Toshiba Announces New Strata CIX With FeatureFlex, The Industry's Most Adaptable Pure IP Telephony System

Business Wire, Oct 4, 2004

IRVINE, Calif. -- Strata CIX(TM) Allows Migration From Toshiba Strata(R) CTX and DK Systems, Enabling Users to Retain Investment, Maximize ROI

Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Digital Solutions Division (TAIS DSD), today announced its new Toshiba Strata CIX native IP business communications system, slated to be available later this year. Designed for small- to medium-sized enterprises or larger corporate users with multiple sites, the Strata CIX supports up to 672 ports, offers new FeatureFlex(TM) capabilities, can be TDM-enabled, and provides a smooth migration path from Toshiba Strata CTX and Strata DK digital business communication systems.

"Toshiba's Strata CIX delivers on the promise of IP telephony by providing all the features and benefits of our traditional business communications systems on a pure IP platform, with new, never-before-seen IP-based adaptability capabilities, making it the most efficient, easy-to-use, and customizable system available today," said Michael E. Durance, vice president and general manager of TAIS DSD. "It also takes advantage of Toshiba's legendary migration path, enabling users of our current Strata CTX and older Strata DK digital business communications systems an affordable upgrade to the new Strata CIX system, while they protect their original investment."

"Toshiba has developed an effective design for its new Strata CIX native IP telephony system that also allows it to be TDM enabled. It is a practical approach that delivers what many end users want, given their need to both protect and maximize investments in telecommunications technology," said Mark Ricca, executive vice president of InfoTech. "The FeatureFlex capability of the Strata CIX will allow users to adapt the system to their own unique needs. This is an impressive concept that should find a high level of receptivity with end users. Toshiba has done a commendable job in designing a differentiated system for the IP marketplace."

All the Features of Traditional Business Phone Systems in an IP System

In addition to its new mix of IP features, the Toshiba Strata CIX delivers all the features and functionality of Toshiba's traditional digital business telephone systems, taking advantage of decades of experience serving enterprises with voice solutions.

"Unlike our competitors, we've gone way beyond the basics in delivering the most robust IP telephony system in the industry," Durance said. "Users have their favorite features that increase their ability to communicate effectively with their customers, vendors and each other, and we have maintained all these features as we help them take a giant leap forward into the world of IP telephony."

In addition to robust Voice Processing features and Networking capabilities, the 250 plus features supported in the Toshiba Strata CIX include:

--One Number Access -- allows users to set up routing features for incoming calls so the call will go to the device or locations specified (cell, IP softphones on laptops or PDA, home office).

--Call Monitor and Retrieve -- allows users to monitor callers as they leave voice mail and retrieve them from voicemail as needed.

--Voice Mail Return -- allows users as they are reviewing voice mail to return calls and then continue where they were in their voice mail messages.

All Features to All Users, No Matter Where They Are

Toshiba's Strata CIX has been designed to deliver virtually every feature to every user, regardless of the type of device they are using, whether they are static or mobile. The system supports IP phones, IP wireless handsets, both analog and digital telephones, IP softphones on laptops, PDAs, and tablet PCs. Because it is built on open standards, the Strata CIX will also work with standards-based SIP telephones.

"With the Strata CIX, it is our goal to give the users what they need, including mobility and flexibility in the types of devices they use to make and receive calls. That's why the Strata CIX works with mobile and static IP voice devices, not just Toshiba telephones," Durance said.

"Adaptability" Never Seen Before in an IP Telephony System

With the debut of the Strata CIX, Toshiba offers FeatureFlex, which allows users to customize their own individual features to help them be more efficient with their communications solution. FeatureFlex makes the resources of the system available to create new or blended features and applications. It allows enterprises to create user-definable features companywide, by department, or for individual users.

"Today, you'd probably be wrong if you tried to guess what the next most important Killer Application is to the customer," Durance said. "That's why we've focused on the Killer Enabler that allows enterprises to create their own Killer Application, which may be different for every individual user. The Strata CIX provides the Killer Enabler, which allows us to address a 'Market of One.' Users can now customize their systems in as little as 10 minutes instead of waiting for months or even years for their equipment manufacturer to add the features they want."