Oki Introduces Microsoft .NET-based Telephony Server to Converge Large Scale IP-PBX and Enterprise Mission-Critical Business Applications
- IP CONVERGENCE® Server IPstage® SS9100, Improving Enterprise Business Efficiencies -

"I'm glad that Oki is announcing IPstage SS9100 is the world first high-end IP-PBX telephony server that implements Microsoft .NET architecture, an advanced software framework connecting and converging various businesses," said Michael Rawding, President & CEO, Microsoft Co., Ltd. "By adopting .NET, I believe Oki's IPstage SS9100 becomes highly advanced solution by integrating IP-based PBX functions and business applications. We will continue and enhance the good partnership with Oki in computer telecommunications area to provide effective information sharing and interactive communications in the business processes."

"The growth of IP networks in the enterprise environment has generated increasing demand for the integration of communications and information systems to enable improved business efficiencies. Oki has pushed forwards with its strategy to provide products that embody the convergence of information and telecommunication under the concept named AP@PLAT®," stated Katsumasa Shinozuka, President and CEO, Oki Electric. "Enhanced by the Microsoft .NET architecture, I believe the IPstage SS9100 will meet customer needs precisely by allowing customers to realize smoother real-time communications during business processes."

The IP CONVERGENCE Server IPstage SS9100 is based on the Microsoft .NET architecture, making a first for high-end telecommunications servers. It seamlessly integrates IP-PBX functions with mission-critical business applications including ERP (enterprise resource planning) and EIP (enterprise information portal) on a highly reliable open server. These features allow users to engage in real-time communications from directly within business applications. The real-time communications methods provided by IPstage SS9100 include Oki's advanced softphone, msg@POINT®, as well as instant messaging, email, voice mail, and unified messaging capability.

With these capabilities, the system will allow customers to set communication checkpoints and methods in the workflows of business applications such as ERP, enabling users to find, contact, and communicate with the right person after confirming his or her presence.

IPstage SS9100 successfully combines Oki's accumulated expertise on network system construction and security with various large scale IP-PBX functions, including thousands of service menus, support for various line types, and accommodation of various terminal types. IPstage SS9100 also offers a highly capable IP phone terminal, e Sound IP Phone, which provides high voice quality by covering both the high and low frequencies poorly covered by existing phones. The e Sound IP Phone assures much smoother communication by conveying clearer voice and even atmospheres around the speaker.

The system will be available for the Japanese market in March 2004. To gain a solid foothold in this area of the markets, Oki plans to increase the number of strategic partners offering system integration, sales of IPstage SS9100 systems, and applications based on its system. Oki will exhibit the system at the NET&COM2004 exhibition to be held from February 4 to 6 at the Japan Convention Center in Makuhari.

Characteristics of IP CONVERGENCE Server IPstage SS9100:

1. Integration with enterprise mission-critical business applications:
   As the industry's first product to adopt the Microsoft .NET architecture for its high-end telephony server, IPstage SS9100 effortlessly integrates enterprise business applications such as ERP and EIP and web services (authentications and payment processing) with IP telephony functions, thereby improving communications efficiency and boosting enterprises productivity. Since the .NET architecture operates in SOPA XML- and HTML-based environments, the telephony server system has high affinity and is fully compatible with business applications and web services.
   
   
2. Offering wide array of communications:
   IPstage SS9100 supports SIP (session initiation protocol) and H.323 for the VoIP (voice over IP) communications protocol. SIP provides a presence management function that allows users to confirm whether the contacting person is in the office, in a meeting, or out of the office. IPstage SS9100 offers various communication methods based on SIP, including Oki's msg@POINT advanced softphone, instant messaging, email, and voice mail. Unified messaging is also available.
   
   
3. e Sound IP Phone:
   The e Sound IP Phone terminal available as an option with IPstage SS9100 as an option provides the highest voice quality by covering both high and low frequencies, with almost twice the coverage of these frequency areas existing phone terminals. This sound fidelity makes it possible to convey not just voice signals, but a palpable sense of the environment around the person speaking into the phone.
   
   
4. Succession of PBX functions:
   The system provides various PBX functions over an IP network, including thousands of service functions such as pick up group, call park, call pickup, boss secretary, and multiple lines and stations; support for various line types, including analog, digital, and IP; and accommodation of various terminal types, including analog phones, multifunction phones, PHSs (personal handyphone systems), IP phones, and softphones.

Sales plan:

• Price: 45 million yen for 1000 user model, including e Sound IP Phone terminals (for the Japanese market)
• Shipment: From March 2004
• Sales target: 3,000 sets in three years

Notes:

• CONVERGENCE, AP@PLAT and msg@POINT are registered trademarks of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. in Japan. IPstage is a registered trademark of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. in Japan and China.
• Microsoft and Microsoft .NET are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the US and other countries.
• Names of companies and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies.

About Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
Founded more than a century ago in 1881, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is Japan's first telecommunications manufacturer, with its headquarter in Tokyo, Japan. With the corporate vision, "Oki, Network Solutions for a Global Society," Oki Electric provides top-quality products, technologies and solutions to its customers through its telecommunications systems, information systems and electronic devices segments. All three segments are integrated into one effective organization that functions as a collective force to create exciting new products and technologies, including information and telecom converged solutions. Through its business activities, Oki Electric satisfies a spectrum of customer needs in various markets.