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 Iwatsu Steps Up In Class With IP-Centric SME PBX
March 08, 2004
The Enterprise Communications Server is a new IP-based ADIX that doesn't forget its circuit-switched roots;
they're coming out with new SIP phones too.
Iwatsu America and its renowned channel have long since been big players in the 100-line-and-under key and
small PBX game; now they look to move up the food chain by targeting the midsize switch market with a new
"hybrid" (not "hybrid" in the sense of the old hybrid key terminology, but hybrid meaning a platform that
handles both TDM and IP networking, with an emphasis on the latter) version of their ADIX Application
Processing System (APS).
They call this new beast the Enterprise Communications Server (ECS). It's slated for general availability
this summer. It scales to 1,024 ports, which essentially doubles ADIX' capacity, and expands IP networking
to 64 nodes (with 16 supported on release). They've also added browser-based Admin.
In our quick briefing today, Don Gant, Iwatsu's VP Business Development/Channel Marketing, was also quick
to point out that the new system, although built from the ground up, doesn't "force obsolescence" on existing
customers. Instead, a simple bridge card ties the ECS to embedded ADIX TDM platforms and even ADIX solutions
that already were using simple VoIP gateway resources.
Existing VoIP? That's right. The ADIX has had VoIP networking resources available for networking systems and
setting up simple IP Telephony extensions for two years now. But the ECS, according to Gant, is a lot more
than a circuit-switched architected phone system with IP interfaces. Just like the move to IP Telephony en
masse, it offers support for SIP and H.323 "productivity-enhancing" applications/endpoints, lower cost of
implementation, reduced hardware requirements and reduced operating costs.
Overall, Gant's major theme revolved around "converged TDM/IP Telephony" architectures vs. "pure client-server"
design, something the business phone system vendors all seem to be spinning over these days. Gant's point:
the dual architecture of the ECS and others of its ilk provides a lot more flexibility as telecom transitions
away from its huge circuit-switched infrastructure.
New Phones Too
In related news, Iwatsu released SIP Phones. These can work with the ECS or, in theory, other phone systems
or IP-based Centrex.
The positioning is meant to be mid level. Not $20 cheapies, but also not $600 replacements of fancy digital
business sets. For example, their SIP 61PKTD (pictured) should range from $150-$250 per unit.
The phone supports conventional PBX user interfaces such as Line buttons, DSS buttons and Line indications
for IP Centrex. Features include: Speed Dial, Call Log/Dialing, Do Not Disturb, Call Forwarding, Call Transfer,
Individual Call Park (Hold), Music On Hold, Call Park/Pick Up, Speakerphone, Maintenance/Service, Ping,
Error-logging, SNMP, TOS for DiffServ, DTMF: In-band/INFO, Network Time Synchronization (s),\
Distinctive Ringing and numerous others.
The SIP phones will be offered in two models. The 6 button phones offer a 2 line display and comes with
or without a built in Layer 2 switch (again, pictured). The 12 button model has a 4 line display and can
be expanded to 24 buttons.
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