Kentrox Partners with ShoreTel to Optimize VoIP Call Quality; SMBs Benefit from Advantages of VoIP without the Hassles

Business Wire, Sept 7, 2005

HILLSBORO, Ore. -- Kentrox(R) and ShoreTel(TM) have teamed up to offer small to medium-sized businesses the advantages of call-quality Voice over IP (VoIP) in a combined solution that pairs the ShoreTel Smart(TM) IP phone system and the Kentrox Q-Series(TM) Quality of Service (QoS) Access Router. By integrating these products, customers are assured of consistent and reliable call quality.

As companies consider deploying VoIP for the potential return-on-investment, concerns arise about call quality degradation. VoIP call quality can be degraded by other traffic running on the same WAN line, as voice and data traffic compete for limited bandwidth. When using the DiffServ features in the ShoreTel ShoreWare Director, the Q-Series router automatically prioritizes VoIP traffic to help ensure quality calls, even during peak congestion periods -- without adding bandwidth.

"We are delighted to partner with Kentrox, a leader in QoS," said Janet Gregory, ShoreTel's vice president of channel development. "Unlike traditional phone systems, IP voice is extremely flexible and provides endless opportunities for customization and adding value. However, this requires intimate knowledge of specific customer needs, which we rely on our channel partners to possess. Partnering with Kentrox and their Q-Series access routers elevates the business phone system from a taken-for-granted utility to a productivity-boosting environment."

"Bursty data traffic and lack of QoS are the main factors that can affect voice quality. Kentrox Q-Series routers can control these network conditions by automatically giving voice priority over data to ensure consistent, business-quality voice connections every time," explained Dan Murray, vice president of Marketing, Kentrox. "When Q-Series routers are used in conjunction with ShoreTel's IP phone system, customers experience excellent voice quality, even at busy locations. Combining ShoreTel's Smart phones with the Q-Series save small and medium businesses the cost of purchasing a separate WAN link dedicated to VoIP traffic."

Robert Marsh, president of OMNIA Technologies, a technology consultant located in Portland, Maine, states, "I was amazed at the simplicity involved when prioritizing voice with the ShoreTel and Kentrox solution." Q-Series routers and the ShoreTel Smart phone system both provide easy-to-use management interfaces for simplified setup and use.

An intuitive, web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) included in the QoS router provides users with graphical reports for monitoring traffic performance, identifying performance problems, and fine tuning network performance. These graphical reports allow users to determine if critical traffic flows are getting the bandwidth they need, ensuring successful deployment of VoIP technology, even on busy networks.

Combining power and simplicity with VoIP call quality assurance, Kentrox Q-Series routers and the ShoreTel phone system solution gives small and medium-sized businesses the confidence to deploy VoIP technology successfully.

About ShoreTel, Inc.

ShoreTel is the innovation leader in enterprise IP telephony. The company has shipped its groundbreaking intelligent phones systems since 1998 and continues to outpace the rapidly expanding Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) market with technological advances and 100% year-over-year growth. ShoreTel Smart(TM) technology and a world class channel organization bring the full promise of VoIP to the enterprise, setting new standards for usability and manageability while reducing telecommunications costs. A uniquely distributed architecture extends enterprise-class voice services to every office and outpost, keeping employees fully connected wherever they go. For more information, visit http://www.shoretel.com or call 877-80SHORE.

About Kentrox

Since 1967, Kentrox has been an industry leader in high-speed network access equipment, including CSUs, DSU/CSUs, and ATM access concentrators. Its extensive customer base includes enterprises, carriers, wireless service providers and government entities worldwide. In 2004, Kentrox developed the Q-Series line of QoS access products, providing affordable, easy-to-use Quality of Service solutions to small/medium businesses and branch offices. The company's most recent innovation, CrossPATH 3G Cross Connects for high-density base stations, leverages their experience supplying access products to wireless networks since 1989. Kentrox is based in Hillsboro, Oregon. Contact the company at 800-733-5511 or via the web at www.kentrox.com.