SIP Forum Ratifies SIPconnect
The SIP Forum has ratified its SIPconnect Recommendation. SIPconnect is a standards-based approach for direct IP interoperability between IP PBXs and VoIP Service Provider Networks.
The SIP Forum lists the following SIPconnect features and benefits:
- A Ubiquitous Approach. SIPconnect provides a common method for IP peering between SIP-enabled IP PBXs and VoIP service providers
- Standards Based. SIPconnect leverages existing SIP and related VoIP standards published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
- Customer Cost Savings. Peering lowers service provider infrastructure cost and reduce the need for customer premises gateways
- Speed to Deployment. A commonly accepted,
standards-based approach reduces the time and effort needed to
integrate new products into a service provider network. - Richer Feature Support. SIPconnect helps service
providers deliver enhanced, personalized services to IP-PBXs and
extends rich-media services enabled by IP-PBXs across service provider
networks - Quality of Service. Methods for handling QoS
configuration, echo cancellation, DTMF relay, packetization rates,
codec support and fax and data traffic are defined - For end users in the small business or large enterprise, SIPconnect
eliminates, or greatly reduces, the need for a costly gateway at the
end user’s site. In addition, new features from the service provider
or the IP PBX vendor will be delivered more quickly. - For VARs and Interconnects, the
SIPconnect compliant service provider will handle the complexity
associated with connecting the SIP Trunk to the legacy TDM world. This
eliminates the need for a lot of integration and troubleshooting work
and allows the partners to focus on other, revenue generating
activities. - For Equipment and Software Vendors (Application Servers, IP PBX Vendors, SIP Proxies), SIPconnect
greatly reduces the time and resources required to verify
interoperability in the network. This single item, interoperability,
currently drains many man hours from the services and equipment
providers that could be better used creating new and more exciting
features. This in turns reduces the amount of revenue that could be
realized from those new features. - The SIP Trunking Service Provider that
uses SIPconnect SIP trunks realizes higher revenue streams much more
quickly. Network services are rolled out more rapidly, greatly
reducing the time to revenue for new services and features. In
addition, the service provider can greatly reduce the time and staff
required to complete interoperability testing.
As I have stated previously, I’m convinced that SIP Trunking will take off in 2008 and it’s about time! IP Trunking represents a great opportunity for innovative service providers. And for end users, in addition to the user benefits cited by the SIP Forum, here’s a list of benefits from one of my previous posts on the subject:
PRI (via VoIP Gateway) vs IP Trunking
|
PRI |
IP Trunks |
|
Physical connections: Each circuit requires physical connection and costly termination hardware. |
Connections are virtual: Number of available trunks is a function of available bandwidth, |
|
Scaling up requires the installation of new circuits and additional |
Scales up or down easily and quickly (a software |
|
Providing sufficient backup circuits to remote sites in an |
Automatic IP re-routing capabilities allow practical |
|
Cost is usually per circuit per month |
A variety of pricing models (i.e. usage based) are likely |
|
Capacity planning & engineering is critical: Additional capacity must be planned well in advance since considerable |
While capacity planning is still important, adding |
|
Only way to accommodate loss of hardware or facility where |
Can be designed to retain PSTN reachability and capacity |
|
Including dispersed locations in most current IP Telephony |
Dispersed locations can be connected to the PSTN via an IP |
|
Diversity across service providers is usually cost |
Can accommodate diversity across service providers much |
Categories: Industry Perspective, IP Trunking, SIP Tags: ip trunking, sip, sip connect, sip trunking, voip
Avaya Announces Native SIP on S8300C and a New Gateway
BASKING
RIDGE, N.J. – Avaya today introduced enhancements to its market-leading
IP Telephony solutions delivering advanced Intelligent Communications
capabilities using end-to-end, full-featured Session Initiation
Protocol (SIP). This includes the latest version of Avaya’s flagship IP
telephony software – Avaya Communication Manager 5.0
– which enables businesses to gain essential and innovative telephony
functions using end-to-end SIP. With open standards-based SIP,
businesses can drive greater cost-efficiencies in the deployment of
enterprise communications, and help improve productivity among an
increasingly-mobile workforce.
RIDGE, N.J. – Avaya today introduced enhancements to its market-leading
IP Telephony solutions delivering advanced Intelligent Communications
capabilities using end-to-end, full-featured Session Initiation
Protocol (SIP). This includes the latest version of Avaya’s flagship IP
telephony software – Avaya Communication Manager 5.0
– which enables businesses to gain essential and innovative telephony
functions using end-to-end SIP. With open standards-based SIP,
businesses can drive greater cost-efficiencies in the deployment of
enterprise communications, and help improve productivity among an
increasingly-mobile workforce.
Since its debut in 2002, Avaya Communication Manager
has helped businesses cost-effectively evolve their communications to
IP Telephony and now, SIP. It also provides a foundation for
applications powering contact centers, unified communications and
mid-sized businesses (using MultiVantage Express). Avaya is the global leader in IP Telephony revenues.1
Avaya Communication Manager 5.0
gives IT administrators a more cost-efficient and reliable way to
implement end-to-end SIP. The software now features embedded SIP,
allowing co-residency on a single server (initially with the Avaya
S8300C Server) – eliminating the cost and management issues associated
with multiple servers. New SIP trunk alternate routing – a key
capability for redistributing voice, video and data when network
congestion arises – is also available, making communications more
reliable.
has helped businesses cost-effectively evolve their communications to
IP Telephony and now, SIP. It also provides a foundation for
applications powering contact centers, unified communications and
mid-sized businesses (using MultiVantage Express). Avaya is the global leader in IP Telephony revenues.1
Avaya Communication Manager 5.0
gives IT administrators a more cost-efficient and reliable way to
implement end-to-end SIP. The software now features embedded SIP,
allowing co-residency on a single server (initially with the Avaya
S8300C Server) – eliminating the cost and management issues associated
with multiple servers. New SIP trunk alternate routing – a key
capability for redistributing voice, video and data when network
congestion arises – is also available, making communications more
reliable.
New
SIP firmware for Avaya endpoints provides an integral part of the
end-to-end solution. Avaya’s advanced one-X IP Deskphones can be
SIP-enabled – leveraging open, multimedia communications for improved
productivity and mobility – and the phones can interchange between SIP
or IP environments. Avaya’s SIP-enabled phones bring presence to
directories to let users see the availability of colleagues. Mobility
features are also SIP-enabled, such as Extension-to-Cellular,
which transparently bridges a user’s cell phone with their phone
extension, and “SIP Visiting User,” which lets users log into and
access their deskphone features from any phone on the network.
SIP firmware for Avaya endpoints provides an integral part of the
end-to-end solution. Avaya’s advanced one-X IP Deskphones can be
SIP-enabled – leveraging open, multimedia communications for improved
productivity and mobility – and the phones can interchange between SIP
or IP environments. Avaya’s SIP-enabled phones bring presence to
directories to let users see the availability of colleagues. Mobility
features are also SIP-enabled, such as Extension-to-Cellular,
which transparently bridges a user’s cell phone with their phone
extension, and “SIP Visiting User,” which lets users log into and
access their deskphone features from any phone on the network.
A
new version of the Avaya Video Telephony Solution is also now
SIP-enabled, providing a more cost-effective way to deploy
enterprise-class videoconferencing. Enhancements allow users to handle
“ad hoc” video calls in the same way as voice calls, simply adding and
forwarding both voice and video, and creating video conferences for up
to six people.
new version of the Avaya Video Telephony Solution is also now
SIP-enabled, providing a more cost-effective way to deploy
enterprise-class videoconferencing. Enhancements allow users to handle
“ad hoc” video calls in the same way as voice calls, simply adding and
forwarding both voice and video, and creating video conferences for up
to six people.
“Businesses
expect enterprise-class communications to be reliable, feature-rich and
always-on,” said Simon Woollett, vice president and general manager,
Avaya’s Converged Communications Division. “Avaya now delivers on these
expectations in the open SIP world, enabling companies to more easily
and cost-effectively deploy next generation applications such as
customer service and unified communications – and gain maximum impact
from them.”
expect enterprise-class communications to be reliable, feature-rich and
always-on,” said Simon Woollett, vice president and general manager,
Avaya’s Converged Communications Division. “Avaya now delivers on these
expectations in the open SIP world, enabling companies to more easily
and cost-effectively deploy next generation applications such as
customer service and unified communications – and gain maximum impact
from them.”
Avaya recently attained SIPconnect Compliant certification from the SIP Forum,
a leading independent IP communications industry association that
contributes to the development of global IP communications based on SIP.
a leading independent IP communications industry association that
contributes to the development of global IP communications based on SIP.
Other new advancements in the Avaya Communication Manager platform include a new software maintenance model for its communications applications Software Support Plus Upgrades. With the introduction of Communication Manager 5.0,
this new model is available on virtually all of Avaya’s enterprise
communication applications. It provides a three-year subscription for
all major upgrade releases and service packs, driving lower upgrade
prices and streamlined access to future releases. Customers can save
25-35% on average in upgrade costs with Software Support Plus Upgrades.
this new model is available on virtually all of Avaya’s enterprise
communication applications. It provides a three-year subscription for
all major upgrade releases and service packs, driving lower upgrade
prices and streamlined access to future releases. Customers can save
25-35% on average in upgrade costs with Software Support Plus Upgrades.
The
updated portfolio also gains a new media gateway – the Avaya G450 – for
more flexible choices for branch offices and small campuses.
updated portfolio also gains a new media gateway – the Avaya G450 – for
more flexible choices for branch offices and small campuses.
More Businesses Evolving to Intelligent Communications With Avaya SIP
Over the years, Avaya Communication Manager
has helped businesses securely and easily evolve their communications
from traditional telephony to IP telephony and now to SIP. Kratos
Defense & Security Solutions, a national provider of defense,
services and public safety and security solutions, relied on the
flexibility of Avaya Communication Manager,
as they grew rapidly through new acquisitions. With SIP, the
communications systems inherited through each acquisition can be
seamlessly integrated into Kratos’ network.
Over the years, Avaya Communication Manager
has helped businesses securely and easily evolve their communications
from traditional telephony to IP telephony and now to SIP. Kratos
Defense & Security Solutions, a national provider of defense,
services and public safety and security solutions, relied on the
flexibility of Avaya Communication Manager,
as they grew rapidly through new acquisitions. With SIP, the
communications systems inherited through each acquisition can be
seamlessly integrated into Kratos’ network.
“We
recently acquired a company that had another vendor’s phones,” said
John Jensen, director of communications for Kratos Defense &
Security Solutions. “With the SIP capabilities of Avaya Communication Manager, we’ve been able to integrate the other vendor’s phones very easily – and enhance them with a much broader feature set.”
recently acquired a company that had another vendor’s phones,” said
John Jensen, director of communications for Kratos Defense &
Security Solutions. “With the SIP capabilities of Avaya Communication Manager, we’ve been able to integrate the other vendor’s phones very easily – and enhance them with a much broader feature set.”
Another
Avaya SIP user is Xeta Technologies, a leading provider of voice
communications systems and data networks and an Avaya Platinum business
partner. Xeta uses the new Avaya Communication Manager 5.0.
According to Jim Middleton, senior solution architect with the company,
the solution lets businesses download configurations directly to any
SIP phone on their network, which eliminates the need to program each
one individually.
Avaya SIP user is Xeta Technologies, a leading provider of voice
communications systems and data networks and an Avaya Platinum business
partner. Xeta uses the new Avaya Communication Manager 5.0.
According to Jim Middleton, senior solution architect with the company,
the solution lets businesses download configurations directly to any
SIP phone on their network, which eliminates the need to program each
one individually.
“The
new advancements eliminate the need for a separate application server
for SIP,” adds Middleton. “We see SIP reducing deployment costs by
about $5,000 for every one hundred users, making enterprise
communications far more affordable than ever before.”
new advancements eliminate the need for a separate application server
for SIP,” adds Middleton. “We see SIP reducing deployment costs by
about $5,000 for every one hundred users, making enterprise
communications far more affordable than ever before.”
New Products Referenced in this Press Release Include:
- Avaya Communication Manager 5.0
- Avaya SIP Enablement Services 5.0
- SIP R2.0 firmware for the Avaya one-X Deskphone 9620, 9630/G, 9640/G models [NOTE: Avaya 9600 series phones can be provisioned as either SIP or H.323 devices with no extra charge.]
- Avaya Video Telephony Solution
- Avaya G450 Gateway
About Avaya
Avaya
delivers Intelligent Communications solutions that help companies
transform their businesses to achieve marketplace advantage. More than
1 million businesses worldwide, including more than 90 percent of the
FORTUNE 500®, use Avaya solutions for IP Telephony, Unified
Communications, Contact Centers and Communications-Enabled Business
Processes. Avaya Global Services provides comprehensive service and
support for companies, small to large. For more information visit the
Avaya Web site: http://www.avaya.com.
Avaya
delivers Intelligent Communications solutions that help companies
transform their businesses to achieve marketplace advantage. More than
1 million businesses worldwide, including more than 90 percent of the
FORTUNE 500®, use Avaya solutions for IP Telephony, Unified
Communications, Contact Centers and Communications-Enabled Business
Processes. Avaya Global Services provides comprehensive service and
support for companies, small to large. For more information visit the
Avaya Web site: http://www.avaya.com.
1According to Synergy Research Group’s 3Q 2007 Enterprise Voice Market Shares Report.
Categories: Press Releases Tags: avaya, sip
Toshiba Announces SIP Trunking Capability
Yesterday, Toshiba announced that it has added SIP Trunking capabilities to its Strata(R) CIX(TM) family
of IP business communication systems.
Toshiba begins its nationwide rollout of SIP Trunking capabilities with SIP carriers Cbeyond of Atlanta, Ga., and American Broadband Services (ABS) of Fresno, Calif., and will expand to additional carriers during 2008.
Coupling the product’s IP Trunking capabilities with the two carriers is a smart move by Toshiba since potential customers will know that they can deploy a SIP Trunking-based solution nationally. In addition, it removes any concerns around interoperability and related support issues.
Key product features and benefits include:
- Offers ISDN-like features over a data connection
- Eliminates the need to buy separate circuit cards for voice
- and data
- Potentially eliminates the need and cost of a separate service
- Eliminates “wasted bandwidth” of unused PRI channels
- Allows bandwidth to be used for data when no calls are active
-
Offers ability to host other services in addition to SIP
Trunking, including IP Stations, SIP Stations, Toshiba’s Strata Net IP, Voice Mail and ACD resources -
In addition to SIP Trunks, Toshiba’s MIPU cards also support
IP stations, SIP stations, Strata Net channels, and
applications.
Other benefits related to SIP Trunking, and not mentioned in the press release, is that IP Telephony solutions can be deployed with enhanced redundancy and are much easier to scale. For a list of SIP Trunking benefits please see my previous article on the subject SIP Trunking Will Displace PRI..
Rick McCharles
Unified Communications Consultant, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Categories: Hosted Services, Industry Perspective, IP Trunking, News, SIP Tags: ip trunking, sip, sip trunking
