VON 2004: Empirix Advances in Carrier-Class Service Monitoring, Signaling Emulation and Media Analysis Reinforce Hammer as VoIP Test Leader

Business Wire, Oct 18, 2004

BOSTON -- Empirix, the leading supplier of VoIP testing systems, will introduce the Hammer XMS(TM) next-generation monitoring system for VoIP service providers and spotlight powerful enhancements to its Hammer product portfolio for lab and installation engineers this week at Empirix Booth #1020. The growing Hammer portfolio now provides VoIP network equipment manufacturers and service providers with industry-first solutions that deliver the full range of testing capabilities required for successful deployment of VoIP services in the marketplace.

Demonstrations at the conference will showcase the new carrier-class Hammer XMS, which allows service providers to monitor, analyze and troubleshoot next-generation voice services across their networks; innovations in IP signaling analysis tools with the release of Hammer FX-IP 2.0; and IP.DSP(TM); Hammer's patent-pending VoIP media analysis DSP technology, which can significantly reduce testing costs and is now incorporated in Hammer RealStreamer.

"Virtually every major developer of VoIP infrastructure equipment relies on Hammer functional and load testing systems in the lab. These new breakthroughs directly add value for our extensive user base and will maintain our leadership in VoIP test as the focus grows on delivery of commercial services that meet customer 'Quality of Experience' expectations," said Steven Gladstone, vice president and general manager.

Highlights include:

--The new Hammer XMS monitoring system, designed for service providers, which provides a comprehensive view of customer "Quality of Experience" metrics across carrier-class networks, while permitting engineers to analyze all VoIP and TDM protocol activity in real time for every call, 24x7. The next-generation monitoring system combines capabilities for distributed gigabit-rate signaling and media capture with centralized, CDR-based data analysis and correlation, speeding service deployment and troubleshooting while significantly lowering carrier-class monitoring costs. Already in trial at carriers, the system will be publicly demonstrated for the first time.

--Release 2.0 of Hammer FX-IP, recognized as a 2004 TMC Labs' Innovation Award winner. Hammer FX-IP now features SigStudio(TM), an enhanced VoIP state-based signaling emulation engine, and new IP protocol scripting flexibility that together give users unprecedented control over signaling call flows. SigStudio delivers the flexibility to emulate next-generation services and easily adapts to variations in standards and extensions in features The system allows expanded control over IP signaling message content and sequences for testing VoIP applications and enhanced services including conferencing, messaging, IVRs, IP Centrex and IP PBXs, as well as interoperability, conformance and negative testing. The Hammer FX-IP also provides robust media features including the ability to play and detect user specified voice prompts and tones, as well as industry-standard voice quality measurements.

--Hammer RealStreamer media detection with IP.DSP, a breakthrough, patent-pending VoIP media analysis technology and methodology, now incorporated into the Hammer RealStreamer product. IP.DSP offers significantly reduced costs over traditional DSP implementations and provides real-time wire-rate media detection of applications for thousands of simultaneous streams, at lower cost and higher density.

For detailed product information, availability and pricing information, please call 1-800-426-6374 (Outside the U.S., 1-781-266-3200) or visit www.empirix.com.

About Empirix, Inc.

Empirix delivers a comprehensive range of testing and monitoring solutions that help network equipment manufacturers, service providers and enterprises assure the performance of their next-generation communications systems, contact centers, and web-based applications. In the VoIP test equipment market, Empirix has been acknowledged as the worldwide market share leader by Frost and Sullivan for three years running (2002 thru 2004). Empirix currently delivers products, services, and support to more than 3,400 customers worldwide, including Global 2000 enterprises, network equipment manufacturers, and service providers. Headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, Empirix has offices throughout the United States, and in Europe and Asia. For more information visit www.empirix.com.

Empirix, Hammer, and Hammer XMS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Empirix Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other names are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.