OKI Networks, an OKI (News - Alert) Electric Industry subsidiary that designs and manufactures telecommunication products has launched "CTstageLite," a small-scale alternative for the "CTstage 5i" call center system that currently holds the leading market share in Japan.

Officials with OKI Networks said that for "CTstage Lite," system functions and configuration have been simplified to suit the needs of smaller businesses, reducing cost by roughly 60 percent.

Company officials said that the product, offering enhanced usability at lower installed cost, is ideal for users planning to set up a small-scale call center or those considering installing their first call center system.

According to company officials, the full-scale "CTstage 5i" system is an all-in-one package that provides all the functionality required for major call center systems.

"CTstage Lite" is an alternative to "CTstage 5i" that targets small-scale call centers with no more than 50 seats.

It offers a package at cost savings of roughly 60 percent by simplifying functions and the system configuration, while offering a powerful range of features inherited from "CTstage 5i," including telephone control, real-time monitoring,1 reporting functions, and high-capacity voice recording.

"To make system setup easy for customers installing their first call center, 'CTstage Lite' offers simplified settings for patterned control management items like ACD2 and IVR,3 which previously required call center expertise," said Hidetoshi Saigou, president of OKI Networks.

Saigou said that the ceiling of 50 seats makes it possible to run all functions from a single server, including voice recording.

He said that the simplified hardware configuration reduces system price, installation costs, and labor requirements.

Company officials pointed out that "CTstage Lite" also incorporates OKI Networks' "IPstage MX/EX300" as a gateway used to connect with public networks, allowing customers who have already installed "IPstage" to establish full-scale call centers simply by adding "CTstage Lite."

Since inquiries can be escalated by integrating the office and call center, this configuration allows departments to work together to respond to inquiries received through the call center.