Two SOHO VoIP Companies Partner

I'm a big fan of SOHO VoIP products, so I was delighted to learn that two of my favorite SOHO VoIP companies whose products I have tested and reviewed in TMC Labs - giving each high marks - are now partnering together. The two companies are Centrepoint Technologies and Mediatrix.

Centrepoint Technologies, a company specializing in the design and manufacture of innovative telephone systems for businesses with 1 to 32 phone users per location, confirmed SIP interoperability between the TalkSwitch telephone system and Mediatrix 1102, 1104 and 2102-20 gateways in November 2004. Since that time, hundreds of units have been deployed and customers are delighted with the joint solution. As a result, Centrepoint has announced it is adding the 2102-10 and 2102-21 gateways to the suite of Mediatrix products it carries, and has made the solution even more affordable by reducing prices on all Mediatrix products available from Centrepoint.

The joint solution allows multi-location companies using the TalkSwitch as their office communication system to deploy Mediatrix gateways in smaller satellite offices where a full TalkSwitch phone system may not be required. Because of TalkSwitch’s built-in SIP server, Mediatrix standard-based gateways in remote offices can be easily integrated into the network. In addition to toll free Internet-based calling between locations, workers in the gateway-equipped offices become extensions of the main TalkSwitch system, and thereby benefit from all the TalkSwitch functionality available to workers in the larger office. Benefits include Voicemail, Auto Attendants, Call Cascade, three-digit dialling and many more.

The successful integration with Mediatrix demonstrates Centrepoint’s strategy to provide full SIP interoperability with leading VoIP service providers, manufacturers of telephone sets, gateways and other devices. The company continues to carry out a rigorous testing schedule with those other providers.

“Interoperability with industry leaders like Mediatrix allows us to offer the first truly cost-effective, complete solution for companies looking to use VoIP to tie in all their branch offices and teleworkers,” said Jan Scheeren, President and CEO, Centrepoint Technologies. “Multi-location organizations are looking for flexible solutions to integrate that growing segment of their workforce. By ensuring that our products are able to fully interoperate with offerings from leading VoIP manufacturers and Service Providers, our customers have even more freedom in selecting technology that that will help them do just that. Our SIP-based approach also guarantees investment protection for companies concerned with the compatibility of technology products in their network.”

“Mediatrix prides itself on building products that help companies communicate better,” said Alex Suter, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Mediatrix Telecom, Inc. “Our ability to interoperate with systems from leading vendors such as the TalkSwitch 48-CVA from Centrepoint Technologies, a company that has been creating some of the most innovative telephone systems available to small business, allows us to offer a very compelling and successful integrated solution. Our strategic relationship with Centrepoint underlines our continuous commitment to offering field-proven reliable VoIP solutions. ”

Released in July of 2004, the Hybrid PSTN/VoIP TalkSwitch is a revolutionary telephone system designed for businesses with between 1 and 32 phone users per location. The TalkSwitch offers a rich feature set and a unique hybrid architecture that allows users to communicate over the traditional PSTN, or over the IP Network, using any standard analog telephone. Each TalkSwitch unit is capable of accommodating up to four CO lines and four VoIP trunks, eight local extensions and eight remote extensions. Up to four units can be networked to make a system with 16 CO lines and, 16 VoIP trunks, 32 local extensions and 32 remote extensions per location.

Centrepoint’s VoIP equipped TalkSwitch is priced at $1,795. Centrepoint’s small business telecommunications solutions are available from Authorized Centrepoint Resellers, or online at www.talkswitch.com.