https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Solutions Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • MSP 501 Rankings
    • NextGen 101 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Channel Futures 20: Top Tech Providers
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2023 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501
    • Channel Influencers
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Technology Advisor 101 (TA 101)
    • Channel Leaders Lists
  • Events
    • Back
    • 2023 Call for Speakers
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Technology Solutions Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • MSP 501 Rankings
    • NextGen 101 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Channel Futures 20: Top Tech Providers
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2023 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2022 MSP 501
    • Channel Influencers
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Technology Advisor 101 (TA 101)
    • Channel Leaders Lists
  • Events
    • Back
    • 2023 Call for Speakers
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Agents
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • Channel Partners Events
 Channel Futures

Telephony/UC/Collaboration


The Evolving World of Computer Telephony

  • Written by Paula
  • April 30, 1998

Posted: 05/1998

The Evolving World of Computer Telephony
Traditional Telecom Vendors Make the IP Voice Connection

By Paula Bernier

New tools now allow individuals to receive and manage their telephone calls while
connected to the Internet.

Among the companies offering these hybrid computer/telephone tools are veteran telecom
vendors Ericsson Inc., Lucent Technologies Inc. and Northern Telecom Inc. (Nortel).

But these new software offerings are more than simply computer telephony clients that
enable PC-based call management. They also can serve as interfaces for Internet protocol
(IP) voice services.

Going to the Masses

Ericsson last year came out with something it calls the Phone Doubler. It originally
was–and continues to be–marketed as software that enables individuals to answer
telephone calls via their PCs while they’re connected to the Internet. It lets them
receive calls, send to voice mail and otherwise manage incoming calls while online–and it
lets them do all this over a standard copper connection.

When paired with an Internet telephony service, however, Phone Doubler can be the
client software that allows PC users to make low-cost long distance telephone calls to
standard telephones over IP connections.

By the time this magazine reaches print, Phone Doubler could well be a mass market
phenomenon. This spring retail giant Computer City began selling the software as a
stand-alone product as well as bundled with Internet telephony services from Internet
Global Services Inc.(iGlobal), a Dallas-based Internet service provider.

"It’s brand new, it works and we’re all excited about it," says Jack Ferry,
vice president of New Ventures at Computer City, noting that 20 million to 30 million
people come through the company’s stores annually.

Since iGlobal already has an Internet backbone in Texas, Dallas and Houston will be the
first markets to receive the services, says Michael Gorton, CEO of iGlobal. Service
launches will follow in other metropolitan areas with Computer City’s "new concept
stores," in which iGlobal will colocate its IP telephony gateways.

At press time, Gorton said the companies were still considering various pricing
scenarios for the total package, but thought that a $9.95-a-month service including 400
minutes of use might be an attractive bundle.

"We have just shot the gun on the Internet voice," says Gorton. "This
Internet telephony thing is significant.

"We’re talking to some major petroleum companies that do business all over the
world, and they’re very excited about it," he adds. "It’s going touch
everybody."

The Virtual Office

Lucent and Nortel, meanwhile, are targeting on-the-move workers with new product
offerings.

Lucent’s Virtual Telephone, to be available in July, acts as a virtual PBX extension
for traveling businesspeople, explains Kathy Meier, general manager of Internet
communications at Lucent.

It lets workers access their e-mail, respond to their voice mail, respond to inbound
calls and initiate real-time phone calls during a single communications session. Without
it, notes Meier, a person working from a hotel room would have to connect and disconnect
to e-mail, then call to check voice mail, and then make calls (most of which would
probably be long distance), each as a separate transaction. Virtual Telephone is more
efficient, since it allows the worker to do all that in a single connection. And it can be
lower cost, since the worker is billed only for one outbound call from the hotel, she
says.

"Today, Internet telephony is revolutionizing how voice and packet networks come
together," says Meier. "Virtual Telephone is the next stage in voice over IP. It
combines the cost savings of Internet telephony with new features that enable remote
workers to have complete control over their voice and data communications–over a single
connection–no matter where they are."

Workers control inbound and outbound calls via the Virtual Telephone client software,
establishing a virtual private network (VPN), remote access server (RAS) or local area
network (LAN) connection, and logging into the VT server.

At press time, Lucent was testing the new software with a limited set of customers that
already use its Internet Telephony Server-E (ITS-E) gateway, which can be accessed via the
Virtual Telephone client.

While Lucent’s solution allows remote workers to use public network connections to
access servers at a corporate location, Nortel’s Cygic Home Office Suite is based on
equipment in the public network.

A New Revenue Stream

Nortel, which acts as a service bureau for the service (which will be generally
available in June), is marketing Cygic Home Office Suite to Internet service providers
(ISPs) seeking to offer enhanced services to gain new revenue streams (see diagram). And
according to the vendor community, as Internet service becomes a commodity, ISPs
increasingly are looking to add enhanced services.

Because it is network-based rather than PC-based, Cygic Home Office Suite requires no
software installation, configuration or upgrading–for the subscriber or the ISP.

Cygic can support up to five phone or fax calls, as well as an Internet connection,
simultaneous on one line. It supports universal messaging. And the system also displays
information on the user’s PC screen about incoming calls, which the user can choose to
answer, send to voice mail or deal with in various other ways.

"You can look like a big operation from your home office" with Cygic, says
Candace Inscoe, of spokeswoman for Nortel’s Public Carrier Networks division.

i851gr1.gif (12287 bytes)

Source: Nortel (Northern Telecom Inc.)Cygic Home Office
Suite, available through the ISP, offers unified communications features and management.

Tags: Agents Telephony/UC/Collaboration

Most Recent


  • Cisco's Jeetu Patel on stage at Cisco Live 2023, Cisco Webex
    Cisco Webex Gets Generative AI Boost, AT&T Network Integration
    In the meantime, AT&T is targeting SMBs with a new self-service platform.
  • Chuck Robbins on stage at Cisco Live 2023
    At Cisco Live, Vendor Makes the Case for a Platform Identity
    "The No. 1 feature that our teams need to continue to focus on is simplicity," CEO Chuck Robbins said.
  • Lumen Technologies collaborates with Microsoft on fiber
    Lumen Technologies Collaborates with Microsoft, Offers Ultra-Fast Quantum Fiber
    Quantum Fiber internet is on track to connect more than 500,000 homes and small businesses this year.
  • Top 20 stories
    Top 20 Stories in May: Avaya Emerges, More Layoffs, IBM's Big Goal
    Plus, a big partnership between RingCentral and Microsoft. But what was No. 1?

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Cloud Phone
    AT&T to Offer Up to 1 Million Customers Cisco Webex Calling
  • Sign a Contract
    Unisys Adds Managed UCaaS with $153 Million Unify Square Acquisition
  • Fortune 500 2021 logo
    AT&T, Microsoft, Verizon, More Tech, Telco Companies Make Latest Fortune 500
  • Telephone poles and lines
    Granite Buys Epik: Score One for Legacy Telecom

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Europe

June 13, 2023 - June 14, 2023

Channel Futures Leadership Summit

October 30, 2023 - November 2, 2023

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

March 11, 2024 - March 14, 2024

Galleries

View all

7 Channel People Making Waves This Week at AWS, Cisco, Snyk, CrowdStrike, More

June 9, 2023

Latest Channel M&A: ReliaQuest, IBM, Broadcom, Amplix, More

June 9, 2023

Images: Channel Partners Conference & Expo Best in Show Awards

June 9, 2023

Industry Perspectives

View all

Identity Is Increasingly Valuable – and Targeted

May 18, 2023

Gaining a Competitive Advantage through AV Managed Services

May 10, 2023

How to Build an Organization That Attracts and Retains Talent

May 1, 2023

Webinars

View all

From Problem to Profit: Mastering the Science of Selling Using Business Outcomes

May 9, 2023

Meet the 2023 Channel Futures Channel Influencers

April 13, 2023

DE&I Dialogue: How the Right DE&I Initiatives Can Propel Your Business

April 5, 2023

White Papers

View all

6 UCaaS Reseller Challenges and How Real World Businesses Solved Them

February 1, 2023

Frost Radar: North American UCaaS Market, 2022

February 1, 2023

The Complete Guide to White-Label UCaaS for Reseller Success

February 1, 2023

Channel Futures TV

View all

Coffee with Craig and James Episode 124: Palo Alto Networks

Motus: Partners Grasping Mobile Workforce Management Opportunity

June 9, 2023

Coffee with Craig and James Episode No. 123: MartinWolf M&A Advisors, CP Expo Preview

April 24, 2023

UScellular Takes On Rivals with Partner Program Simplicity

April 21, 2023

Twitter

ChannelFutures

Channel people making waves include @mnair1, @George_Kurtz, @mike_at_vulcan, @jzoblin, @jpatel41 and more.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 9, 2023
ChannelFutures

.@motusdotcom wraps its #CPExpo experience, talks mobile workforce management opportunity in the channel.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 9, 2023
ChannelFutures

Find out why #companyculture is significant when planning a merger or #acquisition. dlvr.it/SqR4ks https://t.co/gAUxiEW4yE

June 9, 2023
ChannelFutures

Great conversation with @Tom_D_Evans of @PaloAltoNtwks talking #cybersecurity, channel, more.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 9, 2023
ChannelFutures

The latest channel M&A includes @ReliaQuest, @IBM, @Broadcom, @AmpliXIT and more. dlvr.it/SqQntD https://t.co/DektC1Xmz9

June 9, 2023
ChannelFutures

Find out why everyone is talking about generative AI and cloud in this exciting new article >>… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 9, 2023
ChannelFutures

In just 4 days, #ChannelPartners will come together in #London for #ChannelEurope. Professionals from the IT & Tele… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 9, 2023
ChannelFutures

Kicking off a multi-part series, get the inside scoop on what changes are taking pace in the channel. In this galle… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

June 8, 2023

MSP 501

The industry's largest and most comprehensive partner awards program.

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Galleries

Educational slide shows and images from live events.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Events
  • Telecoms.com
  • MSP 501
  • Black Hat
  • IoT World Today
  • Omdia

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X