December 1998
Headlines
- Aculab Licenses L&H Speech Technology
- Syntellect, Nuance Join For Natural Language
- Keyware Intros LBV Security Server
- VXI Unveils Voice Rec Switch
- Eicon, RYCOM Agree On Bell Canada Sale
- Netscape, Qwest Plan Internet Center
- Array, TVS To Expand Internet Telephony Network
- Brooktrout Software, Philips Ally For Speech Rec
- Picazo, Ingram Micro Plan Distribution Agreement
- InterVoice Buys DC Systems' Call Center Suite
- FORE, Tektronix To Deliver High-End Video
- Cayman, AG Communication Plan ADSL Solution
- NMS, InnoMediaLogic Team For ATM Connectivity
- Remedy, Unisys To Develop Help Desk Solutions
- BCS Lands Federal ACD Contract
- Lightbridge Automates Activation
- NBX Unveils Reseller Partner Program
- NETRIX Software Integrates RADVision's H.323
Stack
- MCK, Rhythms To Offer Remote PBX Over DSL
- Syrinx Creates Multilingual Speech Rec
- Adax Releases CompactPCI Boards
- Ariel Ships V.90, ISDN On Single Card
- Callware Releases Unified Messaging, Voice
Processing Solutions
- CSI-Data Announces ACD Monitoring For Windows
- Database Systems Offers Predictive Dialer
- Dialogic Intros Media PC Line
- Dragon Recorder Increases Mobile Productivity
- Efficient Unveils ATM USB Modems
- e-Net Software Enables Telephony, Advanced
Calling
- Ericsson Launches IN Platform
- IBM Solutions Initiate Cost Savings
- Lucent Enhances Quality of Echo Cancellation
- VocalTec, Lucent, ITXC Realize Platform
Interoperability
- Microlog Launches Contact Center Solutions
- Phonetic Systems Intros Scalable Search Software
- SkyWave Releases Gateway Upgrade
- Stratasoft Presents Predictive Dialing System
- Voice Control Systems Offers Speech Rec Upgrade
- Williams' Suite Supports Call Center CTI
- Dictaphone Recorder Sends Voice To PCs
- NetCracker Announces Network Simulation Tool
- SBS Intros Telephony Server
- Force Expands VMEbus Products With Server
- Motorola's CompactPCI Systems Offer
"Five-Nines"
- Industrial Computer Source Intros Chassis For
Custom Systems
- SiteBridge Releases Upgraded Software
- DSPR Adds Channel Density To Portfolio
- Xirlink Revamps PC Camera
- Todd Unveils CompactPCI Power Supplies
- ATIO Launches Phone/Web Access Platform
- Crystal Group Chassis Offers Increased Cooling
- Key Voice Releases Voice Messaging Solution
- Industrial CPU Ships Enhanced SBC
News
Aculab Licenses L&H Speech Technology
Aculab plc has announced a new licensing agreement with Lernout & Hauspie (L&H)
Speech Products N.V. Under the agreement, Aculab plans to facilitate L&H's
text-to-speech and automatic speech recognition technologies to provide optional features
for their new Prosody PCI card. In addition, the partnership is expected to allow L&H
to increase customer access to their product range. Aculab will use L&H's speech
technology to further enhance the capabilities offered by Prosody PCI's functionality
suite to system developers and integrators. For more information, visit Aculab's Web site
at www.aculab.com.
Syntellect, Nuance Join For Natural Language
Syntellect, Inc., announced it has joined Nuance Communications' V-Commerce Alliance, a
group of technology vendors collaborating with Nuance to make it easier to build and
deploy V-Commerce applications. As a member, Syntellect will work with Nuance to build and
deploy applications allowing people to complete self-service transactions using natural
language dialog rather than telephone keypads, or PC keyboards. The V-Commerce Alliance
comprises e-commerce servers, packaged applications, infrastructure, IVR hardware and
software vendors, and system integrators. For more information, contact Syntellect at
800-347-9907.
Keyware Intros LBV Security Server
Keyware Technologies has introduced the Layered Biometric Verification (LBV) Security
Server, a product designed to seamlessly integrate multiple levels of biometric
verification technologies into one security solution, one level of security requiring
voice verification. The LBV Server, which is penetrating telephony markets, allows the
user to choose the specific biometric solution that best meets current and future security
needs. In addition, the LBV Server supports a full range of development environments such
as Visual Basic and Java. For more information, visit Keyware's Web site at www.keywareusa.com.
VXI Unveils Voice Rec Switch
VXI Corporation has announced the availability of its Parrott Switch 60V. The product is
designed to allow the user to seamlessly alternate between a PC and standard phone. With
it, users can perform multitasked headset functions with improved sound quality, comfort,
and convenience. Requiring only a single headset, the Parrott Switch 60V lets users
maintain constant contact with a caller while adding data to the computer and enables full
voice recognition for high sound quality. For more information, contact VXI at
800-742-8588.
Eicon, RYCOM Agree On Bell Canada Sale
Eicon Technology has announced a distribution agreement with Canadian-based RYCOM, Inc.,
to provide its DIVA T/A ISDN modem to Bell Canada. Under agreement terms, RYCOM will sell
and distribute Eicon's modem to Bell Canada. The DIVA T/A is designed to offer Bell
Canada's customers fast, reliable remote access connections to corporate LANs and the
Internet. RYCOM has been working with a number of telcos in Canada on standardizing their
communication solutions using RYCOM's line of networking hardware and software products.
For more information, visit Eicon's Web site at www.eicon.com.
Netscape, Qwest Plan Internet Center
Netscape Communications Corporation and Qwest Communications International, Inc., have
announced a three-year strategic alliance to offer consumers one-stop access to a suite of
easy-to-use leading communication services, available through the Netscape Netcenter
portal site. The effort combines Qwest's technologically advanced, high-capacity fiber
network and communications services with Netscape's Netcenter services, browser software,
and server software. Netscape will create a single service, Netscape Contact, where
consumers can manage all their phone and Internet communications. The service will offer
long-distance phone calls, conference calls, faxing, e-mail, Internet access, and combined
voice and e-mail in a single inbox. For more information, visit Qwest's Web site at www.qwest.net.
Array, TVS To Expand Internet Telephony Network
Comdial Corporation has announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Array Telecom Corp., and
Tokyo-based Telecommunications with Valuable Services (TVS), Inc., have signed an
agreement to move forward with phase two of TVSNET. TVSNET, a nationwide Internet
telephony network, is designed to provide international long-distance service and CTI-PBX
solutions to Japanese businesses and Japanese-based Internet services. The agreement
outlines expansion of the TVS gateway network from 36 Array Telecom gateways to more than
150 gateways, providing total geographic coverage of Japan. For more information, visit
Comdial's Web site at www.comdial.com.
Brooktrout Software, Philips Ally For Speech Rec
Brooktrout Software, a Brooktrout Technology company, and the Business Communications and
Speech Processing units of Royal Philips Electronics have announced they will integrate
Philips SpeechPearl speech recognition technology into Brooktrout Software's Show N Tel
platform for customers worldwide. Philips' VoiceManager 810, jointly developed with
Brooktrout Software, is designed to allow Show N Tel developers to rapidly create CTI
applications that provide voice-activated responses. In addition, Brooktrout Software
plans support for Philips SpeechPearl and SpeechMania, allowing Show N Tel developers to
build natural language interfaces to voice response, call processing, and other CTI
applications. For more information, contact Brooktrout at 888-248-5401.
Picazo, Ingram Micro Plan Distribution Agreement
Picazo Communications, Inc., has announced an agreement with Ingram Micro to stock and
distribute Picazo-brand products. Ingram Micro's Telecom Integration Division has chosen
to add the Picazo family of CTI products to its portfolio. With the move, Picazo is
expanding its channels focus to include Ingram Micro resellers, while Ingram Micro
resellers can now extend their solutions portfolios to include a completely integrated
communications solution that is installed, configured, and managed similarly to many of
the products they currently represent. For more information, contact Picazo at
408-383-9300.
InterVoice Buys DC Systems' Call Center Suite
InterVoice, Inc., has announced the acquisition of DC Systems' CTI and call center
software suite under an asset purchase agreement. The buy allows InterVoice to improve the
vertical integration of its call center products and expand the company's targeted
markets. The desktop component of the suite is designed to provide back office integration
and agent desktop productivity tools in a client/server environment. In addition, the
middleware component of the suite includes a CTI middleware server and associated
management and integration modules. For more information, contact InterVoice at
972-454-8862.
FORE, Tektronix To Deliver High-End Video
FORE Systems, Inc., and Tektronix, Inc., have announced a partnership to jointly market
and sell broadcast-quality MPEG-2-based video communications solutions. Customers are
expected to have access to specialized applications, including remote video collaboration
and video trunking. Tektronix VideoTele.com, a business unit within the video and
networking division, will provide standards-based, streaming video communications
solutions. In addition, FORE Systems will offer an ATM and Internet telephony network
infrastructure capable of supporting such applications. For more information, contact FORE
at 888-404-0444.
Cayman, AG Communication Plan ADSL Solution
Cayman Systems and AG Communication Systems have announced an agreement to market Cayman's
2E 500 and 2E 500H Ethernet-to-Ethernet routers with AG Communication's ATIUM GateWay ADSL
modem. The effort is designed to allow service providers to offer customers the ability to
create a LAN while providing high-bandwidth, spitterless ADSL connectivity to the Internet
for every computer within the LAN. For more information, visit Cayman Systems' Web site at
www.cayman.com.
NMS, InnoMediaLogic Team For ATM Connectivity
Natural MicroSystems (NMS) has announced it will distribute InnoMediaLogic's (IML) ATM/TDM
bridging technology. With the agreement, NMS can provide multichassis, ATM connectivity
(MC4) to developers of high-value applications requiring large, distributed, highly
available systems. IML's line of ATM network adapters support voice, video, and data
applications at the server and on the desktop. For more information, visit NMS' Web site
at www.nmss.com.
Remedy, Unisys To Develop Help Desk Solutions
Remedy Corporation and Unisys Corporation have announced they have teamed to offer
worldwide enterprise help desk solutions. Unisys plans to resell Remedy's entire product
line, including the new Strategic Service Suite of enterprise service management
solutions. Unisys help desk integration consultants will provide services assessment for
existing support operations, and planning and design service for the enterprise help desk.
In addition, the two companies expect to develop problem management systems utilizing
Remedy's foundation technology, Action Request System. For more information, visit Unisys'
Web site at www.unisys.com.
BCS Lands Federal ACD Contract
BCS Technologies, Inc., has announced it was awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to
replace the ACDs in 61 Federal Aviation Administration Automated Flight Service Stations
(AFSS), a large network of AFSS call centers providing various services to pilots
nationwide. BCS is installing Custom Display software and network routing capabilities
with each system to help the FAA reach and improve its service goal of answering a minimum
of 80 percent of all calls within 30 seconds. For more information, contact BCS at
800-756-8633.
Lightbridge Automates Activation
Lightbridge, Inc., has announced plans to develop one of the first self-service activation
systems, based on Unwired Planet's UP.Link Platform for wireless information access. The
partnership is expected to empower mobile phone subscribers to directly and instantly
activate new services using their mobile phone's built-in microbrowser from UP. With
automation, carriers can reduce the time CSRs spend performing activations and increase
time spent enhancing customer satisfaction. And with Lightbridge's Telesto solutions,
mobile phone users will have the ability to enter qualifying data into the phone for
instant phone service activation, without a CSR's involvement. For more information, visit
Lightbridge's Web site at www.lightbridge.com.
NBX Unveils Reseller Partner Program
NBX Corporation has unveiled its NBX-$ELLerate Partner Program in support of the company's
growing channel of over 100 authorized resellers in the United States. The program is
designed to offer incentives for qualified resellers to sell the NBX 100. It was set up to
help resellers maximize sales and profit opportunities by providing members with highly
competitive margins, rebates, equipment, cooperative advertising and marketing, and
demonstration kits. The NBX 100 is a converged communications system integrating data,
voice, and video with a single point of browser-based administration. For more
information, contact NBX at 978-749-0000.
NETRIX Software Integrates RADVision's H.323 Stack
NETRIX Corporation has announced the integration of RADVision's H.323 Version 2 Protocol
Stack into Vodex Voice Gateway software, deployed in NETRIX's Network Exchange-Integrated
Voice over IP/Frame Relay gateways. "Our goal is to move rapidly to provide
H.323-compliant versions of our Vodex platforms that will extend interoperability to the
desktop as well as to other compliant voice gateways," said NETRIX President and CEO
Lynn Chapman. For more information, contact NETRIX at 703-742-6000.
MCK, Rhythms To Offer Remote PBX Over DSL
MCK Communications, Inc., has announced a co-development and delivery partnership with
Rhythms NetConnections, Inc., where both companies will develop, deliver, and support
remote PBX access products and services over Rhythms' nationwide, high-speed DSL network.
Rhythms is offering PBXpress, a network feature set using MCK EXTender technology to
provide PBX access to remote workers over Rhythms' DSL network. The agreement will allow
Rhythms to package MCK remote voice EXTenders as part of its complete solutions, and both
companies plan to jointly develop DSL-optimized versions of the EXTender technology. For
more information, contact MCK at 617-454-6100.
Syrinx Creates Multilingual Speech Rec
Syrinx Speech Systems has added 15 new languages to its speech recognition database,
including those covering Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Syrinx plans to use the new
database as the key building block in the development of highly accurate solutions for its
targeted customers in the international call center market. Syrinx's "learning"
approach to speech recognition software can more accurately handle tonal languages and
offer call centers an efficient and accurate speech recognition solution. For more
information, visit Syrinx's Web site at www.syrinx.com.
Adax Releases CompactPCI Boards
Adax, Inc., has announced the availability of its Advanced Protocol Controllers (APC line)
on CompactPCI (cPCI). Using the fast 133 MBps CompactPCI bus architecture, Adax's APC-cPCI
and APC7-cPCI (for SS7 applications) boards are designed to deliver high-performance
connections from an Intel, SUN, RS/600, or HP server to the Internet, VPN, or private
leased line. The boards perform on Windows NT and UNIX operating systems with Adax's
Advanced Protocol Software (APS) products and support the H.110 serial bus for telco
applications. In addition, the boards have front and rear panel access for flexibility and
the H.110 telco bus standard for simplified backpanel wiring. For more information,
contact Adax at 510-548-7047.
Ariel Ships V.90, ISDN On Single Card
Ariel Corporation has announced production availability of the RS2000, an out-of-the-box,
30-port, 56K/ISDN remote access solution designed for PCs running on Windows NT. The
RS2000 is an open systems RAS solution providing Windows NT and UNIX hosts with the
physical connections needed for remote dial-in and LAN dial-out. The card combines up to
30 Lucent Technologies V.90 56 Kbps modems with a dual T1/E1/PRI interface and can support
a maximum of 60 simultaneous remote access sessions originating from 64 Kbps basic rate
ISDN, digital V.90 56 Kbps, or analog V.34 33.6 Kbps CPE. For maximized security, the
product leverages standard authentication and security features built into the NT server
such as caller ID and call back. It also works with third-party NT server authentication
systems such as Security Dynamics' SecureID. For more information, contact Ariel at
609-860-2900.
Callware Releases Unified Messaging, Voice Processing Solutions
Callware Technologies has announced the release of its new Callegra unified messaging
software for Windows NT and Novell NetWare, offering Y2K compliance for both platforms.
Callegra is designed as an easy-to-use unified messaging product for managing voice and
fax messages, integrating with popular e-mail packages or operating as a standalone voice
messaging platform. Callegra uses TAPI to provide support for various voice platforms. In
addition, Callware's upgraded Solo V-Mail is designed to run on both the NT and NetWare
platforms, delivering productivity-enhancing voice messaging for the small to mid-sized
business with the ability to increase system capacity up to 16 ports to accommodate
company growth. Solo V-Mail also is Y2K-compliant and offers a software migration path to
scale the system for additional users or to provide more advanced CTI functionality in all
Callegra products. Callware also has teamed with Samsung to establish a U S hybrid dealer
channel, and has received an award from Lucent for its commitment to delivering Lucent
product-based business solutions. For more information, contact Callware at 800-888-4226.
CSI-Data Announces ACD Monitoring For Windows
CSI-Data Collection Resources has designed its ACD Agent Monitoring System, an interactive
voice recording software application, for proactive call center management. The ACD Agent
Monitoring System offers cost-effective software for recording CSR customer interaction
for fast and flexible performance monitoring. The system - built for easy installation
with an industry-standard, intuitive Windows interface - automatically dials into an
existing phone system using standard analog lines, and the recording function is performed
right off the PBX/ACD. Two major feature sets include the ability to schedule event
recordings for future, unattended monitoring or to record and monitor live sessions. In
addition, the system can reside with other software applications on the same PC. For more
information, visit CSI-Data's Web site at www.csiworld.com.
Database Systems Offers Predictive Dialer
Database Systems Corp. (DSC) has designed its fully functional, hardware/software
Predictive Dialer using industry-standard components such as an Intel Pentium II
processor, Microsoft Windows NT server, and Dialogic telephony cards - to offer call
centers predictive dialer hardware at a cost lower than other commercial predictive dialer
products. With the affordable dialer, small and mid-sized call centers and telemarketing
service agencies can provide their organizations and customers with the high-volume
dialing capability usually associated with expensive dialers. TELEMATION, a call center
software solution, supports operation of the DSC Predictive Dialer with features such as
call list management, site control parameters, and operator statistics. The dialer is
expected to be released in Q1 1999. For more information, contact Database Systems at
800-480-3282.
Dialogic Intros Media PC Line
Dialogic Corporation has announced a family of media PC products - such as VoiceBrick, the
DVM, and custom in-switch media PCs - designed to support small and mid-sized businesses.
Built as self-contained platforms for voice mail, auto attendant, fax, and other CTI
applications, the VoiceBrick, DVM, and custom in-switch versions offer enterprise-level
technology for smaller offices at affordable prices. With the products, OEMs and resellers
can quickly deliver low-cost, easy-to-install, turnkey voice processing systems required
to penetrate this expanding market. One of the products, VoiceBrick, is designed as a
complete voice processing platform, enabling OEMs to build solutions connecting to a wide
variety of small key systems and PBXs. For more information, contact Dialogic at
973-993-3000.
Dragon Recorder Increases Mobile Productivity
Dragon Systems, Inc., has designed its NaturallySpeaking Mobile system to increase
productivity for mobile executives and professionals. The system includes Dragon
NaturallySpeaking Preferred speech recognition software, the new NaturallyMobile
pocket-sized recorder, and NaturallyMobile software for recorded speech. Dragon's new
product allows users to create, edit, and format documents by speaking into a hand-held
device. Users can download recordings onto a PC via a high-speed serial link and the
NaturallyMobile software. The recorder is specifically developed for optimal speech
recognition quality. For more information, contact Dragon at 617-965-5200.
Efficient Unveils ATM USB Modems
Efficient Networks, Inc., has announced new USB DSL customer premises equipment designed
for instant installation. The SpeedStream 4000 series can quickly and easily connect to
Windows PCs over the standard interface for external communication peripherals - USB. The
SpeedStream 4020 is a "plug-and-play" compatible modem, able to connect to a PC
or laptop through a USB port and to the DSL service provider through a standard ADSL port
- offering seamless interoperability with industry-leading DSLAM and DLC equipment
vendors. In addition, Efficient's new SpeedStream 3060 ADSL, an ATM over ADSL internal
modem, is designed to integrate Alcatel Microelectronics' DynaMiTe ADSL chipset and
seamlessly interoperate with the new generation R3.0 Alcatel DSLAMs. For more information,
visit Efficient's Web site at www.efficient.com.
e-Net Software Enables Telephony, Advanced Calling
e-Net, Inc., has introduced TelSet Express, a software solution specifically developed to
allow customers of data service providers, including ISPs and cable service operators
using the company's products, to directly receive full benefits of data telephony
regardless of location. It also allows data service providers to offer advanced feature
sets typically associated with calling over a traditional local telecommunications
services provider. TelSet Express allows users to receive and originate calls and allows
customers to select advanced features such as call waiting, call forwarding, call hold,
and call transfer. TelSet Express is to be distributed by data services providers via
CD-ROM or Web site download for easy installation on a PC or laptop. For more information,
contact e-Net at 301-601-8700.
Ericsson Launches IN Platform
Ericsson has designed its open platform to enable wireless operators to more easily offer
differentiated services and cut costs. JAMBALA, with wireless Internet readiness, can
allow operators to introduce new services more quickly and facilitate targeting of niche
markets. The new IN platform leverages its open architecture to address service
development and cost control. JAMBALA targets wireless applications, supporting a large
number of telecom-grade services, and its architecture makes it suitable for networks with
equipment from different vendors, thus, helping improve efficiency in time and revenue.
The platform is designed to exceed telecom performance benchmarks in reliability,
availability, and processing speeds. In addition, Ericsson has announced a WAP (Wireless
Application Protocol) Gateway and WAP Service Developers' Kit for Service and Content
providers - the first of many products supporting WAP to allow datacom applications
accessibility from a WAP-enabled terminal, using a built-in browser. For more information,
visit Ericsson's Web site at www.ericsson.se.
IBM Solutions Initiate Cost Savings
IBM has launched an effort designed to help telecommunications companies provide
cost-saving telephone services over the Internet or private networks using standard
Internet protocols. The new offerings include the network software and hardware required
to build Internet-based telephony systems, as well as the software consumers and
businesses need to access those systems. The offerings are part of a new suite of
end-to-end, carrier-grade solutions for companies wanting to provide Internet telephony
services. Offerings include the DataBeam Gatekeeper, the IBM Scalable VoIP Gateway based
on the RS/6000, and best-of-breed assets from IBM's Business Partners. In addition, IBM
plans to provide consulting services to help carriers migrate their existing networks to
hybrid Internet telephony and PSTN networks, as well as assist them in planning pure
Internet telephony networks for the future. For more information, visit IBM's Web site at www.ibm.com.
Lucent Enhances Quality of Echo Cancellation
Lucent Technologies has designed its Echo Canceller and Voice Enhancement System with a
greater capacity to help service providers offer better QoS, while lowering costs of
operations, when removing echo and background noise from wireless and wireline calls. The
system uses Lucent's Studio Sound to eliminate noise and distortion, making it ideal for
use in cars, airports, streets, malls, or factories. Lucent's system can remove both
electrical echo, from the network, and acoustic echo, in enclosed areas. The system is a
shelf-mounted unit, designed for interconnection with switching equipment located in the
central office. In addition, the product has a user-friendly, local and remote,
Windows-based interface to offer administrators easy-to-use provisioning features, status
monitoring capabilities, and automatic testing. For more information, visit Lucent's Web
site at www.lucent.com.
VocalTec, Lucent, ITXC Realize Platform Interoperability
VocalTec Communications and Lucent Technologies have developed a solution demonstrating
true interoperability between Internet telephony gateways over ITXC Corp.'s network. Users
can place voice calls seamlessly between the Lucent PacketStar Internet Telephony System
and the VocalTec Ensemble Architecture over ITXC's WWeXchange Service. The newly realized
interoperability, based on the ITU's H.323 RAS Version 2 international standard, is
designed to allow callers to make inexpensive calls to more locations than traditionally
permitted by uninteroperable gateways, via the VocalTec and Lucent gateways. Also with the
solution, carriers are expected to deploy truly interoperable, Internet telephony
solutions. For more information, visit VocalTec's Web site at www.vocaltec.com.
Microlog Launches Contact Center Solutions
Microlog Corporation has introduced uniQue Agent, the first of many offerings for customer
contact centers from the uniQue family of open solutions. uniQue Agent is designed to
incorporate CTI and Web technology, linking the agent's desktop with the company's
intranet and/or extranet and its information base. With uniQue Agent, contact centers can
develop custom applications for the agent's desktop easily and inexpensively. uniQue
resides on a Windows NT server and is built on Web technologies such as HTML, CGI, and
Java for open, cross-platform integration with other Internet technologies. Along with the
product, Microlog is offering a limited number of customer trials and opportunities for
alliance partnerships to enable coordinated voice and data transfer. For more information,
visit Microlog's Web site at www.mlog.com.
Phonetic Systems Intros Scalable Search Software
Phonetic Systems, Inc., has introduced PhoneticOperator, a speech-enabled, telephony-based
directory search solution scalable to over 100,000 records. The solution targets large
corporations, telcos, and call centers and is designed to offer users substantial
functional and financial benefits. PhoneticOperator is a Windows NT-based software program
providing speech-enabled auto attendant, call routing, and information retrieval functions
for any PBX. Its core technology is a powerful database search engine, which relies on the
use of advanced probability-based algorithms for performing sophisticated searches of
large databases, using speaker-independent voice over the telephone. For more information,
contact Phonetic Systems at 781-229-5823.
SkyWave Releases Gateway Upgrade
SkyWave, Inc., has announced immediate availability of SkyGate 99, the newest version of
the company's Internet telephony gateway, designed to seamlessly bridge H.323 Internet
telephony networks with SS7 intelligent networks. The latest level of interoperability
enables carriers to integrate Internet telephony into their current networks while
protecting their investments in existing legacy infrastructure. The new release supports
several key gateway application interfaces, including SkyWave's GCI (Gateway Control
Interface), SGCP, and planned support for TAPI and S.100. In addition, SkyGate 99 features
the SmartWorks CTOS Media Server, from TeleSoft, Inc., designed to provide
interoperability across third-party telephony hardware platforms, allowing the carrier to
choose best-of-breed, heterogeneous components. Other features include real-time faxing
and a built-in SNMP agent for remote access and gateway monitoring. For more information,
contact SkyWave at 408-245-1771.
Stratasoft Presents Predictive Dialing System
Stratasoft has designed its new StrataDial predictive dialing system to offer extensive
agent and supervisor functionality. StrataDial features open architecture, which allows
for easy customization and integration with existing, in-house systems and applications.
Targeting small to mid-sized call centers and organizations relying on any form of
outbound prospecting, the client/server-based system includes various advanced features
offered by expensive, proprietary systems, but costs up to 40 percent less. StrataDial
enables agents to accomplish almost everything from the desktop, providing broad-based
outbound calling capabilities, as well as support for desktop faxing, credit card
collection and authorization, fulfillment, voice recording, and conference/transfer. The
product offers a Strata-G Tool Kit for supervisors, supplying all the tools needed to
customize the software to meet their specific requirements. Supervisors can acquire
immediate feedback on any campaigns or running applications with real-time reporting from
StrataDial's featured dialing engine. For more information, contact Stratasoft at
800-825-2669.
Voice Control Systems Offers Speech Rec Upgrade
Voice Control Systems, Inc., has announced the launch of Pure ReQuest! 2.1, the latest
version of its automated telephone operator system. Pure ReQuest! is designed to allow
callers to speak the name of the person/department they want for quick and convenient
connection without needing to dial extension numbers or spell names on the keypad. The new
version provides directory listing services 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, through a
directory assistance feature. Frequently dialed numbers can be accessed through the
system's Voice Speed Dial option, allowing users to speak a name from their own
personalized list of names. In addition, the product's system capacity now supports over
10,000 names, or up to 32 ports. For more information, visit Voice Control Systems' Web
site at www.voicecontrol.com.
Williams' Suite Supports Call Center CTI
Williams Communications Solutions has released its first suite of CTI software products.
The Dialect suite is designed to offer customers products to support a complete CTI
environment, including call routing, database access, Internet communications, IVR, and
queue monitoring - all based on industry standards. Williams' Call Center Applications
Team and CTI Lab have created a formal methodology and adapted the embedded applications
into separate products addressing customers' individual needs. Some initial products
include the following: ActiveConnect, an ActiveX control for rapid development of CTI
applications; InterLink, a CTI interface for added functionality to IVR applications;
Database Gateway, a programming tool for accessing one or more databases compliant with
the ODBC standard; and Call Manager, offering rules-based call routing for single or
multiple switches, within and between sites. For more information, contact Williams at
888-994-5835.
Dictaphone Recorder Sends Voice To PCs
Dictaphone Corporation has introduced Walkabout Tour, a hand-held digital voice recorder
for mobile professionals. Walkabout Tour includes removable Voicedata cards designed to
capture voice on-the-go and easily transfer the voice file to a PC. The solution helps
facilitate recording and sharing correspondence, notes, meetings, and phone calls, as it
does not require users to carry laptops or computers. The standard WAV files can be played
on any Windows NT, 95, or 98 PC. In addition, users can edit or append voice documents
when they need to - whether on the road or in the office - via Dictaphone's Boomerang
Voice Exchange software. They simply can remove a PCMCIA-compatible Voicedata card and
insert the card into a Walkabout Voicedata drive so the voice files can be loaded onto the
desktop. For more information, contact Dictaphone at 888-483-6266.
NetCracker Announces Network Simulation Tool
NetCracker Technology has announced NetCracker Professional, an advanced network
simulation tool designed to proactively plan, present, and simulate complex data, voice,
and video networks in real time, using Intelligent Animation to display the network's
behavior. Running on Windows NT, 95, and 98, Professional offers dynamic statistics where
the network professional can dynamically "hear" the statistical results, as well
as see results in chart, graph, and/or numerical output. Professional provides network
drawing, designing, documentation, simulation, and presentation in one software package.
The product can continuously supply statistical updates and animate the network traffic so
it is seen as a working, functional, and "live" network. For more information,
contact NetCracker at 781-736-0860.
SBS Intros Telephony Server
SBS Micro Alliance has announced the Model FTU-2000, the latest rack mount, fault-tolerant
PC in the company's PRO Reliant Series. The FTU-2000 is designed as a high-capacity,
rugged unit for use as a telephony or telecommunications server. Other uses include
central office, manufacturing, data acquisition, wireless communications, and automatic
test applications. Equipped with a 19-slot PCI/ISA passive backplane, the enclosure
contains dual-redundant, 400 watt AC hot-swappable power supplies, allowing the system to
continue operation if one supply malfunctions. In addition, the standard enclosure comes
with eight front-accessible drive bays and can be integrated with a system monitoring
function that monitors various vital signs and performs alarming functions. For more
information, contact SBS at 888-598-8111.
Force Expands VMEbus Products With Server
Force Computers has introduced its dual UltraSPARC IIi SBC-based teleforce-50 server,
designed as a fully redundant system in a single chassis. The teleforce-50 can provide IN
equipment manufacturers a high-performance platform for use in such critical telco central
office applications as service nodes, service control points, adjunct processors, and
intelligent peripherals. In addition, the new product features two rugged, independent
VMEbus subsystems in a fault-resilient, 19" rack mount chassis. Each subsystem is
powered by a 333 MHz UltraSPARC IIi SBC, marrying availability protection with the
computing power required by advanced telephony processing and database applications. The
teleforce-50 is designed to meet stringent Bellcore NEBS criteria for disaster-resistant,
central office applications and will be available in Q1 1999. For more information, visit
Force's Web site at www.forcecomputers.com.
Motorola's CompactPCI Systems Offer "Five-Nines"
Motorola Computer Group (MCG) has announced its CPX8000 family of CompactPCI systems
designed to deliver 99.999 percent availability, which is essential for the most critical
telecom infrastructure applications. The 99.999 percent availability is equivalent to
under five minutes and 15 seconds of downtime per year. The CPX8000 series, a
carrier-grade platform for operation in NEBS and ETSI environments, is geared for
switching applications and deployment within unattended sites. The series offers features
such as dual-system CPUs and hot-swappable CompactPCI cards and power supplies. In
addition, two starter kits will be available to help telecom OEMs evaluate the
high-availability platform. For more information, visit MCG's Web site at www.mcg.mot.com.
Industrial Computer Source Intros Chassis For Custom Systems
Industrial Computer Source has announced its new Model 7490 Series of 15-slot,
medium-capacity, rack mount chassis. The 7490 Series is engineered to offer a smorgasbord
approach to system design, allowing users to virtually custom configure a standard,
off-the-shelf system to their own requirements. The 7490 Series targets CTI, industrial
automation, security systems, and other high-reliability applications requiring medium
drive capacity and up to 15 full-length AT expansion slots. In addition, the series models
offer flexibility and convenience of specifying a choice of bus structures, including
15-slot (single or split) ISA or ISA/PCI passive backplane, Pentium II backplane, or a
mount for Baby AT or ATX motherboards. Through a three-part ordering guide, users can
select from various base models, backplanes, and power supply options for more than 40
different system combinations. For more information, contact Industrial Computer Source at
800-523-2320.
SiteBridge Releases Upgraded Software
SiteBridge Corporation has announced the availability of the latest version of its
enterprise-class, Web-based sales and customer service software. CustomerNow 1.1 is based
on the company's WorksEverywhere technology platform and is designed to incorporate
advanced new features, including a live agent's one-click access to a customer's past
session transcripts and e-mail and the ability to automatically e-mail complete
transcripts to a customer at the end of a session. Open APIs integrate the software with
PBX, ACD, customer care, relational database, e-mail management, and knowledge management
systems. For more information, contact SiteBridge at 800-791-5057.
DSPR Adds Channel Density To Portfolio
DSP Research has announced the VIPER-12 549/PC, an extension of the DSPR VIPER family of
MVIP DSP Resource boards. The new addition is designed to increase the channel density of
its predecessor by 25 percent, allowing up to 60 channels of H.323 Internet telephony to
run on a single board. For Internet telephony and H.323 systems, each VIPER-12 549/PC can
support up to 48 G.723 vocoders with line echo cancellation, driving the per-channel
hardware cost below $70. In addition, the new release combines the MVIP bus with the power
of 12 Texas Instruments TMS320VC549 DSPs to provide telecom system integrators and OEMs a
robust, versatile DSP application board. For more information, contact DSPR at
408-773-1042.
Xirlink Revamps PC Camera
Xirlink, Inc., has redesigned its C-it video PC camera (XVP-510) with a new C-it design
and C-it Mail video software. The C-it camera targets home and office users, as well as
mobile professionals with its small size; it easily fits inside a laptop or briefcase. The
C-it Mail application enables users to capture a message and send it out as they would an
e-mail message with real-time, smooth video. Included in the package are Microsoft's
NetMeeting for video conferencing and ArcSoft's PhotoImpression, a photo editing software.
The camera also features Xirlink's ViCE (video compression engine) chip, which allows the
camera to achieve 30 frames per second. For more information, contact Xirlink at
408-324-2100.
Todd Unveils CompactPCI Power Supplies
Todd Products Corp. has introduced its CPCI Series (AC input) and DPCI Series (DC input),
150 watt and 350 watt CompactPCI power supplies. The supplies are designed as highly
reliable, high-performance, hot-swappable power solutions for telecommunications and
industrial computer systems requiring redundancy and modularity. They meet the electrical
and mechanical requirements of the PICMG specification for CompactPCI systems. Each model
is designed to provide current sharing and internal O-ring diodes for N+1 redundancy. Both
AC and DC input versions allow standardization of system mechanicals for each model in the
series. For more information, contact Todd at 516-231-3366.
ATIO Launches Phone/Web Access Platform
ATIO Corp has announced the launch of CyberCall 3.0, a solution designed to allow
companies to offer both traditional telephone access and e-mail, fax, and Web interaction
to their customers on the same platform. Web interactions include call back, text chat,
Internet telephony, and application collaboration. When a customer clicks on the CyberCall
button, sends a fax, an e-mail, or uses the phone to contact an agent, the contact request
is routed to the appropriate agent by the CyberCall Interaction Gateway. The multimedia
ACD chooses the correct agent to respond and delivers the customer information to the
agent prior to their first interaction. Some calls are handled automatically through IVR
or fax-on-demand modules. For more information, visit ATIO's Web site at www.atio.com.
Crystal Group Chassis Offers Increased Cooling
Crystal Group, Inc., has introduced a new chassis design for its CS500 and CS1000
computers for improved airflow and increased cooling. The latest chassis features numerous
design elements for minimized hot spots and uniform cooling throughout the entire chassis.
Relocating air intakes, increasing fan capacity, and adding cooling vents to drive bays
can optimize airflow through the chassis and improve cooling abilities. The new CS500 and
CS1000 chassis are designed specifically to provide uniform cooling of all units placed in
an equipment rack, enabling significantly lower chances of a heat-related failure. For
more information, contact Crystal Group at 800-378-1636.
Key Voice Releases Voice Messaging Solution
Key Voice Technologies, Inc., has announced the release of Key Voice Debut, a
self-contained, affordable system providing an advanced feature set of call queuing, call
screening, message delivery, and automatic message forwarding. Debut can be set up in
minutes and is available in two configurations: two ports, two hours of storage, and the
capacity for 25 mailboxes; or four ports, four hours of storage, and the capacity for 50
mailboxes. Debut integrates easily with almost 100 different phone systems and is designed
to provide full automated attendant and voice mail functionality, using Key Voice's box
setup architecture. For more information, contact Key Voice at 800-419-3800.
Industrial CPU Ships Enhanced SBC
Industrial CPU Systems has designed its model PCps233 SBC series for mission-critical
applications. It includes Intel's 430HX chipset, Pentium MMX processor, PCI performance,
and other onboard high-performance peripherals. The model integrates 512 MB of ECC RAM
memory and 512 KB of burst cache for protecting data integrity and achieving
high-reliability for demanding applications. In addition, the PCps233 features an onboard
10/100Base-T Ethernet adapter and ultrawide SCSI with data transfers up to 40 Mbps, as
well as dual, high-performance PCI bus EIDE interfaces, PCI-to-PCI bridge support, and
backward compatibility with existing ISA and PCI specifications. For more information,
visit Industrial CPU's Web site at www.icpu.com. |