LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES: Lucent introduces reliable, NT-based version of DEFINITY(r)
Communications Server
NOV 3, 1999, M2 Communications - BASKING RIDGE, N.J. -- Lucent
Technologies (NYSE: LU) today introduced DEFINITY ONE Communications
Server, the first Windows NT-based platform with the advanced features,
applications and flexible networking capabilities of Lucent's
industry-leading DEFINITY business communications software. The
reliable, easy-to-administer server is a cost-effective solution for an
enterprise's branch offices, and for small and mid-sized businesses
needing the powerful applications that the DEFINITY system provides.
DEFINITY ONE features the same sophisticated network management
capabilities and superior, market-leading applications as Lucent's
large DEFINITY systems. It is shipped with five of these applications
built right onto a single circuit pack: DEFINITY Release 7.1, Intuity
AUDIX voice mail system, fax messaging, Intuity Message Manager, and
DEFINITY Site Administration (DSA). Bundling these applications on the
DEFINITY ONE processor reduces costs by eliminating the need for
additional PCs, applications servers and adjuncts, and associated
connectivity and maintenance costs.
In addition, DEFINITY ONE provides call center functionality that
supports advanced call routing, and seven available universal card
slots that make it simple to add big-company capabilities such as
in-building wireless. Like all DEFINITY servers, DEFINITY ONE provides
users the choice of moving voice and fax over circuit-switched,
Internet Protocol (IP) or Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks.
"While others are talking about 'high availability' on an NT server,
Lucent is delivering real-world reliability, with the sophisticated
features and functionality that enterprises have come to expect from a
world-class communications server," said Bill O'Shea, executive vice
president and CEO, Lucent's Enterprise Networks business. "DEFINITY ONE
delivers what our customers have been asking for: A cost-effective
small system that provides the 'look and feel' of DEFINITY, offers user
friendly system administration, and protects their technology
investment with an intelligent migration path to the future."
"We are extremely pleased with the performance and reliability of
DEFINITY ONE," said Marc Mindermann, network analyst at Farm Credit
Services, a cooperatively owned agricultural lender that is trialing
the system. "And system administration over our LAN is a snap with the
new, user-friendly software.
"We plan to deploy DEFINITY ONE at all 45 of our branches, and with
just two people maintaining all 46 systems (including headquarters),
having the same look and feel is important," he added.
Superior Networking Capabilities
DEFINITY ONE supports DEFINITY Release 7.1 software, giving it superior IP,
ATM and Q-Signaling (Q-SIG) capabilities. Companies with several locations
can link DEFINITY ONEs to each other, or to other DEFINITY servers -- such
as DEFINITY ProLogix Solutions or their headquarters' DEFINITY Enterprise
Communications Server -- via Lucent's DEFINITY Communications System (DCS)
networking capability. Voice over IP -- DEFINITY ONE supports Lucent's IP
Trunk Interface, which allows businesses to reduce the costs of
communications services by sending voice and fax directly to the Internet or
over corporate intranets. With the simple addition of this card, enterprises
also can create a virtual private network, sending voice and fax over IP
networks to other DEFINITY servers with the IP Trunk Interface. Businesses
requiring a high level of reliability can still take advantage of the
network efficiencies offered by IP. DEFINITY ONE offers the flexibility of
intelligent Least Cost Routing and Class of Service features to monitor IP
network performance. If at any time the IP network's performance is not
acceptable for voice or fax calls, DEFINITY ONE will reroute the call over
an alternative network. ATM Networking -- Businesses using ATM for data
networking can take advantage of the DEFINITY family's expanded ATM
capabilities. The ATM Circuit Emulated Service (CES) Interface provides the
equivalent of eight ISDN PRI cards on a single card - a double benefit that
lowers costs by eliminating the need for multiple PRI cards and frees up
card ports for other uses.
Easy to Administer
DEFINITY ONE's on-board Ethernet connectivity allows system administration
over a company's local area network (LAN), with user-friendly, wizard-based
screens that can be learned quickly and easily. A Web browser interface
provides tools needed to administer the system, and allows the administrator
to choose from and manage pre-installed administration software and end user
applications. For example, the administrator can download DEFINITY Site
Administration (DSA) software, which provides a graphical user interface for
performing changes, basic analyses and system reporting through a single
point of management. New employees can be assigned a phone number and voice
mailbox through a single set of point-and-click screens. DEFINITY ONE's
table- or floor-mounted, single-box design reduces equipment room real
estate and maintenance costs. It uses the same telephones and circuit packs
as the rest of the DEFINITY family, allowing companies to share and re-use
telephone inventory across locations while providing the same look-and-feel
to all users, whether in a small branch or corporate headquarters.
Superior Security and Service
DEFINITY ONE comes with an encrypted security administrator called Access
Security Gateway for network protection, and network management enhancements
such as E-911 Crisis Alert Routing to a digital station. Through the Lucent
NetCare portfolio of services, customers will have around-the-clock remote
monitoring, diagnostics and alarm resolution using Bell Labs' EXPERT
Systems. Unique in the industry, EXPERT Systems can resolve 95 percent of
network problems remotely in minutes -- usually before the customer is aware
that a problem occurred. A Range of Choices for Small and Mid-Sized Offices
DEFINITY ONE supports up to 168 stations and trunks in any combination, and
is ideal for offices with fewer than 50 employees. It joins the wide range
of choices Lucent already offers small and mid-sized business customers,
including: MERLIN MAGIX Integrated System -- An advanced communication
system that gives small and mid-sized businesses the ability to access the
Internet through a LAN while sending all calls through the Public Switched
Telephone Network. MERLIN MAGIX supports up to 200 stations. It has less
sophisticated features and functionality than DEFINITY ONE, and is priced
accordingly. IP Exchange Systems -- Open, software-based systems that
integrate telephony with industry-standard computers and networking
equipment to move voice, fax and data over a single IP network. IP Exchange
Systems supports up to 96 phones and fax machines, and is for users who are
more comfortable with the data networking world and desire a single IP-based
infrastructure. INDeX -- An ISDN-based communications platform designed and
built for the European market. INDeX 1000 supports up to 1000 ports.
DEFINITY ProLogix Solutions -- The DEFINITY system for up to 400 users,
ProLogix is targeted at offices of about 250 users.
Availability
DEFINITY ONE will be available in the U.S. and Canada in the first quarter
of 2000. Shortly thereafter, it will be available in Germany, United Kingdom
and Mexico, followed by others countries later in the year. It will be sold
by Lucent's direct sales force and Lucent BusinessPartners. Lucent
Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., U.S.A., designs, builds
and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications
systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems
and microelectronics components. Bell Laboratories is the research and
development arm of the company. For more information about Lucent
Technologies, visit its Web site at lucent.com.
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