Beyond VoIP TMC

Avaya Ecosystem for IP Phone Applications Yields Fruit

June 21, 2006
An announcement from Avaya highlights how important third-party applications developers have become in terms of adding new value and functionality to IP phones and other IP-PBX equipmen -- in this particular case for Avaya's new one-X Desktop edition IP phones.

In this latest release, a number of companies in Avaya's DeveloperConnection program were singled out, including Citrix, CalAMP, and Millenigence.

Here's the release copy:

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., June 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Members of the Avaya (NYSE: AV - News) DeveloperConnection program are bringing to life applications for the new Avaya one-X(TM) Deskphone Edition IP Phones. The applications, which take full advantage of the phones' simplicity and flexible functionality, include time reporting, automated conference call reminders, integrated corporate directory access with contact search and solutions designed specifically for education and healthcare environments.

Innovative enterprise applications from third-party developers and Avaya, a leading global provider of business communications applications, systems and services, will play a central role in expanding and redefining the role of the deskphone. Accessing these applications directly from the phone's simplified user interface opens a new world of real-time, intelligent communications; increases productivity, and maximizes the benefits of an IP solution.

The new line of Avaya one-X Deskphone Edition IP Phones, which were introduced today, optimizes applications to help make deskphones as easy to navigate as a cell phone, as expandable as a personal computer, and as functional as both. Easy-to-access features, wide band audio and a flexible platform enable businesses to meet specific workplace and technological needs.

Citrix, CalAMP and Millenigence are three DeveloperConnection member companies that have already developed applications for the new phones. The Avaya DeveloperConnection program promotes the development, compliance-testing and co-marketing of innovative third-party products compatible with standards-based Avaya solutions.

Citrix Applications

Avaya Phone Application Suite powered by Citrix includes:

-- Network Directory - Using a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
(LDAP)-based directory, this application reduces by 75 percent the
time needed to look up a telephone number in a company directory.

-- Broadcast Alerts - The alert function allows users to deliver
priority messages such as company announcements, emergency and weather
alerts with text, graphics, and audio messages to the screens and
speakers of IP telephones.

-- Click-to-Call - Users can dial their IP phones simply by clicking on
a telephone number within email and Web applications.

-- Text Message - This feature allows users to send SMS-style text
messages from one IP phone to another.

-- Custom Applications - With the Avaya Design Studio scripting tool,
users can transform existing Web-based (HTML/XML) applications to run
on the Avaya IP phones, leveraging the time, resources, and capital an
organization has already spent developing its web application
portfolio

"We have built a powerful suite of converged voice and data applications that capitalizes on the capabilities of the new Avaya one-X Deskphone Edition IP Phones and gives users a new set of tools through their phone," said, Gordon Payne, vice president, marketing, Citrix. "With features like 'click-to-call,' alerts and directory access, Citrix makes it easier for employees to do their jobs, which means more efficient operations and better customer service."

CalAMP Applications

TelAlert:

-- Urgent messaging application delivers two-way interaction between the
Avaya one-X Deskphone Edition IP Phones and back-office applications
such as Remedy, Clarify and HP Openview, integrating with all major
network monitoring and help desk applications.

-- Delivers urgent messages to an "always on" device such as Avaya one-X
Deskphone Edition IP Phones ensuring a message will reach the
appropriate individual - anytime, anywhere.

Inventory Look-up:

-- Uses the IP phone in retail and manufacturing environments to retrieve
inventory and product data directly from the phone, eliminating the
need to launch an application on a desktop computer.

ExtendTime:

-- A complete time and attendance product that uses Avaya one-X Deskphone
Edition IP Phones in lieu of time clocks.

-- Delivers anytime, anywhere access for time data collection to those
employees who do not have access to web browsers or computer desktops.

Millenigence Applications

School District Express (SDE) and Higher Education Express

-- Applications perform student roll calls, issue hall passes, message
teachers, and make announcements and security notifications on
administrative and classroom IP phones. Events calendars and
directory information also can be deployed on public IP phones
installed in hallways and other common areas.

-- Roll calls are communicated in real time to the SDE server, which can
send a notification to parents in the form of email, SMS, or an
outbound call if a student is absent.

-- Using Avaya one-X Deskphone Edition IP Phones, SDE eliminates the need
to install and maintain PCs in classrooms, lowering school operating
expenses and increasing the return on investment.

Health Care Express (HCE)

-- Turns the IP phone next to a patient's bed into an intelligent
information appliance for patients and hospital staff.

-- Patients can browse food menus and get a personalized phone directory
to make calls to family and friends.

-- Professional staff can use the IP phone to review a patient's chart,
write new charts and vital sign entries, check or order medication,
order supplies and, because the extension is dedicated to the patient
during his or her stay, HCE can keep track of relevant information for
each patient.

"Avaya DeveloperConnection members are building on our capabilities to deliver customized applications for employees and businesses," said Eric Rossman, vice president, developer relations and technical alliances, Avaya. "This innovation extends to our new line of IP phones, which will drive a whole new generation of communications application innovation. Together we are helping enterprises more easily adapt to new technology and incorporate Intelligent Communication into the fabric of their business."

Avaya's new Software and Custom Application Practice, introduced in March of this year, is also developing its own custom applications for the Avaya one-X Deskphone Edition IP Phones. This team of specialists works in collaboration with Avaya consultants and Avaya alliance partners to develop open-standards based software solutions to link communications applications and business processes. Among the first solutions created by this team are applications that integrate the functionality of a number of common business applications for enterprises, contact centers and vertical markets.

The enterprise solution brings popular business applications, such as LDAP directories, Microsoft Outlook/Exchange and Lotus Domino functionalities, directly to the phone's display. Custom applications include access to personal calendars and contacts, messaging options, Internet RSS feeds and custom directories.

The contact center solution brings real-time statistics and supporting graphics directly to the phone's display, allowing for more efficient contact center management. Features include real-time agent monitoring, access to information portals, synchronized customer profile screen pops and consolidated reports.

Also available are solutions designed with new communication capabilities for vertical markets such as the hospitality industry. These custom applications allow guests to access to click-to-dial services, local area information and messages from their hotel room phone. An application for the financial industry includes an information portal to financial market information, live RSS feeds, broadcasts and alerts, and integration with digital merchandising for branches.

Other DeveloperConnection members planning applications for the Avaya one-X Deskphone Edition IP Phones include:

Aimetis - Video security solution detects unusual movement and alerts key
personal.

Computer Instruments - School absentee notification, and emergency alert.

Duvoice - DV2000, a complete hospitality suite, will push guest
information, Emergency 911 alerts, room status, and wake-up calls to
front desk IP telephones.

eWings Technologies - Converged banking solution integrates legacy phone
banking with internet banking using concurrent voice and data
presentation. Applications include a ComAssistant speech-enabled
application suite, including Auto-Dialer, Virtual Receptionist,
Auto-Attendant, Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship
Management and Enterprise Information Portal.

FCS - Partnerships to deliver a blend of converged hospitality services.

Igeacare - Pushes nurse calls from patients to mobile devices and IP
telephones.

INI (Interactive Northwest) - Transforms IP Phones into a kiosk for
convention attendees to locate breakout sessions including room, time,
and date.

JADS Comm Ltd - Intelligent content server integrating data into IP
phones.

Jebsen & Jessen Communications (S) Pte Ltd - User-friendly, web-enabled
conferencing application - booking, search directories, alerts and
notifications.

LiteScape - Collaboration, broadcast, paging and alerts, Converged
Customer Relationship Management inventory and time clock.

ProTel Communications Ltd - Collaboration solution with LDAP-based
corporate phone directory, click-to-call, preset text message selection
and text message broadcast.

Radiance Communications Pte Ltd - Information and interaction among IP
Phones, web-based user interface and business applications.

SDC - Healthcare directory gives instant access to staff, pushes
emergency information and helps locate doctors.

Twisted Pair - Coupled with WAVE technology, Avaya IP phones will offer
hoot & holler functionality for financial institutions, as well as direct
communication with two-way radio systems for government, military, and
Public Safety agencies.

These companies are among more than 2,800 software and hardware developer companies, integrators, service providers and customers who are members of the Avaya DeveloperConnection program. Members have created hundreds of innovative solutions tested for Avaya compliance, including natural language speech recognition applications, wireless services, specialized computer telephony integration and reporting capabilities, communications hardware and applications tailored for specific vertical industries.

Membership information and a complete list of solutions developed and tested under the Avaya DeveloperConnection program are available at http://www.devconnectprogram.com .

For more information on Avaya one-X Deskphone Edition IP Phones, refer to the press room http://www.avaya.com/media .


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