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To: Stephen B. Temple who wrote (2458)	2/16/1999 9:19:00 AM
From: Stephen B. Temple	Respond to of 3178

Data Connection Announces High Availability Framework for ATM and SS7 Software February 16, 1999 LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE) Second generation High Availability Framework provides fault tolerance for Data Connection's carrier-class ATM, SS7 and VoIP communications products. Data Connection Limited (DCL), today announced its new High Availability Framework. dataconnection.com This framework provides complete support for high availability networks integrated across all Data Connection's communications products and incorporates Data Connection's existing ATM fault tolerance software, which is already used in many ATM devices. DCL's Fault Tolerance Manager (DC-FTM), first released in January 1998, replicates ATM signalling and routing databases to a back-up processor to support hot-swap on hardware failure and hot-software upgrades, while maintaining all active calls and parties and maintaining an up-to-date PNNI routing database. "The key to reliable fault tolerance is to design it in from the beginning. We included this support in the signalling and PNNI routing components of DC-ATM from day one, and this foresight enabled us to be the first ATM software vendor to market with fault tolerant function, This, in turn, enabled OEMs using our technology to bring their fault tolerant products to market quickly", said John Palombo, Director of Data Connection's ATM Business Unit. DCL's new High Availability Framework incorporates DC-FTM to provide a complete fault tolerant architecture for the entire range of Data Connection's communications products, including SS7, ATM and Voice over IP (VoIP). It extends the function of DC-FTM, taking individual components which have redundancy support designed in from the start, and integrates them into a managed system. Replication of all components and recovery from failure of any single component takes place transparently to the user, independent of which processor individual components are running on. User initiated changeover is also supported. "True high-availability is a fundamental requirement in today's networks " said Colin Dancer, Director of Data Connection's Telecoms Business Unit. "The solutions provided by DC-FTM and the new High Availability Framework require minimal integration work to produce a full function fault tolerant system. This gives OEMs a head start in bringing their product to market, and allows them to concentrate precious development resource on other, value-add features." DCL's High Availability Framework integrates seamlessly with Data Connection's full SS7 product range (ISUP, B- ISUP, MTP3, TCAP, SCCP, SAAL), gateway/Voice over IP software (DC-CallSwitch), and ATM product range (UNI, ILMI, multi-hierarchy PNNI, LANE (v1/v2), MPOA, Classical IP over ATM, Call Control, PVC and Soft PVC). Data Connection's communications products have been ported to a large number of operating systems including VxWorks, pSOS, Chorus, Nucleus, Solaris, HP-UX, Windows NT and other proprietary OSs. They have also been used on all common processors including i960, Motorola 860, PowerPC, Sparc, IDT and MIPS. Proprietary OSs and chipsets can be supported with minimal effort. Data Connection Limited (DCL) is the leading independent developer and supplier of ATM, Conferencing, Messaging, Directory and SNA portable products. Customers include 3Com, Cabletron, Cisco, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM Corp., Microsoft, Nortel and NCR. Data Connection is headquartered in London UK, with US offices in Virginia. It was founded in 1981 and is privately held. During each of the past 18 years its profits have exceeded 20% of revenue. Last year sales exceeded $24M, of which 90% were overseas, mostly in the US.

To: Stephen B. Temple who wrote (2458)	2/16/1999 9:27:00 AM
From: Stephen B. Temple	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3178

FROST & SULLIVAN: Shift from proprietary-based to open architecture systems promises to boost CTI February 16, 1999 M2 PRESSWIRE: According to a new study by Frost & Sullivan, the international marketing consulting company, the major trends impacting and driving growth behind the total European CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) boards and software market include the switch to open standards and Windows NT-based operating systems as well as the availability of a whole new array of applications. Dwindling prices luring first-time buyers, integration with the Internet and the penetration of new potential markets, such as utilities services, represent further factors pushing revenues in the total European market from US$1.17 billion in 1998 to US$6.10 billion in 2004. Triggered by established software companies' product launches, such as Microsoft's telephony applications programming interface (TAPI) and Novell's telephony services applications programming interface (TSAPI), the migration of CTI technology from proprietary-based systems to open architecture systems has enabled the SME (small to medium sized enterprises) sector to apply CTI technology. Market consolidation over varying industry standards will add further dynamism to the total European CTI market. Market players are beginning to realise the advantages that common standards have over the use of proprietary technologies. A whole raft of system manufacturers and technology vendors are now developing their latest range around standards which are common to the industry, the study says. "Customer demand for modular systems is expected to further boost sales in the European CTI market. An increasing number of customers of CTI systems manufacturers and technology vendors find the modular concept to be most suited to their business growth, especially within the SME sector," says Sapna Capoor, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. Desktop CTI usage will continue to be primarily be steered through software loadable modules. Thus, upgradability and scalability of CTI applications will progressively become a more affordable reality. As far as CTI call centres are concerned, the same principles for software loadable modules will apply with the incorporation of Windows NT, making usage more user-friendly and informative. Software development has also allowed the possibility of remote access, such as virtual call centres. The number of companies that are engaged in developing CTI applications is growing as a consequence of lower entry costs into the market. This has resulted in rising numbers and types of applications on offer - the vast array of CTI applications is set to fuel revenue growth over the forecast period. The product market is dominated by the software boards sector, accounting for 46.8 per cent. of total revenues in 1998. The most active segment, however, is the CTI voice and fax boards market, mainly due to the rapid technological changes experienced in the market such as multifunctionality of boards and a rise in port density per board. Sapna Capoor continues: "Interoperability of CTI technology is another factor that will lend itself to open client/server architecture in the CTI market." Key strategic recommendations include finding the right kind of partnerships in the CTI industry for manufacturing, development, marketing and distribution of CTI technology. Major challenges faced by the CTI industry are the ability of manufacturers and software houses to devise strong marketing strategies in order to capture niche markets and thus gain wider acceptance and heightened interest in CTI technology. The main markets are expected to be those of the United Kingdom, Germany and France. In 1997, these countries accounted for 53.4 percent, 17.3 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively of total European revenues. These countries are expected to continue having a stronghold on the CTI market. Frost & Sullivan's study concludes: "CTI technology is increasingly becoming a permanent feature in large sized companies with the SME's slowly following suit. The lack of in-house expertise identified in Frost & Sullivan's study is expected to result in more frequent usage of consultancy and management services. Thus, CTI management and consultancy services offering sound advise on planning, implementation, and monitoring should progressively develop with these advances." Frost & Sullivan is an international marketing consulting company that monitors a comprehensive spectrum of high-tech markets, including the telecommunications industry for market trends, market measurements and strategies. This ongoing research is utilised to complement a series of research publications such as the European market for Desktop Videoconferencing (3358) to support industry participants with customised consulting needs. Free executive summaries of all Frost & Sullivan reports are available to the press.