TOKYO, August 13, 2009 -- OKI Electric Industry (TSE: 6703) today announced it has added an IP-compatible fax response functionality to its "eSound™ Engine for Server V2," a host media processing software(*1) that can process voices on a general server for call distribution systems and auto voice response systems at IP contact centers. With this new functionality, those in need of an IVR(*2) system with auto fax response can build one without adding fax hardware. In addition, because a single server can operate multiple channels, users can reduce the system cost and ensure future expandability.

OKI's "eSound Engine for Server" is a high quality host media processing software with high ROI. It is used in OKI's "CTstage®," the contact center system with 46% market share(*3) in Japan. By adding the new IP-compatible fax response functionality, users can receive fax data and save it as an image file as well as send the image file by converting it into fax data. Thus, users can automate the fax answering function and build an IVR system at a low cost while improving business efficiency.

"We believe the new fax functionality in our software will improve business efficiency for manufacturers who are working to improve their IVR capabilities at their contact center systems," said Toshinori Suzuki, General Manager of the Telecom Systems Division at OKI. "We are pleased to announce that this 'eSound Engine for Server' is used as the function for voice processing and sending/ receiving faxes for Fujitsu Ltd.'s ‘VoiceScript for IP,’ an IP-compatible phone and fax auto response system. OKI will continue to actively support manufacturers through our high-quality 'eSound Engine for Server.'"

Because the fax response functionality is offered as a software, users can expect to reduce their installation and operation costs as there is no need for fax hardware as well as build a large-scale system with a small number of servers by applying OKI's own efficient architecture with higher efficiency in CPU usage. With its strong technology background in VoIP, OKI succeeded in offering a high fax reception rate of 99.999%(*4) via IP networks.

Sales plan

Sales price for license

From 7,000 yen (without tax) per channel license

Sales target

10,000 licenses during the fiscal year ending March 2010
(50,000 licenses in the next three years)

Major features of eSound Engine for Server

1. Enables lower cost for systems

   OKI's original efficient architecture is used in the "eSound Engine for Server" for higher efficiency in CPU usage, thus enabling large-scale system operation with a smaller number of servers. In a general operating environment, OKI achieves 15% or less CPU usage when simultaneously processing 1,000 channels. In addition, by offering a user-friendly simple API, users can easily develop applications which will help reduce the time and cost to develop their products.

2. Differentiates through advanced functions

   The "eSound Engine for Server" is compatible with the wideband voice codecs used in NGN to convey high-quality voice. In addition to the ITU-T G.722, the software will be compatible with G.711.1, the wideband voice codec that has been standardized by ITU-T in 2008.

3. Offers peace of mind to users through its high quality and strong track record

   As packet loss and delays can occur in an IP network, improving communication rate is a key requirement in fax communication. Based on the know-how it has accumulated through its strong track record in designing and manufacturing fax-compatible equipment, OKI succeeds in reducing the error rate and achieving a 99.999% success rate when sending and receiving fax data over IP networks. The software has been adopted by various groups including OKI itself for its CTstage and by a large communication vendor with a high market share in IVR products. The product was developed in-house and the support will be quick and smooth.

Example of applications using eSound Engine for Server

• IVR
• Call center systems
• Fax servers
• Communication recording devices
• Unified messaging systems
• Multipoint control units (MCUs) for conference calls
• Voice mail servers

Links

• eSound Engine for Server V2:http://www.oki.com/en/esound/product/forserver/
• CTstage:http://www.oki.com/en/ctstage/

Glossary

• *1 :Host Media Processing (HMP)

  This software enables voice processing and other media processing and communication control over a host computer. There is no need to add hardware, and can enable applications such as IVR on a general server.

• *2 :IVR (Interactive Voice Response)

  This is a computer system used at contact centers that automatically responds via voice. Based on the codes entered by the caller, the system automatically plays prerecorded voices.

• *3 :46% market share in Japan

  Source: "Status and foresight of 2008 call center/contact center market" by Yano Research Institute Ltd.

• *4 :99.999% success rate of sending/receiving fax

  Based on OKI's calculation.

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 and printer business. All 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/.

• * Information in the press releases is current on the date of the press announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice.

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