OKI Acquires Video Conferencing Systems from TCB Technologies
Tokyo, Japan, May 17, 2007 -- Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6703) today announced it has signed an agreement with TCB Technologies Corp. (TCBT) to acquire TCBT's "Visual Nexus®" business, a software-based video conferencing system. Starting June 2007, OKI will add Visual Nexus to its IP solutions product lineup to offer to enterprise users in Japan, and over time, to the global market.
"Acquiring the Visual Nexus business is in line with our strategy to strengthen OKI's IP communications solutions business, as Next Generation Networks (NGN) is expected to expand in full scale among telecom carriers," said Hideichi Kawasaki, Senior Vice President at Oki Electric Industry. "This agreement will enable OKI to continue to provide IP solutions that contribute to the success of enterprises, who are seeking to reduce costs, improve productivity and enhance competitive edge."
OKI has been leading the industry by providing IP communication technologies that enable triple play, that is, converging voice, video and data, to the enterprise market. Products of this type include "IP CONVERGENCE® Server SS9100," OKI's IP telephony server, "CTstage® 5i" for contact centers and "VisualCast® VBOX-S/500" a digital video recorder for IP networks.
With this agreement, OKI will be acquiring Visual Nexus' business rights in Japan and overseas, intellectual properties and related equipment. The acquisition will complete on May 21, 2007.
Visual Nexus is a PC-based visual IP communication system using high-quality voice, video and data. By installing Visual Nexus, users can communicate whenever, wherever, and with whomever, in a secure manner, whether they are in the office, at home or traveling. Because it is a triple play communication solution, it contributes to nimble decision-making, as users can share information regardless of their location. In addition, because the system is compliant with H.323 and SIP, the international standards for videos and IP telephony respectively, users can connect with third party video conferencing terminals and IP telephony systems they are currently using. Visual Nexus started sales in 2003, and currently provides its system to over 200 companies worldwide in the manufacturing, retail and distribution, and financial industries.
As the primary distributor of TCBT in Japan, OKI's affiliated company Oki Network Integration Co., Ltd. (OKINET) has been providing Visual Nexus' video conferencing solutions since 2003. OKINET provides a one-stop solution to enterprise users in fields from sales, consultation, operations through to maintenance. OKINET will continue to expand the Visual Nexus business.
About Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1881, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is Japan's first telecommunications manufacturer, with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. OKI provides top-quality products, technologies and solutions to its customers through its info-telecom system business, semiconductor business and printer business. All three businesses function as a collective force to create exciting new products and technologies that satisfy a spectrum of customer needs in various markets. Visit OKI's global web site at http://www.oki.com/.
- With the business transfer agreement, Visual Nexus becomes a registered trademark of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. in Japan, transferred from TCB Technologies Corp.
- CONVERGENCE, CTstage and VisualCast are registered trademark of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. in Japan.
- Names of companies and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies and organizations.
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