CTExpo '98
Los Angeles (CT EXPO ’98) – New advances in the Voice Profiles for Internet Mail (VPIM) protocol will be demonstrated by the leading voice, fax and message providers at the CT EXPO ’98 show in the Los Angeles Convention Center this week. VPIM was developed to enhance the interoperability of voice messaging systems from different vendors and is now a reality with the introduction of products by leading vendors in the industry. The following companies will have demonstrations of VPIM technology at CT EXPO:
Applied Voice Technology is showing NetConnect™, AVT’s newest digital networking product supporting the VPIM standard, at CT Expo in Booth #2001. NetConnect allows the transmission of both voice and fax messages across the Internet, connecting messaging servers from AVT and other manufacturers using the VPIM standard. NetConnect supports both dedicated and dial-up Internet connections, providing digital networking to companies of all sizes. NetConnect is currently shipping, and is available across the AVT product line. It is supported in the current versions of the following AVT products: CallXpress for Windows NT, CallXpress3 , and PhoneXpress. For additional information on AVT and its products, please visit the AVT website at: http://www.appliedvoice.com.
In line with its VPIM initiatives, Alcatel is currently enhancing the message exchange capabilities of its A-VPS voice processing systems. Versions 2.4 of the Alcatel 8682 F (Global Voice Mail for Fixed Networks) and the Alcatel 8682 M (Global Voice Mail for Mobile Networks), using VPIM for the transfer of voice and fax messages over the Internet, is scheduled to be released in October 1998. For more information, visit Alcatel via the web at: http://www.alcatel.com
At CT Expo ‘98, Active Voice will introduce Unity, a Windows NT based communications server. Unity is planned to support multi-vendor message exchange using VPIM in future releases.
At CT Expo ‘98, Centigram Commmunications (booth #1522) will demonstrate VPIM capabilities on the Series 6 platform. Centigram Communications is integrating VPIM into its MESA-Net digital messaging architecture, which allows end-users to handle VPIM messages both via conventional telephone user interface and via OneView - a graphical, PC based, voice mail management software. VPIM will be a part of Software Release 6.2, due later this year.
Comverse offers products and services that deliver a full range of enhanced services solutions to more than 250 wireless and wireline network operator customers around the world. Comverse will provide VPIM compatibility into our high reliability Network Services Platforms, which allow the provision of call answering, voice messaging, internet messaging, fax services, IVR, prepaid, short message and intelligent network services.
Lucent’s Octel Messaging Division was formed on September 29, 1997 through the acquisition of Octel Communications Corporation. The division is the worldwide leader in providing voice messaging equipment and services to businesses, governments, educational institutions, telephone companies and cellular service providers in more than 90 countries. Lucent Technologies Octel Messaging Division is currently planning CPIM support on both Octelink and Intuity Interchange. Role out will begin first on Octel Link in 3Q 98.
Nortel is proud to present the award winning Meridian Mail Net Gateway in booth # 1530 in the South Hall. Meridian Mail Net Gateway allows for VPIM compliant digital transmission of voice mail messages across the Internet or across a corporation’s TCP WAN. Nortel meets the challenge of increased security by providing encryption technology between Net Gateway locations. Nortel will be demonstrating live VPIM compliant digital networking between Meridian Mail and Norstar voice mail systems.
Priority Call will be adding VPIM to its product line to facilitate the transfer of voice and fax messages between VPIM compliant systems. The feature will allow Priority Call’s platform to exchange messages with platforms from other major vendors. It will also enable independent ORYX platforms to communicate with each other.
At CT Expo ‘98, Siemens Business Communication Systems (booth #1225) will demonstrate the message exchange capabilites between Siemens award-winning PhoneMail voice messaging system and Siemens’ upcoming multimedia messaging product, which will be generally available by the end of 1998. Both messaging systems are planned to support multi-vendor message exchange using VPIM. Members of the Electronic Messaging Association’s (EMA) VPIM Work Group have been collaborating in real-time, cross-continent demonstrations of systems that enable users to forward voice and fax messages to anybody, anywhere, anytime over the Internet or corporate intranet. Companies participating in these trials are Applied Voice Technology, Alcatel, Active Voice, Centigram, Comverse, Call Technologies, IBM DirectTalk, Irdg, Lucent’s Octel Messaging Division, Nortel (Northern Telecom), Microsoft, Priority Call, ReadyCom, Siemens, Tecnomen, Telinet, TMA and Unisys. Products are now available and are in use by companies which fulfill the EMA’s VPIM requirements and procedures for establishing product conformance to the Voice Profile for Internet Mail. "Several leading companies have come together to make VPIM a working standard that is interoperable," said Glenn parson, standards with Nortel and chair of the EMA-sponsored VPIM Work Group. "VPIM is now a reality and companies can begin realizing the cost savings and benefits that are generated as a result of voice messages being delivered over the Internet and corporate intranet." "It is exciting that in the short period of time since the founding of the EMA VPIM Work Group, vendors already have commercially available VPIM products," stated Bernard Elliott, TITLE of Vanguard. "VPIM Work Group members are continuing with interoperability trials between all vendors and look forward to additional products being available very soon." Sanctioned by the Electronic Messaging Association, the VPIM Work Group began work on its universal voice messaging protocol in 1995. The core group of companies participating in VPIM demonstrations at industry events is growing and more than 30 additional information technology companies have participated in VPIM information sessions or have expressed interest in becoming involved in the VPIM initiative. VPIM's technical specifications can be found at www.ema.org/vpim. The work group welcomes comments from all interested parties. EMA is an inter-industry forum dedicated to the promotion, development and use of electronic messaging technologies for secure global electronic commerce. Founded in 1983, EMA is now composed of more than 550 user and provider member companies representing major Fortune 500 corporations. These include industries such as aerospace, automotive, financial services, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, retail, telecommunications, natural resources, consulting, hardware and software development, and network service providers. This gathering of diverse users and providers creates the most comprehensive resource for information on the messaging industry and the issues affecting its future. EMA is located at 1655 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22209 and on the World Wide Web at http://www.ema.org. For more information, reporters, consultants and analysts can contact: Bernard Elliot Chair, EMA Voice Message Committee Coordinator, VPIM End-User Trials Internet: BElliot@Vanguard.net Phone: +1 215-985-2292 Back to top |