Enterprise VoIP

UC Data Leakage Dangers

Added Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:40:51 -0400

It's not just Light Reading that's talking about UC security this week. Osterman Research has conducted a survey polling enterprises on their security thoughts and features about UC.

Companies are starting to understand that UC is a good thing, but it creates even more opportunities for data leaks. Nearly 50 percent of respondents are concerned about information leak prevention in their current or planned UC implementation with 23 percent viewing leak prevention as a top priority, said 109 mid- to large-IT organizations in North America.

IT shops are worried that attackers get a menu of choices by putting all communications traffic onto one common data network. An attacker can intercept VoIP, IM and other traffic or choose to inflict a denial-of-service attack by using VoIP to flood systems with session requests.

Outsider attacks, however, pale in comparison to insider threats from either unintentional or accidental leaks, with 48 percent of respondents worried about such a problem compared to 31 percent who worry about data loss from malicious software.

For more:
- SearchSecurity.com reports on the UC security survey by Osterman Research

Related articles:
UC Insecurity
UC security urgent priority

Microsoft and Unisys Offer Free UC Test Drive

Added Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:42:32 -0400

Unisys is offering enterprise customers a free test drive of Microsoft's UC services. Unisys is also working with Quintum Technologies to handle the VoIP to PSTN piece.

The trial service allows companies to "kick the tires"on Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Office LiveMeeting. It's an interesting tactic that echoes back to comments recently made by Nortel executives. Based upon Nortel and Microsoft's experiences in running a joint collaboration lab, enterprise customers want to try out UC services on a small scale. Once an enterprise is able to demonstrate the value of UC implementation, it typically goes from a smaller (50 to 500) seat deployment, to a much larger (factor of x10 or better) one.

Under the free trial service, implemented and managed by Unisys, organizations get the opportunity to evaluate the features available in the Microsoft unified communications suite, including email, calendaring and unified messaging, multi-party instant messaging, and voice and video conferencing. Up to 20 accounts can be established per customer, extending the trial experience to a larger group of individuals across the company. A trial lasts for 30 days and is set up through a Microsoft sales executive.

Unisys already offers email management and hosted messaging services to a number of corporations and handles more than two million Exchange mailboxes worldwide.

For more:
- Unisys free UC trial press release

Related articles:
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Microsoft sets sights on UC call center market

NXTcomm08: NEC's 'Light IMS'

Added Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:41:12 -0400

NXTcomm08, Las Vegas--NEC Corporation of America has announced its "Light IMS" solution, incorporating Service Convergence Integrated Platform (SCI-P), a carrier-grade converged multimedia and SIP-based network architecture.

Light IMS is designed to enable both residential and enterprise applications. NEC is highlighting two applications using the services: Home Monitoring for the residential market and a hosted UC/Centrex offering.  Home monitoring enables end-users to get customized home security updates on an IP-enabled device, so you can find out if anyone is stealing your valuables from your desktop or mobile device.  

UC/Centrex provides base PBX functional and VoIP cost savings with additional premium (i.e. billable) features available including social networking, dynamic conferencing, click-to-call, and voice recording. CRM integration of UC/Centrex functionality can be done through a CRM API.  NEC also offers a "Web Universal Communications Service" for multi-site document sharing.

Related articles:
Sylantro: UC the Pull for IMS
UC battle begins; Cisco, Microsoft Lead

Nortel Adds VoIP Security Thru SecureLogix

Added Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:03:06 -0400

Nortel has formed one of those "strategic relationships" with SecureLogix to deliver voice security and management solutions to enterprise customers.

Under the relationship, Nortel and certified Nortel resellers will market and sell SecureLogix's ETM System and related voice security assessment and monitoring services as a part of Nortel's new Voice Security Services offerings; the offerings combine SecureLogix's patented technology with Nortel's voice and security expertise to help enterprises secure multi-vendor, multi-technology voice networks. Services include assessment of voice services theft and misuse across the enterprise, inefficient phone service configuration and resource utilization and underlying voice network vulnerabilities. 

SecureLogix's ETM System is a comprehensive voice network security and management platform, enabling customers to protect critical voice and data network resources from telephony-based attack and abuse, optimize their telecom resources and expenditures, and simplify voice network management. PBX independent, ETM is fully functional in TDM and VoIP/UC environments.

For more:
- Read SecureLogix/Nortel Partnership Announcement

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SPOTLIGHT: VoIP in India 'On The Runway'

Added Wed, 14 May 2008 11:59:14 -0400

If minor changes in regulation are made, VoIP in India could "take off in a big way" says Express Computer. According to Frost and Sullivan, sales of IP PBX systems grew by 65 percent in 2007 while IP telephony revenues were $209 million. Gartner says the acceptance and adoption of VoIP in India is increasing with the market showing "signs of maturity." Growth is relatively slow, however, when compared to other APAC markets, but the overall outlook is positive.

VoIP is expected to drive down costs for consumers and drive other services (web, audio, video conferencing) on the enterprise side. IP phone handset costs, regulatory restrictions, and the low penetration of broadband in India are cited as hindering factors to growth. Extended lifecycles may also play a role in hindering adoption, with products being typically used for 8 years in India as compared to 5 years in other countries.

For more:
- Read the Express Computer piece on VoIP in India

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Marketing mudding VoIP and UC; getting creative

Added Mon, 05 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

VoIP marketing-speak gets slammed in an xchange piece reporting from Interop Las Vegas 2008.  It is a "wealth conflicting lingo," forcing companies trying to get more creative in selling VoIP to the unbuying SMB masses.  

On the creative front, ADTRAN is opening up more tiers in its channel program, in addition to launching an IP PBX and adding IP phones to its lineup.  Smaller partners targeting 50-and-under users will be allowed to sell IP telephony solutions. Turns out the smaller VARs selling low-volume of ADTRAN gear already have an impressive foothold in the SMB market.

Avaya has added speech recognition for basic commands, as well as speech recognition technologies, with the know-how coming from Nuance.  The "Freedom of Speech" capabilities include access to everything within Avaya's UC software through voice, and also adds speech access for IBM Lotus Domino 7.0.  There's also Avaya HealthCheck, a proactive test to get a comprehensive view of what is going on within the communications network.

For more:
- xchange's view of the VoIP Scene at Interop
- Avaya's announcements for UC Freedom of Speech and HealthCheck

Related article:
ADTRAN intros new IP PBX all-in-one, IP PBX phones

Fonality FACEes certification

Added Thu, 01 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

Fonality has announced its very own ecosystem program, the Fonality Authorized Certified Ecosystem (FACE). (Why do I hear Billy Idol singing "Eyes without a Face" now? There's also some John Woo "FACEoff" action here, I'm sure of it).

FACE will certify third-party products for trixbox CE, trixbox Pro and PBXtra; certification validates interoperability with Fonality products and identifies the best components for use. First FACE partners include IP phone manufacturers Aastra and Polycom (no surprise), service provider Bandwidth.com, and hardware partner Sangoma (also not a surprise).

CEO Chris Lyman says the program is necessary to clear up the confusion in the open market, between "questionable" hardware and non-compliant providers. FACE should remove any worries about compliance, making everyone from customers to resellers to Fonality's tech support crew happier.

Fonality's arch-rival Digium relaunched their ecosystem program in October 2007, including offerings for software solutions, training and service provider partners, as well as straightforward compatibility. Are "FACEcon" and "Fonality world" on deck for later announcements this year?

For more:
- FACE Fonality release

Related article:
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ADTRAN intros new IP PBX all-in-one, IP PBX phones

Added Thu, 01 May 2008 06:59:54 -0400

ADTRAN has rolled out the NetVanta 7060 Modular IP PBX and a couple of its own IP phones as complements. 

The NetVanta 7060 bundles in IP PBX features such as voice mail and auto attendant along with a 24-port Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch in a single compact box; building in the PoE switch eliminates an additional box. The new box includes GUI wizards for setup and management, graphics-based Voice Quality Monitoring (VQM), support for SIP trunking, SIP proxy, a system scheduler, and the ability to function as a wireless controller.

Complementing the IP PBX, the ADTRAN IP 700 series of SIP-based business phones includes the IP 706 six button phone and the IP 712 (what else?) 12 button phone. All phones in the series support functions like Key System Mode, PBX Mode, Busy Lamp Field, Shared Line Appearance and Hands Free Auto Answer. Each model offers dual switched Ethernet ports to enable simultaneous voice and data, a full-duplex speaker phone and headset support.  List price for the 706 is $249 while the 712 is $299.

For more:
- Adtran Announcements on IP Phones and NetVanta IP PBX

Related article:
ADTRAN Unveils Innovative Voice Quality Monitoring Technology in NetVanta and Total Access VoIP Platforms

Packet8 available at OfficeMax

Added Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:59:56 -0400

8x8's Packet8's Virtual Office Phone System is now available through 900 OfficeMax stores nationwide. Customers can purchase a Packet8 Virtual Office phone package for $129.99 and start using it "within minutes" after installation and activation. Buying the package at OfficeMax gives subscribers one free month of service, followed by a monthly price of $39.99.

A hosted VoIP service, Virtual Office includes an auto attendant, worldwide extension dialing, business class voicemail, a full featured conference bridge and ring groups.   Other a la carte features include an unlimited fax extension and unlimited U.S. and an selective worldwide call plans..  Packet8 also offers a free software client application to interface to Salesforce.com.

Hopefully the OfficeMax deal will have more legs than 8x8's last retail arrangement. CompUSA was to sell Packet8 Virtual Office around this time last year and effectively kicked the bucket in December 2007.

For more:
- 8x8's OfficeMax Packet8 Virtual Office Phone announcement
- PC World's review of Virtual PBX services, including Packet8

Related articles:
8x8, Inc. Offers Free International Mobile Calling With New Packet8 MobileTalk Trial Program
VoIP Monitor reports 8x8/CompUSA deal Article

InterOp's wireless VoIP flavoring

Added Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

Go to InterOp, see wireless VoIP-flavored promotions or technology. Agito Networks and Trapeze Networks both have Wireless/Mobile VoIP technology to show off in Las Vegas.

Agito is announcing details of the Enterprise Fixed Mobile Convergence (eFMC) Infrastructure Passport program, an ecosystem to get all the moving parts of services and local LAN bits to play well together. As part of your enlightenment, you can run around with a paper passport on the show floor, collect stamps by visiting at Agito's partners, and return back to Agito for a chance to win a dual-mode Nokia phone--they're not giving away an iPhone! Agito's mobility router appliance does smart management of dual-mode technologies using location-based technology and plays well with many other boxes and software.

Trapeze Networks will demonstrate its NonStop WirelessTM technology at Interop. Voice sessions over VoIP handsets over Trapexe MP access points and MX mobility controllers will be setup, then they'll pull the plug on an MX controller during an active call to demonstrate fully automated dynamic redundancy and scaling.  Claims for NonStop WirelessTM technology include non-stop operation, in-service upgrades, and hitless failover while dramatically simplifying redundancy configuration.

For more:
- Agito Networks eFMC Infrastructure Passport release
- Trapeze Networks NonStop Wireless release

Related article:
Partnerships play vital role for vendors in growing VoWi-Fi market