Siemens Rolm raises the bar for CTI applications with new release of ComManager; PC telephony software brings enhanced features and functions to the desktop.DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 1995--Siemens Rolm Communications Tuesday announced at the Computer-Telephony Expo a new release of ComManager PC/telephony software for enhanced business applications and workpoint productivity. Siemens Rolm demonstrated the new version along with other CTI (Computer Telephone Integration) Combining data with voice systems in order to enhance telephone services. For example, automatic number identification (ANI) allows a caller's records to be retrieved from the database while the call is routed to the appropriate party. offerings for integrated voice, data and multi-media communication. ComManager 2.2 enables PC-based access to telephony features and services, regardless of existing programmed phone capabilities. It supports nearly 150 functions of Microsoft's Telephony Applications Programming Interface (TAPI (Telephony API) A programming interface from Microsoft and Intel that is part of Microsoft's WOSA architecture. It allows Windows client applications to access voice services on a server. ), adding rich functionality at the workpoint. ComManager's TAPI support further underscores Siemens Rolm's backing of open standards Specifications for hardware and software that are developed by a standards organization or a consortium involved in supporting a standard. Available to the public for developing compliant products, open standards imply "open systems;" that an existing component in a system can be replaced . Siemens Rolm supports the most widely accepted interfaces for developers and users, including Novell Telephony Services API See TSAPI. (TSAPI-2), IBM's CSA (1) (Canadian Standards Association, Toronto, Ontario, www.csa.ca) A standards-defining organization founded in 1919. It is involved in many industries, including electronics, communications and information technology. , and the Computer Supported Telephony Applications (CSTA (Computer Supported Telephony Application) An international standard interface between a network server and a telephone switch (PBX) established by the European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA). ) standard. Siemens Rolm is also a founder of Versit, an initiative with Apple, IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) and AT&T to further simplify CTI development with a consolidated API. The new ComManager release gives users even greater power and flexibility by leveraging existing telephony services at the desktop. This version has enhanced user interfaces for both telephony and PhoneMail and has added functions available via icon, as well as menu. Introduced in 1991, ComManager combines many PC and telephony features. Users in various industries can increase productivity with capabilities such as directories, call logs, and reminders and notecards NoteCards - An ambitious hypertext system developed at Xerox PARC, "designed to support the task of transforming a chaotic collection of unrelated thoughts into an integrated, orderly interpretation of ideas and their interconnections". on recent calls, and they can change ROLMphone feature keys easily. "Siemens Rolm was the first major PBX (Private Branch eXchange) An inhouse telephone switching system that interconnects telephone extensions to each other as well as to the outside telephone network (PSTN). vendor to truly open its desktop to any customer or developer," said Allan Sulkin, president of TEQConsult, a Hackensack, N.J., consulting firm Noun 1. consulting firm - a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee consulting company business firm, firm, house - the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a . "Now, with nearly 150 TAPI functions and a strong set of tools, Siemens Rolm offers a first-class environment for developers. Its TAPI support sets a high standard for functionality at the desktop." The company also recently announced the Siemens Rolm Ready Developers' Program, providing strong support and services to CTI developers. Developers can access on-line support, emulation software and test facilities for their applications. Any ComManager user can access an on-line bulletin board that provides product documentation and demo applications. ComManager in Action: Delivering on the Promise of CTI "Small call centers represent one of the fastest-growing markets," said Gary Andresen, director/principal analyst for Dataquest. "By including ACD (Automatic Call Distributor) A computerized phone system that responds to the caller with a voice menu and connects the call to the appropriate agent. It can also distribute calls equally to agents. features in ComManager, Siemens Rolm has provided these customers many CTI benefits previously seen only in large centers." Bryan Davis, managing director for research and development at The Investment Counsel Co., an Orlando, Fla., investment firm, said, "ComManager is more than an electronic Rolodex. We got it for its potential. It allows us to leverage existing communications systems, and its TAPI support increases the possible applications. I'm going to write some Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) A message protocol in Windows that allows application programs to request and exchange data between them automatically. DDE - Dynamic Data Exchange ) applications, which will provide cost savings and increased productivity." Davis envisions an application that use Automatic Number Identification (ANI) to pull information on trades from the database when brokers call for confirmations. This would eliminate the need to look up specific data and to ask for basic caller information. ComManager can act as the facilitator for screen pops, sending ANI to a database, which then provides relevant information to agents simultaneously with the calls. Availability ComManager 2.2 will be available April 10. List prices start at $50, depending on the number of copies purchased. About Siemens Rolm Siemens Rolm is a leading provider of private telecommunications solutions and CTI applications. The company pioneered CTI in the mid-1980s, as well as PBX-to-host and -LAN interfaces, digital PBXs, integrated ACD and integrated voice messaging. Siemens Rolm is part of Siemens Private Communication Systems, the world leader in private telecommunications systems with more than 450,000 customers and 900,000 systems installed. -0- Note to editors: Siemens Rolm, PhoneMail and ROLMphone are registered trademarks of Siemens Rolm Communications Inc. ComManager is a trademark of Siemens Rolm Communications Inc. Versit is a trademark of Siemens, IBM, Apple and AT&T. CONTACT: Siemens Rolm Communications Inc. Carter Cromwell, 408/492-6999 Carter.Cromwell@Siemensrolm.com Karron Esmonde, 408/492-6979 Karron.Esmonde@Siemensrolm.com |
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