Excel Switching Announces One Architecture
New Software Products Add Additional Functionality to Strategic Technology Platform
HYANNIS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 1998-- Excel Switching Corporation (NASDAQ:XLSW - news), a
leading provider of open switching platforms for telecommunications networks worldwide, today announced ONE
Architecture, which defines Excel's strategic technology framework for its state-of-the-art Expandable Switching System
(EXS). ONE Architecture enables carriers and developers to integrate network routing, enhanced services and media support
on a single, highly scaleable switching platform.
EXS Call Control and EXS Resource are the first two open, programmable software products for ONE Architecture that will
bring additional resource management benefits and cost reductions to service providers. These products can be accessed from
a common set of development tools, which enables carriers and developers to create and implement enhanced services quickly
and easily.
''Deregulation has created the need for scalable and flexible switching platforms that can accommodate new, enhanced
telecommunications services. Excel has a track record of facilitating the delivery of solutions that can be easily integrated into
any service or network environment,'' said Robert Madonna, chairman and chief executive officer. ''The capabilities of ONE
Architecture will set a new standard for network-based solutions.''
Using ONE Architecture, emerging competitive exchange local carriers (CLECs), inter-exchange carriers (IXCs), wireless
local loop (WLL) and personal communications service (PCS) providers can rapidly develop solutions that fold basic and
enhanced telephony services into one integrated network. For example, carriers can use ONE Architecture to expand their
network functionality by closely integrating call-routing with enhanced services. This enables carriers to seamlessly, quickly and
cost-effectively implement revenue-generating enhanced services faster and with a higher degree of integration than older,
single-service switches or programmable switches used as service overlays. Carriers can use ONE Architecture to implement
programmable solutions for end-office, tandem, enhanced and intelligent services.
ONE Architecture will encompass the EXS distributed switching architecture, Excel's patented Programmable Protocol
Language (PPL), and EXNET Connect to create a fully programmable, highly reliable distributed switching system that
incorporates emerging industry standards for computer telephony, multimedia communications and Internet telephony. ONE
Architecture enables application developers and service providers to offer network-based services in a tightly integrated
solution.
ONE Architecture's modular design scales from 100 to 30,000 ports. The tightly integrated modules are linked as one
complete, scalable system by a fiber backbone and Excel's distributed software environment. This architecture allows
developers and carriers to implement applications across a wide range of port configurations, with the assurance of seamless,
incremental and economical growth, while lowering the cost of ownership.
EXS Call Control and EXS Resource
EXS Call Control and EXS Resource are software products that enrich the programmability of EXS systems. With these
products, developers will be able to control both the call processing with the switch and all media resources attached to the
switch.
EXS Call Control allows operators to off-load basic network routing from the host, resulting in the cost-effective and
consistent management of network resources, as well as improved system performance. Based on Excel's Programmable
Protocol Language, EXS Call Control brings programmability to the call control level, enabling multi-applications,
programmable call models and APIs.
EXS Resource integrates multimedia resources into the switching environment via industry-standard media APIs, creating a
unique call control model. By treating the media device as another switching resource in the EXS, T-1 lines normally required
for media resources are freed up, thus allowing maximum utilization of network ports. EXS Resource also gives complete
access between the media resources and all ports connected to the EXS system, resulting in better resource utilization and
lower costs of operation. This functionality will be demonstrated with several industry-leading IP telephony vendors in Excel's
booth #1617 at CT Expo in Los Angeles, March 3 to 6.
Throughout the year, Excel plans to roll out these and other products that will tightly integrate various technologies, such as
Internet telephony, OAM&P and other network-based services.
Pricing and Availability
General availability of EXS Call Control, EXS Resources and EXNET Connect is scheduled for June, 1998. Pricing has not
yet been determined.
About Excel
Excel Switching Corporation is a leading provider of open switching platforms for telecommunications networks worldwide.
The Company develops, manufactures, markets and supports a family of open, programmable, carrier-class switches that
address the complex enhanced services and wireless and wireline infrastructure needs of network providers. The Company's
products are currently deployed in telecommunications networks in almost 60 countries throughout the world. Excel Switching
Corporation is headquartered at 255 Independence Drive, Hyannis, Massachusetts, 02601. Visit the Excel Switching website
at xl.com.
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This release may contain statements which are ''forward looking'', subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ significantly from expectations. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those
relating to: dependence on and concentration of relationships with application developers, original equipment manufacturers
and systems integrators; length of sales cycle; risk of new product introductions; highly competitive market; compliance with
evolving industry standards; dependence on proprietary rights; and other risks identified in the Company's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings including those risks identified in the section entitled ''Risk Factors'' of the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-35791) and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 27, 1997.
Contact:
FitzGerald Communications Excel Switching Corp.
Chris Nahil Karen Steele
(617) 494-9500 (508) 862-3000
cnahil@fitzcomm.com ksteele@xl.com |
