Alcatel�s OmniPCX 4400 can be best summed up in one word:
Open. TMC Labs examined the OmniPCX 4400 and we were extremely impressed
with this open IP-PBX platform. The fact that the OmniPCX 440 runs on either
UNIX or the open Linux operating system is just partial proof of Alcatel�s
commitment to open standards. The OmniPCX was designed to the core with IP
in mind � supporting all the main relevant IP standards, QoS (802.1 p/Q,
TOS, DiffServ), embedded DHCP, integrated gatekeeper functionality, RTP,
RTCP, UDP, TCP/IP, H.225, H.245, RAS, TFTP, Telnet, and more.
One key feature we should point out is that the OmniPCX 4400
supports third-party H.323 phones, such as the PolyCom SoundPoint IP and
even third-party SIP phones, with proven interoperability with Pingtel�s
SIP phones. The ability to choose third-party phones, as opposed to being
forced to buy Alcatel�s phones, is a huge advantage. Although many of the
competitors in this article say they support H.323 and/or SIP, most of them
still require that you utilize the vendor�s proprietary VoIP phones.
Another key advantage of the 4400 is that it runs on either
UNIX or Linux, resulting in an openness, robustness, resilience, and
scalability not seen in many competing products. With regards to
scalability, the 4400 has the ability to cover single site configurations
with up to 5,000 users, as well as to network up to 100 Call Servers serving
up to an impressive 50,000 users.
The Alcatel OmniPCX 4400 runs on the ABC (Alcatel Business
Communication) protocol, which can be carried over ISDN, IP, frame relay, or
ATM. Alcatel�s ABC protocol is a superset of QSIG that increases the
quality and performance of the Alcatel OmniPCX 4400 in an �all-Alcatel
network,� and is completely compatible with other vendors� existing
systems in multi-vendor environments. The ABC protocol allows the total
distribution of an OmniPCX 4400 network across a campus or around the world.
In addition, for heterogeneous configurations (not a 100 percent Alcatel
network), the QSIG multi-vendor protocol can be used to connect to legacy
PBXs.
Alcatel is fairly unique in that they actually have QWERTY
keyboards built into their IP phones. Using the QWERTY keyboard you can
actually dial-up colleagues or associates, instead of having to dig through
a phone list to find someone�s number. Alcatel supports centralized LDAP
directories for ease of management and can integrate directly with office
applications, using LDAP, MAPI, TAPI, and OLE. Of course a softphone/desktop
call control app is available, which can be used both on the LAN and the
WAN, such as when telecommuting.
As if the 4400 didn�t have enough features rolled all in
one, it also features in-building wireless functionality and unlike most
other vendors, Alcatel�s wireless solution is integrated with the OmniPCX.
The radio base station connects directly to the OmniPCX using digital cards
instead of going through a gateway. The 4400 also works with Symbol�s
wireless VoIP phones.
The 4400 has an extensive list of optional call center
modules, including ACD/IVR functionality, outbound dialer for campaigns,
agent login/logout, discrete call listening for supervisor, multimedia
skills-based routing, and extensive reporting and statistics. Its multimedia
capabilities include Web call back, Web call through (VoIP), text chat,
e-mail, and collaborative browsing. Having all of this capability rolled
into a single integrated platform certainly eases management and reduces
integration headaches, although it does support third-party applications
through CTI links via CSTA and TAPI interfaces.
[ Return
To The May 2002 Table Of Contents ]
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