Spanlink Introduces Software to Help Distributed Organizations Deploy and Manage Voice-over-IP Networks.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Deployment of CentralControl System Management Products at State of Minnesota Illustrates Cost and Service Benefits of Secure, Distributed System Management

Spanlink Communications, a leading IP communications and contact center solution provider, has introduced version 2.1 of its CentralControl(TM) IP communications management software products. The software products are designed to dramatically simplify the administration of complex voice-over-IP systems across many sites.

Using Web services, CentralControl enables systems administrators to define groups by geography or functional role, giving supervisors of those groups the latitude to manage them within certain parameters. For multi-site deployments, providing this local site flexibility can cut central IT support staff support needs in half while helping the organization be more responsive to changing business needs.

"Just as client/server promised flexibility but initially increased cost and complexity, distributed enterprises deploying voice-over-IP systems over many sites can find themselves challenged to control costs and respond quickly to changing needs," said Spanlink CEO Brett Shockley. "CentralControl lets central IT administrators assert integrity control over various sites without micromanaging them, enabling enterprises to make ongoing changes quickly without heavy overhead."

The State of Minnesota is using CentralControl to enable the State InterTechnologies Group's (ITG) hosted IP Communications and Contact Center service, called Contact Center Minnesota.

CentralControl provides the State of Minnesota with multi-tenancy to host IP Communications and Contact Center services for multiple state agencies, enabling a cost-effective communications alternative with a robust feature set for e-government services. Today, the State of Minnesota has approximately a dozen agencies that are taking advantage of the services of Contact Center Minnesota, which would have been a challenge to manage without the secure provisioning provided by CentralControl.

CentralControl provides four critical elements for distributed IP communications management: 1) distributed administration for secure and multi-level provisioning; 2) automated resource allocation control; 3) automated system configuration integrity control; and 4) distributed information for automated report compilation and distribution.

Distributed Administration - CentralControl builds upon Cisco's IP Communications, IP Contact Center (IPCC) Enterprise and Unity platforms, providing a unified interface for administration of phone, PBX and ACD system components. Hosted and distributed organizations can share voice system resources at a "central" location. Yet distributed administration provides the ability to segment off and manage sites or groups with common requirements securely and independently. Sites use a high-level interface for routine moves, adds, changes and deletes. Integration with Cisco Unity is new in CentralControl 2.1.

Automated System Integrity Control - With CentralControl, a senior administrator is able to retain responsibility for the more complex configuration parameters for the overall system. A senior administrator also defines reusable parameters for use by site administrators through the Site Administration Portal. Software-enforced conventions enable the system to grow in size without growing in complexity.

Automated Resource Allocation Control - In CentralControl, senior administrators with knowledge of system capacity implications can set and enforce limits through software definitions. Reports show resource assignments against capacity. CentralControl enforces capacity limits automatically, which maintains system integrity by maximizing up-time.

Distributed Reporting - CentralControl also provides a unified access point to information for reporting, which minimizes administration time for manual report compilation. CentralControl Reporting lets enterprises distribute reports automatically, in the format they specify, to large numbers of users at scheduled times. Reports can be created to provide a picture of system configuration and enterprise-wide ACD performance and/or site-by-site performance.

About Spanlink Communications

Spanlink Communications is a leading provider of IP communications and contact center solutions. Spanlink makes it possible for distributed enterprises to leverage VoIP to solve their communications-related business problems - with the right platform, the right products and the proven proficiency required for distributed environments. The benefit for our customers is a scalable, supportable solution that truly optimizes enterprise-wide communications for efficiency, productivity and customer satisfaction. Spanlink is a leading provider of Cisco Systems IP Communications and IP Contact Center products. Find news and information at www.spanlink.com.

Trademark reference: Spanlink, Spanlink Communications, CentralControl and the Spanlink Communications logo are registered trademarks of Spanlink Communications. All other company or product names mentioned may be the trademarks of their respective owners.