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Alcatel Enriches Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise with Embedded Software Applications for Mobility and Manageability

Posted on: Monday, 20 October 2003, 06:00 CDT

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2003--

New Features Include Cellular Client, Integrated Messaging, and

Automatic VLAN Assignment

Alcatel (NYSE:ALA) today further enriched the Linux-based Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise communication server platform with the immediate availability of new software applications -- Cellular Client, Integrated Messaging, and Automatic VLAN Assignment. This latest software release addresses enterprise customers' need for value-added software applications catered to mobile- and IP-centric environments that are easy for system administrators to install and support.

In response to the increasing prevalence of cellular usage in enterprises, Alcatel's Cellular Client application effectively enables a cell phone to become an extension of the OmniPCX Enterprise. Embedded in the OmniPCX Enterprise communication server, the Cellular Client enables mobile users to access business-level telephony features such as call transfer, conference, do not disturb, and call-back-when-busy from their cell phone. For enhanced mobility, the user's cell phone will ring simultaneously with the primary business number when a business call is received. Other key benefits are that mobile users may take part in team-communications functions, such as calling groups, and that administrative assistants are able to provide more comprehensive call coverage and screening for mobile managers.

Also targeted at mobile enterprise users, newly introduced support for the Internet Messaging Access Protocol (IMAP4) on the OmniPCX Enterprise messaging servers provides users with interactive access to voice and fax messages from standard e-mail clients. IMAP4 is an Internet standard that allows retrieving and manipulating messages from different clients, while preserving actual storage on the servers. By supporting IMAP4, Alcatel makes it possible for OmniPCX Enterprise users to enjoy the benefits of integrated messaging while minimizing implementation and management overheads for the system administrator since no new software is required on the client PCs.

The Automatic VLAN Assignment (AVA) feature on the OmniPCX Enterprise can help system administrators save time and energy when deploying or moving Alcatel IP phones across the enterprise network. When implementing IP telephony, for reasons such as security and bandwidth optimization it is highly recommended to put IP phones in different VLANs from PCs. AVA enables Alcatel IP phones to be assigned to the appropriate VLAN without requiring manual configuration of the IP address on each IP phone. Independent of the data switch, the AVA feature works in a multi-vendor IP network, unlike proprietary protocols adopted by other vendors.

"With these new embedded software features, the Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise not only extends the reach of the enterprise using everyday applications like cell phone and e-mail, but also dramatically cuts rollout times and support costs," said Tom Wilburn, general manager, Alcatel North America enterprise business.

Pricing and Availability

The new features mentioned above are all immediately available. The Cellular Client application is available in packages of five user licenses, starting at $597 for the first five users, with additional five-user packages available for $889. Every Alcatel 4635 and Alcatel 4645 R5.1 messaging system is shipped with five free user licenses for IMAP4 client support. Additional user licenses are available in packages of ten for $250. The AVA feature is included in the system price.

About Alcatel enterprise networking solutions

Alcatel delivers standards-based IP communications solutions to a global customer base of more than 500,000 small, medium and large enterprises, government agencies, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. Alcatel's award-winning Omni family of IP Communications solutions consists of an extensive portfolio of network switching infrastructure products and IP telephony products built to provide long-term value.

About Alcatel

Alcatel provides end-to-end communications solutions, enabling carriers, service providers, and enterprises to deliver content to any type of user, anywhere in the world. Leveraging its long-term leadership in telecommunications network equipment as well as its expertise in applications and network services, Alcatel enables its customers to focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of $15.5 billion in 2002, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com.

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