Enhanced Services Product Listings:
It's An IP World, Get Used To It
BY MIKE VON WAHLDE
I was chatting with Chris Donner, editorial director of TMC�s eNews
In Your Inbox about enhanced services an all-encompassing area of telecom,
and he offered this as a definition �Enhanced services take advantage of
next-gen technologies and networks to perform functions that would have
been either cumbersome, expensive, or even impossible with the traditional
PSTN/circuit-switched network.�
This got me to thinking�the technology exists for everyone to take
advantage of, so why not get on it? Get your communications system out of
the dark ages quickly and easily.
Enhanced services�like a five gallon bucket left out in a pouring,
steady rain, the term collects all the value-added services that make IP
telephony such a hot ticket -- collaboration, converged in-boxes, IVR,
video conferencing, customer touch, integrated voice and e-mail�the list
goes on but the underlying idea stays the same -- these are services that
are new, sticky, and IP-based.
The addition of services to a telecommunications system grows first out
of an emptiness -- a need to create a more holistic touchpoint for the
user, whether that user is a consumer and you are a provider trying to be
distinct from your competitors or you are a enterprise trying to enable
your employees to communicate more effectively and efficiently. As a
service provider or a forward-thinking enterprise, it is key that enhanced
services are an integral part of your structure.
Start your search here, and then poke around more and more as you
figure out just what it is you need to function on that higher plane.
BeVocal Foundation Platform
BeVocal, Inc.
1380 Bordeaux Dr.
Sunnyvale, California 94089-1005
408-907-3200
www.bevocal.com
The BeVocal Foundation Platform and the associated services are available
to carriers on a hosted or in-network basis. BeVocal Total Voice Portal is
an integrated bundle of voice activated applications that enable callers
to use simple spoken commands and keywords to access location and travel
services (driving directions, business finder, weather, traffic, and
flight info), information services (stock quotes, news, sports), and
entertainment services (movies, TV dramas, horoscopes, lottery). BeVocal
Total Voice Dialer enables callers to dial by simply using their voice.
Integrated with BeVocal's Address Book, callers can synchronize with
Microsoft Outlook and Palm Organizer. BeVocal Total Messaging Solution
includes applications for voice-activated voice mail, e-mail, notification,
and voice authentication.
Audio and Web Conferencing Applications for SoftTelephony
Sonexis, Inc.
70 Franklin St.
Boston, MA 02110
617-531-2100
www.sonexis.com
Sonexis' IP-based audio and Web conferencing applications are
plug-and-play applications that facilitate collaboration and self-service
for a rapid ROI. The products provide the end-user with unequaled
flexibility and control by enabling them to schedule and conduct
conferences themselves, on-demand, thereby eliminating the need for the
user to coordinate and/or cancel a conference in advance. These
applications run on Sonexis' pure software-based platform, called
SoftTelephony, that is built on commodity hardware (Windows, Intel
processors). The scalability and cost of this product allows Sonexis to
provide the most inexpensive solution for addressing both current and
future telephony needs.
Avaya's Network Assessment for Internet Protocol Telephony Solutions
Avaya Inc.
211 Mt. Airy Rd.
Basking Ridge, N.J. 07920
908-953-6000
www.avaya.com
Avaya's Network Assessment for Internet Protocol Telephony Solutions is
designed to provide assurance to customers that their complex,
multi-vendor data networks are capable of supporting voice over IP
applications before they commit to deploying these applications. The first
phase, Customer Infrastructure Readiness Survey (CIRS), provides a
high-level evaluation of the customer's LAN/WAN infrastructure. Customers
either choose to resolve the problems independently followed up with
another CIRS or move to the second phase Network Analysis Network
Optimization (NANO) service. The NANO takes information from the CIRS,
performs problem diagnosis and provides functional requirements for the
network to implement an IP telephony solution.
Primal Service Node
Primal Technologies Inc.
2570 Matheson Blvd. East; Suite 112
Mississauga, Ontario
Canada L4W 4Z3
905-629-9770
www.primaltech.com
Primal is a leading developer of telecom applications. Primal has
developed the Primal Service Node, an open system (Sun-based) telecom
grade platform that operates with TDM, SS7 and IP networks to provide a
powerful variety of applications. Primal offers a suite of standard
applications as well as the ability create custom applications
rapidly. Standard applications and features include VM, UM, ICM, SMS,
conferencing, fax, and prepaid wireless and wireline.
Sylantro's Applications Modules
Sylantro Systems Corporation
910 E. Hamilton Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
408-626-2300
www.sylantro.com
Sylantro provides a suite of enhanced Hosted PBX & IP Centrex
services, as well as other managed telephony services, via the company's
Applications Switch platform for next-generation networks. This set of
services allows service providers to rapidly deploy and deliver
high-margin, high-value enhanced telephony services. Sylantro's solutions
offer an advanced class of managed telephony services that replace today's
in-house PBX and key system offerings, and generate substantial new
revenues for service providers.
Message Time Business Center
Message Time Inc.
124 Washington Ave. North
Kent, WA. 98032
800-210-0074
www.messagetime.com
Message Time is a suite of high technology tools of the 21st century...
integrated into a single, total solution package which includes:
communications, phone system, fax, e-mail, contact management,
information-gathering, and CRM tools. The system is "instantly
available" from any telephone and/or Web-enabled computer, no matter
where you are. You always have access to your customer data. With Message
Time you need never miss a call, message or opportunity again.
US1
Shortline Systems Inc.
1212-B Philco Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21237
410 427-9010
www.shortline.com
High-tech solution for a low-tech consumer service. Shortline's US1
calling service offers domestic long distance by-the-call with no
per-minute charges. Shortline customers can talk as long as they want for
$1.00. The company uses Cisco's IP Telephony platform with Rodopi's VoIP
billing and customer care system. Beginning Q2 2002, the company plans to
offer IP dialtone services for business and residential broadband users
via SIP registration.
Voice Web Application Platform
Telera
910 East Hamilton Ave.; Suite 200
Campbell, CA 95008-0625
408-626-6800
www.telera.com
The Voice Web Application Platform is a robust software platform based on
standard Web tools and technologies, which lets service providers (SPs)
deliver Web-driven voice applications over their existing networks to
facilitate consistent customer service, improve satisfaction and increase
business opportunities for their enterprise customers. With Telera's open
application platform, the applications logic is separated from the
telephony infrastructure, so enterprise customers maintain control of
their voice applications and can modify or customize them at will.
Telera's Voice Web Application Platform will provide SIP and RTP
interfaces, enabling SPs to leverage their existing infrastructure and
migrate to an IP structure.
CommWorks 8250 Unified Messaging System
CommWorks Corporation
3800 Golf Rd.
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
847-262-5000
www.commworks.com
The CommWorks 8250 Unified Messaging System allows users to combine voice,
e-mail, and fax messages in one universal mailbox and manage them with a
single device of their choice - telephone, cell phone, e-mail client, or
personal digital assistant. The CommWorks 8250 Unified Messaging System
complies with SIP, IMAP4, SS7, POP3, WAP, SMTP, and virtually all network
standards, making it an ideal solution for companies delivering packet
telephony services and for any next-generation network.
W.W.Office
CTI2
67 South Bedford St.; Ste 400W
Burlington, MA 01803
781-229-5829
www.cti2.com
W.W.Office is a unified communications platform designed to help service
providers and enterprises become a Communications Portal. W.W.Office
enables them to customize a portal from a suite of IP-based enhanced
services applications, including unified messaging, instant messaging, one
number service, and presence management, among others, and support
multiple brands, languages, and classes of service. W.W.Office fully
integrates data and voice messaging services over Internet, PSTN,
cellular, and cable networks. The platform supports a variety of client
interfaces including, wireless and landline phones, fax, Web browsers,
PDAs, Java-based terminals, WAP, and SMS devices, and interactive TV.
Voice Virtual Private Network Solution
VocalTec Communications
1 Executive Dr.; Suite 320
Fort Lee, NJ 07601
201-228-7000
www.vocaltec.com
VocalTec's Voice VPN solution enables virtual private business voice
services that run on top of shared IP networks. These Voice VPN services
are managed and billed by the carrier and integrate seamlessly with the
business customers' existing corporate dialing plans. The VocalTec Voice
VPN solution can also be used to resolve conflicts in shorthand dialing
plans that may otherwise arise when remote offices or campuses are tied
together for the first time. It is transparent to customers' existing
PBX-based dialing plans, supports additional and complementary VOIP
business services, is based on an open and flexible platform which is
scalable, reliable and centrally managed and provides substantial cost
savings over PSTN-based voice VPNs.
UCN 100 v. 2.1
Voice Mobility Inc.
180-13777 Commerce Pkwy.
Richmond, BC, V6V 2X3
Canada
604-482-0000
www.voicemobility.com
Voice Mobility's Enhanced Messaging solution can replace aging voice mail
systems previously deployed by telecommunications providers, or can be a
first generation voice mail and messaging platform. The solution offers
the same features and functionality of current voice mail systems, with the
added capability of providing value enhancing messaging services, such as
unified communications. Voice Mobility's enhanced messaging solution
enables service providers to update their voice mail systems to the latest
technology. The platform provides a more attractive total cost of
ownership. Service providers can substantially increase their bottom line
by incrementally marketing enhanced messaging services. The company
provides a seamless migration from legacy voice mail systems to our
enhanced messaging platform.
Solution Platform
Glenayre Technologies
11360 Lakefield Dr.
Duluth, GA 30024
770-283-1000
www.glenayre.com
Glenayre is a leader of enhanced services and unified communications
solutions for wireless, fixed network, ISP and broadband service
providers. Glenayre's solutions support innovative messaging technologies
such as Voice Portal and Multimedia Messaging services in 2G, 2.5G, and 3G
environments. Based on an open architecture built on a standards-based,
IP-enabled platform utilizing Java and VoiceXML for an open applications
framework, Glenayre's solutions will evolve with the new SALT standard for
full, multi-modal communications applications. More than 200 service
providers in over 60 countries have deployed Glenayre messaging solutions
for voice, fax, and e-mail messaging.
UNP Messaging & Live Call Management
eRing Solutions Inc.
245, Victoria St.; Suite 440
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3Z 2M6
514-934-0806
www.eRing.net
UNP Messaging and UNP Live Call Management are innovative Internet
notification services that allow unified communications subscribers to be
instantly notified at the computer of incoming faxes, e-mails, voice
mails, and phone calls. The user can then reply to the message by clicking
on the notification, which will bring the user directly into the UC/UM
inbox. In the case of a phone call, the user can actually manage the call
with different options, such as transfer to a choice of third numbers or
the voice-mail, ignore the call, or play a pre-recorded message.
CMS-6000 Media Server
Convedia
4190 Still Creek Dr., Suite 300
Vancouver, BC V5C 6C6
Canada
604-918-6300
www.convedia.com
The CMS-6000 Media Server is carrier class packet
voice media platform providing high-capacity, reliable media processing
for enhanced services. This includes multimedia conferencing, speech
processing, interactive voice response (IVR), unified messaging, and
announcement services. It offers a comprehensive set of features
consisting of speech recognition, text-to-speech, voice/video bridging,
DTMF detection/generation, and announcement playback/recording. Delivering
up to 18,000 ports in a single shelf, Convedia's CMS-6000 offers
unparalleled scalability, performance, and reliability
Virtual PBX
TalkingNets
1111 Military Cutoff Rd.; Suite 221
Wilmington, NC 28405
877.661.8255
www.talkingnets.com
Virtual PBX is a robust and scalable voice service that enables companies
to preserve capital and increase operational efficiency without
sacrificing the quality, reliability, and feature functionality that
today's businesses demand. Now businesses can access a telephone system
that is "always current," eliminating the concern that an
investment can become obsolete. Virtual PBX has an incredibly low
"total cost of ownership," and it removes the burden of
purchasing, maintaining and managing an on-premises telephone system. With
Web-based administration, users control services and features with a few
mouse clicks. Customers can also assign Remote Extensions, which gives
remote workers the ability to access all the phone features available at
their primary office location. It also enables users within a company to
dial one another via four digit extensions, which eliminates long distance
charges.
SpeechPort
iBasis, Inc.
20 Second Ave.
Burlington, MA 01803
781-505-7500
www.ibasis.com
iBasis' SpeechPort ASP environment enables organizations - such as Sprint,
AT&T, ExxonMobile, MapQuest, and Western Union - to enhance customer
loyalty through the use of automated speech-activated customer
interactions. SpeechPort is an outsourced solution that allows enterprises
and carriers to provide speech-activated content through interactive voice
or natural speech and forgo the high human and financial costs of in-house
implementations - while maintaining tight control over mission critical
data and systems. SpeechPort supports rapid application development with
reusable, leading-edge speech recognition, TTS, and telephony components
including Java and Voice XML. The platform scales exponentially for
complex, business-critical solutions that integrate and support critical,
legacy data sources such as databases, the Web, ERP, CRM, and e-business
solutions.
alexis ESP (Enhanced Service Platform)
alexis communications inc.
PO Box 1090
Del Mar, CA 92014
866-7-alexis
www.alexis.com
alexis ESP is designed to provide ASPs and Carriers with a software only
voice solution (no special hardware required) that's scalable to a
million+ subscribers. alexis ESP breaks down the boundaries of traditional
unified messaging solutions by offering subscribers an innovative set of
unified communication features. Voice controlled Personal Assistant, One
Number, Remote Notification, and the ability to manage multi-party
conversations via the Web are just a few of alexis's features subscribers
won't be able to live without. alexis ESP utilizes the latest ASR and TTS
technology and can be connected to any MAPI or IMAP4 based mail system.
Voxis VoIP Management Suite
ADIR Technologies
520 Broad St.
Newark, NJ 07102
973-412-4998
www.adirtech.com
The Voxis VoIP Management Suite is a VoIP network management and
monitoring solution available that provides real-time, call-level
information and end-to-end network visibility. Developed by Net2Phone to
support its global VoIP network, this proven platform handles tens of
thousands of simultaneous calls across thousands of gateways every day.
Voxis indicates what is happening before it happens, so you can take
immediate action to minimize impact on customer satisfaction. Voxis is
essential for rolling-out voice over IP or to improve the quality of, and
add enhanced services to, your existing VoIP network.
Unified Messaging
IP Unity
1575 McCandless Drive
Fremont, CA 95035
408-957-0800
www.ipunity.com
IP Unity's Unified Messaging application allows end users to access any
message from any type of device in any location. Users can listen to e-mails
with the text-to-speech feature, or access their voice mail with a PC.
Unified Messaging allows subscribers to manage their messages of different
media types -- voice, fax, and e-mail -- from a central mailbox. Messages
can be accessed through multiple devices-wireless and traditional
telephones, computers, Web-devices and PDAs. Unified Messaging leverages
the media processing power of the IP Unity Harmony6000Platform and
facilitates connectivity and productivity with any device, from anywhere,
at anytime.
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