Benefits
of IP Telephony Solutions from Zultys
Introduction
 How
many businesses are still using a typewriter today? The answer to that
question is very few. Businesses today are using PCs and printers instead.
Obviously the PC and printer combination is much more expensive than the
typewriter, however, businesses still choose not to use the typewriter.
The reason for this is that businesses cannot exist today without the
benefits and productivity gains that the PC and printer provide.
IP telephony
has come a long way over the last decade. IT and Telecom managers now
agree that IP telephony delivers the cost savings and productivity gains
that could not be achieved with traditional voice systems. The traditional
voice system has become a legacy and gone the way of the typewriter. A
modern IP communications solution is required to address the following
for enterprises today:
Security
policies and disaster recovery plans must be revised often because security
breaches are on the rise.
The source
of the problem often proves to be Windows servers and products based on
Windows. Enterprises need a VoIP solution that is robust and secure.
Management
demands that the transition to modern technologies including VoIP be smooth
and painless.
Enterprises
understand the benefit and need for real time collaboration between offices
around the globe and are looking for solutions.
The number
of remote workers is increasing every year. Companies want to provide
the same work environment to the remote worker as they provide for employees
within the enterprise. Remote employees must be just as productive as
those employees working in the corporate office.
Enterprises
look closely at their expenditures, recognizing that they need to buy
quality products based on open standards to safeguard their investments.
Zultys provides
two unique collaborative IP telephony products, the MX250 and MX1200 Enterprise
Media Exchanges. These products meet the telephony needs of an enterprise
as well as enhance employee productivity with advanced applications.
A
Robust and Secure Voice System
Some manufacturers of IP telephony solutions started with a voice product
and added IP to the solution as an afterthought. Other companies started
with routers and switches and added voice to the solution as an afterthought.
From the beginning, Zultys designed the MX products with a robust architecture
to allow for the integration of voice, video, data, and fax.
A reliable
phone system is one of the most vital elements in any organization today.
Every company expects to have the ability to make a phone call at any
time. The MX uses a real time Linux operating system that is highly reliable
and stable. Linux ensures that the MX is secure; not open and vulnerable
to Internet worms (as are Windows based solutions on the market today).
Internally, the MX uses a scalable MySQL database, known for its proven
reliability. The MX uses industrial grade hardware with redundant Ethernet
ports, mirrored SCSI hard discs, ac and dc power inputs, and two lifeline
ports. These ensure that telephone service continues to operate when a
failure condition is encountered.
Smooth
and Painless Transition
You may be ready to completely transition your enterprise communications
to VoIP today or perhaps you want to integrate a VoIP solution into your
legacy voice infrastructure to evaluate the technology. The MX can easily
handle either scenario using its standard interfaces for connectivity.
The deployment
of an MX system is rapid and efficient. To bring up a typical MX system,
only three cables are required: one for ac power, one for the network
connection, and one for the PSTN interface. User information can be exported
from an existing database and then imported directly into the MX using
a Windows based configuration tool for the administrator. Utilizing this
same tool, phones can be quickly added and assigned to users. Users are
able to immediately set up their preferences and configure their voice
mail boxes so they can begin using the system.
Real
Time Collaboration — Presence and Instant Messages
Zultys is the first supplier of IP telephony systems to fully leverage
the power of collaborative tools for enterprise users. These tools are
made available to the end users on an MX system by using MXIE, a powerful
and intuitive client software application that can be easily configured
on each user’s computer. A user can send and receive text based
instant messages and view the presence state of other users. Some examples
of presence states are On the phone, In a meeting, or Busy.
 The
presence and instant messaging solution from Zultys is secure because
text messages and presence information never leave the enterprise. Instant
messaging and presence allow for answers to questions in real time. For
example, a user can see that another user is available and then send an
instant message to that person to obtain an immediate response. The use
of instant messaging minimizes the amount of phone calls between offices.
Connectivity
for Remote Users
Remote users are connected to the main office using Virtual Private Networks
(VPNs). With the MX, a user can have an IP phone at their home office
and have an IP phone on their desk at the main office. When a caller dials
into the main office and enters the user’s extension the phone on
the desk in the main office and the phone at the home office ring simultaneously.
The user can take the call without the caller knowing where the user is
located. Remote users have access to all of the features of the MX system
and can work as efficiently as their colleagues in the main office.
System administrators
need not be located at the main office. With VPN access, administrators
can log in remotely and completely manage the MX. This means that changes
can be performed securely, quickly, and efficiently from any location.
Investing
in Open Standards and Return on Investment
The MX is based 100% on open standards and is highly scalable. It supports
SIP based IP phones, video phones, soft phones, and many other appliances
from different suppliers today, providing the business with flexibility
and choice. Some manufacturers of legacy phone systems advocate their
support of open standards. However, a close inspection of their offering
reveals that they support only their own product lines. This locks the
customer into having to purchase all equipment from a single supplier.
The return
on investment (ROI) starts from the day the MX system is first installed.
Administrators install and easily manage the day to day functions of the
system. Gone are the army of trained technicians, the van in the parking
lot, and the high price tag that goes along with them.
Users of
the system experience significant gains in productivity through the use
of the collaborative features and advanced call handling rules. Call handling
rules are specified by users to indicate how calls should be routed. For
example, a rule can be set up so that when a call with a specific caller
identification arrives and presence indicates that the user is in a meeting,
the call will be routed to the user’s mobile phone. Using presence,
corporate operators can quickly disseminate accurate information regarding
employee status and route calls appropriately, giving the caller a very
professional impression of the organization.
Phone bills
are instantly reduced because of the use of instant messaging and routing
of phones calls over the private network between offices. Additionally,
the MX can connect directly to Internet telephony service providers (ITSPs)
allowing for very low cost long distance and international calls.
Conclusion
The MX provides full collaboration, seamless integration of remote users,
significant gains in productivity, and a great return on investment. It
is the right communications solution for your business today and tomorrow.
Based on open standards, it can grow and support many devices and accessories
from multiple suppliers, giving you flexibility and choice.
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