* AudioCodes’ pact with ShoreTel; Polycom updates VSX; CableLabs moves along with IMS
Last week, AudioCodes and Shoretel announced they are joining forces on unified communications. In the joint release, the companies disclosed that the AudioCodes Media Gateways will be used to enable ShoreTel customers to integrate Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 into their ShoreTel IP Telephony System for Exchange Unified Messaging.
Steve Timmerman, VP of marketing at ShoreTel said: “ShoreTel’s distributed, switch-based architecture … combined with AudioCodes’ gateways … can seamlessly combine collaborative applications like Microsoft Exchange with world-class IP telephony.” The AudioCodes’ SIP-compliant MediaPack gateways enable connectivity to Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, legacy analog phones, fax machines and survivable remote branch offices, as to the PSTN.
Polycom announced enhancements to its market-Leading VSX Line. According to Polycom, VSX Release 8.7 software adds “new capabilities including simplified use in mixed networks (H.323 and SIP switching), QoS enhancements, support for gatekeeper redundancy for mission critical video applications, enhanced remote management, and additional language support.” The release supports Polycom’s ongoing integration efforts within its unified collaboration partners’ environments, including the Avaya Video Telephony Solution, Polycom Unified Collaboration for IBM Lotus Sametime and Lotus Notes, and Polycom Unified Collaboration for Microsoft LCS 2005.
Finally, CableLabs announced earlier this month that it had successfully completed the first in a series of PacketCable 2.0 interoperability events. The inaugural event focused on pre-PacketCable 2.0 IMS core networks, voice application servers, and voice clients. According to CableLabs, the event demonstrated “an impressive level of interoperability for SIP based voice services across equipment combinations from 10 different manufacturers including Alcatel-Lucent, Broadcom, BroadSoft, Cedar Point, Gallery-IPT, IP Unity, Motorola, MetaSwitch, Sonus, and Sylantro.” Ed Miller, CableLabs VP of broadband network services said: “Having established a solid base of voice interoperability, we’re looking forward to upcoming events when we begin exploring applications that extend beyond voice to cover areas such as cross-platform features, unified messaging, and presence.”
