PBXs, proprietary IP PBXs and open source IP PBX solutions such as the Asterisk Business Edition from Digium. Aspect notes that a future release of Aspect Unified IP will incorporate key functionality from Aspect Enterprise Contact Server; however, Aspect Software will continue to fully support current users of Aspect EnsemblePro, Aspect Uniphi Suite, and Aspect Enterprise Contact Server, with no end-of-life status in the foreseeable future.
Aspect Software (formerly Concerto Software) continues to improve its contact center offerings following the 2004 purchase of Rockwell FirstPoint Contact from Rockwell Automation, Inc., the July 2005 merger between Concerto Software and Aspect Communications and 2006 acquisition of SophistiCom Technologies.
Mitel Adds New and Enhanced Mobility Solutions
Mitel announces a second generation of enterprise mobility solutions for mobile employees, telecommuters and home-based workers who need to communicate fully and securely with colleagues and customers. New and enhanced solutions include voice and data encryption over the Mitel Managed Applications Server, enhancements to Mitel’s Teleworker and Mobile Extension solutions and low-cost audio conferencing and recording. 
Mitel’s Teleworker Solution adds support for the Mitel Your Assistant Softphone for presence information, secure instant messaging and file transfer, video and data sharing in a Mitel 3300 ICP or 200 ICP environment (a VPN connection is not needed). Mitel has also improved the Mobile Extension solution with new conference, Calling Line ID and HTML-based reporting features from any mobile device (hold and transfer features were available in the first release). Mitel's Mobile Extension software application links a desk phone with any dialable phone (e.g. cell phone) to enable simultaneous ringing at both the desk phone and twinned phone - one number functionality.
Mitel’s new Quick Conference solution enables 32-party conferencing (eight parties in four conferences, 16 parties in two conferences or other combinations of 32 users). Available to customers with a Mitel 3300 ICP system, Quick Conference acts as a “meet me” bridge in which callers dial in to join the conference, and the host can record a greeting for the conference as well as record the entire conference
Panasonic Announces KX-NCV200 ACD Report Server / Voice Processing System
Panasonic announces the KX-NCV200, a new “two-in-one” system that combines an ACD Report Server and the KX-TVA200 Voice Processing System. Designed for Panasonic’s KX-TDA100/200 and new KX-TDA600 Hybrid IP PBX systems (see related story), the KX-NCV200 enables both call center reporting and monitoring and voice processing in a single system.
The new KX-NCV200 ACD Report Server and combined KX-TVA200 Voice Processing System (available as a standalone to Panasonic customers since 2005) are housed together in the KX-TVA200 compact cabinet. (ACD Report Server cannot be added to an existing VPS). In addition to familiar KX-TVA200 messaging functionality with popular voice messaging features, fax detection, interview service and message notification by e-mail, customers can now take advantage of call center performance reporting. Reports (agent and group) based on incoming call data, including real-time call information such as extension status, call type and telephone numbers, are displayed to the ACD Report Client Windows-based PC and viewed by a supervisor. KX-NCV200 displays these real-time statistics in graphical form for agent, group or system performance and status (traffic statistics). Standard reports, which include CO Call Report, System Report, Group Report, Agent Report and Agent ID based Report, can be exported in PDF, Word, Excel, HTML, Lotus, CSV, TSV or XML format. Custom reports can also be created.
The new ACD Report Server and ACD Report Client is a plus for Panasonic customers with a small call center that previously could monitor call statistics only via a supervisor‘s display telephone. Panasonic IP PBX systems enable the configuration of incoming call distribution (ICD) groups and a set of call center features - call queuing, wrap-up, member login/logout and VIP Calling (can assign priorities to call groups) and call distribution to the extension following the last extension to answer a call or to the longest idle agent. The systems support 128 groups with 128 extensions per group. Cellular phones can be part of an ICD group (maximum four per group) though features are limited.
Innovaphone Adds Small IP Telephony Solution
 Germany-based Innovaphone expands its IP telephony portfolio with the compact IP302 telephony system (a replacement for the earlier IP202 compact PBX for small business). Designed for branch offices of a larger organization or small companies with less than 20 employees, the IP302 (pictured) includes a 2-channel ISDN VoIP gateway, two analog interfaces (door phones or fax machines), and the innovaphone PBX software; the base IP302 system includes a license for 10 users which can be upgraded to 20 users. Used in a branch office of a larger business, the IP302 can connect to the central PBX for redundancy during a system failure; user data is replicated so that an alternate PBX can take over if necessary. The innovaphone PBX software is the same software used in all of the company’s products, including the larger innovaphone PBX - so even the smallest locations can take advantage of a full feature set. Additionally, since the software is the same for all devices, customers can expand by simply adding additional gateways. Many Innovaphone deployments have 1,000+ users.
Innovaphone offers a range of IP telephones, including the IP230 which supports H.323 and SIP protocols and includes a 7-line display, 10 direct-dial keys and has attachable 30-key add-on modules. The IP200 (also SIP and H.323 compatible) has a large 7-line display and alpha-numeric keyboard for dial-by-name, while the IP110 telephone has 5-line display and four feature keys. The innovaphone SoftwarePhone is a Windows-based telephone application that supports audio streaming with sound cards, USB telephones and headsets including Bluetooth. In addition, any third party standards-based SIP or H.323 phone will also work with the Innovaphone systems.
Sold mainly in Europe, Innovaphone’s IP302 is available as of August 2006. Innovaphone is a German Company that has developed Voice-over-IP equipment since 1997.
LG-Nortel Launches ARIA SOHO Digital Hybrid PBX
 LG-Nortel launches the ARIA SOHO digital hybrid PBX, a new communication system for small and medium businesses (SMBs) and home offices and first new product from LG-Nortel since LG Electronics and Nortel finalized the joint venture in November 2005. The new 2-cabinet, 48-station system complements the company’s existing ipLKD digital PBX, but targets the SOHO market (below 20 ports) and features plug and play functionality for analog, digital and fax communications for ease of use in a home or small office. Popular features such as Caller ID, Short Message Service, conferencing and voice/fax tone detection are included, while voice mail, auto attendant, TAPI interface, PC-based attendant, modem for remote maintenance and a LAN interface can be added as chargeable options. The LAN connection is used for operation, administration, and maintenance and PC applications such as TAPI, PC Attendants and PC phones.
The compact ARIA SOHO (pictured) is wall-mountable or rack-mountable to fit well in a small office environment. The LDP-7200 Series proprietary digital telephones are available and include the 24-button LDP-7224D, the 8-button LDP-7208D, the 48-key LDP-7248DSS and the LDP-DPB (door phone). LDP-7224D can be used for system programming or as the attendant console with an associated DSS unit. The LDP-7200 digital phones are similar in appearance to LG-Nortel’s LDP-7000 digital phones used with the ipLDK systems, though the LDP-7200 Series is not compatible with ipLDK.
ARIA SOHO is available in September 2006 in Asia Pacific, Turkey, North Africa and Russia.
In November 2005, LG Electronics and Nortel finalized the formation of the joint venture and new company called LG-Nortel Co. Ltd. that specializes in 'leading-edge communications and networking solutions in the wireline, optical, wireless and enterprise markets in South Korea and the rest of the world.' LG-Nortel is headquartered in South Korea
Panasonic UK Adds New IP Telephones and Phone Assistant Software
Panasonic Business Telephone Systems, a department within the division Panasonic Business Systems UK, announces two new IP telephones designed to work with Panasonic’s KX-TDA hybrid IP PBX 100/200/600 systems. The new KX-NCS8100 IP Softphone (pictured) with handset or headset operation is ideal for mobile workers since calls are made and received on a laptop PC or desktop PC. One touch call recording is available, as well as 24 programmable keys and a 6-line x 24-character display. Also new is the KX-NT265 IP desktop telephone with built-in speakerphone, eight programmable keys, dual-color LEDs, 16-character display with Call Forward and Do Not Disturb as display options. The IP telephone can be easily moved from one location while retaining all programming. Both new phones support VLAN tagging which dedicates bandwidth for voice traffic.
The new IP phones widen the range of options for Panasonic KX-TDA customers. Recently Panasonic BTS also announced a new digital business phone (KX-T7668) and DECT handset (KX-TCA256) for the Panasonic KX-TDA100/200/600 telephone systems. The new KX-NCS8100 IP Softphone is available globally; however, the national sales company in each country may or may not decide to offer it. The KX-NT265 IP desktop phone is also available worldwide, including the North American market.
Addressing employee productivity, Panasonic BTS introduces new Phone Assistant software that benefits users, managers and administrators. Users can view a pop up tray on their PC showing incoming calls and any missed calls and enable on-screen dialing and instant messaging. Additional software adds door phone answering and opening. Phone Assistant also displays the status (available or unavailable) of up to 128 employees, and allows monitoring and silent listening of calls in progress (beneficial to contact center environments). Statistics, such as calls waiting, waiting times and lost calls are available in reports. Lastly, system administrators and IT personnel can use Phone Assistant for basic programming from a Web browser.
SpliceCom Releases maximiser Version 3.1
 SpliceCom Limited, a UK-based IP convergence company, recently released Version 3.1 software for the company’s scalable maximiser business telephone system designed to support between eight and 5,000 analog or IP extensions. The maximiser system is comprised of a Call Server and trunk and telephone modules up to a maximum of 100 Call Servers and 5,000 extensions; capacity is increased simply by adding Call Servers, each of which handles 300 extensions. A Remote Call Server is available for smaller businesses and branch offices.
Touted as the “most significant software release to date” with over 100 new features and enhancements, Version 3.1 adds support for SIP terminals and trunks (in addition to H.323), unified messaging, an 8-channel ISDN PRI license, the 4400 Voice Compression Module and new “time saving” features such as Queue Buster and Call Back When Free.
To date, SpliceCom has successfully tested maximiser with SIP trunk services from Gamma Telecom (IP DirectConnect) and Border Gateway Controllers from Hipcom.
The maximiser system includes a built-in voicemail/auto attendant (expandable via license keys). Optional Voice XML-based IVR, text-to-speech; spoken email collection and reply are also available. Version 3.1 adds the ability to store voice mail messages on an IMAP-compatible e-mail server such as Lotus Notes, Novell GroupWise and Apple Mail and Microsoft Exchange. E-mail can be “read” and replied to over a phone, including GSM/Mobile phones for employees on the go. Version 3.1 also adds new features to SpliceCom’s Voice Processing application and Proactive Communications Station (PCS) IP telephone family (H.323 and SIP compatible) which includes the PCS 400 color touch screen phone with Web and IP Video Cam functionality, the PCS 50 softphone, the PCS 100 conventional business phone, the full-featured PCS 10 and the entry-level PCS 5.
SpliceCom’s maximiser was first shipped in January 2003 and is presently sold in the UK and Australia.
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