PR NEWSWIRE DJ: Sony and Ascend Announce Agreement to Deliver Flexible Videoconferencing Package
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 1998--Sony Electronics and Ascend
Communications, Inc. are teaming up to offer a flexible videoconferencing
package that optimizes conference quality and efficiency through bandwidth
on demand, a technology that automatically adjusts line usage as needed,
reducing the cost of network services.
According to the marketing agreement announced today, Sony and Ascend intend
to package Sony's award-winning TriniCom(R) Mini 1000 Collaborative
WorkGroup system with Ascend's Multiband MAX(TM) 2000 inverse multiplexer
for a complete videoconferencing solution that provides access to the
ISDN-based system through T1 lines. The networking features of the MAX
multiplexer allow it to act as a local site switching controller connecting
up to 16 TriniCom Mini 1000s with BRI connections. Additionally, the MAX
multiplexer provides wide-area connectivity over the public switched
telephone network to other locations.
"When implemented, this agreement will bring high-quality videoconferencing
solutions to the mainstream by making the technology available to more
people," said Anthony Gargano, senior vice president of applications systems
for Sony Electronics' Business and Professional Group. "With Ascend's
bandwidth on demand approach, users can deploy Mini 1000s anywhere and share
common network facilities. The product's data collaboration, full-motion
video and advanced audio and video performance can then be made available to
multiple workgroups, departments and individual users."
"The TriniCom Mini 1000 system uses ISDN BRI interfaces which will create a
need to have a number of BRI ports at a customer premises," said Roger
Boyce, vice president and general manager for Ascend's Enterprise Access
Business Unit. "Rather than a customer having to purchase ISDN services from
a local carrier, the MultiBand MAX 2000 multiplexer allows customers to
leverage standard T-1 facilities to distribute BRI ISDN connection to the
TriniCom Mini System."
Multiband systems combine inverse multiplexing with dynamic bandwidth
management to support videoconferencing, multimedia, and voice/data backup
and overflow applications in a single network access unit. According to
Ascend, their Multiband family of bandwidth controllers have captured a
large portion of the worldwide market share for inverse multiplexing with
bandwidth on demand, which permits users and managers to optimize conference
quality and cost by choosing the bandwidth that will be used on a
conference-by-conference basis.
TriniCom Mini 1000
Sony's TriniCom Mini 1000 system allows users to experience all the elements
of a face-to-face workgroup meeting through a self-contained, plug-and-play
monitor. With the system, users do not have to rely upon a preconfigured
computer for processing, and they have the flexibility of connecting their
own PCs for more efficient data conferencing and document sharing. The
self-contained system includes a motion-sensitive, object tracking camera
that automatically follows a selected participants' movements during a small
group meeting. Complete with an ISDN BRI interface, the system features
sizable video and data windows with full screen capability.
Availability
Sony and Ascend currently share a common distribution partner in Sprint
North Supply (SNS), and the parties plan to have the bundled package
initially available through SNS. Customers currently using the TriniCom Mini
1000 will be able to enhance their videoconferencing network simply by
adding the Ascend MAX multiplexer when it becomes available.
Editor's Note: More information about Sony products can be found on the
World Wide Web at sony.com, or readers may call
1-800-686-SONY. Additional press information is available at
sony.com.
The Business and Professional Group of Sony Electronics is a leading U.S.
supplier of video and audio equipment for the broadcast, production,
business, industrial, government, medical, and education markets. Sony
offers a wide array of products and systems for image capture, production,
and display. Sony also provides specialized equipment and systems for data
recording, duplication, electronic photography/publishing, video
conferencing, high definition video, interactive and security applications.
In fiscal 1996, Sony Electronics had record sales of more than $9.6 billion.
Ascend Communications
Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufactures, and sells wide area
networking solutions for telecommunications carriers, Internet service
providers, and corporate customers worldwide. For more information about
Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend web site at
ascend.com, or e-mail info@ascend.com. Ascend is headquartered at
One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, CA 94502. Phone:
800/ASCEND4; Fax: 510/814-2300.
CONTACT: Brian Levine
Sony Electronics Inc.
408-955-5121
Brian_Levine@mail.sel.sony.com
or
Sean Flynn
Technology Solutions, Inc.
212-320-2253
sflynn@tsipr.com
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