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TOSHIBA ENTERS COMMUNICATION SERVER-BASED TELEPHONE MARKET WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW TOSHIBA STRATA CS
Strata CS Combines the Power of Desktop Computers with Advanced Telephony Features; Providing Multi-line Graphical Call and Voice Mail Integation
LOS ANGELES, Calif, March. 7, 2000 (Computer Telephony Expo/Spring 2000 - Booth 801) - Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Telecommunication Systems Division (TAIS TSD) today announced that it is entering the communications server-based telephone market with the introduction of the Toshiba Strata CS, a software-driven communications server that brings advanced telephony features to the desktop computer. Making its debut at the Computer Telephony Expo, Strata CS is designed for small to mid-sized businesses that will benefit from computer-telephony integration.
"Toshiba's Strata CS is a natural evolution of our Strata business telephone product line, bringing a communication server-based system to companies who want to integrate their PC and telephone systems," said Dave Mandeville, vice president marketing. "Strata CS provides an affordable communications server solution with the backing of Toshiba, a market leader in the computer industry, also known for the reliability and flexibility of its telephone systems."
Control Voice Mail and Multi-line Calls from a PC via the LAN
Operating on a single open architecture-based server, Strata CS is a software-driven business communication system that provides users with control of their calls and voice mail directly from the desktop PC. By integrating multi-line calls and voice mail via the Local Area Network (LAN), users can easily communicate using the PC, maximizing their ability to access and share information.
In addition to standard analog, T1, E1, and ISDN PRI trunks, the Strata CS provides an internal Voice over IP Gateway that allows for VoIP communications between multiple sites. This feature allows remote sites to communicate to a home office or between multiple locations.
Multi-line Graphical Call and Voice Mail Control from the Desktop PC
Strata CS provides full graphical desktop control for handling both real time calls and voice mail messaging. It provides the ability for users to check voice mail, receive calls, and make calls. Its multi-line call control enables multiple call handling, music/audio and ring-back reminder, call transfer, call conferencing, call park, call waiting, do not disturb mode, and universal call pickup.
Call and message screening capabilities include: caller ID, PIN and voice-prompt identification, caller announcement, live message screening, ability to grab-back from voice mail or paging, and the ability to take a call, transfer the call or send it to voice mail, all at the touch of a key.
Voice mail functionality from the PC includes send/reply/retrieve/forward/save/delete/undelete functions, auto message callback, multiple personal greetings, message time/date stamps, password security, and ability to export to .WAV files.
Integration with Email and Voice Mail Communications
Strata CS enables users to manage their email and voice mail communication in tandem with their telecommunications by providing message notification with caller ID information and .WAV file voice mail attachments.
All of these functions can be handled locally or remotely by utilizing the Strata CS Web Client.
Built-in Auto Attendant Handles Call Processing
A built-in, multi-level auto attendant provides automated answering, dial-by-name internal and external calling, customizable greetings and menus, time-out routing to operator or voice mail, fax detection and routing, and the ability for multiple attendants to be programmed and customized per trunk.
Automatic Call Distribution Facilitates Call Centers
Strata CS provides automatic call distribution, giving the ability to route calls to agents in a choice of formats: simultaneously, round robin or top down. It queues calls in the order received, provides a GUI display of calls waiting, and keeps a call log database. In addition, it enables custom hold messages to be recorded and played.
Strata CS Reporter
The optional Strata CS Call Center Reporter enables users to generate a variety of useful reports about telephone traffic, including call volume and trunk usage reports. Users can assess the Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) center, since the Call Center Reporter can also generate reports on agent efficiency, average caller hold time, and more.
Contact Management Maximizes Telephone-PC Integration
Strata CS provides contact management, including one-click calling, caller ID association with PC files, dialing and screen-pop integration, and call logging, annotating and reporting functionality. Its ability to interface with MS Outlook, Goldmine, ACT!, and Eudora Pro allow customized company and personal phone directories to keep users organized and efficient.
Seamless Call Management Integration Makes Strata CS IVR-Ready
The Strata CS IVR Plug-in software development kit allows users to create custom interactive voice response applications that can accept and process calls, play and record voice prompts, collect digits, process caller ID, and perform database lookups. These plug-ins appear as "virtual extensions" to Strata CS.
Friendly Interface Makes Strata CS Easy to Use
A friendly user interface makes Strata CS easy to use even with a standard telephone. A voice-guided telephone user interface keeps it simple and guides the user through set-up, management and daily tasks. Even the most novice users can take advantage of Strata CS computer-telephone integration with a minimum of training.
Remote Administration Saves Time, Travel Costs
Telephones and voice mail administration can be managed remotely via any web browser using Strata CS. Administrators don't have to leave their offices to perform system administration or management of the system. Strata CS's web browser-based tools provide simplified system administration, including the ability to manage trunks, extensions and users, create and modify auto attendant menus, and perform other administrative tasks.
In addition to handling routine management, administrators can create and maintain individualized people rules for personalized call handling and perform customized follow-me call routing to the increasingly mobile workforce.
Managing Strata CS is easy, whether done locally or remotely, due to the system's friendly graphical user interface.
System Requirements
Strata CS is an advanced voice-based communications server that provides a maximum capacity of 96 trunks and 264 telephone stations. It is compatible with any PC running Windows 95, 98, 2000 or NT over a Windows NT-based LAN
Availability
Strata CS will be available in March 2000 through Toshiba's network of Authorized Dealers. For a list of Authorized Toshiba Dealers, visit the Toshiba website at: telecom.toshiba.com.
About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc.
Headquartered in Irvine, California, with annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS) is comprised of six divisions, organized into two business groups (CSD and CIG), which manufacture, market and service a wide range of business and information-oriented products in the United States and Latin America. Products include portable and desktop computers and PC servers; voice mail systems; digital business telephone systems; interactive voice response systems; network systems and digital cameras. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of the $50 billion Toshiba Corp., the eighth largest computer and electronics company and the world's 21st largest industrial corporation in terms of sales. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high-technology products with over 800 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.
About Toshiba TSD
The TAIS Telecommunication Systems Division markets the Strata DK family of digital business telephone systems, Toshiba Stratagy voice processing systems and Interactive Voice Response. For additional product information contact Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Telecommunication Systems Division, 9740 Irvine Blvd., PO Box 19724, Irvine, CA 92618-1697 or visit the Web site at telecom.toshiba.com. Telephone: 800-222-5805. |
