Plenty of new product and service announcements are being made at VoiceCon East 2009, and we're taking a moment to highlight the more interesting ones.
For the latest breaking news from the enterprise IP communications show, visit www.fiercevoip.com. We're even providing quick on-the-scene highlights through our mirrored Twitter feed at www.fiercevoip.com/twitter.
Acme Packet announces low-end SBC for enterprises
Acme Packet officially announced its new Net-Net 3800, a "low-end" session border controller (SBC) targeted at small enterprise sites, contact centers and service providers. The new box, designed to handle up to 500 simultaneous VoIP/UC sessions, is 50 percent cheaper than Acme's previous lower-end model.
Digium launches support services for Asterisk
Coming 10 years after Asterisk's launch, Digium announced the general availability of annual support subscriptions for open source Asterisk. The new service options are expected to give organizations warm-fuzzies when working with the IP telephony platform and include technical support, hardware replacements and substantial discounts on training programs.
Avaya announces Aura SIP architecture, new contact center solution
Avaya has announced the launch of Aura, a SIP-based architecture to easily integrate communications across multi-vendor, multi-location and multi-modal businesses. It also introduced Intelligent Customer Routing, a SIP-based contact center solution to route customers and their essential info to the correct agent or expert by the quickest and most efficient route.
Polycom boosts HD video, adds Microsoft device to UC lineup
Polycom has announced HD video enhancements to its telepresence solutions and a deal to sell Microsoft's RoundTable high-end video conferencing device.
New HD video telepresence formats for Polycom's RealPresence Experience (RPX) and Telepresence Experience (TPX) are 1080p and broadcast-quality 720p (60 frames per second). The 1080p and 720p video formats are becoming de facto standards within the telepresence community. Polycom also supports 720p at 30 frames per second and standard definition resolution (480p or DVD) quality; SD starts at just 256 Kbps of bandwidth.
8x8 launches enterprise version of hosted IP PBX phone service
Continuing its march across the business VoIP market, 8x8 announced Virtual Office Enterprise, the latest version of its hosted IP PBX business phone solution.
snom announces wideband VoIP conference phone
German VoIP phone manufacturer snom announced Monday at VoiceCon that its new VoIP conference speaker phone MeetingPoint will now be available in North America. The phone is designed to deliver wideband audio for the small to medium business markets, and it allows for management of up to four outside participants, 12 SIP extensions, and native connectivity with Microsoft OCS.
Zeacom rolls out UC ROI calendar, brags about business
On Monday, Zeacom debuted its ROI Calculator to assist its (more than 100) VARs and channel partners selling its hosted solution, along with others considering buying its hosted contact center and UC offerings. It is also taking the time to tout its solid business performance in the current economy.