[April 20, 2005]

VoIP-PSTN Hybrid Available

By David Sims, TMCnet CRM Alert Columnist

Centrepoint Technologies today released the TalkSwitch telephone system, which offers both voice over IP and traditional telephone connections to small businesses.

By using TalkSwitch, small and multi-locations businesses can for the first time realistically take advantage of the benefits of VoIP telephony. Many of those businesses though are reluctant to completely give up their published telephone numbers and lines. They understand that they can save money and access advanced network services using VoIP, but they like the reliability they have from their public switched telephone network lines.

With a VoIP-equipped TalkSwitch system, customers don't have to choose. They can experience VoIP for themselves while at the same time retaining at least one of their traditional connections to the PSTN.

Designed to be installed and configured by end users, The TalkSwitch is a hybrid PSTN/VoIP PBX that is available in configurations as small as two incoming lines with four extensions, up to systems that include 16 incoming lines, 16 VoIP trunks, 32 local, and 32 remote extensions.

Centrepoint's TalkSwitch is available in configurations as small as 2 incoming lines with 4 extensions, up to systems that include 16 incoming lines, 16 VoIP trunks, 32 local and 32 remote extensions. The TalkSwitch system was designed to grow and evolve with a customers business, so up to four units per location can be networked together.

"Telephone service is evolutionary," said Jan Scheeren, president and CEO of Centrepoint Technologies, in a statement. "The move to VoIP isn't going to happen overnight, it's a progression."

Among other issues, there is the ability to access emergency services like 911; availability when there is a power failure; quality of service; and universal connectivity—all things that today can only be effectively addressed by the traditional telephone network.

"TalkSwitch users get a fully featured telephone system that improves the way they do business, but also positions them to take advantage of next generation services like VoIP," said Scheeren.

The VoIP-equipped TalkSwitch 48-CVA sells for $1,795; TalkSwitch systems without VoIP start at $695. The products are available through authorized resellers or online.

David Sims is contributing editor and CRM Alert columnist for TMCnet.

To discover how contact centers can save money and increase productivity by making the switch to IP Telephony, be sure to attend TMC's IP Contact Center Summit May 24-26, 2005, in Dallas, Texas. IP Contact Center Summit is co-located with the Speech-World conference, where you can get expert guidance in the deployment of speech technologies to strengthen customer relationships.