CTI News

ALLIANCES/ACQUISITIONS
CTI BRIEFS

"A comprehensive VAR training program is an essential step toward accelerating adoption of computer telephony solutions," said Sam Liss, vice president of corporate marketing at Dialogic.

Dialogic CT training and certification programs will include several types of endorsements and levels of certification to meet the varied needs of VARs and their technical staff. The courses will combine formal lectures with hands-on lab exercises to provide the most up-to-date information about the market, products and services, CT application solution design, and implementation and deployment strategies. The classes will be taught by seasoned professionals with extensive industry experience.

For course registration and information, as well as an overview of the new certification program visit http://www.dialogic.com. A complete 1997 catalog will be available at the Web site. Alternatively, call Dialogic at 1-800-553-8004. For more information, contact Rosabel Tao at 201-993-3000 x6320.

Alpha Technologies Introduces New Wall-Mount UPS System
Alpha Technologies has announced it is introducing Nexsys - a wall-mount uninterruptable power supply (UPS) designed for today's telecommunications applications. The product is designed to protect key systems and other mission-critical communications equipment from damage due to line noise, surges, spikes, and brownouts. Nexsys provides up to two hours of internal runtime, in the event of complete utility loss, and more than eight hours of backup from optional wall-mount battery packs. Thanks to the wall- mount enclosure, the UPS and battery packs can be installed above the floor and near the equipment that is to be protected. A front-cover design similar to that on many key systems provides visible compatibility, allowing Nexsys UPS systems to be installed in open plan areas.

Nexsys is a maintenance-free, 600VA UPS system with automatic self-testing and an intelligent RS-232 interface for standard UPS alarm communication. A test panel on the front of the unit provides access to system information such as battery condition, input voltage levels, and overload alarm information.

Nexsys supplies a stable 60 ñ .1 Hz true sine wave output. The Nexsys system is designed to ensure complete blackout protection. It provides power conditioning with output regulation of ñ 5 percent over an input voltage range of 92 to 132VAC (+12 to -23 percent). The design employs a high-performance filter to guard against common noise mode while meeting the requirements of IEEE 62.41. For more information, contact Eric Wentz at 360-647-2360.

PairGain Rolls Out New Megabit Access Products
PairGain Technologies, Inc., announced additions to its megabit access product lines. The company believes this will offer telephone companies and other providers even more options to deliver high- bandwidth services to their customers over ordinary copper lines. Included among these additions is a line of Megabit Modem products.

The Megabit Modem 768 delivers up to 768kbps in both directions (symmetrically) and simultaneously, over a single copper telephone line. The Megabit Modem 768 Plus includes the same functionality, as well as a front-panel alphanumeric LCD display and control buttons. The display shows line margin and other status and modem parameters. The Megabit Modem NIC (network interface card) is an internal modem, which also delivers up to 768 kbps. According to PairGain, it is compatible with PCI-based personal computers, with drivers available for Windows 95, Windows NT, and many versions of UNIX. For more information, contact PairGain on the Internet at http://www.pairgain.com.

Positron Launches SONET Transmultiplexer
Positron Fiber Systems announced its new SONET transmultiplexer, Positron MIST. According to Positron, this is the first product that provides a single, easy-to-use platform to connect SONET and asynchronous networks while maintaining full SONET end-to-end management. "MIST completely changes the cost dynamic for inter-carrier connections, by allowing carriers to significantly reduce the number of broadband cross-connects in their network, while enhancing end-to-end SONET visibility," said Andrew Knott, vice president of marketing and sales at Positron.

The company says that MIST allows any VT1.5 granular EC1 connection from a SONET network to be presented as an M13-compatible DS3 interface. For customer access applications, MIST can demultiplex an EC1 tributary to provide 28 fully protected DS1 terminations. According to Positron, list price for MIST starts at $11,000. The product is to be available for delivery in the second quarter of 1997. MIST has two packaging options: compact standalone or high-density, rack-mount enclosures. For more information, contact Andrew Knott at 609-222-1288 or Ilene Wiener (PR@Vantage for Positron) at 201-461-1400.

MITEL Personal Assistant To Support USB
Mitel Corp. introduced the MITEL Personal Assistant, a telephony peripheral that supports the Universal Serial Bus (USB). "Mitel is dedicated to bringing telecommunications and computer technology together to solve desktop communications roadblocks," said Howard Tweddle, Head of DeskTop Interfaces, Mitel Corp. "With support for USB, MITEL Personal Assistant is the first computer peripheral to deliver the full power of CTI to users in the home and small office." USB is suited for computer telephony integration because of its support for isochronous data communications, which is necessary for support of real-time synchronous applications such as live voice and video transmission.

Mitel believes that by supporting USB, the MITEL Personal Assistant delivers true telecommunications plug and play. Jim Pappas, USB program manager at Intel Corp. says, "USB makes PC peripherals easier to use than ever before by delivering 'outside the box' plug-and-play capabilities. Mitel is an avid supporter of the USB specification, and as the first USB-enabled telephony peripheral, MITEL Personal Assistant is just the beginning for USB products of all kinds." For more information, contact Ann Hatchell (media relations) or Ian Chadsey (investor relations) at 613-592-2122.

Dialogic And SCO Team Up To Announce CT-Connect Open CTI Server For UNIX Systems
Dialogic Corporation and SCO announced that they are working together to develop, market, and support Dialogic's computer-telephony server software, CT-Connect, on SCO UNIX servers. According to the announcement, the software will be the first open standards-based CTI server for the UNIX operating system. "CT-Connect has been around for a bit, but now there's a fully native UNIX version being built, available second quarter. This is the very first fully UNIX CTI capability, and both Dialogic and SCO are proud to bring that to the ISV community," said Carl Strathmeyer, Director of Marketing, Computer Telephone Division at Dialogic.

Although Dialogic and SCO have been working together in the CTI marketplace for some time, this is the first formal agreement between the two companies.

The SCO UNIX system-based version will support the Microsoft Telephony API (TAPI) and Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) interfaces at initial release, and subsequently will support the Novell Telephony Services API (TSAPI) interface. CT-Connect for SCO UNIX will support a wide range of telephone systems, including the proprietary link protocols used by the Lucent Technologies DEFINITY PBX and the Nortel Meridian 1. The software will likewise support the international standard CSTA link protocol used by Alcatel, BBS Telecom, Bosch Telenorma, Cortelco, Ericsson, Intecom, Mitel, Rockwell, Siemens Business Communication Systems, Tadiran, and many other switches.

SCO's UNIX system operating environments are being widely utilized in a vareity of CTI solutions. In addition, there are many UNIX system-based applications, that can be enhanced by adding CTI capabilities.

Among the enhancements offered by CT-Connect is call control. This is the ability to direct calls with computer control or to find out more information about arriving calls, and act on them accordingly.

For example, a person makes a call to a bank to find out about their balance and is not satisfied with the automated voice-response system and chooses to speak with an operator. Rather than giving all the information to the voice-response system, then switching to a human operator and recounting all the information that was given to the automated system, call control will be able to forward all the pertinent information to that operator, and on down the line if it becomes necessary to switch between representatives. Mr. Strathmeyer likens it to a "third party, outside looking in on a call - the telephone operator's perspective on a call."
CT-Connect consists of a central server module and a set of distributable client modules. While Dialogic has offered CT-Connect client modules for a range of operating systems in the past, a UNIX system-based server has not been previously available. The SCO UNIX system-based CT-Connect server will be available in four configurations:

1. Full configuration, supporting all types of client modules and an unlimited number of client systems;
2. Desktop configuration, supporting an unlimited number of client systems but restricted to desktop applications;
3. Desktop Lite configuration, supporting up to 36 client systems running desktop applications;
4. Evaluation configuration, licensed free of charge, supporting up to 16 client systems running desktop applications.

CT-Connect has no usage-based license charges, and all client modules are included with each CT-Connect server at no additional charge. For more information, contact Bev Rindfleisch (Dialogic) at 408-432-3346 or Monika Laud (SCO) at 408-427-7421.

CAC Introduces 75-MFLOPS S-Bus Telephony Board
Communication Automation & Control, Inc. announced the SB32C, an S-Bus telephony board available with either a T1 or E1 interface. The board, equipped with two Lucent Technologies DSP32C digital signal processors, provides four CD-quality audio input/output channels and up to 1 MB of zero-wait-state SRAM. The SB32C interfaces directly with T1 and E1 lines and can transmit and receive in full duplex mode. Control for the framer chip is mapped into the DSP's memory space. T1 and E1 data are transmitted via the DSP's serial port.

The SB32C is available with either one or two DSP32C processors. The single-processor version features a peak performance of 37 MFLOPS, provides one stereo codec, and comes with 512 KB of private SRAM. The dual-processor version features a peak performance of 74 MFLOPS, provides two stereo codecs, and comes with 1 MB of zero-wait-state private SRAM (512 KB per DSP). The two DSPs communicate via an FIFO mapped into each DSP's memory space. One SB32C with a single 50-MHz DSP32C and a T1 interface costs $2,750 and is available now. For more information, contact Jim Bridges at 800-367-6735.

Coresoft Introduces CenterPoint Communications Manager
Coresoft Technologies, Inc. introduced CenterPoint, a software product that is being billed by the company as a Windows-based, integrated client/server communications manager. The product was designed to integrate and manage devices, services, and systems such as voice mail, e-mail, fax, Internet access, cellular phones, pagers, and contact managers, and combine them into one user-friendly environment. According to Coresoft, the CenterPoint software:

• simplifies conference calling by providing an easy click, drag, and drop option for conferencing or transferring calls;
• provides drag and drop broadcast fax or e-mail capabilities;
• stores all messages (voice, fax, e-mail) in one location, which can be accessed by computer or any telephone;
• offers callers choices, in addition to whom they would like to contact, such as accessing prerecorded informational messages and fax-back documents.

At the core of the CenterPoint software lies what the company calls the products most outstanding features: an Event Broker with Rules Engine and an IVR Builder. These features will allow VARs to customize the interactions among all of the end user's messaging components, thus providing the flexibility to configure systems to the specific needs of the end users.

Coresoft says CenterPoint can be integrated with many common business tools currently in use, such as MAPI-based e-mail systems, Internet browsers (Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer), contact managers (Symantec Act!), or voice mail systems (CallWare). In a separate announcement, Coresoft made public its alliance with Dialogic Corp. The partnership will focus on joint product development, integrating CenterPoint with Dialogic hardware, and educating VAR channels about unified messaging and CT opportunities. For more information, contact Brad Thatcher (Coltrin & Associates for Coresoft) at 212- 221-1616.

Commetrex And Xionics To Join MultiFax And IPS
Commetrex Corp. and Xionics Document Technologies, Inc. announced that Commetrex Group 3 fax technology, MultiFax, will be incorporated into Xionics' Intelligent Peripheral System (IPS). IPS is a combination of peripheral controller software and silicon, which supports fax, copy, scan, and print functions. IPS is designed to reduce time-to-market and development costs and to provide a scalable solution that enables OEMs to amortize costs across multiple product lines.

"Until now, MultiFax was used exclusively by computer telephony OEMs," said Mike Coffee, President of Commetrex. "Xionics' adoption of Commetrex's MultiFax technology marks its acceptance as a key element in mainstream computer peripherals and office equipment destined for worldwide distribution." For more information, contact Martin S. Lippman (Commetrex) at 770-449-7775 x370 or Suzanne Dumaresq (Xionics) at 617-229-4142.

Commetrex Cuts Multiline Fax Price In Half
Commetrex Corporation announced a major price break in the cost of multiline fax boards. According to Commetrex, the company is now offering an integrated fax board with per-port pricing roughly half the price of competitive boards. The 8-line board with loop-start line interfaces is $3,100; the integrated T1 board is $8,400. Both boards offer an MVIP connector and may be interconnected with other MVIP- compatible PC add-in boards. Fax systems of up to 96 ports per PC can be created.

"It has always been our belief that the use of fax in computer telephony systems was limited by the high per- port prices of multiline fax system resources, and that Commetrex could dramatically lower the price of multiline fax systems, while providing developers with state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive tools for them to build sophisticated, reliable, and reasonably priced products for their customers," said Mike Coffee, President of Commetrex. "The introduction of these boards is the first step in that direction. We intend to continue this initiative with additional products for voice, fax, data, and other media in the future." For more information, contact Martin S. Lippman at 770-449-7775 x370.

Pacific Telephony Design Unveils Search Engine To Locate Used Telecomm Equipment and Parts
Pacific Telephony Design unveiled a new Internet search engine, which enables visitors to easily locate used telecommunications equipment and accessories. The search engine enables buyers and sellers to place free online advertisements for used telecommunications gear and accessories such as PBX and voice mail systems. Visitors can search for equipment by category, keyword, and price range. Internet advertisements can be placed free of charge. Visitors can browse and place advertisements by going to the URL (http://www.phonezone.com/swapmeet). For more information, contact Brian McConnell at 415-647-9911 x201.

Ariel Announces High-Density, All-Digital Modem Boards
Ariel Corp. announced two products in a line of high-density, all-digital modem boards, T1-Modem and CTI-Modem. Featuring up to 24 ports at a cost of less than $500 per port, Ariel claims the two boards pack two to four times the functional density of their nearest competitors, at a significantly lower price per port.

T1-Modem is a high-density modem board that provides either twelve or twenty-four 28.8 kbit/sec v.34 modems in a single ISA bus slot. CTI-Modem is a soft (programmable) DSP-based modem board providing up to sixteen v.32ter modems in a single slot. Both boards are equipped with MVIP and SCSA computer telephony interfaces, which enable them to be connected to T1, ISDN, and analog line cards. The products target data-intensive applications requiring large numbers of modems. Some of these include transaction processing (credit card purchases, order entry, record retrieval), on-line services (travel agencies, home shopping), Internet service providers, PBX adjuncts, and Teletext.
T1-Modem costs $13,500 in quantity, and the cost of CTI-Modem is $10,000 in quantity, according to Ariel. For more information, contact Steve Curtin at 609-860-2900.

Plantronics Offers Integrated Headset Adapter
Plantronics, Inc., has introduced the Headset Switcher adapter (Switcher), which is an integrated computer and telephone headset adapter. According to Plantronics, with the Switcher, users can utilize a single Plantronics headset to easily transition from a telephone call to listening to or recording computer voice annotations, performing speech recognition applications, listening to music, or any number of other computer and audio applications.

The Switcher is compatible with many desktop telephones. In computer mode, it supplies a self-powered microphone (to provide compatibility with PCs and sound cards) and a cleaner signal (for speech- recognition applications). The Switcher connects to many audio devices with 3.5-mm ports for microphone and headphone connections to support personal conferencing, Internet telephony, speech recognition, and other applications. The product will have a suggested retail price of $149.95, and Plantronics believes it will be available in early 1997. For more information, contact Joyce Shimizu at 408-458-4484.

TTC Offers TIMS-45 Analog Option for FIREBERD Test Instruments
Telecommunications Techniques Corp. announced the addition of a TIMS-45 analog option to the FIREBERD 6000A and the FIREBERD 4000. The TIMS-45 option enables the user to implement Transmission Impairment Measurement Set (TIMS) tests on both Voice Frequency (VF) and Wideband analog lines. Using new E and F filters, the user is able to qualify High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL), Digital Data Services (DDS), and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) circuits.

The TIMS-45 mounts on the FIREBERD. In addition, TRT is offering a lid option, which contains a screen to view test set-up and results at a glance as well as a keypad. The option includes an external power adapter, which allows the lid to be operated separately from the FIREBERD 6000A/4000. The TIMS-45 Analog Lid option costs $3995. For more information, contact Rob Clark at 301-353-1560 x2184.

Dialogic Ships PureSpeech Speech-Recognition Software
Dialogic announced it is shipping ReCite! speech recognition software from PureSpeech. The package runs on the Antares open digital signal processor (DSP) platform, under the SCO UNIX operating system. ReCite! offers advanced speech recognition, and relieves end-user customers of the burden created by limited vocabularies or awkward pauses, allowing them to speak naturally.

The ReCite!/Antares combination allows developers to create call processing, automatic speech recognition (ASR)-based speech applications for telephony systems. The product enables continuous speech, large vocabulary applications (up to 2,000 words), speaker-independent recognition, and real-time vocabulary generation. The PureSpeech ReCite! SCO UNIX version is currently available, and Dialogic believes that a Windows NT version will be available in early 1997. For more information, contact Amy Limb (PureSpeech) at 617-441-0000.

AVA Systems To Support AMIS Networking And Overhead Paging
AVA Technology announced the latest release of software for its AVA-100, AVA-200, and AVA-200 Plus Voice/Fax Processing Systems. Version 4.30 comes with several new features, including support for AMIS (Audio Messaging Interchange Specification) Networking, Overhead Paging, and a Quick Install/Setup Utility.

AMIS support allows AVA users at remote office locations with completely separate AVA systems to communicate with each other via their own mailbox. AMIS support also allows users to exchange messages with other companies that have an AMIS-compatible voice mail system. Overhead Paging provides callers with the option of paging the user at the requested extension after unsuccessful transfers. The Quick Setup Utility is aimed at installers and technicians. When an AVA system is powered up for the first time, it will alert the installer that it has not been programmed. Based on a series of simple questions and responses, the system will automatically program itself for the phone system and integration method required. For more information, contact Karen Clough at 1-800-488-8840.

Lucent Extends PassageWay Telephony Services, Ships Windows NT Version
Lucent Technologies announced the general availability of its PassageWay Telephony Services for Microsoft Windows NT, in response to customer requests. PassageWay Telephony Services, available on Novell's NetWare since 1994, provides customers a common open platform based on the TSAPI interface, for building computer telephony solutions.

Using the TSAPI interface supported by many PBX vendors, CTI applications written for PassageWay Telephony Services for NetWare run unchanged on the NT version, allowing customers to grow their corporate networks with both platforms. PassageWay Telephony Services supports a wide variety of clients: Microsoft Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows NT, OS/2, Macintosh, UnixWare, and HP-UX client workstations running TCP/IP to either a NetWare or Windows NT server. For more information, contact Ryerson Schwark at 908-953-7528.

National Semiconductor Ships First Microsoft Windows TAPI Service Provider Software
Targeted For Local Area Networks National Semiconductor Corp. announced that it is now shipping a Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI) Service Provider software for Local Area Network connected PCs. The software is integrated with the company's isoEthernet ISA adapter cards.

According to National Semiconductor, the software enables real-time interactive multimedia applications and provides a platform for all current and future TAPI-enabled applications for Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups, and Windows 95 systems. Furthermore, the product establishes "phone call connections" for real-time voice, video, data conferencing, and telephony processing applications from the LAN- connected PC. This call control or "signaling" software runs entirely on the PC's processor and interfaces to the TAPI service provider interface. This allows existing TAPI applications to interface to networking hardware such as isoEthernet and other isochronous communications protocols such as ISDN and ATM. For more information, contact National's Customer Response Group at 1-800-272-9959.

NEC And Cintech Release JAZZ2000 ACD Software For Call Centers
NEC America and Cintech Tele-Management Systems, Inc. announced the commercial availability of JAZZ2000, a PC software application designed by Cintech exclusively for NEC's NEAX 2000 IVS PBX and offered only through the NEC America authorized distribution channel. The JAZZ2000 ACD product customizes the system to achieve a variety of sophistication levels.

"The development of JAZZ2000 is significant because it allows us to deliver an advanced ACD application for the exploding call center market, while complementing the power and versatility of our NEAX 2000 IVS PBX system for the under 500 phone lines market," said Bob Talty, marketing vice president for NEC America Corporate Networks Group.

System variables include decisions on the number of phone lines needed, in addition to announcement, overflow, reporting, and management requirements. The application will handle a maximum of 80 active agents, and 24 agent groups, as well as the NEAX 2000 IVS system, offering expandability of up to 512 ports. For more information, contact Jim Dundon (NEC) at 972-518-4945 or Julie Hopkins (Cintech) at 513-731-6000.

Natural MicroSystems Expands Wireless Telephony Offerings
To further integrate the core SS7 technology gained from its recent acquisition of TEKnique, Inc., Natural MicroSystems has released an enhanced version of its communications processor, the TX2000. This latest version of the TX2000 adds capabilities including a dual-T1 interface, which enables the passing of both voice and data over a T1 line. The new enhancement provides a digital connection for SS7 and voice.

Allen Carney, vice president of Marketing and Business Development at Natural MicroSystems said, "We have moved very quickly to integrate TEKnique's core technology into our product line. The combination of NMS's exceptional trunking, programmable switching, and voice encoding/decoding technology with our new SS7 technology offers developers an excellent solution as they build systems for the IN and wireless networks." The TX2000 has a suggested list price of $2,495 in a basic configuration, with interface options and software development kits priced separately. The TX2000 and the new T1 interface are available immediately. For more information, contact Patrick Fetterman at 508-650-1372.

Nortel Introduces Norstar-PLUS Compact ICS
Northern Telecom unveiled its new Norstar-PLUS digital key system that brings high-end business communication capabilities to businesses that need up to 8 outside lines and 24 telephones. The Integrated Communications System (ICS) offers over 100 features, including an integrated automated attendant that allows calls to be answered and routed to the right person or group more efficiently.

According to Johnnie Holt, Nortel's assistant vice president, Norstar, "Many Norstar customers with smaller capacity requirements need many of the most sophisticated applications to compete in today's business climate. Based on the reaction we have received from this market segment, the Norstar-PLUS Compact ICS will meet those needs."

Applications that can be added to the Norstar-PLUS Compact ICS include voice mail and fax messaging capabilities. The system will soon support Microsoft's TAPI and Novell's TSAPI interfaces. The Norstar- PLUS Compact ICS is currently available from Nortel's Authorized Norstar Distributors. For more information, contact Brian D. Murphy at 214-684-8589.

RADVision Unveils Standards-Compliant H.323/H.320 Gateway
RADVision announced the L2W-323, a fully standards-compliant H.323/H.320 gateway, which will enable H.323 users to communicate with any remote station, by networking LAN or Intranet-based H.323 terminals with H.320 terminals connected to ISDN or other switched digital networks.

The L2W-323 is a stand alone unit that connects up to four concurrent calls between IP-based H.323 codecs and remote users connected to the switched digital networks, at speeds up to 384 kbps per call. Multiple gateways can be installed in parallel to support higher call volume. The WAN ports of the L2W-323 can be configured as ISDN/BRI or V.35 for higher speeds, while the LAN ports include Ethernet and Token Ring. According to RADVision, other network types will be added.

Current users of RADVision's L2W-20 LAN/WAN, which is used to connect H.320 systems across local and wide-area networks, will be able to migrate to the L2W-323 by downloading a new software version. RADVision expects to release the L2W-323 in the first quarter of 1997. Prices will start at $5,950. For more information, contact Ilene Wiener at 201-461-1400.

Ariel Releases RASsoft Remote Access Software
Ariel Corp. announced RASsoft, a turnkey software solution for building remote access servers. According to Ariel, RASsoft gives systems integrators all of the software components needed to build open architecture servers providing remote access to the Internet, corporate Intranets, and online services using off-the-shelf hardware components. Servers utilizing RASsoft can support up to 240 sessions per shelf, and over 1,000 sessions in a single rack.

The new software solution supports both V.34+ (33.6kbps) and ISDN subscribers, and provides all the call control, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), RADIUS authentication and billing, SNMP agent, and administration features needed for a complete remote access server offering. RASsoft is based on open UnixWare architecture. RASsoft's HTML-based administration software enables system administrators to configure and monitor the system with a Web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. The graphical interface provides easy-to-use screens for both configuration and administration. For more information, contact Steve Curtin (Ariel) at 609-860-2900.

Copia International Introduces FFWEB
FFWEB, a new application from Copia International, retrieves Web documents and translates them to a faxable format. Documents on a Web site can now be downloaded to fax machines. When used in conjunction with FaxFacts Fax-on-Demand system, FFWEB makes Web pages available to customers with fax machines, but no Internet access.

A search engine retrieves Web pages from the Internet and converts them to a faxable format. FFWEB automatically builds a database of document locations that can be cross-referenced to document numbers keyed at the telephone keypad by callers. When a caller chooses a document number, FFWEB cross- references it to a URL site, converts the document to fax format, and delivers it to the keyed fax number. Documents are automatically paginated, and colors are replaced with grays and black. If a list of document numbers is offered as a menu choice on the Fax-on-Demand system, callers can easily locate the documents they need. For more information, contact Dorothy Gaden-Flanagan at 630-682-8898.

Rhetorex Unveils TAPI Express For Client/Server Unified Messaging
Rhetorex, Inc. announced the TAPI Express computer telephony (CT) board, specifically designed for TAPI-based client/server unified messaging applications. Built on the Rhetorex RealCT platform, the TAPI Express board resides in the server with no requirements for additional TAPI hardware in client PCs. "With TAPI Express, we are taking a leadership position in the delivery of unified messaging solutions today," said Kenneth Lavine, president and CEO of Rhetorex. "Rhetorex has made it easier for VARs and SIs to implement robust client/server unified messaging applications by providing a complete hardware solution that is open, easy to install, and cost-effective."

According to the company, TAPI Express for TAPI 2.0 will be available in the first quarter of 1997. A version for TAPI 1.4 (Windows 95) is available now. Pricing starts at $995 for a single board. For more information, contact Stephen Weekly at 408-370-0881 x1110.

Teltone Introduces ISDN Demonstrator
Teltone Corporation has announced the ISDN Demonstrator, which offers an easy and inexpensive way to demonstrate ISDN CPE equipment, without requiring an ISDN service connection. The product is well- suited for trade shows or on-site customer presentations.

Primary features of the ISDN Demonstrator include: two ISDN-BRI (2B+D) lines for end-to-end simulation; single U (2B1Q) interface at each line; speech; support for National ISDN-1 switch provisioning (AT&T 5ESS is optional); Windows-based configuration software; 3.1 kHz audio, 7 kHz audio, circuit mode data, and D channel packet mode data; point-to-multipoint configurations; in-band tones, and primary line power to six terminating devices. The ISDN Demonstrator uses 115 VAC 50/60 Hz. Teltone offers the product at a list price of $1,495. For more information, contact Tom Trexler or Mike Balch at 800-426-3926 or 206-487-1515.

TRT Launches CommPoint For Windows NT 4.0
Telephone Response Technologies, Inc. announced their next-generation client/server CT product, CommPoint. TRT notes the product is designed to take advantage of the many benefits of Windows NT 4.0. The first of CommPoint's modules to be released includes CP/Mail, a voice mail/auto-attendant module; CP/Script, a customization script language; and CP/Query, an SQL database access module. Another module, CP/Toolkit, will provide a low-level API for Microsoft Visual C++ development of 32-bit Windows NT-based CT applications, and TRT expects that module to ship in early 1997.

The first release of CommPoint will support digital T-1, ISDN PRI, and analog lines. TRT is offering CommPoint as software only, software bundled with hardware cards, and as fully integrated turnkey systems. For more information, contact Chris Bajorek at 916-784-7777 x123.

Genesys Offers Intelligent Routing Software For Enabling Video Call Centers
Genesys Telecommunication Laboratories announced a new software product: VideoACD. According to Genesys, the software is capable of intelligently routing inbound video calls through multimedia call centers and organizations. VideoACD will run on either POTS or ISDN lines.

"As waves of businesses and consumers begin to use the video capabilities of multimedia computers and the World Wide Web, video-enabled call centers will increase in importance," said John Bara, director of Product Marketing at Genesys. Scott Darling, director of Marketing for Intel's Internet and Communications Group, added, "Videoconferencing is now a critical capability that businesses must have as part of their telecommunications capabilities."

In a video-enabled call center, operators can see and hear their callers in real time, enabling them to more easily share information or demonstrate products. Genesys believes the first adopters of VideoACD will be the telecommunications, financial, retail, and healthcare industries.

The company says VideoACD will be available sometime in the first quarter of 1997, in systems solutions intended for enterprise and premise-based call center environments. Genesys believes that such a call center could be implemented for less than $4,000 per seat. For more information, contact Karine Hagen at 415-437-1163.

TYAN Unleashes Netscaliber Soft Modem/ISDN Board
TYAN computer announced Netscaliber, a combination soft modem/ISDN board. The Netscaliber is a combination V.34bis modem and a 128Kbps ISDN modem, and these modes can either run independently or in concert. It is designed for the user who needs the ISDN modem now, as well as for the user who needs a high-speed analog modem now, but plans to move to ISDN in the future. Users don't have to concern themselves over whether the other party is using an analog or ISDN modem.

TYAN allows its modem to utilize host-based technology, which uses the main CPU's unused processing cycles for communications processing. Netscaliber also supports the AT command set. TYAN asserts this feature is important because many communications programs only use AT commands. Support for the AT command set ensures compatibility with communications programs such as Procomm for Windows and PC Anywhere. For more information, contact Lee Shaeffer or Daryl Pipkin at 408-956-8000.

HP Introduces PowerWise Assistance For The Web
Hewlett-Packard Company announced PowerWise assistance for the Web, a Web-based solution for managing networked power-protection systems. Available at no cost from HP, Web assistance makes it possible for network managers to access, monitor, and configure the UPS from any remote location by clicking on a Web browser. The browser gives network administrators an up-to-date view of real-time power problems, performance, and status, so that they can manage power protection. Similar to other HP PowerWise units, Web assistance is part of a single box solution - complete with hardware unit, cables, and CD-ROM software package, including power-management software and SNMP agent.

John Page, UPS program manager for HP's New Jersey Division said, "Web-enabled power management is a huge timesaver for network administrators. It makes it easy for them to administer their UPS from any client, in the simple and convenient Web framework."
Once installed, Web assistance runs on a network server along with the Power Management software and the SNMP software agent. Web assistance is management-platform independent and supports several platforms ranging from UNIX to Windows NT systems. For more information, contact Julie Lydon or Pat Arcand of Copithorne & Bellows for HP at 617-450-4300.

MeetingPlace WebPublisher Software From Latitude
Latitude Communications announced MeetingPlace WebPublisher, which is described as a new software product that integrates the MeetingPlace conference server with a company's existing Intranet or Internet Web sites. MeetingPlace WebPublisher allows browser users to schedule conferences, access meeting materials, and listen to recordings using the phone or a RealAudio-enabled Web site.

MeetingPlace WebPublisher provides a form from which users can set up voice conferences. From their Web browsers, users can schedule the date, time, length, password, and number of locations for the meeting, as well as specify recording options, arrival and departure announcements, and passwords. This Web-based scheduling capability extends the suite of conference scheduling interfaces provided by MeetingPlace, which also provides touch-tone telephone, Windows, Macintosh, and e-mail interfaces for conference scheduling. MeetingPlace WebPublisher is available immediately for Windows NT for $4,995 as a software component to the MeetingPlace conference server. Other options, such as MeetingNotes, gateways to e-mail and fax systems, and client software are also available. For more information, contact Shirley Macbeth or Jennifer Knapp (Schwartz Communications, Inc., for Latitude) at 415-512-0770.

Inter-Tel Debuts Vocal'Net Server
Inter-Tel announced the Vocal'Net Server, its Internet communications solution. According to Inter-Tel, the Vocal'Net Server enables individuals in an organization to make calls over the Internet and private computer networks, or Intranets, using a desktop telephone. No specialized software or card is required in each desktop PC, and custom telephone sets are not required. The Vocal'Net Server is designed to create a bridge between the public telephone network and a TCP/IP network, and allow two-way voice communications.

Supporting up to 24 simultaneous calls, the Vocal'Net Server was designed for business applications, and since it does not rely on the server's CPU for compression and packetization, the server will remain free to handle other functions as well. Inter-Tel says that in the initial release, scheduled for March 1997, Vocal'Net Server will support calls placed from telephone to telephone. Later releases of the product are planned to support communications from telephone to computer, computer to telephone, computer to computer, and fax to fax. For more information, contact Steven Mihaylo, chairman/CEO, or Kurt Kneip, vice president/CFO, at 602-302-8900.

Syntellect Releases VocalPoint And Bank Works
Syntellect, Inc. has introduced VocalPoint, a new Interactive Web Response (IWR) platform, and Bank Works, a predefined set of VocalPoint IWR home-banking applications that are customizable to match the individual bank's corporate identity. IWR is described as an enterprise-wide solution for high-volume processing of business transactions via the Internet. The Bank Works application suite can extend a bank's home page to provide a fully interactive solution set for its customers.

"IVR revolutionized the way businesses interacted with their customers in the 80's and early 90's, now IWR is taking customer self-service even further by facilitating such complex transactions as home banking, insurance benefits enrollment, and order processing," said Roger Reece, vice president of Marketing and Communications at Syntellect.

Tricia Lester, vice president of Marketing for Syntellect's Inbound Call Center System explains, "With the Bank Works IWR system, a bank has hands-on control of their applications. And if the bank expects a high volume of transactions, the system will cost-justify itself quickly."

For more information, contact Ann D. Conrad at 800-347-9907 x7313 or Roger Reece at x7567.

Product Enhancements From Pronexus
Pronexus announced several product enhancements, including: VBFax, Win32 edition (32-bit fax); expanded VBVoice voice card compatibility (including Dialogic, Pika, and Aculab); VBVoice, Win32 edition (high-density digital connectivity - up to 96 lines, T1, E1, ISDN); and speech recognition (SR) and text-to-speech (TTS) functionality.

VBFax, Win32 edition is a component-based software development toolkit that enables creation of applications for fax-on-demand, fax broadcasting, network fax server, fax storage and forwarding, e-mail fax gateway, and imaging systems. VBVoice, Win32 edition now offers greater compatibility. Pronexus has integrated Pika and Dialogic voice-driver support into its 32-bit OCX for commercial telephony applications on Windows NT. VBVoice Win32 Edition is now capable of supporting 96-line configurations. Pronexus supports analog and digital T1-line interfaces on the Rhetorex RDSP/RTNI platform and an E1/ISDN-line interface with Aculab drivers. The company plans to introduce support for the Dialogic 300SC-E1 voice card. Pronexus is now distributing the Watson Advanced Speech Recognition (ASR) platform from AT&T with its VBVoice, Win32 edition application generator for Windows 95. Voice recognition is enabled through an interface control that processes speaker-independent, continuous speech phrases within a user-defined vocabulary. TTS functionality is provided through a system phrase property that reads data from any source and converts it into words and phrases. For more information, contact Marc Wolvin at 613-839-0033 x525.

Dialogic Ships DualSpan
Dialogic Corp. announced it is now shipping DualSpan, a series of voice and call processing boards designed for large-scale PC-based systems. The DualSpan D/480SC-2T1 is a 48-port voice processing card which includes two digital network spans in a single PC slot. According to Dialogic, developers interested in building large voice processing systems can now comfortably fit a 336-port voice processing system in a single PC. The DualSpan D/240SC-2T1 has two ports of network interface for every port of voice processing. This makes it a candidate for applications such as debit card and international call back, which do not require fully populated voice processing boards. The D/240SC-2T1 also fits into a single slot.

The DualSpan series supports application development under Windows NT, UNIX, and DOS operating systems. An application written for Dialogic's SCbus products can now work on boards ranging from the 4- port D/41ESC to the 48-port D/480SC-2T1. For more information, contact Rosabel Tao at 201-993-3000 x6320.

Artisoft InfoFast Fax-On-Demand/Audiotext Solution Bundled With Dialogic Hardware Now
Shipping Artisoft announced that it is shipping Artisoft InfoFast v1.0 fax-on-demand/audiotext software, the first in a series of computer telephony (CT) solutions jointly promoted with Dialogic Corp. Billed as an affordable, professional business solution that provides 24-hour access to fax documents, Web documents, and voice recordings via fax or phone, the new software comes bundled with Dialogic's ProLine/2V voice processing component and CPi/100 fax processing component, and is priced at $1995 MSRP. The bundled product will support two voice lines and one fax line, and is scalable to eight voice lines and four fax lines. Artisoft expects that additional capabilities, including interactive voice response, will be released in the first half of 1997.

InfoFast is designed for phone-intensive small and medium-sized businesses that handle repetitive customer requests for information. With InfoFast v1.0, customers can call any time and receive items such as company brochures, directions, hours of operation, order forms, and the like, via fax or voice recording. The software provides ease-of-use features such as a drag and drop graphical user interface; a fully automated catalog or index of faxable documents; a recording studio utility that allows customization of all voice prompts in one sitting; and one-button HTML document synchronization that translates Web pages into faxable images for fax-on-demand.

The software is designed to run on a standalone PC or across Windows 95, Windows NT, NetWare, and LANtastic networks. Additional options include a number restriction feature, which would allow users to lock out certain fax numbers (e.g., 900, 976, 411); the ability to create customized document headers, covers, and end pages; a capability which would allow users to generate fax files from any Windows-based application using a built-in Windows printer driver; and a feature that would allow users to configure their systems for one-call faxing, two-call faxing, or a combination of both, so callers can request documents from a phone or fax handset. InfoFast also offers such features as: built-in error checking for consistent information fulfillment; transmission log for monitoring and record-keeping; restriction for the number of documents faxed per caller; intelligent retry strategy for faxing documents; full multimedia support for voice-prompt creation; and automated start and stop dates for menu choices. For more information, call Debra Deininger at 520-670-7300.

ALLIANCES/ACQUISITIONS

Industry Leaders Band Together In IT Rapid Deployment Drive
VocalTec, Ltd. announced its founding membership in the Voice Over IP (VoIP) Forum, a cooperative coalition of Internet, telephony, hardware, software, and networking industry leaders, which is intended to create and drive rapid deployment of a set of standards for the compatibility of Internet telephony (IT) products. In addition to VocalTec, founding participants include Cisco Systems, Dialogic Corp., and other industry leaders. The 40 initial members have joined forces based on their shared interest in accelerating the growth of telephony applications over the Internet, corporate Intranets, and bridging to the regular or public switched network.

The VoIP Forum will work towards an implementation agreement that incorporates and extends existing standards and elements of the International Telecommuni-cations Union H.323 interoperability standard, industry-accepted codecs, call management, and other issues. For more information, contact Simona Wilrich (VocalTec) at 201-768-9400.

Alcatel Telecom Allies With Data Logic For CTI Software
Alcatel Telecom has announced a strategic alliance with Data Logic Ltd., wherein Alcatel will supply and support Data Logic's Easyphone integrated call management software with its own 4400 PABX platform.

"The strategic alliance with Data Logic will allow Alcatel Telecom to offer customer applications, which take telephony from being a passive part of the business, to being at the very core," said Perry Burns, Director - Large Voice - of Alcatel Telecom.

Easyphone is a single integrated call management software product which provides solutions for inbound and outbound call handling, call blending, and campaign management.

It is CTI enabled to take advantage of the Alcatel 4400's PBX/CSTA technology, and its client/server architecture employs industry standard open platforms to allow integration into existing corporate networks. The Alcatel 4400 is a multifunctional corporate PBX designed for organizations with requirements for 30 or more extensions. It also serves as a hub, multiplexer, wireless communications front end, multimedia communications integrator, and an application platform. For more information, contact Data Logic at bpatel@datlog.co.uk.

Apple And FORE Collaborate On Common API For High-Speed ATM
Apple Computer, Inc. announced a licensing agreement with FORE Systems to develop a common API for high-speed ATM technology. This agreement will enable FORE to develop an implementation of an ATM API, allowing applications to take advantage of native ATM services on both Macintosh and UNIX platforms.

The collaboration with FORE complements Apple's recent announcement of the Apple ATM Middleware, which is intended to help accelerate ATM solutions development for both adapter and software engineers. The ATM API is intended to be written to the X-Open XTI specification and would provide all the necessary interfaces, network, and OS integration that will be an integral part of the ATM Middleware.

There is an increasing need in the entertainment and broadcast industry to have access to high-speed, multiplatform communications for the digital studio market. Apple believes a new class of applications and peripherals could take advantage of the features of ATM, including speed, quality of service guarantees, and scalability without sacrificing connectivity to legacy networks, the Internet, and existing applications. For more information, contact Maureen O'Connell (Apple) at 408-862-6689.

Genesys And NCR Sign Global VAR Agreement
Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc., and NCR announced that they have entered into a global VAR relationship. Under the terms of the agreement, NCR will offer the full suite of Genesys Computer Telephony Integration products throughout the world. The agreement also establishes NCR as the first distributor of Genesys software in Japan. NCR will market Genesys solutions to financial, communications, and retail industries, where both companies have an established presence. In addition, NCR is planning to market Genesys solutions to its data warehouse customer base.

"Because NCR is committed to helping customers in all computing environments, as is Genesys, working together is a natural fit. Under this agreement, we are bringing a powerful solution set to the financial, retail, and telecommunications marketplace, offering total integrated solutions to customers around the world," said George Geros, vice president, channel sales for Genesys. "Genesys looks forward to a long-term relationship with NCR."

For more information, contact Karine Hagen (Genesys) at 415-437-1163 or Susana Thompson (NCR) at 506-526-1601.

IBM And Nabnasset To Offer Integration Of Voice And Data Systems
IBM announced that Nabnasset Corporation has become an IBM Midrange Business Partner, Industry Remarketer Affiliate. As a result of the partnership, IBM and Nabnasset will deliver integrated call center applications supporting a wide range of PBX and ACD switch environments. Nabnasset will offer its CTI software, VESP (Voice Enhanced Services Platform), on IBM's CallPath server, thus increasing the number of companies that can implement the VESP software.

CallPath is a voice and data solution which integrates telephone systems and computer systems to facilitate the exchange of information between PBX or ACD products and the VESP system. Currently, more than 20 telephone switches can integrate with the VESP/CallPath solution. These include: Alcatel 4400, Aspect via CSA Gateway, AT&T DEFINITY, Ericsson MD-110 via ApplicationLink, Northern Telecom DMS-100, Northern Telecom Meridian 1 Communications System, Philips Soppho and Octopus, ROLM 9751 Computerized Branch Exchange (CBX), and Siemens Hicom-300. For more information, contact Larry Edwards (IBM) at 919-254-7773 or Susan Cohen (Nabnasset) at 508-787-2851.

Ingram Micro Agreements With Active Voice And Siemens
Ingram Micro, Inc. announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Active Voice Corp. to distribute its CTI and voice-processing hardware and software products throughout the United States. "We are very excited that Active Voice, a pioneer in CTI and voice processing, will join Ingram Micro's roster of CTI solution providers," said Laura Skinner, vice president and general manager of Ingram Micro's Telecom Integration Division.

Under the terms of the prospective agreement, Ingram Micro will distribute Active Voice's entire line of CTI products: the TeLANophy suite of desktop unified messaging and call management applications, including ViewMail, ViewFax, ViewCall, and E-Mail Integration, as well as the Repartee, Replay, and Replay Plus voice processing systems.

Ingram Micro, together with Siemens Business Communications, Inc., further announced a reseller distribution agreement under which Ingram Micro will distribute Siemens' OfficePoint system to VARs throughout the United States and Canada. OfficePoint is an ISDN system designed for small offices. For more information, contact Kirsten Frosh (Ingram Micro) at 714-566-1000 x2727 or Anita Giani (Siemens) at 408-777-4546.

Unimax And Supply Technology Announce Partnership
Unimax Systems Corp. and Supply Technology, Inc. have announced a distribution agreement which will add Unimax's configuration management software to the suite of products Supply Technology supplies to its customers.

According to Unimax CEO Fred Sweeny, "Our partnership will provide Supply Technology customers with software tools to save time and money in the administration of their PBX and voice mail systems, through an easy-to-use GUI on a PC."

Supply Technology principal Beth Morley adds, "As national remarketers of telecommunication equipment, we add value by providing our customers with products that help them control their total telecom costs. The Unimax products allow us to give them a powerful new tool to eliminate programming hours and travel time on one of their most costly departmental activities - moves, adds, and changes."

Unimax configuration management products also support fault management and provide updating of multiple telephony applications, such as call accounting, corporate directory, and E911 systems. For more information, contact Jan Carron (Unimax) at 800-886-0390 or Beth Morley (Supply Technology) at 714- 646-7292.

US ONE Communications Allies With IEX
US ONE Communications announced that it has teamed up with IEX to implement an enhanced services platform for its nationwide te