LOS ANGELES, March 12, 1996 — At the Computer Telephony Conference today, more than 40 software developers, hardware manufacturers and telecommunications vendors announced computer telephony products based on the Microsoft
® Windows NT®
Server network operating system.
Companies showing Windows NT-based applications, include Active Voice Corp., AltiGen Communications Inc., AnswerSoft Inc., Apex Voice Communications, Caleo Software Inc., CCOM Information Systems, ComdialCorp., Dialogic Corp., Digital Sound Corp., Ericsson Inc. Business Systems, Executone Information Systems, Genesys Communications Labs, GeoTel Communications Corp., Mitel Corp., Natural Microsystems, Northern Telecom, Octel Communications Corp., Rhetorex, Siemens Rolm Communications, SoftTalk Inc., Technically Speaking Inc. and others.
By demonstrating a variety of voice-mail systems, interactive voice-response systems, PC-based switches and private branch exchanges (PBXs), and call-center solutions, these companies showed how Windows NT Server allows customers to accomplish more with their existing voice and data networks.
“We’re excited to see Windows NT Server emerging as the foundation for a new generation of telecommunications applications,”
said Jim Allchin, senior vice president of the desktop and business systems division at Microsoft Corp.
“These new telephony products announced today, combined with Windows NT Server, allow customers to start unifying applications and network administration across their voice and data networks.”
Windows NT Server Provides Strong Telephony Development Platform
Windows NT Server provides a single applications platform for these systems, giving users access to a common set of administrative and management tools running on cost-effective server hardware. Previously, customers had to maintain all four of the following systems to run their businesses: file and print servers, application servers, a phone system and voice mail.
The telephony application programming interface (TAPI) version 1.4, which is currently included in the Windows® 95 operating system, provides an open, standard mechanism for application developers to control telephone networks. The forthcoming release of Windows NT®
Workstation and Windows NT Server operating system version 4.0 will include TAPI version 2.0, representing the first time computer telephony capabilities have been integrated into a mainstream server operating system.
“Business-critical applications such as voice messaging demand a robust operating system like Windows NT Server,”
said Jerry McLeod, vice president of the client-server software division at Octel.
“Thanks to Windows NT Server, Octel can now implement voice messages within Microsoft Exchange Server, unifying our industry-leading voice technology with the world of enterprise e-mail.”
“By carrying out development projects on Windows NT Server, Ericsson Inc. Business Systems realized about a tenfold improvement in development productivity for its Consono Dynamic Network Administration product, a comprehensive PBX management solution based on off-the-shelf PC technology,”
said Mats Persson, vice president of research and development in the business systems division at Ericsson Inc. USA.
“As a result, in several markets we have realized increases in PBX sales of up to 20 percent, attributable directly to these Windows NT-based telephony products.”
Using the Windows NT Server platform, developers can take advantage of the following features:
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A large choice of off-the-shelf applications, development tools and hardware building blocks that allow development of products at a reduced cost and result in faster time-to-market.
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An architecture that provides a robust, multitasking, multithreaded operating system that simultaneously manages voice and data operations across a number of applications, and scales to meet the business demands.
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Easy integration with computer networks, existing telecommunications equipment and desktop PCs to provide users with a single point of administration and control for both voice and data communications.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Windows NT and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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