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 Services Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • MSP 501 Information Center
    • 2021 MSP 501 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
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2022 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Top Gun 51
    • Channel Partners 101 (CP 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • 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 Services Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • MSP 501 Information Center
    • 2021 MSP 501 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
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2022 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Top Gun 51
    • Channel Partners 101 (CP 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • 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 Programmable Network

  • Written by Paula
  • April 30, 1998

Posted: 05/1998

The Programmable Network
Multipurpose Platforms to Populate the Network

By Paula Bernier

The telephone network with an individual box for each function is fast becoming
a thing of the past.

The convergence of computers and telephony is ushering in a new paradigm in
which a single "box" can easily serve multiple functions–and at a much lower
cost–in both public and private networks.

Microsoft Corp.’s Peyton Smith calls it the "programmable network,"
where various functions and applications can be programmed on a single platform.

Dialogic Corp. President and CEO Howard Bubb, meanwhile, refers to the computer
telephony (CT) server.

It’s the Software, Stupid

The key to the CT server, Bubb explains, is not so much the box itself as it is the
software that runs on it.

"Today we have many hardware boxes, but no standard software," Bubb says.
"Most of the open systems (today) are just CT hardware.

"About 2.5 percent of the value of CT today is software," Bubb adds.
"That will be 40 percent by the year 2000."

Middleware, meaning the layer of software upon which applications sit, is key to making
that happen. This software layer acts as a baseline on which hundreds of applications can
ride.

"There’s a movement to a middle layer of software that will let applications be
mixed and matched," says Tom Bunch, vice president of business development for
enterprise solutions at Compaq Computer Corp.

Allowing multiple applications to be mixed and matched on a single server or network of
servers means network operators can choose only the applications they want, get services
to market more quickly (because they don’t have to write applications from the ground up
and set up new hardware) and lower their investment (because they don’t have to buy new
hardware every time they want to add new functionality).

The draw of this new architecture is becoming apparent to both private and public
network operators, say vendors.

"Deutsche Telekom wants to add CT servers as part of its infrastructure,"
says Bubb. "Instead of wheeling in a second box, Deutsche Telekom can use existing CT
servers and link them."

One Server, Many Networks

Not only can these new servers support multiple applications on a single network, they
also can support multiple applications across various networks–including wireline,
wireless and circuit- or packet-switched.

"Applications will be able to connect seamlessly to any other network
element," whether that’s a PBX, wireless network element, asynchronous transfer mode
device or whatever, Jamie McComaty, vice president/general manager of the Enterprise
Networks Group at Ericsson Inc., told the crowd at a recent trade show.

Because the workplace is becoming increasingly mobile, the ability to do all the same
services, including messaging, speech recognition and other enhanced offerings, on
wireless and wireline networks is growing in importance, he says.

"Traditionally, multiple switches were required to address different enhanced
services needs," says Robert Madonna, chair and CEO of Excel Switching Corp., which
recently unveiled its ONE Architecture. "For the first time, these services can be
integrated into one switching platform."

And the single-box promise can go well beyond just enhanced services, as vendors such
as Excel Switching and Summa Four Inc. have demonstrated. Indeed, in addition to hosting
advanced services, their boxes also can perform basic network functionality such as
switching or acting as a gateway between circuit-switched and packet-switched networks.

So as the computer network did in the 1970s, the telephone network likewise is expected
to become a landscape of nodes that can each support a multitude of mix-and-match
applications with little more than a software upgrade.

Tags: Agents Telephony/UC/Collaboration

Most Recent


  • focus a camera
    Knowledge 2022: ServiceNow Focused on Partner Experience to Drive Growth
    ServiceNow will roll out a reimagined partner program early next year.
  • trophy
    Verizon, AT&T Among Avaya Partner of the Year Award Winners
    Who was awarded the overall U.S. Partner of the Year for total growth?
  • Q&A
    Ingram Micro Talks AWS Partnership Success, CloudBlue, MSPs, Cybersecurity, More
    “AWS and Ingram are doing all the right things to develop partners’ competency," said Ingram Micro's executive director, cloud services.
  • Woman on phone
    Ooma Office Pro Plus Promises Simple Call Center Setup, More
    Ooma Office already comes with more than 50 features.

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

  • Sales Strategy
    Telesystem Promotes TBI, MetTel Vet to Channel Strategy Manager
  • 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

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Europe

June 14, 2022 - June 15, 2022

MSP Summit

September 13, 2022 - September 16, 2022

Galleries

View all

‘An Era Has Ended’: Inside the $61 Billion Broadcom-VMware Deal Rocking the Software Industry

May 26, 2022

Knowledge 2022: ServiceNow Focused on Partner Experience to Drive Growth

May 26, 2022

The Gately Report: Cybereason Helps MSSPs Provide Unified Security, Details Massive Espionage Ring

May 26, 2022

Industry Perspectives

View all

Increased Cybersecurity Vulnerability = Increased MSP Opportunities

May 25, 2022

Leverage Your MSP’s People Power

May 24, 2022

How SD-WAN Helps Secure the Expanding Network Perimeter

May 19, 2022

Webinars

View all

Simplifying SaaS Security for MSPs

April 27, 2022

How to Supercharge The Network to Support Your IT Superhero Moves

May 3, 2022

The 2022 MSP Challenge: Scale Service Delivery Despite the Talent Gap

April 21, 2022

White Papers

View all

Work Goes Remote – (and Other Top ITOps Trends)

May 25, 2022

The New Bottom Line: How MSPs Can Meet the Healthcare Crisis While Evolving Their Businesses

April 19, 2022

How to build a Security Operations Center (on a budget)

April 4, 2022

Channel Futures TV

View all

AT&T, Microsoft, Cisco, ThreatLocker on Unlocking Partner Potential

Agents Share ‘Secrets,’ Industry Opportunity

May 11, 2022

Vonage Addresses Potential Partner Opportunity via Acquisition by Ericsson

May 5, 2022

Lumen Technologies ‘Built for Growth and Scale’

May 4, 2022

Twitter

ChannelFutures

.@Lacework lays off 20% of workforce. #cloudsecurity dlvr.it/SR7Jsl https://t.co/Mg3OVXHAhe

May 26, 2022
ChannelFutures

#Know22: @ServiceNow focused on transforming #partnerexperience to foster more growth. dlvr.it/SR7Hbj https://t.co/J1BhmT3OzS

May 26, 2022
ChannelFutures

Departing @msPartner exec @rodneyc55 to become @johnsoncontrols chief commercial officer. dlvr.it/SR7HZN https://t.co/v0eVGBMKbQ

May 26, 2022
ChannelFutures

Everyone's talking about the massive Broadcom-VMware deal. @AnuragTechaisle, @Dataprise, @Carousel_Ind, @imlazar an… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 26, 2022
ChannelFutures

Our latest Gately Report features @cybereason on MSSPs and growth, @Hornetsecurity acquisition, @marketsandmarkets… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 26, 2022
ChannelFutures

“The ‘on premises versus cloud’ debate is dead” @DellTech @DellTechUK @DayneTurbitt explains the opportunity for… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 26, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@Broadcom's acquisition of @VMware comes as the chipmaker reports that infrastructure software accounted for 23% o… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 26, 2022
ChannelFutures

Are your #MSP clients struggling to handle their cybersecurity vulnerability? #cybersecurity #cyberthreats… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 25, 2022

MSSP Insider

Business advice for MSSPs and news from the broader security channel.

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 © 2022 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