IP Telephony Vendors Invest In Convergence

IP

Despite the financial struggles facing the telecommunications market, vendors such as Alcatel continue to invest in their IP telephony products, said Chris Brassington, business consultant at Compel, a convergence solution provider based in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

The technology push stems from growing interest in IP telephony, particularly in contact center environments, Brassington said. "We're seeing more home-based [call center agents, and we're seeing companies getting themselves aligned with the technology that will allow them to bring in IP applications," he said.

Alcatel Monday plans to launch its first family of pure IP telephones and a Web-based softphone for its OmniPCX 4400 IP-PBX product.

The e-Reflexes line includes three models ranging in price from $285 to $495 with features such as dial-by-name, programmable keys and a full-duplex speakerphone.

Until now, Alcatel only offered IP-enabled digital phones, which cost up to 30 percent more than the new offerings, said Jeanne Bayerl, director of marketing programs at Alcatel, Calabasas, Calif.

The company also plans to introduce the Alcatel WebSoftphone, a Web-based version of its client/server 4980 Softphone. WebSoftphone, available free to current 4980 customers, provides mobile workers with features such as standard call handling, access to corporate phonebook directories and access to voice mail.

To support the new phones, Alcatel said it also will release a new version of its system software, OmniPCX 4400 release 5.0, which offers redundancy features that enable the system's CPU to automatically shut down and cut over to a backup CPU should a LAN port failure occur.

Meanwhile, Vertical Networks plans to introduce on Monday InstantOffice System Release 5.0, an upgrade that supports IP phones. InstantOffice systems combine circuit-switched and IP-PBX capabilities, data networking features, voice mail and computer-telephony applications on a single box for branch offices and SMB customers.

"It's something the channel has been waiting for because now they can offer customers more choice," said Steve Pataky, director of channel sales and development at Vertical Networks, Sunnyvale, Calif.

Digital phones require an on-site PBX, but IP phones can operate through any IP-PBX on the IP network, he said.

Vertical Networks also plans to expand the capacity of its systems with the introduction of InstantOffice 6500, which supports up to 192 users, up from 72 users with previous models.

Pricing for InstantOffice 6500 starts at $18,150. Release 5.0 will ship standard with all new systems. Both are scheduled to ship at the end of November.

AltiGen Communications, Fremont, Calif., last week launched its first IP phone, the Alti-IP 600, priced at $299. Previously, AltiGen supported IP phones from Polycom and Siemens on its IP-PBX systems.

"It's always nice when you've got the manufacturer tying the handset and phone right into the system. It's easier to integrate and troubleshoot," said Gary Morrissette, director of marketing at TelNet, a convergence solution provider based in Salem, N.H.