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Toshiba and Third-Party FeatureFlex Applications Now Available for Toshiba Strata CIX IP and CTX Digital Telephone Systems

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 June 2005, 12:00 CDT

Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Digital Solutions Division (TAIS DSD) today announced the availability of new FeatureFlex(TM) application modules for its Strata CIX(TM) pure IP business communications system and Strata CTX(R) digital business communications system. Created by Toshiba applications engineers and third-party developers using Toshiba's FeatureFlex adaptability tool, the new applications are available now from Toshiba or directly from each developer.

"By delivering FeatureFlex application modules, we are giving users the ability to utilize new applications that have been created, tested and verified for their Toshiba Strata CIX pure IP and Strata CTX digital business communications systems," said Larry Meyer, vice president, sales and marketing, of TAIS DSD. "By sharing the applications created by our third-party development partners, we are giving our dealers and end-user customers access to significant, customized enhancements for their Toshiba systems."

Toshiba's currently available FeatureFlex application models include:

-- One Number Access -- This "find-me" feature allows users to program their incoming business telephone calls to be forwarded and routed to their home telephones, cell phones or other telephones.

-- Call Screening -- This screening feature allows users to set up separate lists so incoming calls are routed according to their ranking. For example, incoming calls from "friends" always get through, while calls from "foes" go directly into voice mail.

-- Call Monitor -- This "listen in" feature allows users to listen to voice messages as they are being recorded and pull the call out of voice mail to a live call.

-- Alarm Clock -- This "reminder" feature allows users to set their telephones to ring at user-defined times, effectively working like an alarm clock or Time Reminder.

-- Call Return -- This feature allows users to listen to voice mails in queue, return calls as they listen to calls and return to the next voice message in queue, all within the same telephone call.

Coming soon from Toshiba are:

-- Simultaneous Ring -- Allows incoming calls to ring simultaneously at two telephones, even if they are different extensions, cell phones or outside numbers. This is particularly useful for mobile users who constantly switch between their cell and desk telephones.

-- Dial by Voice -- Using a voice recognition system, this feature allows users to speak the name of the person to call and the telephone automatically dials the appropriate number.

Among the currently available FeatureFlex applications from third-party developers are:

From Cintech:

-- Automatic Page after specified number of rings

Enables customers to automatically extend the opportunity for someone to answer a call rather than transfer it to voicemail after three or four rings. This feature would be useful in a Real Estate office or a car dealership, for example.

Example: A DID call rings at an extension for three rings. At the third ring, an announcement is provided to the caller, and then the call is parked. A custom pre-recorded announcement is played over the paging system, providing notification of the call. If the call is not retrieved from park, the call is then placed into voicemail.

-- 2 Button Voicemail Greeting

Gives users a quick method to choose and activate pre-recorded voicemail greetings.

Example: A user can pre-record several voicemail greetings and choose from them using only two buttons.

-- Automated Paging Announcements

Enables customers to pre-record announcements and play those announcements automatically over the paging system at pre-determined intervals. This feature would be useful in retail stores, travel (airports and bus or train stations) or other public venues.

Example: The user records one or more announcements, then selects a frequency for how often each announcement is to be played.

-- cTouch Alerts

Cintech's cTouch e-mail/text chat and web collaboration applications provides a series of alerts or notifications to users when certain thresholds in their contact center have been reached. The telephone LCD provides notification that an alert has occurred.

Example: The user presses the FeatureFlex button on his telephone to activate the cTouch alert notification feature. When an alert occurs, the LED on the button would flash or change color to indicate the presence of the alert. The text of the alert may be available on the telephone LCD display.

From Innovative Communication Systems:

-- System-Wide Dial From Outlook Application -- allows users to click to dial contacts directly from their Outlook contact manager.

-- Centralized Customer Directory -- provides a complete directory of all users and extensions even for multi-site companies, including centralized updating via active directory, searchable via Web or telephone interface, click to dial Web interface, and ability to add external numbers.

-- Date and Time Synchronization -- synchronizes the date and time of all telephones company-wide with the computer network date and time. It is compatible with both wired and wireless telephones.

-- Auto Park -- If the user is on a call, this feature enables the system to automatically play a greeting to the second caller letting them know that the user is on the phone and then automatically park the call at that extension. An upcoming release will also allow overhead paging and let the person know who is holding.

From Ultimate! Software Products:

-- InnService -- This module for the hospitality industry provides complete telephone management for resorts, hotel and motels, including billing, guest voice mail, wake-up calls, front desk applications and more.

-- OnTime4Class -- This module for the education marketplace provides complete telephony management for schools, including paging, alerts, school bells, and more.

-- Attention Shoppers -- This module for the retail industry provides real-time advertising utilizing the telephone system, including overhead announcements, paging, and more.

Availability and Requirements

Select Toshiba FeatureFlex application modules are now available through Toshiba's Authorized Toshiba Dealer network and third-party software developer partners. Additional modules are currently under development with many coming soon. For more information, visit www.telecom.toshiba.com.

For more information on Toshiba's Application Developer Network, please visit www.toshiba.com/taistsd/developer/ or email: TSDPartnerSupport@tais.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba Strata CIX

Designed for SMB enterprises or larger corporate users with multiple sites, Toshiba Strata CIX is a pure IP business communications system that supports up to 672 ports, offers FeatureFlex(TM) capabilities, can be TDM-enabled, and provides a smooth migration path from Toshiba Strata CTX and Strata DK digital business communication systems. It is the winner of Frost & Sullivan's 2005 Product Innovation Award, Internet Telephony magazine's 2004 Product of the Year Award, Communications Solutions' 2004 Product of the Year Award, and Customer Interaction Solutions magazine's 2005 IP Contact Center Technology Pioneer Award.

More information on Strata CIX and FeatureFlex can be found in the products section at www.telecom.toshiba.com.

About Cintech

Cintech is a leading provider of ACD and online customer connection technology since 1987. Cintech's award-winning cTouch applications provide automated routing and management of e-mail and Web chat contacts. cResponse voice-enabled applications allow customer-facing organizations to automate complex, speech-driven, information-rich services for callers. In addition to these customer connection products, Cintech is developing FeatureFlex applications for Toshiba's CIX and CTX platforms.

Cintech technologies deliver improved customer service and satisfaction, increased sales through higher conversion rates, increased productivity, and proven ease of use and implementation. Cintech technologies can be found across North America in companies as diverse as American Airlines, John Deere, Royal Bank of Canada, the State of Washington, Walgreens, American Express, Timken, Sierra Trading Post, and thousands of other businesses - large and small. For more information about Cintech's customer connection solutions, visit www.CintechLLC.com.

About Innovative Communication Systems (ICS)

Austin, Texas-based Innovative Communication Systems is currently celebrating its 22nd anniversary as an Authorized Toshiba Dealer. ICS's expertise and relationship with Toshiba has empowered it to develop numerous software programs to help enhance the experience of the Toshiba product line for the customer and differentiate Toshiba dealers against the competition. ICS's philosophy is to provide affordable software enhancements that can be included in every system sale. For more information call (713) CALL ICS or visit www.ics-net.com.

About Ultimate! Software Products, Inc.

New Berlin, Wisconsin-based Ultimate Software Products, Inc. was established in 1985 to develop and supply application software products for the telecommunication industry. All products have been designed to effectively bring increased productivity or to decrease expenses for any business that implements them. Ultimate markets its products through individual telecommunication dealers and dealer networks such as TAG and Teleco. Ultimate is located at 2745 S. Calhoun Rd., New Berlin, WI 53151. For more information on Ultimate Software Products, Inc. call 262-789-9654 or visit www.uspnet.com

About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of three divisions: Digital Products Division, Digital Solutions Division and the Storage Device Division. Together, the three divisions provide mobile products and solutions, telecommunications, imaging and storage products and services. Products include industry leading portable computers, projectors, DVD/CD recordable products and hard disk drives for computers, telephony products, digital imaging systems, wireless solutions and services.

TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a world leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems. Toshiba has global sales of over $52 billion and more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For more information visit the company's Web site at www.toshiba.com.

(C) 2005 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. Strata is a registered trademark of Toshiba Corporation. All product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information including without limitation product prices, specifications, availability, content of services, and contact information is subject to change without notice.

Source: Business Wire

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