Intel Unveils the Intel Communications Platform; Industry's First Standards-Based Application-Ready Converged Communications Platform.

Business & Technology Editors

TECH SUMMIT 2000

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2000

Intel Corporation's Dialogic subsidiary today demonstrated the Intel(R) Communications Platform, a standards based application-ready platform and set of open hardware and software building blocks designed to respond to the rapidly changing communications needs of e-businesses.

The powerful combination of the Intel Communications Platform and applications from CT Media Value Network third parties enables a solution which can serve as a general-purpose business communications system, e-business customer contact center, IP gateway, and a communications applications server. According to a recent Gartner Group study on Server-Based Telephony, more than 70% of new enterprise voice switching installations by 2005 will be server-based systems.

The platform's unique modular building block approach enhances the communications of an e-business through integration of several key technologies - IP telephony, speech recognition, voice and fax media processing, and multi-node scalability - on a single platform. Ultimately, this enables companies to enhance their business and customer service offerings with an open migration path to easily and cost-effectively upgrade and scale their communication solutions as needs evolve. "Intel has set a new standard for the open communications market with this platform offering. They have removed the many hurdles that other communications server vendors have tried to overcome. Nothing else even comes close," said Brian Strachman, industry analyst at Cahners In-Stat Group.

The applications provided by CT Media Value Network partners include an enterprise software switch, IP telephony, unified messaging, contact center, fax, automatic speech recognition, auto attendant and other business communications services. 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS), a new member to the CT Media Value Network, will establish interoperability of its market-leading LAN telephony solution, the 3Com(R) NBX(R) 100 Communication System, with the CT Media server software, the Intel Communications Platform, and the applications and services of other Value Network members.

"3Com is the market leader in the fast-growing IP-PBX market, and Intel Dialogic brings a strong background in standards-based telephony applications and solutions both directly and through the CT Media Value Network members," commented Ed Wadbrook, director of strategy and new market development, 3Com. "This relationship will enable our global customers and value added resellers to have access to a wide range of interoperable applications that can be used to solve their business needs rapidly."

Standards-Based Application Platform

Based on Dialogic(R) CT Media(TM) server software and Windows 2000 technology with the Server Appliance Kit server software, the Intel Communications Platform is the first truly standards-based communications platform that allows VARs or system integrators to consolidate many telephony and business communications applications from multiple vendors onto a single system. "The richness of the Windows 2000 platform combined with the simplicity of the Server Appliance Kit enabled Intel to quickly create a powerful communications platform that enables the many telephony and business communication applications from the CT Media Value Network onto a single platform," said Bill Veghte, vice president of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. "We are excited to work with Intel to deliver a communications platform that will provide businesses with a reliable, scalable, easy-to-manage communications solution that fits in their current IT infrastructure."

Some of the initial applications featured in the first roll-out include offerings from Artisoft, Black Ice, Brooktrout Software, Elix, FACSys/Optus Software, Inc., Iconics, Gallery Telecom, Onset, Parity, Sound Advantage, Systems Solutions, and Trivium. "The introduction of the Intel Communications Platform is an important event in the industry's evolution towards open systems. Customers will greatly benefit by having a single, standards-based platform running best of breed applications like Artisoft's TeleVantage," said Steve Manson, president and CEO of Artisoft. "The ability to use our TeleVantage software-based phone system with other off-the-shelf applications provides an attractive solution for customers today that will evolve to meet their needs in the future."

As a reference design for the industry, the Intel Communications Platform paves the way for a variety of opportunities. For example, OEMs can license the building blocks within the standard platforms to create their own more highly customized platforms and purpose-built solutions. They can also use individual components to build more powerful, higher density platforms housed in large servers with additional slots.

A Unique Communications Solution

This new platform will support both traditional telecom and emerging data communications infrastructures. The enterprise softswitch and gatekeeper functionality of CT Media enables interoperability with next-generation infrastructures and the integrated IP Telephony capability enables businesses to migrate to IP telephony at their own pace. New multi-functional boards from Dialogic enable this platform to make or receive phone calls on IP. Through a companion CD that ships with the platform, Value Network members will offer resellers a selection of upgradeable, limited-function horizontal and vertical applications that are certified to be interoperable.

For resellers and system purchasers, this approach provides a solution that is easy-to-manage, easy-to-integrate, and easy-to-extend. "As a reseller, we are excited about the new Intel application-ready Communications Platform and the expansive new market opportunities it provides," said Dave Carter, president, Dialink Corporation. "Converged communications is a hot trend among small and medium business customers. With this affordable and easy-to-use new platform from Intel, we'll be able to deliver big business advantages to a vast new market of small business customers who want the productivity gains that come with powerful enhanced services."

Although Intel Communications Platform Program initiatives address the needs of all businesses -- from small enterprises through large distributed enterprises using telecom hosting -- the initial Intel application-ready Communications Platform focuses on the needs of small to medium-sized businesses.

Integrating Communication Applications on a Single Platform

The initial Intel Communications Platform is a 2U rack-mountable chassis integrated with multi-function Dialogic boards, CT Media server software, management software and embedded Windows 2000 server software. Additionally, because of its multinode capabilities, multiple Intel Communications Platforms can be connected together to support up to hundreds of users.

At the core of the Intel Communications Platform is CT Media. The open architecture of CT Media server software supports applications written to the open industry standard ECTF S.100 revision 2 API, and to Microsoft's Telephone Application Programming Interface (TAPI). Released in October of this year, CT Media version 2.0 is telecommunications server software that now allows developers to create applications for both circuit and packet switched networks, or any combination of the two. CT Media certified testing is now available and free re-certification is available for vendors whose applications were certified under previous versions of CT Media.

Dialogic will also release the beta version of an updated CT Media 2.0 Resource Development Kit (RDK), which will make it easier for third-party resource developers such as speech algorithm developers and voice board vendors to develop CT Media-compatible solutions.

"Both Intel and Dialogic have always emphasized open, standards-based building blocks that cost-effectively bring together computing platforms, converged network interfaces, and media processing. This has made Intel the leading building block provider to developers of next-generation converged communications solutions," explained Howard Bubb, president of Dialogic Corporation and vice president of the Communications Products Group, Intel Corporation. "By announcing our plans for this new platform, we are encouraging application software developers and potential system solution partners to work with us to create a wealth of new solutions that will meet the needs of e-businesses."

A Choice of Communication Applications

One year ago Intel Dialogic launched the CT Media Value Network, a collaborative community of companies providing standards-based application software, technology resources, platforms, peripherals, services, and channel delivery for converged communications servers based on Dialogic CT Media server software. This ecosystem of converged communications products and services has grown to 105 members, with nine companies' products achieving certified status.

Companies that participate in the Value Network gain greater business development opportunities through organized programs with other members. Program participation also offers members new channels for the distribution of their products and services and forums to work with other suppliers to solve common business issues.

Marketing and networking programs that provide advanced information enhance the awareness of member products and increase their business success. Other special incentives for members include: the Intel Communications Fund, a $200 million equity investment fund that invests in technology companies developing innovative telephony applications based on CT Media server software; CT Media Innovator 2000, a program designed to recognize, review, and reward software products developed for converged communications servers using CT Media server software; and a CT Media Certification Program which allows buyers to immediately identify products that are tested and proven for business value, by supporting resource sharing software interoperability.

Complete information about eligibility requirements for joining the CT Media Value Network and certification are available at www.ctserver.com.

Availability

The Intel Communications Platform is shipping this month to selected application developers and OEMs who are testing their products for introduction early in 2001. The Intel Communications Platform will be sold and supported through channels and OEMs. It will be widely available in North America and Japan during the first half of 2001, and worldwide early in the second half of 2001. Additional information on the Intel Communications Platform can be found at http://www.dialogic.com/converged/6746web.htm.

About Dialogic

Intel Corporation's Dialogic subsidiary provides the critical building blocks and technical services that enable its customers to develop solutions serving the converging Internet and telecommunications market segments. Dialogic products are used in voice, fax, data, speech recognition and synthesis, call center management, and Internet protocol (IP) telephony applications in both service provider and customer premise equipment (CPE) environments.

Dialogic and the Dialogic logo are registered trademarks of Dialogic Corporation. All other names products, and services mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective organizations.