Windows VoIP Made Simple
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.
Next: The Bottom Line A lot of the configuration occurs automatically, taking advantage of the software's active linkages with Microsoft Exchange Server and Active Directory. Generally, a 50-user system would take about an hour to install and configure.
UC Server provides all the basic telephony features, including abbreviated dialing, automated attendant, call forwarding, call transfer, call waiting and caller ID. The system also can conference together multiple callers or create a conference bridge. The system also incorporates presence information for its users in the interface. Just as an "away" icon on an instant-messaging client provides information about the recipient's status, UC Server can indicate which extensions have turned on the "do not disturb" function. The system also can be linked to an overhead public address system to page users as part of auto-attendant's call routing.
UC Server's tight integration with Active Directory is perhaps its most attractive feature as it simplifies user management. The product's configuration options and settings appear as its own tab under Active Directory. IT managers can control the entire communication system with the same user accounts and security policies used within that Windows environment.
Typically, when an individual leaves the company, IT immediately deletes the user from the system. However, the information often is not transmitted immediately to the telecom department, leaving that extension and voicemail active long after the person has left. But with ObjectWorld, removing a user from Active Directory means that the user no longer exists in UC Server.
The UC Server can integrate with both Microsoft's Outlook and Exchange Server environment and IBM's Lotus Notes and Domino environment. UC Server recognizes other e-mail clients as well. This way, UC Server provides the ability to retrieve voicemail messages from either an e-mail client or a telephone. Opening up the e-mail messages shows them inside a proprietary waveform editor. The voicemail can be played over the computer's speakers or a telephone headset. Having the voicemail message in the user inbox also makes management much easier. The messages can be easily forwarded to another user on the system, or archived as part of record-keeping or compliance activities.
The speech engine takes advantage of text-to-speech technology. The system will read e-mails to the user from any telephone. The engine also allows users speaking over the phone to respond or give commands to a number of applications, including auto-attendant and IVR systems.
A drag-and-drop tool makes creating auto-attendant and personal call menus a snap. The components and steps are dragged off a toolbar into the work space. The service actions include changing the password, dialing by extension or name, faxing on demand, playing an announcement, transferring a call or connecting to voicemail.
The auto-attendant can invoke the Find Me/Follow Me feature, where the system uses alternate numbers listed for the call recipient while the caller stays on hold. If the call recipient is found, the system seamlessly connects the caller. Auto-attendant also can send e-mail, SMS messages or call a pager when a voicemail has been left.
Pricing varies by the number of users the license covers, but it is a onetime fee. User bundles start as small as five users and go up to 2,000 users.