AVST Launches CallXpress 7.71 Unified Communications Solution; New Version Features Increased Port Capacity and Enhanced User Interfaces; AVST Poised to Address Growing Demand for Enterprise-Class Unified Communications Solutions

Business Wire, Oct 18, 2005

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. -- Applied Voice & Speech Technologies Inc. (AVST) launched a new version of its flagship unified communications (UC) solution. Featuring increased port capacity and enhanced user interfaces, the new features found in CallXpress(R) 7.71 are specifically developed for enterprise-size companies actively seeking to replace their first-generation communications infrastructure. Today in Houston, AVST will debut the new version of CallXpress to messaging professionals attending the keynote presentation at the ninth annual International Association of Messaging Professionals (IAMP) Expo.

As corporate decision-makers are evaluating their communications applications roadmap, including IP telephony and messaging, CallXpress 7.71 positions AVST with the best-in-class enterprise UC and voice application that features a 30 percent increase in port capacity compared to its previous version. Recognizing a market need for increased capacity and consolidation, the new version of CallXpress supports up to 20,000 users on a single site configuration. This feature alone arms a large volume enterprise with the capacity necessary to support its entire employee base and at the same time requires less hardware to administer.

"Corporate IT managers are faced with a range of integration issues as they consider and adopt new technologies," said Krithi Rao, Frost & Sullivan research analyst. "The primary objective is to implement technologies that can adapt to the changing needs of a business. First-generation voice messaging solutions are rapidly being replaced by unified messaging and unified communications solutions, as they are limited in their ability to integrate. UC enables the mobile workforce and provides easy access to the communications infrastructure, while integrating with the rest of the real-time technologies in the enterprise. AVST's CallXpress 7.71 not only supports the largest UC installations but also integrates with technologies of the future."

With a global customer base exceeding 35,000 companies, AVST has a product release strategy that takes into consideration not only industry trends and product vision but also customer-requested enhancements. CallXpress 7.71 was developed to enable AVST to continue in its tradition of offering easy and painless conversions from legacy voice mail systems to its second-generation UC platform. Through additional enhancements to its collection of telephone user interface (TUI) emulations, AVST uniquely offers the benefits of UC with minimal training and interfaces that are familiar to users.

"Our goal for CallXpress is to continue in our tradition of offering the best of UC for businesses of all sizes," said Tom Minifie, AVST vice president of product management. "There is a distinct trend toward the replacement of first-generation voice mail systems for UC solutions that integrate with other applications like Instant Messaging, Presence and future VoIP and wireless technologies. We are at the early stages of that trend and through this new release can support the largest installations on a single site configuration and provide users with a solution that gives second-generation features supported through an interface they already know."

As a UC solution, CallXpress enables users to have access to voice, fax and e-mail messages in a single e-mail inbox. CallXpress supports hundreds of legacy, digital and IP switches and is designed to deliver varying levels of communications functionality to different segments of the workforce on an "a la carte" basis, significantly reducing company-wide licensing costs while ensuring that employees get the best communications technology for their individual requirements today. Having built upon one of the most mature and innovative unified communications solutions in the market, AVST has designed CallXpress to help employees communicate and collaborate more productively and effectively regardless of their physical location.

CallXpress 7.71 is available on Nov. 1 through AVST's established reseller channels. AVST has an extensive list of partners that sell and support its unified communications solutions throughout the world.

About AVST

Applied Voice & Speech Technologies Inc. (AVST) is a leading developer of unified communications solutions for businesses of all sizes. Through its world-class unified communications platform, CallXpress(R), and its innovative speech applications module, Seneca(R), AVST offers the industry's most powerful suite of switch-independent unified communications solutions. AVST's solutions enable direct access to an enterprise's communications infrastructure including voice mail, e-mail and fax messaging from any voice or data device via a touch-tone, GUI or speech interface. Established in September 2003, AVST was formed from the combined businesses of Sound Advantage (established in 1997) and the AVT division (established in 1982) of Captaris Inc.

With headquarters in Orange County, Calif., AVST maintains facilities in Seattle and the United Kingdom and has remote sales offices across the United States. With over 35,000 systems installed worldwide, AVST's unified communications solutions are sold and supported internationally by an extensive network of resellers and OEM partners. For more information contact Denny Michael, VP of marketing at 949-699-2300 or access the company's Web site at www.avst.com.