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White Paper on Converged CommunicationsManagement SummaryThe market for Hosted IP is tremendously growing because it offers SMBs to benefit from theadvantages of IP Communications without investing in the education of IT staff and investing inexpensive hard and software infrastructure.In a typical SMB environment the relatively small IT department has to deal with all IT and phoneissues. In the daily SMB business IT experts have no time to play with new technology and gatherknowledge and experiences in the long run. To build up and host full IP Communications internally oncorporate level would also mean investments in hardware and software and resulting in maintenancecosts and time. Enabling the SMB to IMS within the SMB and using its own resources mean high TCOdue to voice over IP being much more complex than standard messaging.How can SMBs take part in the VoIP adoption without huge investments?Like for messaging in the early 90s hosted services offer advanced applications while reducing costson the SMB side. QoS (quality of service) is key for all IP Communications. Waiting 5 sec for an emailto arrive in one’s inbox is acceptable while with Real Time Communications having a phoneconversation and waiting for a voice packet 5 sec to arrive is unacceptable. , so relying on experts tohost IP services and grant uptime and scalability is a fast and easy way to use and profit from IPCommunications.What are the benefits of IP Communications?For some industry experts the main benefit of VoIP is reducing costs for long distance calls. But thebenefits are far more. IP Communications centralizes all communications and provide flexibility incommunications. This freedom will be enabled via SIP becoming the standard for IP Communicationsand providing registrar services. IP Communications become smart and provide freedom of clients andof ways to communicate.An example: Sales Manager John is travelling. Via IP Communications and SIP registrar services hisclients can reach him via one single account: Being in the office he communicates via his SIP phone. Sitting in a hotel lobby while travelling and working with his laptop he can take the call via asoftphone or even via Windows Messenger and a headset. He also can chat with hiscolleagues via Instant Messaging securely with TLS encryption. Being not available for a call he receives the voice mail in his inbox. He can archive themessage, forward etc. Being without internet access he routes incoming calls to his mobile.Our vision is for everyone, everywhere to have one single account for all types of communications (IM,voice, email). Users will be enabled to enjoy the flexibility, convenience and cost savings of direct IP toIP and IP to PSTN communications such as IM, VoIP, video conferencing and presence, withouthaving to first ask their contacts which system they’re using.10.09.20061
Fastmetrics VoIP Prioritization on Private Layer 2 NetworkThe diagram to the left illustrates a logicalwide area network connection. PSTNstands for Public Standard TelephoneNetwork.Fastmetrics delivers converged servicesover its own layer 2 network to the enduser. Ideally the customer is subscribed withT1 or T Square type service, which is morereliable then ADSL connection and cansupport more seats due to the symmetricnature of the bandwidth.What technology will be the backbone for Hosted IP in SMBs?To make Real Time Communications reality an infrastructure based on SIP is key to next generationIP Communications. MetricCom Pro is the only tightly integrated application server that provides all IPCommunication levels from email and calendaring, to instant messaging, VoIP, Conferencing Server(voice and video) and IP PBX, with extensibility through a full development environment.Over 115 million end users, including 40 million voice customers, rely upon MetricCom Pro (MCP) fortheir voice and data communication needs. MCP’s platform for truly unified Internet Communicationssolves objectives of scalability, security and interoperability of all IP Communications and IPMultimedia Subsystems (IMS). MCP maintains the highest customer satisfaction level in the industryand has won more awards than any other Internet Communications solution. MCP holds the worldrecord for scalability.1)MetricComMetricCom Pro - Messaging: Mail and collaborationUsing Standards-based Mail User AgentsCMCP is fully compatible with any standards-based mail user agent (MUA) like Microsoft Outlook orOutlook Express (using POP or IMAP), Eudora, Mozilla Thunderbird, Pine, Netscape and lots ofothers.Using collaboration clients like OutlookMetricCom Pro provides robust cross-platform groupware applications, enabling a cost effective, easyto manage communications platform. MCP runs in corporate 'workgroup' mode; sending and receivingemail, creating filters, managing contacts, sharing folders, and scheduling people and resources justas they would with Exchange. Outlook maintains a real-time connection to the MetricCom Pro CoreServer, providing an experience comparable to connectivity with an Exchange server. There is noneed to perform manual synchs and no extra buttons to clutter the Outlook interface. Secureconnections (SSL with secure authentication) for sending and receiving mail since the MAPI10.09.20062
connector runs everything over imap/s including sending messages. This allows enterprises the abilityto reduce the need for complex VPN setups for email.It allows sophisticated collaboration services, regardless of their desktop or client:- Compose, send and receive email- CalendarSchedule meetings, events and appointments. Invite attendees, receive and respond to invitations.Reschedule or make changes to appointments. Imaginea Windows user instantly checking the availability of aMac user before scheduling a meeting, a manager withan Evolution client sharing folders with a remote userthru the Web interface, and each of them accessing asingle corporate address book.- Shared Address Book- Shared tasks- Shared Folders- Set up mailbox filtersLike when using Outlook users can define custom ruleswithin the client like auto replies when going on holidays.They can share folders and address books. Within theaddress book click-to-call functionality establishes VoIPcalls direct from the address book. All data can besynchronized with mobile phones and other devices.Using WebmailMetricCom Pro Core Server extends groupware productivity beyond the Windows desktop byproviding collaborative functionality via the multilanguage Web interface. The user can select among 14different languages in the Webmail interface. He canchose among different look&feel of his webmail (socalled skins). The supported skins have more capabilitiesthan Exchange, such as personal Mailing listmanagement, S/MIME controls, and SIP 'place call'capabilities. In the new version (July 06) a rich mediaFlash based client will offer an interface like Outlook onthe desktop with drag & drop functionality and click-tocall from any web browser.The integrated Web interface is a secure groupwareclient, supporting messaging, calendaring, scheduling,electronic discussions, and address book with contactcreation and maintenance. Users can access the samemailboxes, folders and calendars from any browser, justas they would with Outlook.2)-Compose, send and receive emails-Proofread work with integrated multi-language spell checker-Use calendar like in desktop client with ability to schedule meetings, send invitations etcMetricCom Pro - Instant MessagingMCP is an IM Server with Presence aggregation for multiple clients (e.g. WIN Messenger). MCPcurrently supports the SIP protocol for IM clients and presence status on some devices such asPolycom phones. IM client's you may want to try are Windows Messenger 5.x with SIP capabilities(not msn Messenger), Windows Messenger for OSX, and the SJlabs softclient.All users need to do is to download Windows Messenger version 5.x and set it up to use SIPcommunication services. Then point the IM server to your MCP server (using tcp or TLS for secure IM)on the advanced settings. Your MCP users and authentication are the same as your MCP users.Other external users should be able to see your presence if they add you to their buddies list. MCP10.09.20063
has a built in Session Border Controller that will handle most near and far end NAT traversal for theclients. This means users can communicate via Instant Messaging even behind a firewall in a hotel.The free/buzy information shows what buddies are online. If the user A tries to send the user B, who isoffline or buzy, an IM, the email client e.g. Outlook opens a new email window and enters the SIP /email address of the recipient automatically.Via Instant Messaging users / buddies can chat and can also do voice communications (headset withmicro needed). IM also allows to invite more people to the conversation (other buddies) like in aconference call situation. Files or pictures can be exchanged in real time as well as applicationsshared or a whiteboard be accessed by the members in the current IM conversation.With a webcam activated, also video can be added to the IM.3)MetricCom Pro - VoIP and video callsSIP based desktop phoneMCP integrates with all SIP-standards-based IP phones. Phones tested to date include SNOM,Polycom, Grandstream, Zyxel, Hitachi Cable and Cisco and various lesser known. The SIP desktopphone is used like any other desktop phone. Individual answering text for the answering machine canbe recorded, calls can be routed, group calls can be set etc.In the user administration within MCP users can define how often the phone should ring before theanswering machine or any routing should take place as well as the line it should route to. If a user cannot be reached the caller may leave a message which will be sent attached to an email to the user.The user then can archive the voice mail or work with it e.g. forward to a colleague.If the SIP desktop phone provides video also video calls can be done.SoftphoneMCP works with standards-based softphones like Xten (Counterpath) X-Lite. On the market are freeand non-free softphones available. With the new release of MCP (July 2006) a free softphone namedCommunify will be integrated.In addition to the softphone software the PC/laptop needs speaker/micro or a headset. For usersfeeling more comfortable with a “real” phone, SIP-based phones with USP are available.Users can call to IP and to PSTN like with a desktop phone.Also when a call is not answered via the softphone a voice mail is sent to the user’s inbox.If the softphone allows video and a webcam is connected to the softphone, users can like with InstantMessaging via WIN Messanger start a video conference.Initiate calls via Outlook or Webmail InterfaceMCP is an IM Server with Presence aggregation for multiple clients (e.g. WIN Messenger). MCP Usersin Outlook and the Webmail can place VoIP Calls directly from the Outlook address book, often callesClick-to-call. This technology allows a soft phone or desktop SIP based phone that are registered tothe user to be used rapidly from contact lists. Right clicking on any phone number or email addresswithin Outlook.MetricCom Pro - conferencing (voice and video)MCP offers SIP based conferencing. Users can send out invitations with dial-in information like withany other conferencing service.Scenario – How to benefit from MCP from a user perspectivePaul is sales manager with an SMB. He travels a lot but needs to be reachable for his customers andteam members.10.09.20064
-At work he has a PC and a SIP desktop phone. He’s using Outlook for collaboration-At home he has a PC and is accessing email via Mozilla Thunderbird-When travelling he uses his laptop and webmail to access his emails.No matter what client he uses and where he is, with MCP he receives all emails and voice mails(IMAP). Also at home or when travelling he can access all of his emails, view his calendar and workwith his address book.At workPaul is using all collaboration features of Outlook like arranging meetings, sharing the corporateaddress book. From his SIP phone he can do calls via VoIP or to the PSTN. When his line is buzy whilbing on another call, callers can leave him a voice mail which he will receive in his Inbox in Outlook.Paul is exchanging quick questions with his team members via an IM chat, IM is secure (TLS) andmuch faster than sending/receiving emails. Sometimes he is starting after a brief chat in IM a voiceconversation directly in IM. When needed more participants to this voice conversation are invited. Withremote team members applications can be shared in IM, savin time to send/receive via email and withthe ability to have a direct live voice conversation parallel.On the roadPaul is in Los Angeles in a hotel lobby waiting for a meeting. The hotel has a WIFI connection so Paulis checking his emails. The important customer X is calling Paul’s number. His SIP desktop phone inthe office rings plus his softphone on his laptop is ringing – so even in the hotel lobby Paul can takethis call. X did not need to try to call a) the office b) Paul’s mobile c) try to call him in the hotel in LosAngeles.After the call with X Paul still has some time left before his meeting. Via IM he chats with his secretaryin real time what letters need to be answered.Paul sees in WIN Messenger that his other VIP customer Y is online. As he needs to check with himan important question he drops him an IM and start to chat.Finally Paul’s meeting starts. In IM (e.g.WIN Messenger) he is shown now as buzy or offline or on thephone (status can be set by user). When someone tries to call him now, he’s directed to his answeringmachine where he can leave a voice message. After the meeting when Paul is accessing the internetagain via Webmail, he sees an email from Z with a voice mail attached. He replies via email or calls Zwith his softphone and headset.At homePaul is working from home as one of his children is sick. He can take any incoming call with hissoftphone and the caller thinks Paul is in the office. Customer X is calling again, and wants to confirma scheduled meeting. At his home PC and via Thunderbird Paul can see all emails they have beenexchanging for this meeting and he can look up the address of another participant of this meeting.10.09.20065
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MCP works with standards-based softphones like Xten (Counterpath) X-Lite. On the market are free and non-free softphones available. With the new release of MCP (July 2006) a free softphone named Communify will be integrated. In addition to the softphone software the PC/laptop needs speaker/micro or a headset. For users
