VoiceCon: AVST offers four options to deploy unified messaging

AVST is announcing at VoiceCon this week that it is expanding the deployment options for its CallXpress unified messaging platform so end users have more options of picking up their voicemail, faxes and e-mails.

A software upgrade gives customers an additional, secure option for accessing messages in addition to existing means for accessing voice, fax and e-mail messages. The four options now are called server-based, client-based, secure and simplified.

The four options now are called server-based, client-based, secure and simplified.

CallXpress is a messaging platform that is deployed in conjunction with e-mail, IP and TDM PBXs and fax servers. Many unified messaging systems are made by PBX vendors, such as Nortel, Acatel, NEC and Siemens. AVST also competes against independent messaging vendors such as Adomo and Inter-Tel.

The four deployment options make it possible to adapt CallXpress to the needs of individual businesses, which may have a mix of IP and TDM voice gear, e-mail platforms and security needs.

The server-based option places all messages on a central e-mail server where they can be accessed via phone, desktop e-mail, Web-based e-mail or PDA e-mail. The AVST keeps a separate store of the messages and deposits new messages on the e-mail server.

Client-based deployment allows normal desktop access to e-mail, and voice and fax messages remain on the CallXpress server where they can be accessed by the e-mail client. All three types of messages can also be reached by phone.

Secure mode ensures that fax and voice messages cannot be forwarded out of a corporate site via e-mail. It does this by keeping them separate using policies set in AVST’s Web PhoneManager software.

Simplified mode sends users an e-mail notice that they have a fax or voice mail message, and they must call in to retrieve it.

AVST is also announcing support for Session Initiation Protocol flavors used by Avaya, Alcatel and Nortel PBXs so customers of those products can more readily integrate the CallXpress messaging system to customers using those PBXs.

Pricing for CallXpress voice mail is about $50 per user and unified messaging costs about $90 per user. Full mobility software that supports find-me, follow-me and digital personal assistant features costs $190 per user.