Sun and Lucent Deliver iForce Solution for Enhanced Communications

Enterprise Networks & Servers, Nov 2003

Sun Microsystems and Lucent Technologies have announced a suite of products, services and marketing programs called the iForce Solution for Enhanced Communications for both service provider and enterprise customers. This solution converges voice and data offerings - such as Web voice mail - seamlessly linking computers with telephones.

The iForce Solution for Enhanced Communications is designed to increase the operational efficiencies of enterprises while reducing communication bottlenecks for end users. It works in conjunction with telephony systems to help deliver a set of IP-enhanced features, such as Web voice-controlled, real-time conference call set-up, in which the system finds and contacts the participants whether they are using a standard phone, IP phone, mobile device or a personal computer.

The iForce Solution for Enhanced Communications can be configured as a hosted solution, in which a service provider maintains and manages the equipment and offers these services to its customers either individually or as part of a bundle. It can also be located at an enterprise, so the solution is managed at the enterprise, helping to integrate with other applications that the company already provides to its users.

The iForce Solution for Enhanced Communications offers features including:

A Unified Communications Portal for anytime, anywhere access and management of calls, messages, conference calls, contact lists and calendars, including the use of voice-controlled applications such as speech dialing, speech messaging, voice portal and speech enabled Web services;

The ability to leverage existing and next-generation switch technology in both hosted and customer premise-based call control environments supporting both legacy and IP handsets;

Increased employee productivity through the integration of desktop communication tools with voice and data capabilities.

The iForce Solution for Enhanced Communications includes the following technology from each company: the Lucent AnyPath Messaging System and the Lucent Enhanced Business Services (EBS) Multimedia Portal, which runs on Sun Fire V440 Servers and Sun StorEdge 3310 SCSI Arrays along with Sun software: Java System Portal Server, Java System Portal Server Mobile Access, Java System Directory Server, Java System Messaging Server, Java System Calendar Server and Java System Instant Messaging.

Lucent EBS Multimedia Portal and AnyPath Messaging System are integrated to deliver unified communications to users of the iForce Solution for Enhanced Communications. The EBS portal can enable next generation computer/telephony integration that leverages existing and new network elements to provide tools to enterprise users. The portal includes features such as unified messaging, Web-based call management, wireless Internet portal access and PDA support.