* Tango adds IP multimedia subsystem functionality to its FMC gear
Earlier this month, Tango Networks announced the addition of enhanced IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) functionality to its Abrazo product suite. The Abrazo system is an enterprise fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) solution designed for employees to share a single phone number for both their cellular phone and their office phone, along with providing the capability for the user to make and receive calls through the PBX from their cellular phones no matter where the employee is located. The handoff between phones is controlled by an Abrazo device that sits on the enterprise network so it isn’t dependent on a single wireless provider, although a carrier-scale device is also available for service providers who want to offer hosted FMC.
Abrazo enables features like four- or five-digit dialing from the mobile phone to another PBX extension, a single integrated voice mail box, user-defined call routing (similar to other IP telephony systems), and bilateral handoffs between the desktop phone and the cell phone. The system supports both GSM and 802.11 connectivity, and it has demonstrated interoperability with both TDM and IP-based PBX installations.
Tango also offers APIs so users can customize features to their specific business requirements. Recognizing that most enterprise users don’t have a dual mode (GSM/802.11) phone, Tango has designed the solution so employees can use their existing GSM mobile phone with features adapted to any limitations posed by the existing handset.
While the Abrazo solution is based on IMS, it is also compatible with existing carrier network architectures including IS41, WIN, GSM/MAP, and CAMEL protocols. Support for these legacy mobile operator protocols are important because even though mobile operators are moving toward a full IMS architecture, legacy call control protocols are still responsible for the lion’s share or network capability.
