Press Releases
MCK Communications Introduces Remote Voice Products for Broadband Networks
New Suite of Packet Network Products will Extend PBX Voice Across Next-Generation Broadband Networks
NEWTON, Mass., June 28, 1999 -- MCK Communications, Inc., the leading provider of remote voice solutions for telecommuters, remote call center agents, executives and branch offices, today outlined its plans to provide a suite of remote voice over packet network (RVoPN) products. These new products will make it possible for companies to provide enterprise-wide, integrated voice and data communications, delivered to remote employees over broadband networks. In related news, MCK announced it is working with broadband equipment manufacturers and DSL service providers, including Copper Mountain Networks (NASDAQ: CMTN), Paradyne Corporation, 3Com Corporation (NASDAQ: COMS), NorthPoint Communications Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NPNT), Rhythms NetConnections Inc. (NASDAQ: RTHM) and HarvardNet, to provide value-added PBX products that deliver a richer functionality beyond basic Voice over IP (VoIP) dialtone. (See related release today: "MCK Communications Provides Value-Added Remote Voice Applications for Broadband Service Providers," June 28, 1999).
The initial suite of products that enable PBX connectivity to the corporation, includes single- and multi-user remote voice client devices and gateways. The EXTender 3000 for IDSL, the IP EXTender 4000 and the Branch Office EXTender 6000 are CPE devices; the PBXgateway IP, which terminates the client devices is located at the corporate PBX site. All of these products are in trial now. (See related release: "MCK Communications and Copper Mountain Networks Partner to Deliver First Simultaneous Voice and Data Connectivity Over IDSL," May 3, 1999).
"Broadband networks will be a key enabler in making possible the 'Extended Enterprise' -- extending not just the data network but all of the corporation's voice capabilities to remote workers," said Woody Benson, president and CEO of MCK Communications. "Extending PBX voice systems via broadband networks provides remote employees with the exact same tools that corporate workers enjoy on their desktops, along with all the performance, reliability and other features customers have come to expect from their existing PBX systems. Our DSL offering is just the first phase of our packet voice initiative."
Remote Voice Over Packet Networks (RVoPN)
All of MCK's remote voice solutions employ MCK's proprietary Remote Voice Protocoltm (RVP) technology to deliver seamless voice calls and PBX functionality, over either a circuit switched (traditional telephone network) or packet switched (data network) environment. In the packet switched environment, MCK RVoPN products will work with any network, including T1, xDSL and Cable using VoIP and Voice over Frame Relay protocols. Voice over ATM support will follow later in the year.
MCK's RVoPN products have been designed to accommodate the more complex requirements of delivering high quality enterprise voice features. Applications for RVoPN products include extending corporate PBX services to teleworkers and small branch offices, extending call center ACD applications to remote agents and providing unified telephone support across campus environments.
The first group of MCK's RVoPN products is optimized for DSL networks. MCK's RVoPN products, in partnership with DSL service providers, make it possible to provide not only sufficient bandwidth, but also all of the features that are required for users to have a business quality voice experience. In addition to DSL, the company's remote voice products will support other applications, including T1, Frame Relay and PacketCable deployment. (See related release: "MCK Communications and 3Com Demonstrate Remote Voice Access to the PBX Over Cable Modem Networks," December 1, 1998).
MCK's Remote Voice over Packet Networks Product Suite
The delivery of RVoPNs requires several components. Each remote user location requires either an Integrated Access Device (IAD), which provides connectivity to the broadband circuit, or a voice client with Ethernet connectivity to an existing network access device. These RVoPN client devices interface to the digital phone set and handle all of the voice compression and signaling functions. In some cases, they also include remote data capabilities. MCK's remote user product offerings include:
EXTender 3000 for IDSL. A single-user, integrated access device which provides both voice and data connectivity to the corporation. It has an internal IDSL network terminator, has user selectable voice compression and employs RVP over Frame/IP.
IP EXTender 4000. A single-user client device that provides an Ethernet connection to a customer's external network access device, such as a DSL modem, IP router or DOCSIS-compliant cable modem. It offers enterprise voice and data connectivity, has user selectable voice compression and employs RVP over IP.
Branch Office EXTender 6000. A multi-user client for voice connectivity to the corporate PBX for up to 12 digital sets in a small branch office or satellite call center. The EXTender 6000 requires an external network access device, such as a DSL modem, IP router or DOCSIS-compliant cable modem for voice connectivity to the corporate PBX. It provides user selectable compression, SNMP support and remote management capabilities, and works over either circuit or packet networks.
In addition to the RVoPN client devices, an MCK gateway product is required at the PBX location. The gateway product communicates to the PBX via digital line card interfaces and to the remote clients via Ethernet. It packetizes and transcodes voice and signaling, as well as all supported PBX applications, to and from the remote site devices. The first of MCK's IP voice gateway products is:
PBXgateway IP. An Ethernet-based, IP-compatible CPE device installed at the PBX. The PBXgateway IP will terminate up to 12 MCK IP clients, including the single-user EXTender 3000 for IDSL, the IP EXTender 4000 and the multi-user Branch Office EXTender 6000 products.
Pricing and Availability
The MCK Remote Voice over DSL product suite is in trials now and is scheduled to be available for distribution in Q3, 1999. Suggested list prices ($U.S.) are $795 for the IP EXTender 4000; $995 for the EXTender 3000 for IDSL; $3,895 for the Branch Office EXTender 6000 and $3,895 for the PBXgateway IP. MCK remote voice products extend the capabilities of Lucent DEFINITY, Nortel Meridian and Norstar, and NEC NEAX and Electra switches. For additional information, visit MCK's Web site at www.mck.com or call 888-454-7979.
About MCK Communications, Inc.
MCK Communications, Inc. is a privately held company that provides remote voice solutions for teleworkers and branch offices. With private equity investment from Summit Partners and Lazard FrŠres Technology Partners and a seasoned management team of former executives of Lotus Development Corp., Sun Microsystems, Bain & Company and PictureTel, MCK was incorporated in 1989. The company, which is ISO 9001-certified has earned a reputation for excellence and innovation by building leading-edge telecommunications products that enhance customers' Lucent- (NYSE: LU), Nortel- (TSE: NTL), NEC- (NASDAQ: NIPNY) based networked voice systems. Headquartered in Newton, MA, MCK has R&D facilities in Calgary, Canada.
MCK markets its products through a large network of telecomunications resellers and OEM partners including Lucent, NEC, Williams Communications Solutions, Bell Canada (NYSE: BCE), BellSouth (NYSE: BLS), GTE (NYSE: GTE), Sprint (NYSE: FON), Dacon, Dictaphone, Claricom and other value-added resellers. The company was named one of 1998's fastest growing private companies by Inc. Magazine, and has received numerous industry awards for its products, including four "1998 Product of the Year" awards for its EXTender 3000-series from Computer Telephony, Call Center Magazine, Call Center Solutions and CTI Magazine. |
