Alcatel Makes It Easier to Integrate Alcatel OmniPCX 4400 Features into Web Applications and Communication Portals.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2002

XML Telephony Software Development Kit Ushers in New

Generation of Applications for Alcatel OmniPCX 4400 IP-PBX

Alcatel (NYSE:ALA) today announced that it is offering third-party application developers a software development kit based on eXtensible Markup Language (XML) that allows them to integrate Alcatel OmniPCX 4400 IP-PBX telephony features into any Web environment. Promoted and supported by the Alcatel Applications Partner Program, this XML Software Development Kit demonstrates Alcatel's commitment to strengthening its IP communications offering through partnerships and innovation.

Alcatel's XML Telephony Software Development Kit includes an XML Telephony Application Programming Interface (API) that enables Web developers to create custom Web services that optimize the Alcatel OmniPCX 4400's capabilities in an IP setting. For example, Web developers can create XML telephony-based applications such as a "make call" button for users viewing the online corporate Web client directory. Another example would be to directly integrate telephony services into Web-based e-business applications for Customer Relationship Management or Enterprise Resource Planning.

Alcatel's XML Telephony Software Development Kit targets partners such as independent software vendors, integrators, and Web developers as well as end-user customers who have in-house Web developers or Webmasters. The XML Telephony API is platform-independent and does not require the developer to have expertise in traditional telephony APIs to create Web-based applications for the Alcatel OmniPCX 4400. Moreover, the Alcatel XML Telephony API is based on the XML standard from the World Wide Web Consortium, so developers are assured that this interface will be familiar to them and can be easily integrated into new or existing Web environments.

"In supporting the XML protocol, Alcatel is reaching out to a vast pool of Web developers who can help expand and extend the rich feature suite of the Alcatel OmniPCX 4400," said Franck Louveau, director for Alcatel's Applications Partner Program. "Customers can benefit from improved communications and enhanced employee productivity by more easily incorporating telephony features of the Alcatel OmniPCX 4400 into the enterprise Web environment."

Alcatel launched its first desktop web application with the new XML Telephony API earlier this month when it announced the Alcatel WebSoftphone. The XML Telephony API is based on the XML standard utilizing Web services technologies such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Web Services Description Language (WSDL 1.1), and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP 1.1). Using an HTTP transport, XML Telephony services can be made accessible to users from anywhere on the intranet or Internet. SOAP and WSDL support allow easy service creation with standard development tools like Visual Studio .Net or Apache SOAP (Tomcat, Java).

For more information on the benefits of the Applications Partners Program, visit: http://www.applicationspartner.alcatel.com.

Pricing and Availability

The Alcatel XML Telephony Software Development Kit is available worldwide September 2002 for $4,469 (inclusive of server code, API documentation, examples of XML codes, and 10 users licenses).

About Alcatel enterprise networking solutions

Alcatel delivers standards-based IP communications solutions to a global customer base of over 500,000 small, medium and large enterprises, government agencies, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.

Alcatel's award-winning Omni family of IP Communications solutions consists of an extensive portfolio of network switching infrastructure, security appliances, and IP telephony applications built to provide long-term value.

About Alcatel

Alcatel designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world. Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio, stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel's customers can focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of $22 billion in 2001, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. In 2001, the United States was the largest single market served by Alcatel. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com.