Hypercom adds packetized voice over Frame Relay for branch internetworking; Expands options for savings and traffic consolidation in IEN hybrid routers

Business Wire, August 28, 1995

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 1995--Hypercom Network Systems, the leader in legacy and LAN integration, Monday announced it has added packetized voice over Frame Relay capability to its Integrated Enterprise Network(TM) (IEN) family of hybrid routers.

This newly available module allows IEN users to consolidate legacy, LAN and packetized voice over Frame Relay, thereby reducing branch networking costs by lowering the number of separate links that must be established and managed between branches and central sites.

Hypercom's primary intention is to continue advancing Frame Relay as a branch interconnection technology. "Hypercom technology is positioned as a complete branch communications platform," said Paul Wallner, Hypercom's senior vice president of Network Systems Development.

"Hypercom has been a long-time proponent of Frame Relay and its unique ability to deliver tremendous savings and performance in branch networks. Voice transmissions represent up to 70 percent of the typical networking budget. By adding packetized voice capability, we continue to advance Frame Relay as an even more attractive, high-value solution for customers."

Voice Module

The new voice module supports variable rate voice compression using the 'QCELP' algorithm and provides toll-call quality between 800 bps - 8 kbps voice compression data rates.

Sophisticated prioritization techniques ensure timely delivery of voice and ample bandwidth allocation for SNA and LAN traffic. Because voice is transmitted as packetized data, it can be consolidated along with data onto a single 56 kbps Frame Relay link. Compressed voice may also be delivered via ISDN "B" channels serving as the backup WAN link.

Paul Wickre, vice president of marketing and business development for Hypercom, explains why Hypercom is expanding its voice capabilities now. "Hypercom wants to be associated with two things: helping users optimize the costs of branch networking, and providing the most advanced, complete spectrum for Frame Relay capabilities," said Wickre.

"We currently have customers achieving substantial savings using our existing voice/data consolidation capabilities for leased line networks. We would expect similar use of voice over Frame Relay in certain situations where the data traffic is bursty and voice traffic relatively light."

"Frame Relay is one of the fastest-growing network services in history," said Richard Malone, principal of Vertical Systems Group, a Dedham, Mass.-based research and consulting firm renowned for its expertise in Frame Relay. "Voice over Frame Relay will present a big opportunity during the next three years, particularly in remote office locations of banking, retail, manufacturing and other sales-driven organizations."

Hypercom will demonstrate its voice-over-frame relay capability in booth 3142 at Networld Interop '95 in Atlanta.

IEN

Hypercom's IEN family of hybrid routers helps users minimize the total costs of branch networking by supporting combinations of multiple WAN services, and by allowing the consolidation of LAN, legacy, voice and video traffic using fewer WAN connections.

Hypercom further consolidates the necessary hardware by combining the functionality of routers, FRADs, hubs/MAUs, CSUs/DSUs, protocol converters, and dial back-up modems in a single IEN unit, along with data compression and encryption capabilities.

Hypercom

Hypercom Network Systems, a division of Hypercom Inc., provides advanced technology data communications systems and components to Fortune 1000 industries. Hypercom Network Systems' primary mission is to allow customers to integrate legacy SNA networks and PC/LAN networks into a manageable single resource.

Founded in 1978, Hypercom Inc. is multinational company headquartered in Phoenix. Its products are sold in over 30 countries and produce revenues of more than $200 million annually.

CONTACT: Hammond Farrell Inc.

Liza Kurtz, 212/995-5680 ext. 210