VoIP
Avaya provides retail solutions to deliver Intelligent Communications
Avaya has introduced a management tool designed for headquarters companies to deliver and support Intelligent Communications at their individual branch or store locations.
A GUI interface enables IT managers to create standard configurations, or “templates”, to centrally provision, administer and monitor the system for many locations, rather than one at a time.
The tool also contains a management console that displays a topology view of IP Office systems in the network. The IT staff can use the tool to track and optimize network performance, view voice traffic, automatically upgrade software and reboot locations remotely.
Avaya Integrated Management for IP Office can be used to administer and manage the IP Office portfolio. The portfolio, which includes several models to fit any size store location, includes:
- Avaya IP Office Small Office Edition, for up to 28 users.
- IP Office 406, designed for up to 190 extensions.
- IP Office 412, which supports up to 360 users.
The Avaya Integrated Management for IP Office is projected to be available in the first quarter of 2007 from certified Avaya resellers. Pricing starts at US$3,950 and will vary depending upon the number of branch stores or locations for a business.
Avaya spotlights retail industry with Intelligent Communications Solutions
Avaya announced it will work with partner Indyme Solutions to bring voice interaction powered by Avaya Communication Manager software to Indyme’s Radiu line of wireless in-store call boxes. These call boxes enable customers to request live assistance from employees within a store. Through Avaya Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interoperability, this solution can be improved with two-way communication, and eventually call center integration, allowing customers in a store aisle to interact with a product specialist based anywhere in the world.
Another Avaya partner is LiteScape Technologies, a company that enhances the value of IP-based networks by enabling unified communications with security and personalization. LiteScape provides retail applications that can be used on Avaya’s family of one-X Deskphones. This enhances a retail associate’s IP phone with capabilities that users rely on in retail environments, including credit card scanning, time-clock check in, broadcasts of corporate bulletins, SKU lookup and corporate directories.
Both Indyme and LiteScape Technologies are members of the Avaya DeveloperConnection program, an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology.
Wireless
Fujitsu announces the Stylistic ST5100 Tablet PC Series
Fujitsu Canada, Inc. announced the Stylistic ST511 and ST522 Tablet PCs.
The Stylistic ST5111 Tablet PC features a 10.4-inch screen. The XGA TFT display provides outdoor viewing and is optimized for direct sunlight conditions. The Stylistic ST5112 Tablet PC offers a 12.1-inch bright transmissive indoor/outdoor XGA display with greater than 160.
Less than an inch thick, the Stylistic ST5100 Tablet PCs are fortified with a magnesium-alloy lower housing. Data is protected with the Fujitsu Shock Sensor utility, an accelerometer-based hard disk drive protection system that retracts the hard drive head if a sudden movement or vibration is detected, reducing the possibility of data loss. The sensor can also be set to password-lock the system if it is touched, preventing the unauthorized access of data.
Stylistic ST5100 Tablet PCs are packed with security features including embedded Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a dedicated Smart Card slot, Fujitsu Security Application Panel, two-level hard drive password, BIOS-enabled Computrace/LoJack theft recovery service support and a universal lock slot.
Connecting to the office network or the Internet is wireless with either the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG or Atheros Super AG (802.11a/b/g) wireless LAN. A diversity antenna provides data transfer rates. With optional embedded Bluetooth technology, wireless connections to peripheral devices are established.
Price and Availability
The Fujitsu Stylistic ST5111 and ST5112 Tablet PCs are priced starting at $2552 and are immediately available. Visit www.fujitsu.ca or call 1-800-FUJITSU for more information.
Service and Support
The Fujitsu Stylistic ST5111 Tablet PC and Stylistic ST5112 Tablet PC are backed by a one or three-year International Limited Warranty for U.S. and Canadian customers. The International Limited Warranty includes technical support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and unlimited online chat support. In addition, Fujitsu offers other warranty plans designed to meet the unique needs of mobile users.
Toshiba and Microsoft Collaboration creates signature Windows Vista Tablet PC
Toshiba of Canada Information Systems Group (Toshiba Canada) announced the Portégé R400 convertible Tablet/notebook computer.
Toshiba’s Portégé R400 is a notebook computer with the ability to automatically synchronize e-mail and calendar events through the integration of Microsoft’s Active Notifications. This technology helps ensure information is available to the user whether the system is on or in suspend mode. To assist with this synchronization process, the Portégé R400 features Toshiba’s ConfigFree, which helps detect and connect to the network connection available.
The Toshiba Edge Display enhances the functionality of the system’s automatic e-mail synchronization capabilities. Located on the front edge of the Portégé R400, this secondary display serves as the user’s Personal Information Assistant allowing the user to monitor his/her inbox and calendar activity. The Toshiba Edge Display is viewable in notebook or tablet mode, even when the unit is stored in a carrying case.
Subsequent Portégé R400 models will introduce wirelessly dockable notebook computers. This approach eliminates the daily hassle of connecting and disconnecting peripherals and delivers the convenience that mobile users demand. Through the integration of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology with wireless digital video capabilities, the Portégé R400 docking experience is designed for desktop use and can automatically connect when the notebook comes within proximity of the Toshiba Wireless Port Replicator.
The integration of a biometric fingerprint reader, multi-level passwords and a TPM 1.2 encryption module as part of the company’s EasyGuard technology helps safeguard the Portégé R400 against unauthorized access, data theft and virtual attacks. As with all Toshiba notebooks it is ROHS compliant and conforms to stringent international environmental standards.
Toshiba’s Portégé R400 with Genuine Windows Vista Business has a suggested list price of $2,999. The Portégé R400 will be available on Jan 30, 2007 through Toshiba’s resellers and direct from www.shoptoshiba.ca
E-Business
Adobe announces commercial availability of Acrobat Connect Web-Hosted Service
Adobe Systems Inc. announced the commercial availability of Adobe Acrobat Connect, the hosted web conferencing service to offer “always-on” personal meeting rooms. Acrobat Connect enables knowledge workers to meet and conduct business online through real-time Web conferencing.
Acrobat Connect enables users to choose a Web address for their online personal meeting room that is unique to them, much like a phone number or e-mail address. Accessing a personal meeting room requires little more than a Web browser and Adobe Flash Player software, installed on more than 97 percent of Internet-connected computers worldwide.
Acrobat Connect provides users with collaboration tools, such as screen sharing, whiteboarding, chat, video conferencing and audio conferencing, all for unlimited usage for up to fifteen participants for one monthly fee. Additionally, with one-button “Start Meeting” access from the Adobe Acrobat 8 software product line and free Adobe Reader 8 software, users can launch Acrobat Connect directly from a PDF document to start collaborating.
For more Web conferencing and collaboration needs, the Acrobat Connect product line also includes Acrobat Connect Professional software. Available now, Acrobat Connect Professional offers a solution for organizational deployment that offers meeting management capabilities, as well as a reporting system. For online meetings and events, including meetings of up to 2,500 participants, companies can reach target audiences any time with interactive multimedia, integrated telephony and Voice over Internet Protocol. Organizations can deploy Acrobat Connect Professional in either an on-premise, behind the firewall configuration or through Adobe’s hosted service.
The entire Acrobat family consists of Acrobat 8 Professional, Acrobat 8 Standard, Acrobat 8 Elements, Acrobat 3D Version 8, Acrobat Connect and Acrobat Connect Professional.
Pricing and Availability
Acrobat Connect is available in English in North America for a subscription price of US$39 per month, or US$395 per year per personal meeting room. The product is expected to be available in French, German and Japanese language versions later in the current calendar year. For more information, please visit www.adobe.com/products/acrobatconnect/. A free trial version of Acrobat Connect is available at www.adobe.com/go/tryconnect.
