CHOOSING THE BEST:
CTI Magazine's 1998 Products Of The Year
This past year, we've witnessed an unprecedented proliferation of CTI products. Indeed,
these new products evidence so much variety, and confront us in such quantity, that they
can sometimes seem, well, overwhelming.
While we may feel overwhelmed, we shouldn't be surprised. Consider this quick,
back-of-the-envelope calculation: The August Buyer's Guide issue of CTI
magazine reveals over 1,000 vendors of products listed in over 150 different categories.
Even if each of these vendors released only a single new product or significant product
upgrade per year, that would mean over 1,000 new releases in 1998. Add to this the fact
that many vendors release multiple products - some perhaps a dozen or more - over the
course of a year, and it isn't difficult to estimate that there would be at least 5,000
new products or product upgrades in the CTI market in any given year.
This wealth of new products led to the tidal wave of applications and supporting
materials that we received for CTI's Product of the Year award, and it placed quite a
burden on the editors of CTI and TMC Labs. Various editors and supporting
personnel worked for days on end to differentiate between the applicants and their
products and come up with suitable categories that represented the breadth and variety of
the CTI world without overlooking the potential of specific solutions.
The process of selection for Product of the Year was somewhat like the Grammy awards or
similar "Best of 1998" awards you might see in a magazine like Publisher's
Weekly - categories were defined and refined to be sure that nothing of significance
was left out, as well as to provide additional value for our readers. It's often not
enough to have "Best Actor." Instead, there must be numerous categories: Best
Actor, Male; Best Actor, Female; Best Supporting Actor
.
Without exception, the editorial review board tasked with choosing the Product of the
Year winners found the biggest challenge to be determining the exact market for the
submitted product and how to compare similar products to one another. Press releases and
data sheets often use similar language, lauding their products with catch-phrases;
frequently such releases never get around to telling what it is that the product is. More
than once, editors were left scratching their heads after reading an application or
release that seemed to go out of its way to avoid specificity.
While it is understandable that many vendors wish to reach the largest possible market
for their products, there is also a beauty in being able to say exactly what a given
product does, and who it does it for. Often it is not so much the quantity of language
that impresses a reader, but rather a certain well-thought-out scarcity that allows for
precision as well as praise.
With that in mind, we have done our best to select the top five percent or so in a
field that is thick with products and potential. A field that continues to grow beyond
most people's expectations. Singling out these products and categorizing them as we award
them "Product of the Year" is a process that we hope helps readers better
understand the best representatives of categories that are of interest to them.
Needless to say, the categories are not perfect. A walk through a record store can
quickly demonstrate how difficult it is to categorize anything (do Nine Inch Nails,
Madonna, and Elvis Presley really all belong together in the Rock/Pop category?). And yet,
without these categories, consumers would find it impossible to locate their favorite
albums. Equally so with the world of CTI and the Product of the Year. We hope that this
table helps.
|
Company Name |
Product Name |
Category |
Envox (US) Ltd. |
CT Studio 2.1 |
Application
generator, GUI type |
MasterMind Technologies, Inc. |
MasterVox |
Application
generator, GUI type |
Parity Software Development Corporation |
Graphical VOS |
Application
generator, GUI type |
Pronexus |
VBVoice |
Application
generator, GUI type |
RING! Telecom, Inc. |
RING! iMPACT v
2.5 |
Application
generator, GUI type |
Artisoft, Inc. |
Visual Voice
4.1 |
Application
generator, script/wizard type |
EASE CT Solutions |
EASE For
Windows NT |
Application
generator, script/wizard type |
MediaSoft Telecom |
IVS Studio |
Application
generator, script/wizard type |
Sphere Communications, Inc. |
Sphericall |
ATM-PBX,
LAN-based telephone system |
Heritage Communications Corporation |
World Talknet |
Billing/enhanced
services |
Mind CTI |
iPhoneX |
Billing/enhanced
services |
Telephony Experts |
Talking NT
Enterprise SQ1 |
Billing/enhanced
services |
Natural MicroSystems |
NaturalFax |
Board |
Analogic Corporation |
TAP-810 |
Board,
CompactPCI |
Dialogic Corporation |
QuadSpan |
Board,
CompactPCI |
BICOM, Inc. |
GEMINI Series |
Board, high
density |
PIKA Technologies |
PrimeNet |
Board, high
density |
AudioCodes, Ltd. |
TrunkPack-VoIP/200 |
Board, Internet
telephony |
DSP Research, Inc. |
Viper-12 |
Board, Internet
telephony |
e-Net, Inc. |
NetConnect |
Board, Internet
telephony |
Brooktrout Technology, Inc. |
TR114 PCI
Series |
Board,
multifunction |
Commetrex Corporation |
MSP/CX |
Board,
multifunction |
Lucent Technologies Computer Telephony Products |
Vantage PCI
Series |
Board,
multifunction |
Music Telecom |
MT-Passport
Series |
Board,
multifunction |
Amtelco XDS |
XDS H.100 PCI
MC3 |
Board, PC
switching |
Aculab USA, Inc. |
Prosody |
Board, speech
processing and speech recognition |
West Bau Technologies, Inc. |
Call Link For
Norstar |
Call center |
BCS Technologies, Inc. |
PC Phone
Control With AgentVoice |
Call center,
ACD add-on |
EIS International, Inc. |
Centenium XL |
Call center,
blended |
InterVoice, Inc. |
AgentConnect |
Call center,
blended |
Mosaix, Inc. |
Call Management
System 9.1 |
Call center,
blended |
Syntellect |
Vista |
Call center,
blended |
smallwonder softworks, Inc. |
Xchange 3.0 |
Call center,
call center management |
ATIO Corporation |
CyberCall 3.0 |
Call center,
contact center |
Apropos Technology |
Apropos Version
4 |
Call center,
customer interaction management |
Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc. |
Genesys Suite
5.1 |
Call center,
customer interaction management |
Hewlett-Packard Company |
Customer
Contact Manager 5.0 |
Call center,
customer interaction management |
Melita International |
Enterprise
Explorer |
Call center,
customer interaction management |
Mitel Corporation |
Call Center
Commander |
Call center,
customer interaction management |
Mosaix, Inc. |
ViewStar 5.0 |
Call center,
customer service |
Quintus Corporation |
CallCenterQ |
Call center,
customer service |
CenterForce Technologies |
Optimizer 5.0 |
Call center,
dialing platform |
EIS International, Inc. |
Gateway 3.0 |
Call center,
dialing platform |
Stonehouse Communications |
ISDN Adaptive
Dialer |
Call center,
dialing platform |
Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc. |
Genesys E-Mail |
Call center,
e-mail management |
GWI Software |
WebHelp! |
Call center,
e-mail management |
Mustang Software, Inc. |
Internet
Message Center 2.3 |
Call center,
e-mail management |
Intecom |
E Millenium
Server |
Call center,
high volume operations |
Ericsson, Inc. |
Phone Doubler
Quick Call |
Call center,
Internet telephony |
IDT Corporation |
Net2Phone |
Call center,
Internet telephony |
Lucent Technologies |
CenterVu
Computer Telephony |
Call center,
middleware |
CellIT, Inc. |
CCPRO |
Call center,
multimedia solution |
Interactive Intelligence, Inc. |
Enterprise
Interaction Center |
Call center,
PC-based PBX/ACD |
Rockwell Electronic Commerce |
Transcend |
Call center,
PC-based PBX/ACD |
Telox |
Universal
Telephony Server |
Call center,
PC-based PBX/ACD |
Buffalo International, Inc. |
Object
Telephony Server |
Call center,
PC-based telephony server |
Eyretel, Inc. |
Quality Call |
Call center,
recording and monitoring |
NICE Systems |
NiceUniverse |
Call center,
recording and monitoring |
Noble Systems |
ATOMS Digital
Recording System |
Call center,
recording and monitoring |
WhiteCap Development Corporation |
WhiteCap 2.0 |
Call center,
recording and monitoring |
Williams Communications Solutions |
Dialect Suite |
Call center,
recording and monitoring |
Witness Systems, Inc. |
Witness |
Call center,
recording and monitoring |
Lucent Technologies |
CentreVu
Advocate |
Call center,
rules-based routing/skills-based routing |
Xantel Corporation |
Connex 2.4 |
Call center,
rules-based routing/skills-based routing |
Mosaix, Inc. |
Guide 2.0 |
Call center,
scripting |
Nortel Networks |
Symposium Agent |
Call center,
scripting |
Davox Corporation |
LYRICall 1.1 |
Call center,
scripting software |
Cintech |
Cinphony 3.0 |
Call center,
small call center |
SalesLan |
SalesLan |
Call center,
small call center |
GeoTel Communications Corporation |
Site ICR |
Call center,
virtual call center |
IEX Corporation |
TotalNet Call
Routing |
Call center,
virtual call center |
Pegasystems |
eSolutions |
Call center,
Web call center, self-service application |
Microlog Corporation |
uniQue Agent |
Call center,
Web contact center |
SiteBridge Corporation |
CustomerNow |
Call center,
Web contact center |
TelAthena Systems LLC |
TelAthena |
Call center,
Web contact center |
Fujitsu Business Communication Systems, Inc. |
IntelliCommerce |
Call center,
Web contact center, VoIP option |
Interworks Systems, Inc. |
PipeLive
Enterprise 3.0 |
Call center,
Web contact center, VoIP option |
Transaction Information Systems, Inc. |
HumanActive
NetCollaboration |
Call center,
Web contact center, VoIP option |
WebLine Communications |
WebLine 2.0 |
Call center,
Web contact center, VoIP option |
Blue Pumpkin Software |
PrimeTime 1.3 |
Call center,
workforce management |
Executone |
Sentinel |
Call center,
workforce management |
Pipkins, Inc. |
SkillSense |
Call center,
workforce management |
TCS Management Group, Inc. |
TCS SeriesFive |
Call center,
workforce management |
Vantive Corporation |
Vantive Support |
Call center,
workforce management |
DoubleTalk Software |
Call Recorder |
Call recording |
General DataComm, Inc. |
GDC APEX Voice
Service Module |
Compression |
Octave Communications |
OCI 1000 |
Conferencing,
audio/tele |
OutReach Technologies |
CONFERease 900
PC/Teleconferencing Server |
Conferencing,
audio/tele |
Real Time Systems |
Vendetta
VND128/VND256 |
Conferencing,
audio/tele |
Intel Corporation |
TeamStation
System |
Conferencing,
multimedia |
Nortel Networks |
Ide@Room |
Conferencing,
multimedia |
Polycom, Inc. |
ViewStation 128 |
Conferencing,
multimedia |
RADVision, Inc. |
MCU-323
Multipoint Control Unit |
Conferencing,
multimedia |
White Pine Software |
MeetingPoint
3.5 |
Conferencing,
multimedia |
GoldMine Software Corporation |
GoldMine 4.0 |
Contact manager |
Symantec Corporation |
ACT! |
Contact manager |
N-Soft |
Etrog |
Development
platform, call center applications |
Dialogic Corporation |
DM3 IPLink With
T.8 Fax Capabilities |
Development
platform, Internet telephony |
Natural MicroSystems |
Fusion 2.0 |
Development
platform, Internet telephony |
DGM&S Telecom |
EDGE SignalWare |
Development
platform, IP/PSTN interworking |
Dialogic Corporation |
CT Media 1.1 |
Development
platform, middleware |
RADVision, Inc. |
H.323 Protocol
Stack |
Development
platform, software component |
CCOM |
PhoneLine
Operator |
Directory
services |
Priority Call Management |
ORYX |
Enhanced
services platform |
Redcom Laboratories, Inc. |
Toll*Gate With
Debit Card Option |
Enhanced
services platform |
GFI Fax & Voice UK |
FAXmaker For
Exchange 5.5 |
Fax
gateway/connector |
CompuFax Solutions |
Transaction
Manager |
Fax, broadcast |
PureData |
SatisFAXtion
RAS4 pci |
Fax, card for
remote access servers |
Omtool, Ltd. |
Fax Sr. 3.0 |
Fax, enterprise
solution |
Open Port Technology, Inc. |
Harmony CPE |
Fax, enterprise
solution |
RightFAX, Inc. |
RightFax 6.0 |
Fax, enterprise
solution |
Internet Magic, Inc. |
Legacy 2000 |
Fax, external
device/IP adapter |
Concord Technologies |
Concord
Internet Fax |
Fax, Internet
fax service |
Black Ice Software, Inc. |
ImpactFax On
Demand |
Fax, on demand |
Alcom Corporation |
LanFax NT 5.5 |
Fax, server |
Copia International |
FaxFacts |
Fax, server |
Interstar Technologies |
Lightning FAX
6.0 |
Fax, server |
Optus Software, Inc. |
FACSys Fax
Messaging Gateway 4.51 |
Fax, server |
Symantec Corporation |
WinFax Pro 9.0 |
Fax, SOHO
solution |
Oki Network Technologies |
Internet Voice
Gateway BS1200 |
Gateway,
enterprise-oriented |
Andrea Electronics Corporation |
PC Headset
Telephone Interface |
Headsets and
headset accessories |
VXI Corporation |
Parrott
Translator |
Headsets and
headset accessories |
RadiSys Corporation |
VGP-200 |
Industrial
computer, CompactPCI, development platform |
I-Bus |
I-Bus
CompactPCI System |
Industrial
computer/chassis, CompactPCI, 1-10 slots |
Teknor Industrial Computers, Inc. |
TEK-CPCI-1003 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, CompactPCI, 1-10 slots |
Force Computers |
Centellis CO
16723 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, CompactPCI, 11-20 slots |
Motorola Computer Group |
CPX8000 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, CompactPCI, 11-20 slots |
Texas Micro, Inc. |
CP80-00 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, CompactPCI, 11-20 slots |
American Advantech Corporation |
IPC-6908 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, ISA/PCI, 1-10 slots |
Arise Computers |
slimPAK-2000 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, ISA/PCI, 1-10 slots |
Crystal Group, Inc. |
Crystal CS500 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, ISA/PCI, 1-10 slots |
Alliant |
CTS 5000 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, ISA/PCI, 11-20 slots |
Appro International, Inc. |
Communications
Server Platform (5200 and 7000 Series) |
Industrial
computer/chassis, ISA/PCI, 11-20 slots |
Axiom Technology, Inc. |
AX6151 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, ISA/PCI, 11-20 slots |
Industrial Computer Source |
P2LX Series |
Industrial
computer/chassis, ISA/PCI, 11-20 slots |
MiTAC Industrial Corporation |
MCH-205R |
Industrial
computer/chassis, ISA/PCI, 11-20 slots |
SBS MicroAlliance |
Pro-Reliant
Series Model FTU-2000 |
Industrial
computer/chassis, ISA/PCI, 11-20 slots |
Technoland, Inc. |
TL-cPCI 3550L |
Industrial
computer/single board computer, CompactPCI |
CSS Laboratories, Inc. |
SBP202 |
Industrial
computer/single board computer, ISA/PCI |
Diversified Technology |
LBC 8525 |
Industrial
computer/single board computer, ISA/PCI |
Trenton Technology, Inc. |
TR-P2BX |
Industrial
computer/single board computer, ISA/PCI |
PakNetX Corporation |
PNX ACD 2.0 |
Internet ACD |
InnoMedia, Inc. |
InfoTalk |
Internet
telephony appliance |
Microsoft Corporation |
NetMeeting |
Internet
telephony client |
NetSpeak Corporation |
WebPhone 4.0 |
Internet
telephony client |
RADVision, Inc. |
OnLAN-323
GateKeeper |
Internet
telephony gatekeeper |
VocalTec Communications |
VocalTec
Gatekeeper |
Internet
telephony gatekeeper |
Digi International |
Digi NetBlazer
8500 |
Internet
telephony gateway, enterprise/provider |
Nuera Communications, Inc. |
Access Plus
F200ip |
Internet
telephony gateway, enterprise/provider |
Comdial Corporation |
ctvoice |
Internet
telephony gateway, enterprise-oriented |
Connected Systems |
SimpliCT VoIP
Gateway |
Internet
telephony gateway, enterprise-oriented |
Hypercom Network Systems |
IP.tel 6000 |
Internet
telephony gateway, provider-oriented |
Intelliswitch, Inc. |
iSwitch
Telephony Gateway |
Internet
telephony gateway, provider-oriented |
NeTrue Communications |
NeTruePhone |
Internet
telephony gateway, provider-oriented |
Cisco Systems |
Cisco 3600
platform |
Internet
telephony, router platform |
Brite Voice Systems |
BriteConnect |
IVR |
Edify Corporation |
Electronic
Workforce/LS |
IVR |
Periphonics Corporation |
CallSPONSOR |
Computer
Telephony Integration |
Cortelco Systems, Inc. |
Illuminations |
IVR, Web-based |
Vodavi Communications Systems, Inc. |
Hello! IVR |
IVR, Web-based |
Vodavi Communications Systems, Inc. |
Infinite
DVXPlus |
Key system |
NBX Corporation |
NBX 100
Communications System |
LAN telephony
system |
Motorola Internet And Networking Group |
Vanguard 6400
Series (6430 and 6450) |
Multiservice
networking |
Vina Technologies |
Multiservice
Xchange |
Multiservice
networking |
Fore Systems, Inc. |
ForeRunner LE25 |
Network
equipment, ATM switch |
3Com Corporation |
SuperStack II
Dual Speed Hub 500 |
Network
equipment, hub |
VIPswitch |
VIPswitch 360 |
Network
equipment, QoS solution |
Ascend Communications |
Ascend
Signaling Gateway (ASG) |
Network
equipment, remote access device |
Cabletron Systems |
SmartSwitch
Router (2000, 8000, 8600) |
Network
equipment, router |
Microsoft Corporation |
Windows
Embedded NT |
Operating
system, embedded |
APEX Voice Communications |
APEX Prepaid
System |
Operations
support, billing/administration |
CERFNet |
CERFtone |
Operations
support, billing/administration |
Inter-Tel |
Axxess 5.0 |
PBX |
NEC America, Inc. |
NEAX2000
Integrated Voice Server |
PBX |
Nitsuko America |
384i |
PBX |
Tadiran |
Coral ISBX |
PBX |
Telrad |
Digital 128 |
PBX |
Brite Voice Systems |
Programmable
Switching Module |
PBX adjunct |
Compaq Computer Corporation |
Compaq Microcom
705 Corporate Communicator |
PBX adjunct |
MediaCom Corporation |
MegaMiser |
PBX adjunct |
Konexx Unlimited Systems Corporation, Inc. |
DWIatt2 |
PBX adjunct,
digital/analog converter |
AltiGen Communications |
AltiWare Open
Edition |
PC-PBX, native
boards |
e-Voice Communications |
eVoice 3000 |
PC-PBX, native
boards |
Picazo Communications |
CT Pro |
PC-PBX, native
boards |
Artisoft, Inc. |
TeleVantage 2.0 |
PC-PBX,
third-party boards |
IBM |
IBM Computer
Telephony Business Solution |
PC-PBX,
third-party boards |
NetPhone, Inc. |
Communications
Server PBX-816 |
PC-PBX,
third-party boards |
Palm Computing, Inc. (3Com) |
Palm III |
PDA |
American Power Conversion (APC) |
MasterSwitch |
Power control |
Best Power |
FERRUPS |
Power control |
Liebert Corporation |
UPStation GXT
Multi Module |
Power control |
Tripp Lite |
Smart 2200 |
Power control |
Excel Switching Corporation |
ONE
Architecture Switching Platform |
Programmable
Switch |
Dictaphone Corporation |
da Vinci QMS |
Recording and
monitoring |
Racal Recorders, Inc. |
Mirra 200 |
Recording and
monitoring |
3Com Corporation |
SuperStack II
Remote Access System 1500 |
Remote access,
data |
Computone Corporation |
DCS-5000 |
Remote access,
data |
Data Race, Inc. |
Be There! NT
Clients |
Remote access,
voice (high capacity) |
Siemens Information And Communication Networks |
Hicom 300E |
Remote access,
voice (high capacity) |
Teltone Corporation |
OfficeLink 2000 |
Remote access,
voice (high capacity) |
MCK Communications |
EXTender 3000 |
Remote access,
voice (SOHO) |
Acuity Corporation |
WebCenter |
Service and
support |
Advantagekbs, Inc. |
IQSupport
Application Suite |
Service and
support |
Aptex Software, Inc. |
SelectResponse
3.0 |
Service and
support |
Arial Systems Corporation |
ArialView
Awareness |
Service and
support |
Delta Three, Inc. |
Online
Interactive Center |
Service and
support |
eGain Communications |
Email
Management System |
Service and
support |
ServiceSoft Corporation |
Web
Advisor/Knowledge Builder |
Service and
support |
MediaPhonics |
CyberDesk 1.5 |
SOHO |
SoloPoint, Inc. |
M-200 |
SOHO |
Symantec Corporation |
TalkWorks Pro
2.0 |
SOHO |
Vienna Systems |
Vienna IP
Shuttle |
SOHO |
Casio Phonemate, Inc. |
IT-380 E-Mail
Link |
SOHO, device |
Cayman Systems |
2E 500H |
SOHO, router |
01 Communique Laboratories, Inc. |
Communicate!
8.0 |
SOHO, unified
messaging |
Vista Imaging, Inc. |
ViCAM Digital
Video Camera |
SOHO, video
camera |
Xirlink, Inc. |
XVP 500 |
SOHO, video
camera |
Applied Language Technologies, Inc. (ALTech) |
SpeechWorks 4.0 |
Speech
recognition, development platform |
Nuance Communications |
V-Commerce |
Speech
recognition, development platform |
Parlance Corporation |
NameConnector
Services |
Speech
recognition, directory search |
Phonetic Systems, Inc. |
PhoneticOperator |
Speech
recognition, directory search |
Registry Magic |
Virtual
Operator |
Speech
recognition, directory search |
Ameritec Corporation |
ScriptMate |
Testing |
Hammer Technologies |
Hammer IP
VON/VoIP Test System |
Testing |
Zarak Systems Corporation |
Abacus System |
Testing |
Qronus Interactive |
LoadTester/CTI |
Testing, call
center/CTI |
Odin TeleSystems Inc. |
Thor-2-PCMIA |
Testing,
emulator/simulation |
Genoa Technology, Inc. |
FaxProbe 4.0
Kit |
Testing, fax |
Telegra Corporation |
MaxTrace V.17 |
Testing, fax |
Teltone Corporation |
Telephone Line
Emulator |
Testing, line
emulation |
Amanda Company |
Amanda@LargeOffice |
Unified
messaging |
AVT |
CallXpress For
Windows NT 5.10 |
Unified
messaging |
Callware Technologies |
Callegra For
Windows NT |
Unified
messaging |
Nortel Networks |
CallPilot |
Unified
messaging |
Telekol Corporation |
IntegraX
Business Communications Servers For Windows NT |
Unified
messaging |
General Magic |
Portico |
Virtual
assistant |
StarVox, Inc. |
StarGate Server |
Virtual PBX |
Esna Technologies |
Telephony
Office-Linx/Telephony LAN-Linx |
Voice mail,
auto-attendant |
Key Voice Technologies, Inc. |
Corporate
Office NT/Small Office NT |
Voice mail,
auto-attendant |
Locus Dialogue |
Liaison |
Voice mail,
auto-attendant |
Vodavi Communications Systems, Inc. |
Hello! For
Windows NT |
Voice mail,
auto-attendant |
Active Voice Corporation |
Lingo Voice
Mail System |
Voice mail,
auto-attendant, SOHO |
Amanda Company |
Amanda@SOHO |
Voice mail,
auto-attendant, SOHO |
CTL, Inc. |
FLASH |
Voice mail,
diskless |
GMA Communications |
GMA DigiMail |
Voice mail,
diskless |
Praxon, Inc. |
Praxon PDX |
Voice/data
switch |
Selsius Systems |
IP PBX |
Voice/data
switch |
Shoreline Teleworks |
CrystaLAN
System |
Voice/data
switch |
ADTRAN, Inc. |
ATLAS 800 Plus |
WAN access
platform |