Michigan Technological University Migrates to IP Telephony with Mitel Ipera 2000: Mitel Ipera 2000 Improves Existing Communication System, Boosts Network Efficiencies

Business Wire, July 26, 2000

Business Editors

OTTAWA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 26, 2000

Mitel Communications Systems, a division of Mitel Corporation (NYSE:MLT) (TSE:MLT.) (LSE:MLT.L), today announced Michigan Technological University (MTU) has deployed its advanced Voice-over-IP (VoIP) solution, Ipera 2000(tm).

MTU, a leading technological educational institution, adopted VoIP to extend its current network infrastructure and support voice, video traffic and data.

MTU plans to migrate to a fully converged voice/data network during the next few years. The University took the first step towards true IP telephony by networking Ipera 2000 with its existing Mitel SX-2000 system, to serve a combination of IP and digital telephones in its Information Technology (IT) department. Ipera 2000 currently supports one third of the IT department users.

"We chose Mitel because it is a highly recognized voice solutions supplier," said Dr. James Cross, vice provost for information technology, MTU. "Mitel offers superior convergent voice systems that enables MTU's network to grow and meet the demands of the future. Furthermore, MTU's investment in SX-2000 technology is protected by the seamless migration path that exists between traditional PBX platforms and Mitel Ipera 2000, IP-based platforms."

The IT department at MTU is a converged organization, responsible for centrally managing and delivering all voice, data, and video services throughout the campus. The MTU voice communications network is divided into two sections: one for administrative staff and faculty and one for resident students. By implementing Ipera 2000, MTU is able to transparently network a workgroup adjunct to its existing network - serving the residence halls - unifying common dialing plans, while maintaining centralized systems management. Business Case for VoIP at MTU

Network efficiencies are a key driver behind MTU's move to converge its voice and data networks. Ipera 2000 provides the following enhancements:

- Reduce the work necessary for technicians to perform moves, additions, and changes. Also, the ability to include user and voice-related data, such as telephone and extension information, in the University's LDAP directory server, will significantly reduce the time required to add new people and telephones.

- Flexibility and scalability inherent in Ipera 2000 enable future growth without requiring a "forklift" upgrade every few years. To meet business and service needs, MTU will be able to economically increase the number of users, and the voice support within the IP domain or the SX-2000 voice infrastructure.

- Common management for both voice and data networks will eliminate the number and variations of work order processes, and significantly reduce information management with a single common network.

- Provide the opportunity to extend voice services to remote campuses (wireless and ISDN), and dial-in access points efficiently, using the existing data network.

"MTU's IT department is committed to migrating to a fully converged voice/data solution, and requires a voice solution that will leverage the significant investment in its high-speed backbone and data network," said Ken Dumont, vice president, marketing, Mitel Communications Systems. "The integrated, open, standards-based products that Mitel offers enables MTU to build flexible, scalable, robust systems, and deliver innovative communications services to its campus customers."

About Ipera 2000

Ipera 2000 is a full-featured enterprise Voice-over-IP solution for extended enterprise deployments in departmental adjuncts and branch offices. The 432-port Ipera 2000 is an integrated, single-server Windows NT-based solution. It provides full SX-2000 feature sets and supports a range of analog and digital trunking, call center routing, centralized management including support for LDAP all on one server. Ipera 2000 is capable of handling over 240 IP users and can also support a combination of IP and traditional digital telephones.

The Ipera 2000 architecture is based on a switched IP core with an embedded TDM bus that provides native support for legacy TDM switches and devices, without the need to employ multiple external gateways and conversion boxes that add cost and complexity to the voice infrastructure. Ipera 2000 also has an embedded H.323 gateway/gatekeeper in the NT server to support Symbol wireless H323 NetVision handsets enabling VOIP in the wireless LAN.

Ipera 2000 is based on Mitel's Data Integrated Voice Applications architecture. This is an open architecture that ensures a seamless transition for legacy platforms and provides the foundation for next-generation IP telephony applications. Mitel's IP architecture eliminates the forklift upgrades currently required to implement IP telephony systems, allowing customers to adopt converged solutions as dictated by their business needs.

About Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University was founded in 1885 as the Michigan Mining School, in response to the nation's need for mining and metallurgical engineers. As the demand for engineers grew, so did MTU's reputation as a leader among technology-oriented educational institutions. Today, MTU's programs are accredited by many national academic-accrediting organizations. Students from many states and foreign countries pursue degrees in science, engineering, forestry, business, liberal arts, social sciences, and two-year or four-year technology studies at MTU.