Inter-Tel Releases Server-Based PBX - the Windows NT version of the AXXESS PBX - Product Announcement

Cambridge Telcom Report, August 30, 1999

Inter-Tel, Incorporated announced production release of a Windows-NT-based Central Processing Unit (CPU) for its award-winning AXXESS PBX system. The release is a major milestone in Inter-Tel's development of a server-based PBX.

By integrating with the AXXESS PBX, the Windows-NT CPU will handle all call processing with greater speed. The new CPU will process higher traffic PBX network nodes and provide for increased capacities, while having computing power left over to host other NT-based telephony and data applications. Like the traditional data world, additional computing power can be cost-effectively added by merely upgrading to a faster server when the need arises. By combining server-based technology and Inter-Tel PBX technology, Inter-Tel receives the benefits of a WinTel server while retaining the benefits of a PBX, including swapping out telephony cards without powering down the system. Since the server-based CPU simply attaches to an AXXESS PBX, current customers will benefit from the new functionality, without sacrificing their current system investment.

Inter-Tel plans to expand the functionality of the Windows-NT CPU so it can simultaneously host LAN-based computer telephone integration applications, unified messaging applications and Internet Protocol (IP) telephony solutions. Enhanced diagnostics and management features are also planned for subsequent product releases.

"Server-based communication systems provide customers with more options and greater functionality," said Steven G. Mihaylo, Inter-Tel Chairman and CEO. "Inter-Tel is committed to providing our customers with the benefits of this new technology while continuing to provide the system reliability and expertise they have come to expect from Inter-Tel. With that goal in mind, we have developed a solution based on the proven technology of our award-winning AXXESS system. By using the AXXESS platform as the basis of this solution, current customers are able to retain their current system investment while new customers receive peace of mind from relying on proven technology."

Inter-Tel is a single point of contact, full service provider of digital business telephone systems, IP telephony products, CTI applications, voice processing software and long distance calling services. Inter-Tel's award-winning products and services include the AXXESS and Inter-Tel Axxent digital business communication platforms, the AXXESSORY Talk voice processing platform, the Inter-Tel Vocal'Net IP telephony gateway, the Inter-Tel Vocal'Net Service Provider Software and Centralized Accounting Software, the InterPrise voice and data routers and hubs, and the Inter-Tel.net private IP long distance network. The Company also provides maintenance, leasing and support services for its products. The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol INTL. For more information, contact Inter-Tel at (602) 302-8900 or http://www.inter-tel.com or http://www.inter-tel.net on the World Wide Web.