New Server From Siemens Bridges Legacy PhoneMail Voice Messaging - Siemens Information and Communication Networks Connect Server - Product Announcement

Cambridge Telcom Report, Jan 31, 2000

Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc. has announced availability of the Connect Server, a system that will enable companies with legacy PhoneMail systems to transparently exchange voice messages with Xpressions 470 unified messaging users over the corporate TCP/IP LAN or WAN.

The server, which will begin shipping in April, also enables IP connectivity between multi-site PhoneMail networks or mixed PhoneMail/Xpressions 470 environments. Current PhoneMail systems typically exchange messages over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) with long distance charges. The Connect Server leverages Internet technologies to enable voice message exchange over a corporate intranet. Connect Server connectivity also enables PhoneMail customers to affordably transition individual workgroups or users to Xpressions 470 unified messaging solutions on an as-needed basis.

The Connect Server system is built on a Microsoft NT operating system and features a token ring card for connection to PhoneMail systems, a LAN interface card and core software. Key system features include a PhoneMail emulator, mail forwarder, SMTP connectivity and web-based system administration.

PhoneMail Emulator -- This software component emulates the functions of a PhoneMail node and enables the Connect Server to exchange system data or user data with other PhoneMail nodes over the token ring network.

Mail Forwarder -- The Connect Server's mail forwarding feature facilitates the migration of existing PhoneMail users to Xpressions 470 unified messaging. Mail Forwarder automatically pushes messages from PhoneMail mailboxes to specified Xpressions 470 mailboxes, giving customers the flexibility to keep their current PhoneMail messaging infrastructure while migrating a group of users from PhoneMail to Xpressions 470.

SMTP Connector -- The SMTP Connector sends or receives voice messages to or from the TCP/IP network, converting voice messages from PhoneMail format to Microsoft Audio Compression Manager and vice versa. It also filters out non- voice messages.

System Administration -- The Connect Server has an intuitive web-based system administration tool that enables authorized users to set up and configure systems, monitor and back up systems and run various message reports.

The Connect Server is available for order today through Siemens direct sales channels and a turnkey system is priced at under $10,000.

Based in Boca Raton, Fla., Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc. provides integrated voice, data and video communications networks to carrier and enterprise customers. Last year the company's 7,000 U.S. employees generated sales of nearly $2 billion. Its parent firm is Siemens, the pioneering electronics giant with more than 440,000 employees worldwide and global sales of more than $75 billion. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.icn.siemens.com .