Sphere Communications is going well past its simple network-based PBX roots with this week's launch of an enhanced integrated communications system.
Sphericall.ems 3.0 will handle voice, video and data communications by using a distributed, software-based approach to delivering call capabilities for office network devices, said Sphere officials in Chicago.
As distributed software running on Windows NT servers, the new Spheri call.ems system will be the first to include the company's Enterprise Multimedia Softswitch technology.
Sphere will unveil the product this week at NetWorld+Interop. A Sphericall.ems system with voice mail will list for US$500 to US$600 per user.
Sphericall.ems incorporates a Spher i cal Manager software module that can link various network infrastructure elements, including circuit-switched and IP telephones, audio and videoconferencing systems, and computer telephony integration applications.
The main advantage of combining voice and data is smaller phone bills, said Angela Arnold, technology coordinator at Pekin Public School District 108, in Pekin, Ill. The district has Sphericall.ems systems linking 10 schools.
"Now, internal calls do not cost us anything, since they're on the school system's data network," Arnold said.
