Windows VoIP Made Simple

Despite all the chatter about integrating voice and data in communications, VoIP in and of itself only begins to touch on the true potential that comes from bringing disparate systems together. The power of convergence truly occurs when applications integrate with communications products. The VoIP offering from ObjectWorld takes this to heart, bringing telephony under the control of the IT department.

ObjectWorld's Unified Communications (UC) Server is a SIP-based VoIP phone system that packs in a bevy of unified messaging and communications features. It was developed for the Microsoft platform and includes capabilities such as call-flow management, interactive voice response (IVR), fax server and text-to-speech.

Solution providers will be well-served by the versatility of UC Server. The system can be used to integrate a customer's e-mail system with its phone system, all while reducing management overhead. Solution providers comfortable with Microsoft networks will not have to worry about a large learning curve.

Partners will find many opportunities to generate additional revenue. Solution providers can select equipment to bundle with the system and also can offer development contracts to create auto-attendant menus and phone script services using the drag-and-drop interface.

ObjectWorld's UC Server is attractive for another reason: The company claims solution providers can expect 45 percent margins on the system. ObjectWorld also provides extensive support.

Channel Test Center engineers found that ObjectWorld's VoIP solution seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Active Directory. It uses Microsoft wizards to manage and configure the system. Users have point-and-click control over business communication services and applications using a powerful and comprehensive drag-and-drop services creation tool. Its tight relationship with Microsoft products means any Microsoft-certified solution provider can easily manage the system.

UC Server is software-based, so VARs don't have to worry about getting the app to talk nicely with legacy technology. It has routing and unified numbering capabilities via analog, digital or IP-based gateways. Legacy PBX support includes Avaya's Definity, Merlin Magix, Legend and Partner series products, as well as its hybrid Communication Manager and IP Office lines. Mitel Networks, Nortel Networks and generic analog PBXes also are supported.

Since UC Server is hardware-agnostic, solution providers can deploy the software for a smaller environment and then expand the system as needs grow. The product is optimally designed for 15 users to 2,000 users, but it can scale higher. ObjectWorld also touts the product as future-proof. Products and services such as videoconferencing, instant messaging and any SIP-compliant hardware, software or services can be added to the system as business needs change.

UC Server works with PSTN gateways from vendors such as AudioCodes, Mediatrix, MultiTech, Quintum, Vegastream and Cisco Systems. It also supports analog gateways and digital PSTN gateways.

Deployment is straightforward, and the software installation can be completed in as little as 20 minutes. The product comes on a CD and installs on Windows operating systems such as Windows 2003 Server. A multistep wizard takes care of installation and configuration. UC Server can work independently of an existing PBX, but the software can be configured to work with it if the box is detected. During installation, the software can detect the SIP gateway being used—regardless of whether it has SIP trunks or analog lines. Solution providers also can deploy the system for use with services from an Internet telephony service provider such as Bandwidth.com and can configure the system accordingly.

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