News
NewVoice’s NVFX Voice/Fax Telephony Cards...
4-Channel, digital voice/fax processing cards are now available from NewVoice. The
NewVoice NVFX board offers up to four ports of enhanced call processing and fax service in
one PC card loaded with onboard features. The MVIP interface ensures compatibility among a
wide range of call processing products. WAV file support guarantees easy access to the
voice/fax applications market including Unified Messaging, IVR, Fax Broadcast, and
FaxBack/On Demand. For more information, call Paula Jensen at 908-684-1300.
Rhetorex And Algo Partner To Bring CTI Solutions...
Rhetorex, Inc., has announced a partnership with Algo Communications. Using
Rhetorex’s TAPI Service Provider solution, Algo has developed a TAPI-based
client/server voice messaging application branded as WorkGroup Attendant. Built on the
Rhetorex DSP platform, WorkGroup Attendant is ideally suited for small business
environments. The board easily installs into a PC server with no additional network
requirements for TAPI hardware on the client side. For more information, contact Stephen
Weekley at 408-370-0881 x1110.
Liebert Expands Little Glass House...
Liebert Corporation, inventors of the “Little Glass House,” have expanded the
capabilities of its integrated solution to network support. The Little Glass House is
designed for both localarea networks (LANs) and wide-area networks (WANs). Protecting such
vital components as PCs, servers, modems, routers, hubs, and bridges, Little Glass House
combines environment control, uninterruptible power, access security, and communications.
It now offers expanded features such as an external keyboard tray and smoke detector,
packaged with an integrated communications module, SiteNet Integrator. Additionally, 50-Hz
models have been added to the product for international applications. For more
information, contact Tom Mitchell at 212-621-5133.
Dialogic Introduces Open CTI Server for UNIX Systems...
Dialogic Corporation has introduced CT-Connect Version 2.0, an open, standards-based CTI
server software package. CT-Connect consists of server software that supports
comprehensive call control and monitoring through links to many popular telephone
switches. CT-Connect V2.0 is available with client application interfaces for Windows 3.1,
Windows 95, Windows NT, IBM OS/2, Hewlett Packard HP-UX, SCOOpenServer, SCO UnixWare, Sun
Solaris, Digital UNIX, and Digital OpenVMS operating systems. For more information,
contact Kathryn Lancioni at 201-993-3000 x6320.
NMS Offers High-Density Speech Solution For NT...
Natural MicroSystems announced the availability of NaturalRecognition 2.0, a high-density
speech recognition platform available for Windows NT, UnixWare, and OS/2.
NaturalRecognition supports 16 channels of speech recognition in a single PC slot that
also provides fax and call processing capabilities. The NaturalRecognition platform
consists of NaturalRecognition software, an Alliance Generation DSP resource board, a Diva
II daughtercard, and Natural MicroSystems’ CT access development environment.
NaturalRecognition software leverages industry-leading speech recognition technology from
Voice Control Systems (VCS) to provide speaker-independent and speakerdependent speech
recognition capabilities. For more information, contact Chris Ward at 508-271-1243.
Lotus Ships Domino Intranet Starter Pack...
Lotus Development Corporation announced the availability of Domino Intranet Starter Pack.
The Domino Intranet Starter Pack includes the Domino interactive Web application server;
Internet mail and calendaring capabilities; a choice of five copies of Lotus Notes Desktop
clients, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator 3.0; and 12 business
applications. VARs can install the Domino server with Internet connectivity, Windows NT
integration, and 12 applications in a simple, one-day process. For more information,
contact Colleen Krenzer at 617-238-5700.
e-Net Shipping Evaluation Kits for Telecom 2000...
e-Net, Inc., announced that it has begun shipping its Telecom 2000 evaluation Kits to its
customers nationwide. Telecom 2000 enables organizations of all sizes to carry
toll-quality voice, with full PBX functionality, on their existing LAN and data WAN by
plugging in a Telecom 2000 network interface card (NIC) at a desktop. Telecom 2000 is
compatible with existing infrastructures and investments, and minimizes the bandwidth
necessary for a voice call with or without using bit compression techniques. For more
information, contact Paul Feldman at 3017706433.
Sony TriniCom 5100 Group Video Conferencing System...
Sony Electronics, Inc., introduced the TriniCom 5100 SuperSite group system — a
powered video communications tool for a wide range of applications and budgets. The system
offers a host of features new to the TriniCom family, including Sony’s TrakCam
auto-tracking camera, Quartet multipoint graphics annotation, and personal address
directory. The TriniCom 5100 system also includes the full range of features made with
Sony’s TriniCom 5000 system, including Quartet builtin four-party multipoint
capability, graphics storage, and a wide range of powerful, user-friendly features —
all at a price point of $21,600. For more information, contact 800-686-SONY.
New Pentium 200-MHZ Rackmount Computer Features 16 PCI
Expansion Slots...
The new model from Micro Alliance offers a rackmount or desktop system with 16-PCI and
4-ISA expansion slots. The Pentium-based system also features space for up to ten 3.5-inch
or 5.25-inch drives and is available with dual 300W power supply for failsafe operation.
The Model 722 is available with a 120MHz to 200MHz Pentium processor with up to 256MB of
RAM. There are 6 front access and 4 internal drive bays. All 10 drives are on a
shock-mounted tray for easy access and protection. For more information, contact Jeff
Huston at 760-598-1900.
Cisco Buys Network Business...
Cisco Systems announced the purchase of Integrated Network’s highspeed networking
business. The transaction is a cash and stock deal worth roughly $125 million. Cisco said
it would pay $108 million in cash to buy Integrated Network’s Dagaz xDSL unit and
also 230,000 shares of Cisco stock, valued at about $16.5 million, to cover the costs of
funding Integrated’s employee stock option plan. In exchange, Cisco will acquire
Dagaz xDSL’s products and intellectual property, personnel, and otherhighspeed
network related assets. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.cisco.com.
Artisoft Licenses InfoFast 2.0 To DAX Systems...
DAX Systems announced an agreement with Artisoft to license the company’s InfoFast
informationondemand software. The CRS AIF20 is a complete solution that provides 2 voice
ports and 1 fax port, and is scaleable to more than 8 voice and 4 fax ports. The InfoFast
solution provides 24-hour automated access via fax or phone to faxable documents, Web
documents, pre-recorded voice messages, and can be configured as an auto-attendant and
voice mail system. For more information, contact Don Panek at 973-490-8800 x224.
US West Announces Alliance To Create Internet Call Centers On
The Web...
US WEST Communications announced an alliance with Venturian Software that will enable
Internet users to communicate with call centers directly through their PCs.
Venturian’s CyberCall software, combined with the US WEST voice communications
component, extends the reach of the call center out to the Internet by adding interactive
telephony to a company’s Web site. CyberCall will enable US WEST to support both
Internet and voice communications using applications, infrastructure, and agents already
in place. CyberCall can also be tailored to fit a variety of needs including customer
service, technical support, order taking, ticketing, and filling out applications. For
more information, contact Dee Hansen Ohi at 303-965-3318.
CrossRoads Software and Scopus Technology Establish Reseller
Agreement...
CrossRoads Software, Inc., and Scopus Technology, Inc., announced that they have
established a reseller agreement that will allow Scopus to offer its customers an
interface to the CrossRoads Customer Management processware solution. Under the agreement,
Scopus will resell the interface, called the CrossRoads/Scopus Connector. The CrossRoads
Customer Management solution provides a set of packaged business processes that span
frontoffice customer interaction applications and leading back-office enterprise resource
planning (ERP) application packages. For more information, call Beth Pampaloni at
415-685-9057.
Rockwell Renames Switching Systems Division...
Rockwell Switching Systems Division announced its new name — Rockwell Electronic
Commerce Division (ECD) — and said that it would restructure internally to apply
expanded resources to the emerging global markets for forms of “personalized
electronic commerce.” The name change, new vision, and restructuring signify the
commitment of Rockwell to ECD’s growth as a major part of the global corporation
focus on worldwide commercial electronics markets. Though the telephone will remain the
primary device to access call centers for voice-based transactions, future multimedia
electronic commerce is likely to emanate from devices such as personal computers on data
networks and wireless personal digital assistants. For more information, contact Michael
Collyer at 630-227-8212.
Amati To Supply ADSL Equipment To BC TEL...
Amati Communications Corporation announced it will provide equipment for BC TEL’s
ADSL-based services. The proposed services by BC TEL will be available initially to
residential cus tomers in British Columbia. Using Amati’s ADSL/DMT products for the
central switching office and customers, BC TEL will initially offer services such as
high-speed Internet access and highspeed corporate local (LAN) access to its customers.
Amati’s ADSL/DMT modems convert a single twistedpair telephone line into three
information channels; a high-speed (up to 8 megabits per second) downstream channel and a
standard (voice frequency) telephone channel. For more information, contact Carol Felton
at 408-746-0911.
InterVoice Announces...
InVision For Windows NT InterVoice, Inc., announced the availability of InVision for the
Windows NT operating system. InVision is InterVoice’s script development tool which
enables host, database, e-mail system interfaces, speech recognition, text-to-speech, as
well as device connectivity including telephone, fax, and the Internet on
InterVoice’s OneVoice Platform and Network Services Platform 5000 (NSP-5000). In
addition to Windows NT, InVision applications can be developed under Windows 95 and OS/2
Warp Connect operating systems. For more information, contact Catherine Kingeter at
972-454-8934.
Intel Pushes Mobile Communications Plan...
Intel plans to begin coordinating standards for wireless communications and connections to
corporate data networks and the Internet for mobile PC users. The Mobile Data Initiative
(MDI) is an affiliation of cross-industry technology companies. The goal of the MDI is to
provide mobile users with full office capacity on the road using wireless phone networks.
A wide variety of offerings from mobile PC vendors should be available in the fourth
quarter of this year. Microsoft will test and integrate software drivers provided by
equipment vendors for wireless connectivity, then incorporate those drivers in future
versions of Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems. Mobile network operators will
provide national and international data products and services, while telecom equipment
vendors, such as Nokia and Ericsson, will provide new data products and modems that
support wireless connections. For more information, contact Robyn Jenkins at (408)
653-8904.
TTC’s TPI 550E ISDN Test Set For International ISDN
Markets...
TTC, a Dynatech company, announced the availability of the TAPI 550E ISDN test set,
providing complete ISDN testing in a portable test instrument. The hand-held unit designed
to meet the needs of service providers and service users in the international marketplace.
The TPI 550E is a full-feature BRI ISDN services tester for users with an E1 interface.
Access is provided at both the 2-wire U interface and the 4-wire S/T interface.
Emphasizing ease of each use, the TPI 550E offers single- or dualchannel BER testing,
simultaneous testing of two B channels, and extensive D channel message decode output. Two
important optional capabilities include U monitor and PRI (30B+D) testing. For more
information, contact Rob Clark at 301-353-1550 x2184.
I-Bus Introduces Two New 233-MHz PCI/Pentium-Based Boards...
I-Bus introduced the 233-MHz versions of the Leopardshark and Mako PCI/Pentium-based CPU
(Central Processing Unit) boards. The (P55C) Pentium processor with MMX technology
features an increase in on-chip cache and new instructions designed to process video,
audio, and graphical data. Both CPU boards are equipped with 512K Level II pipelined burst
writeback cache. In addition, both provide passive backplane interfaces for ISA
(Industrial Standard Architecture) and PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) expansion.
Like all I-Bus PCI products, the Leopardshark and Mako are based on the standard for PCI
in passive backplanes established by PICMG (PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group)
of which I-Bus is founding member. For more information, contact Mark Gunn at
619-974-8426.
VDOnet Launches New VDOPhone...
VDOnet Corporation announced the launch of its nextgeneration VDOPhone. The new VDOPhone
includes enhanced audio and video quality, increased ease of use, and the first Software
Developers Kit (SDK) for the VDOPhone to add video to a variety of computer applications,
including computer telephony, online chat communities, customer support, corporate call
centers, interactive training, and many others. The VDOPhone offers video conferencing
over regular phone lines or any TCP/IP connection — from dial-up modems through cable
modems. The VDOPhone 3.0 will initially be available for Windows 95. For more information,
contact Abigail R. Johnson at 415-802-1850.
Voice Control Systems Announces FreedomRecognition...
Voice Control Systems, Inc., announced the initial shipments of FreedomRecognition, a
costeffective, host-based speech recognition solution that provides VCS’s fieldproven
speech technology on a Pentium processor without the costly digital signal processing
boards that, until now, put the cost of speech recognition out of the reach of many
potential markets. FreedomRecognition is available in two packages: Fundamental, for
discrete digit functionality, creates the lowest cost of ASR (Automatic Speech
Recognition) solutions, bringing voice control to standard DTMF driven applications; and
Standard, for advanced continuous digit technology, ideal for the input of credit card
numbers, ZIP codes, and other numeric strings. For more information, contact Michael Savel
at 617-494-0100.
Report: Mosaix Leader In U.S. Outbound Market...
A recent study conducted by The PELORUS Group, an independent research firm, shows that
Mosaix, Inc., has the largest installed base of predictive dialing software in the United
States. Predictive dialing systems initiate calls to customers in anticipation of a
customer service agent being ready to take the call. Call Center productivity is largely
based on the system’s ability to blend inbound and outbound calls, distinguish
between live voices and answering machines, and anticipate agent availability to talk with
customers. For more information, call Paul MacAree at 425-558-8252.
Interphase Announces ADSL Product...
Interphase Corporation, a supplier of local-area network (LAN) and wide-area network (WAN)
technologies, announced that the company has launched its Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
product family with its product, the 5530 ADSL Interface Card, which will provide
highspeed Internet and remote access connectivity for PCI-based systems. This product
introduction signals the company’s entry into the growing DSL market, and is the
first of a new family of access products that will integrate ADSL and other DSL
technologies, including Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). For more information,
contact Michael Eckley at 214-654-5325.
New Pentium SBCs Offer ISA/PCI Performance...
Industrial Computer Source announces twenty-eight new additions to its family of Intel
Pentium single-board computers (SBC). The series is comprised of four basic product groups
containing seven models each. Available clock speeds include 10, 133, 166, and 200MHz,
plus each group also provides three models with the Pentium MMX processor (P55C) running
at 166, 200, and 233MHz. (MMX boards add an X suffix to the basic model number.) Basic
models are also available with optional Ultra SCSI, onboard SVGA video, and/or Ultra SCSI
and SVGA onboard controllers. For more information, contact Paulette B. Williams at
8005232320.
Teletutor’s Interactive Training Solution: SONET...
Teletutor announced the release of its latest CBT (computer-based training) course. This
particular course focuses on SONET (synchronous optical network), giving communications
professionals the ideal medium for learning the basic concepts and applications of the
technology. The course is divided into four distinct sections: SONET Overview; SONET
Signals; SONET Overhead in Action; and SONET Networks. Each section focuses on a different
aspect of the technology. The course runs from 6 – 8 hours and is priced at $895 for
a single-user version and $1,795 for a 10-user version. For more information, contact
Andrew Liebs at 603-433-2242.
Comdial Announces Impact FXS...
Comdial announced its thirdgeneration digital business switch, the FX series. With the FX,
Comdial introduces a new level of integration between the switch and PCbased
computer-telephony (CT) applications, as a PC is now part of the PBX cabinet.
Dialogic’s SCbus PCM expansion bus is also used as the media connectivity vehicle
between the switch and the various media processing boards used by CT applications. The
significance of this is that it does away with traditional slow-performing connectivity,
wherein an application connects to the switch via analog 2500 ports. For more information,
contact Greg McQuay at 804-978-2478.
Picazo Enters CTI Market, Acquires Dash, Inc...
Picazo Communications, a developer & marketer of high-speed LAN equipment, announced
it has acquired Dash, Inc. Picazo will continue to market and support the Dash PBX, ACD,
voice mail, & CTI products under the Dash product line name, while focusing the
combined development teams on a “next generation” communications product family.
According to Jose Picazo, CEO of Picazo Communications, “The opportunity to join
forces with the creators of the Dash product family uniquely positions us in the
marketplace.” For more information, contact Tim LeeThorp at 408-232-9109.
MediaGate Releases EdgeCommander and InfoCommander...
MediaGate has announced the release of a new line of universal port remote dial-up access
servers, the EdgeCommander series. EdgeCommander is a high-performance, DSP-based mass
media edge server that features universal call handling of modem, voice, or fax through
its patentpending SmartPort technology. SmartPort allows the EdgeCommander to support any
access device — be it analog modem, digital modem, frame relay, telephone, or fax
machine — all on the same port. In a separate release, MediaGate announced the
InfoCommander for remote maintenance, status, and config uration of software application
suite for the EdgeCommander line. Based on Java and Marimba, InfoCommander offers
flexibility and control for management of remote Internet Points of Presence.
InfoCommander makes use of Java’s strong cross-platform capabilities to allow system
administrators to use any Java-enabled host operating systems to access and manage remote
MediaGate systems. InfoCommander is included at no charge in all EdgeCommander products.
For more information, contact Evelyn Miller at 408-248-9495 x114.
I-Bus Unveils IFTA+...
I-Bus announced the introduction of the IFTA+ (Integrated Fault Tolerant Architecture), a
19-inch, rack mounted, PC-compatible computer platform featuring hot-swappable power
supplies, disk drives, fans, a variety of passive backplanes, and optional system
monitoring. The standard IFTA+, priced from $2,442 list, is equipped with two hot
swappable 300W AC power supplies, an ISA 20-slot passive backplane, and six
frontaccessible drive bays. Four fans with optional tachometer output distribute forced,
filtered air throughout the card cage. For more information, contact Mark Gunn at
619-974-8426.
E-Mail Accessibility By Telephone...
Just when you thought you had run out of technology to stay connected when you’re off
the network, ImageIt has released the Mail-Call, a service that uses text-to-speech
software to let subscribers access e-mail and listen to messages over the phone. Karl
Foss, VP of Technology at Image-It explained, “Users of the Mail-Call system have two
options for accessing their e-mail; have it read to them over the phone by the voice of
the computer or by using a handheld device that allows the user to download the e-mail as
text.” For more information, contact Josh Eikov at 717-420-8872.
InfoFast 2.0 Provides Voice/Fax-On-Demand; Voice Mail Boxes
For NT/95...
Artisoft, Inc., announced the immediate availability of InfoFast 2.0. Artisoft’s
easy-to-use informationondemand system. This release provides new voice messaging, call
transfer, international dialing, and advanced reporting capabilities, and fully supports
the Windows NT and Windows 95 operating systems. With InfoFast, customers can call to
retrieve specific documents, such as product brochures or bulletins, by choosing from a
list of customizable voice menu options. Its unique Web synchronization utility makes a
Web site available via fax to customers who do not have Web access. For more information,
contact Karen Bender at 617-354-0600 x162.
Genoa And SOUNDESIGNS Align To Serve Needs Of TAPI Market...
Genoa Technology, Inc., announced the release of TapiVision, obtained under license from
SOUNDESIGNS Multimedia Communication Systems Ltd., of Tefen Industrial Park, Israel.
TapiVision allows developers of TAPIcompliant hardware and software to view the traffic
passing between TAPI applications and TSP drivers. Genoa’s TAPI tool set — which
comprises TAPIScript, TapiTest, and TapiVision — is a test development and debugging
environment for developers of TAPI applications and TSP drivers. TapiVision is priced at
$495.00. For more information, visit Genoa’s Web site at www.gentech.com, or visit SOUNDESIGNS’ Web site at www.soundesigns.com.
Fluke Launches ADSL Installation Tool...
Fluke Corporation announced its new service installation tool for xDSL
(digital subscriber line). The Fluke xDSL OneTouch Installation Assistant, a handheld tool
with an icon-based interface and touch-sensitive screen, represents a paradigm shift in
service delivery testing with its ability to support rate adaptive technologies and
measure endtoend xDSL transmission rates, as well as troubleshoot Ethernet network
connections. xDSL OneTouch Installation Assistant’s proprietary DSPbased, Ethernet
front end is capable of generating 100 percent of the traffic needed to stress-test
today’s highperformance xDSL modems — with minimum length frames. For more
information, call Taunya Terry at 425-356-5659.
Periphonics Introduces Next Generation Voice Activated
Dialing...
Periphonics Corporation has introduced a second-generation Voice Activated Dialing (VAD)
capability for its VPS product line. The VAD software integrates with the advanced
features currently available on Periphonics’ Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
equipment, which include large vocabulary speech recognition, relational database storage
and retrieval, advanced telephony interfaces, and voice messaging. Number dialing,
personal phone list dialing, and an optional speaker independent name list may all be
activated from the same prompt. For more information, contact Karen L. Ferraro at
516-468-9276.
VXI Corporation has rolled out a new multimedia stereo headset with speech recognition.
The CTS ST is one in a series of new computer voice headsets being introduced by the firm.
The CTS ST is designed for both speech recognition and for stereo sound from multimedia
computers. The binaural stereo headset features high-fidelity sound reproduction, and has
separate volume controls for the left and right sound channels. The headset microphone is
a Gentex electret noise-canceling unit specifically designed to cancel out ambient noise
and provide the optimum voice quality in any environment. For more information, call Hank
Gale at 800-742-8588.
IBM Teams with Distributors To Offer One-Stop Shopping For
VARs, SIs...
IBM announced that it is entering the market for premise-based computer telephony hardware
for smallto medium-sized businesses targeting 25 to 200-line systems. The hardware, which
will include passive backplane systems and single-board computers, will be made available
immediately through mainstream distribution chan nels, including Ingram Micro, Tech Data,
and others. VARs and SIs that sell telephony equipment to endusers will now be offered
one-stop shopping for a comprehensive array of computer telephony hardware, software, and
systems. For more information, contact Mike Shore at 814-892-7511.
BCS Technologies’ Multi-App, Multi-Call-Control
ACD/PBX...
BCS Technologies announced true open architecture with the ability to run a number of
different computer telephony apps off its DSP1000 switch. The DSP1000 is a fullfeatured
standalone caliber ACD with full PBX features built in. The flexible system can
simultaneously run a TSAPI application from Davis Software, an IBM CallPath application
from Micro Automation, a Dialogic CT Connect app from Telecom Automation, and BCS’
own Computer Supported Telephony Application (CSTA). In order to do this, each application
runs on a different server working at the same time, with the CSTA running directly off
the LAN. For more information, contact Dave Fredrick at 303-713-3000.
Bosch Telecom, Dialogic Offer Computer Telephony Starter
Kit...
Bosch Telecom announced a competitively priced Enterprise Development Kit to assist
customers with the prototyping and evaluation of enterprise and workgroup computer
telephony applications. The kit, assembled with the assistance of Dialogic Corporation,
includes a Bosch Integral 33xE Multiservice Switch, a Dialogic CTConnect server, and
application consulting services. The Enterprise Development Kit is licensed for
application development, prototyping, demonstrations, and similar non-production
activities. When a customer decides on a computertelephony application strategy, the kit
can easily be expanded into a full production system by upgrading the Multiservice Switch
and CTI server components to their full commercial counterparts. For more information,
contact David Kramer at 609-275-6600.
South African Distributor Wins $20M National Telephone
Contract...
Rockwell Switching Systems Division (newly renamed ECD) announced that its South African
distributor, Dimension Data, will provide South Africa’s national telephone company,
Telkom, with stateof the-art call center technology based on Rockwell’s Spectrum
Integrated Call Center system as part of a contract worth more than $20 million (R90
Million). Telkom’s call center platform will include nine Rockwell Spectrum Automatic
Call Distributors (ACDs) as well as CTI middleware and software components, and VoiceTek
IVR systems. Telkom’s nine call centers will employ 1,700 agents, support 6
languages, and handle an estimated one million inbound calls per month. Implementation has
commenced and the entire implementation is scheduled for completion by the end of 1997.
For more information, call Michael Collyer at 630-227-8212.
Allies To Produce On-Ramps, Off-Ramps For Fiber-Optic
Information Superhighway...
TRW and Multilink Technology Corporation (MTC) announced the formation of a strategic
alliance to ensure the flow of advanced integrated circuit technology into the
transmission and switching equipment that links consumers and businesses with high-speed
fiber-optic networks. MTC will use TRW’s low-cost gallium arsenide (GaAs) integrated
circuit technology to produce highrate telecommunications and data communications
subsystems for transmission and switching equipment used by telecommunications service
providers. For more information, contact A. Brooks McKinney at 310-814-8177.
Parity Software Announces Availability Of ChatterBocx/SAPI...
Parity Software announced the availability of ChatterBocx/SAPI, a new feature of CallSuite
that adds texttospeech capabilities to the product line. ChatterBocx is an Active X
control, which can be used in Visual Basic, Delphi, Visual C++, and other Windows
languages. The basic capability provided by ChatterBocx/SAPI is to synthesize speech from
text presented as string of ASCII characters, either in a text file or from a string
passed as an argument from your program code. In a telephony application, the speech is
generated on a telephone line and heard by the human caller, in a desktop application the
speech is generated through the loudspeakers. For more information, contact Farnoush
Deylamian at 415-332-5656.
Frost & Sullivan: MICOM Garners Leadership Over IP
Gateway Market...
A report released by Frost & Sullivan indicates that MICOM Communications Corporation,
a Nortel company, garnered 59 percent, by revenue, of the corporate VoIP (Voice /Fax over
IP) gateway market in 1996. MICOM also garnered 56 percent, by units, of the overall VoIP
gateway market. According to the report, the corporate VoIP gateway market is 74 percent
of the overall VoIP gateway market. MICOM leads in the corporate VoIP gateway market with
59 percent market share by revenue. MICOM also leads in the overall carrier/ ISP/corporate
VoIP gateway market with 56 percent of the total units shipped. Frost & Sullivan
predicts the overall VoIP gateway market to grow over $1.81 billion by the year 2001. For
more information, contact Stacey Doherty at 805-577-2222.
Buffalo International Call Center Product Update...
The following new features are now available on Buffalo International’s Object
Telephony Server: Open Architecture Predictive Dialing Engine (with updated interface);
Inbound call handling (ACD); Configurable for Inbound/Outbound blending; Voice Processing
functions for integration of IVR/Messaging/ Audiotex scripts; and Off-premise conference
calls and call transfer. All functions are provided by a single fully digital PC-based
telephone switch equipped with SCSA Dialogic hardware boards. The Object Telephony Server
can be tied to existing Call Center infrastructure via either Netbios or TCP/IP. For more
information, contact David Friedman at 914-747-8500.
Your Office USA Turns To Mitel For Advanced PBX & CTI
Solution...
Mitel Corporation announced that Your Office USA has selected Mitel’s SX-200 ML PBX
telephone system and computer telephony integration (CTI) solution for its nationwide
chain of franchise business centers. Your Office USA will deploy SX-200 ML small business
telephone systems together with SX200 Simon Server, a CTI-based application, to deliver
enhanced call handling capabilities. With the SX-200ML PBXs, each Your Office USA business
center can support 50 – 100 remote homebased businesses, as well as 20 customers
using facilities at the business center itself. For more information, contact Ann Hatchell
(Mitel) at 613-592-2122.
Logica And Proxima Systems Sign Strategic Partnership
Agreement...
Logica, Inc., and Proxima Systems Ltd., entered into a strategic partnership in North
America in order to expand the marketing and deployment of Proxima’s products, which
manage subscriber databases and billing operations. Offering solutions to the management
and billing requirements that address the convergence of Cable TV, telephone, and the
Internet within the telecommunications industry, Proxima selected Logica as the systems
integrator and joint marketer of their suite of products. Logica will play a key part in
expanding Proxima’s ability to translate cable operator’s needs into customer
focused management and billing solutions that are flexible, simple, and effective. For
more information, contact Eithne Egan at 617-476-8000.
Fujitsu Introduces New Unified Messaging Platform...
Fujitsu Business Communication Systems announced the commercial delivery of TranSend and
TranSend Lite unified messaging platforms, an integrated set of modular computertelephony
applications that combine voice mail, unified messaging, and call management.
TranSend’s basic package starts at $6,500 and TranSend Lite’s list price is
$4,900 – $9,100, depending on configuration. The TranSend platform family supports 4
to 64-port configurations and integrates with Fujitsu’s F9600 Multimedia Platform and
Series 30 PBXs. For more information, call Patrick O’Rourke at 619-550-0286.
Interoperability Becoming A Reality Through ECTF S.100...
S.100 is a part of a Computer Telephony (CT) technology framework for interoperability
defined by the Enterprise Computer Telephony Forum (ECTF). The framework is an integrated
plan for a series of Interoperability Agreements that will define specific interfaces
leading to an open systems environment for CT. S.100 provides users with the flexibility
to configure systems using software from multiple vendors that best meet their needs
without worrying about interoperability conflicts. Products are currently available from
Amteva, APEX Voice Communications, Dialogic, QTS, and CSELT.
Clariion Telestor Disk Arrays Ring True For Alcatel
Telecom...
Clariion, a Data General company, announced that Alcatel Telecom has added value for its
customers by replacing the multimedia storage subsystem of its Voice Processing Systems
with Clariion Telestor disk arrays. Alcatel applications, such as voice messaging, voice
processing, facsimile, electronic mail, and multimedia storage will all immediately
benefit from the Telestor arrays. TeleStor supports up to 256 MB of error correction code
(ECC) cache, and up to 10 disk drives for a total of 88 GB of data storage. For larger
installations, multiple arrays are easily chained on a single SCSI bus to achieve over 500
GB of data storage. For more information, call Nicole Gorman at 508-480-7203.
IKON Unveils Mobile And Wireless Computing/Communications
Initiative...
IKON Office Solutions unveiled a mobile and wireless computing/communications initiative
through its Technology Services unit. As a result of the new initiative, organizations
will be able to purchase packaged IKON products and serifs, as well as custom-developed
computing/ communications applications, that will allow their employees to send and
receive e-mail, fax, voice messages, and pages from (or to) someone on the road throughout
most of North America. Further extending the announcement are the capabilities of the
Custom Applications group of IKON’s Technology Services unit. Built through several
acquisitions dating back to 1996, this group now has become more than 150 analysts,
developers, and support personnel based in Arizona, South Carolina, New York City, and
Bangalore, India, providing custom application design, development, training, and
technical support services to IKON customers. Through its custom application development
teams, IKON can produce turnkey mobile and wireless computing/communications systems
specifically attuned to meet the needs of its customers. For more information, contact
Mike Kilpatric at 610-993-3662.
Digilink UHF 4- And 8- Zone Wireless On-Site Paging
Transmitters...
Inter Page introduces the Digilink UHF, a fixed local-area paging transmitter that is
offered in four- or eightzone models. It will transmit numeric or alpha messages to a
pager in less than two seconds when a contact closure triggers the transmitter. Alarm
messages will repeat at a random interval unit rest. Digilink UHF eliminates delays
normally experienced by wide-area paging systems. Some wide-area paging systems can take
as long as 15 minutes to deliver an alphanumeric message. Since the unit transmits
directly onsite to a pager, there is no need for modems or automatic dialers. Digilink UHF
is serially programmable using a software interface; you can program alarm messages, entry
and exit delay times, repeat times, trigger time, as well as input states. The system
covers a radius of one mile. For more information, contact Frank Owens at 561-844-7900.
ALLCOM Markets New Zero-Error Customer Care Solution...
Principals of ALLCOM, Inc., and Xantel Corporation announced a strategic distribution
agreement promising a new approach to customer care. Under the terms of the multi-year
agreement, ALLCOM will market Xantel Connex, a priority call identification, management,
and delivery system in the nation’s Midwestern business market. An interesting
sidenote is ALLCOM’s decision to implement Xantel technology for use with its own
organization to streamline call management processes and establish a ZeroError customer
care environment. The term Zero Error refers to the system’s ability to identify,
route, manage, and deliver every call on a completely personalized basis. The system
recognizes two classes of use: “Must Find Professionals” dealing with “Must
Keep Customers.” By eliminating the electronic distance between these two
communities, Xantel Connex is positioning itself as the appropriate tool for the task at
hand. For more information, contact Mary Ann Lawson at 602-437-6436.
Mitel At Windows NT Intranet Solutions Conference And
Exhibition...
At the Windows NT Intranet Solutions Conference & Exhibition, August 13-16, Mitel
Corporation showcased its MediaPath Developer’s Environment (MPDE), an open,
standards-based development environment for creating integrated computer telephony
applications. MPDE resides on MediaPath server, a voice operating system for NT LAN
servers. MPDE is unique in that it provides a call control engine that makes traditional
voice functionality transparent and easy to incorporate into Windowsbased applications,
thereby reducing devel opment time for windows developers. Highlighting the advantages of
using the MediaPath Developers Environment, three developers presented their innovative
computer telephony applications in the Mitel booth. Tanager Software and Fulcrum
Technologies showcased the first-ever customer help desk application using the MediaPath
Developer’s Environment, and Pronexus showed off its awardwinning computer telephony
developer toolkit. For more information, contact Ann Hatchell at 613-592-2122.
Lucent Announces Video Multimedia Call Center...
Lucent Technologies announced the availability of its Video MultiMedia Call Center and
that it supports both Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT endpoints, giving businesses a
choice in selecting the operating system that best meets the requirements of their call
center environment. Lucent’s Video MultiMedia Call Center is designed to allow
businesses to increase their market presence and improve customer service through
multimedia personal computers and kiosks that let customers see, talk to, and work with a
company’s centralized experts. Video MultiMedia Call Center sup ports Windows NT
endpoints by integrating Zydacron’s multimedia codec technology with Lucent’s
agent control software to provide an integrated agent user interface for call center
applications. This technology fully supports international standards for data
collaboration (T.120) and ISDN video conferencing (H.320). Lucent Technologies’ Video
MultiMedia Call Center also uses Microsoft NetMeeting for data collaboration in support of
NT endpoints. For more information, contact Andrea Papa at 212-841-4315 or Stephen
Loudermilk at 908-953-7514.
VocalTec’s Virtual Worldwide PC-To-Phone Network...
VocalTec Communications announced the launch of an Internet Telephony worldwide
PCtostandard telephone calling network. The network was created by VocalTec in conjunction
with select Internet Telephony Service Providers (ITSPs) and with industry support from
Motorola, Dialogic Corporation, ITXC Corporation, Compaq Computer Corporation, and Digital
Equipment Corporation. The network is designed to enable users with dial-up connections to
dial from their PCs using VocalTec’s Internet Phone to regular telephones all over
the world. The company announced special calling rates to over 15 countries, including
Russia, Great Britain, Australia, Israel, China, Japan, and Malaysia, among others, and
broad-based coverage in the United States, in cities such as Los Angeles, New York,
Boston, Miami, and more. For more information, contact Jo Lee at 201-768-9400.
Web Sprinter Offers 7Mb/Second Capacity...
WebSprint Communications announced the availability of Web Sprinter, a modem-like device
that is designed to send and receive data at 7 Mbps at distances up to 18,000 feet, using
WebSprint’s RADSL (Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line) technology. Web
Sprinter’s line signal is transmitted over a standard copper wire pair, converted to
10 BaseT Ethernet signal, and connected through an Ethernet hub or router directly to the
user’s PC through an Ethernet NIC. Video or other serial data applications will
require an available RS422/V.35 interface. Telnet support permits remote configuration and
diagnostics. The company expects to offer SNMP availability later this year. For more
information, contact Dave Hannon at 408-588-0880.
MSP Consortium To Develop MSP Spec...
Seven CTI vendors have joined forces to develop a new CTI value adding interface
specification called the Media Stream Processor (MSP). Bicom, Calibre Industries,
Centigram Communications, Cole Technical Services, Commetrex Corporation, Pika
Technologies, and QNX Software Systems believe the industry will benefit from a software
specification which decouples DSP-based media processing technologies from the underlying
hardware resources. The group is target ing availability of the specification, to be
published on the Web, by the end of the year. According to Mike Coffee, MSP Evangelist and
President of Commetrex Corporation, “…companies can choose to develop
MSPcompliant hardware or media processing software (firmware), they don’t have to do
both.” For more information, contact Martin Lippman (Commetrex) at 770-449--7775
x370.
Toshiba’s 1500 Series UPS...
Toshiba has unveiled a new generation of UPS — the 1500 Series. This new line of UPS,
constructed of lightweight and durable industrial strength plastic, is a single-phase,
true online, dual-conversion uninterruptible power supply. The design of the 1500 Series
includes the following features: voltage and frequency regulation; wide input voltage
range (+10/–30 percent) without transferring to battery power which increase battery
life; less than 1 percent THD for critical applications; 150 percent overload for 30
seconds without transferring to internal bypass; UL/CUL listed; and more. For more
information, contact the UPS Marketing Department at 800-231-1412.
Syntellect Unveils VocalPoint SpeechReco Server...
Syntellect, Inc., has launched the VocalPoint SpeechReco Server, a Windows NT-based speech
recognition system with the requisite scaleability demanded by today’s rapidly
expanding call centers. The SpeechReco Server is compatible with SYNthesizer,
Syntellect’s graphical application development environment. As with all Syntellect
products, the Speechreco Server is integrated into the company’s VISTA architecture.
VISTA is an open, scaleable client/server architecture that inte grates voice response,
predictive dialing, CTI, and Internet technology into a comprehensive call center
solution. For more information, contact Ann Conrad at 800-347-9907 x7133.
Intel Delivers PC-Based Group Video Conferencing...
Intel Corporation introduced a PCbased multifunction video conferencing solution designed
to expand the communications capabilities in conference room environments. Intel’s
TeamStation system delivers popular tools for conference room meetings, including
video/audio/data conferencing and presentation capabilities, plus Internet and corporate
network access. The TeamStation system is an all-in-one solution, enabling the replacement
of traditional conference room tools, such as expensive, single function speakerphones,
overhead projectors, laptop systems, and video conferencing systems. For more information,
contact Donna Loveland at 503-264-6281.
DataMind Delivers LifeCycle Suite For Telecom...
DataMind Corporation has announced the availability of a data mining-enabled, marketing
automation solution for the telecommunications industry. The DataMind LifeCycle suite
focuses on telecom providers’ customer life cycle planning demands, helping to
attract, retain, and build their business with subscribers. The new product provides
telecom professionals with solutions for the three stages of cus tomer life cycle
planning: Identifying and attracting high-value customers through targeted marketing
campaigns; retaining customers by identifying customers that are likely to churn and the
actions most encouraged by their loyalty; and growing customer value by selling additional
products and services to existing customers. For more information, contact Shaw Taylor at
415-287-2000.
DKSystems Updates Popular Software Solutions...
DKSystems has released new versions of three popular software solutions for the support
center and training administration markets: DKHelpDesk 2.1, DKSupportManager 2.0, and
OnTrack for Training 4.2. DKHelp Desk 2.1 is designed to help an organization efficiently
manage its internal help desk resolution, case-based searching, and reporting.
DKSupportManager 2.0 completely manages an external support center’s activities, from
basic call management and tracking to problem resolution, case-based searching and
reporting. OnTrack for Training 4.2 manages all aspects of an internal or external
training administration department. For more information, contact Kierith Ferrara-Kurth at
312-645-4347.
VCS Deploys Speech Recognition on Diva II...
Voice Control Systems, Inc., (VCS) announced the immediate availability of its speech
recognition technology on Natural MicroSystems’ Diva II hardware platform for
high-density, costeffective speech recognition applications. Natural Microsystems’
Diva II is a daughterboard in the Alliance Generation family of DSP resource boards.
Combined with the NaturalRecognition software environment, DIVA II provides up to 16 ports
of speech recognition on a single PC slot. For more information, contact Michael Savel at
617-449-0100.
Generations Positions Voicetek For Network-Based Services...
Voicetek Corporation announced the immediate availability of Generations v4.0, featuring
centralized network management, large-scale natural speech technologies, and greater
systems scaleability to meet the needs of service providers and large enterprises
deploying business-critical customer services. Other improvements include Internet user
access and expansion of Generation’s core capabilities. For more information, contact
Michael Spinney at 617-259-1400 x335.
Bell Atlantic Picks ADTRAN...
ADTRAN, Inc., announced that Bell Atlantic has selected the company as a key supplier of
High bit rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL) products. ADTRAN’s system is designed to
enhance the existing telco infrastructure by transforming copper wires into highspeed
digital transmission media comparable to that of fiber optics. HDSL is also more
cost-efficient than fiber. HDSL is the repeaterless delivery of T1 service. For more
information, contact Stacy Thomas at 205-963-8488.
Rhetorex Signs Agreement With Alliance Systems...
Rhetorex, Inc., announced a signed agreement with Alliance Systems, Inc. Building on an
existing relationship, Alliance Systems will now carry Rhetorex’s full line of
computer telephony products. Two of Rhetorex’s most popular products to be carried by
Alliance Systems are TAPI Express and AccuCall Wizard. For more information, contact
Stephen Weekley at 408-370-0881 x1110.
SCO Signs Deal With Lucent...
SCO, the supplier of UNIX system software announced that Lucent Technologies Business
Communications Systems operating unit has entered into a multimilliondollar agreement to
license the SCO UnixWare operating system. Beginning in 1998, Lucent will sell its Intuity
Conversant interactive voice response systems and Intuity Audix voice messaging systems,
integrated with the SCO UnixWare systems. For more information, contact Monika Laud at
408-427-7421.
Ariel Announces RASCAL Support For Windows NT Routing...
Ariel Corporation announced Microsoft’s new Routing and Remote Access Services for
RASCAL. The RASCAL RS100 series combines twenty-four 56kbps Rockwell K56flex modems with a
T1/Primary Rate ISDN interface on a pair of ISA Bus cards. Microsoft’s Routing and
RAS works hand in hand with Ariel’s RASCALadmin, which provides remote monitoring and
administration for RASCAL’s 24-kbps modem ports, Primary Rate ISDN (PRI) interface,
and T1 network interface. For more information, contact Steve Curtin at 609-860-2900.
Linkon Introduces New IP Telephony Gateway...
Linkon Corporation announced the launch of the company’s new Link’Net IP
Telephony Gateway — a product designed to provide voice and fax communications over
Internet and Intranet networks. The Link’Net IP Gateway is built on Sun
Microsystems’ Sbus architecture and runs under the Solaris UNIX-based operating
system. The Link’Net IP Gateway can support from four analog ports to a full digital
T1, which can provide 24 full duplex digital communications channels. For more
information, contact Marc Robbins at 203-319-3123.
TALX Upgrades To TALXWare 8.1...
TALX Corporation has announced the release of TALXWare 8.1, an upgraded version of the
company’s open architecture software system encompassing EasyScript, a GUIbased
application development tool for interactive solutions. TALXWare 8.1 includes year 2000
compliance, an EasyScript real-time debugger, and a Windows NT operational interface. In
addition, the new release supports multiple hardware platforms from Natural MicroSystems
and TALX, real-time application upgrades, distributed applications, and network alerts via
SNMP. For more information, contact Jackie Engel at 314-434-0046.
Ericsson Introduces Consono Complete...
Ericsson Enterprise Networks announced a new telecommunications program, Consono Complete.
Consono Complete is a comprehensive turnkey solution that allows business customers to
maintain a large capital investment. Consono Complete is designed as a partnership between
Ericsson and business customers in which Ericsson takes full responsibility for the
design, acquisition, financing, and disposition of the hardware and software, allowing
customers to focus on their primary business goals. For more information, call Kathy Egan
at 212-685-4030.
Dialogic and Sun Microsystems Deliver Next Generation CT
Platform...
Dialogic announced support for Sun Microsystems’ Enterprise 450 Workgroup server. The
Sun Enterprise 450, combined with Dialogic PCIbased CT products, provides developers with
a high-performance platform to deliver switching, messaging, and information access
solutions in the enterprise and public network. Sun’s Enterprise 450 Workgroup has
4GB of memory, 20 internal 4.2 GB UltraSCSI-3 disk drives, and six PCI buses. For more
information, contact Jane Mazur at 973-993-3000 x6118.
ThermoTrex Acquires CCS Computer Communications...
Specialists, Inc., (CCS) announced that it has been acquired by ThermoTrex Corporation, a
publicly held subsidiary of Thermo Electron Corporation. Founded in 1977, CCS designs and
manufactures interactive voice and information response (IVR) systems, providing turnkey
solutions for major corporations. The privately held company had 1996 revenues of
approximately $15 million. ThermoTrex Corporation had 1996 revenues of $182 million. For
more information, contact Elizabeth Rubbo at 770-441-3114 x7291.
ATM Forum-Compliant IMA For MainStreetXpress 36170...
The Public Communication Networks Group of Siemens AG and Newbridge Networks announced the
addition of ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) Forum-compliant Inverse Multiplexing for ATM
(IMA) to Siemens/Newbridge Networks MainStreeXpress 36170 Multiservices Switch. IMA will
provide end-users cost-effective broadband network access at multiples of T1/E1 speeds
(nxT1/E1), even when higherspeed facilities are not available or are cost-prohibitive. For
more information, contact Alice Andors at 202-434-4820.
Omnipoint Launches Voice Dial Service...
Omnipoint Communications announced that the Personal Communications Services (PCS)
provider’s Voice Dial capability is now available. The system, developed by Glenayre
Electronics, Inc., is designed to dial any 10-digit telephone number by saying
“Dial” and then speaking the digits of the telephone number. It can also be used
to add names to a personal directory, delete names, and change telephone numbers. For more
information, contact John Grotland at 201-257-2453.
Universe Solution Enhances Quality Assurance...
Dees Communications, developer of Universe call center monitoring, unveiled its newest
release, Universe version 2.1. Universe is a full Windows 95 andWindows NT compatible
program designed to integrate with a company’s resident telephone switch. It includes
such features as visual silence indication on recorded voice clips, conversion of voice
files to .WAV format, automatic voice file distribution and management, enhanced database
management, and enhanced customizable reports. For more information, contact Knox
Henderson at 800-663-5601.
Coresoft Releases Next Generation of CTI Software...
Coresoft Technologies, Inc., a software development company providing unified
communication technology, announced the release of CenterPoint 2.0. CenterPoint combines
the functionality of telephone, auto-attendant, voice messaging, e-mail, fax server,
contact management, and document management into one integrated client/server software
application. The product also Continued... provides access to a user’s Internet
browser. For more information, contact Brian Curran at 801-431-0070 x119.
CableData’s Intelecable Selected For SNET’s
americast Video Service...
CableData, Inc., and Southern New England Telecommunications Corporation (SNET) announced
a multiyear contract, under which SNET will utilize CableData’s Intelecable system
support its SNET americast video service offering in Connecticut. SNET will rely on
Intelecable to support many aspects of its billing and customer management operations,
including order processing, collections, charging and billing, service work orders,
transaction management, financial reporting, and certain marketing support tasks. For more
information, call Stephen Stocks at +44 1252 378585 or visit CableData’s Web site at www.cabledata.com.
Teradyne’s TestMaster Automates Test Generation For
CTI...
Teradyne announced the availability of the TestMaster-Hammer Integration Kit, a new
software that enables automatic test generation for computer telephony and
telecommunications systems. With TestMaster-Hammer Integration Kit, users can now build a
graphical model of the telephony feature or call flows to be tested from which TestMaster
then automatically generates Hammer test scripts. Nortel has been using TestMaster and
Hammer to test complex audio-based alternate billing systems. For more information,
contact Mariana Haven at 508-694-9959.
Which Technologies Will Be Used By Europe’s Next
Generation Of Call Centers?...
Technology analyst Datamonitor has published a new report entitled Next Generation Call
Centres in Europe. The report analyzes the use of computer telephony integration (CTI),
integrated voice response (IVR), and the Internet in European call centers. Two of the key
findings of the report include: 29 percent of European call centers will have IVR
functionality at the end of 1997; and CTI enabled IVR will become the most important call
center technology by 2002. For more information, contact Tara Rummell at 212-686-7400.
TTSI’s Programmable Keyboard For Call Centers...
TTSI has introduced the T2 Programmable Multitasking Keyboard. The keyboard is designed to
eliminate awkward mouse-driven multitasking by replacing the action with a keyboard
function. The T2 is an objectlinked component that utilizes CTI and ISDN in an ACD
environment. The solution can be integrated into a Windows 95 application with just three
or four lines of code. For more information, contact David Kramer at 609-275-6600.
AIFP Messaging Connector...
AIFP announced Messaging Connector — a new addition to its CommercePath Workstation
family of fax products for the desktop. AIFP customers using Microsoft Exchange will now
have a single familiar interface for sending, receiving, and managing both e-mail and
faxes. Messaging Connector facilitates the delivery of fax documents from MAPI-compliant
email packages. Users are able to send both fax and e-mail messages, including
attachments, from virtually any desktop application. For more information, contact Dale
Paulin at 503-968-9690. |
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