Panasonic
Selects Brooktrout for Voice Messaging Platform
P.Hayes - December 15th, 1999
Event Summary
LAS
VEGAS, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooktrout Technology (Nasdaq: BRKT) today announced
that Panasonic has developed a cost effective, flexible line of voice messaging
systems for small to large businesses based on Brooktrout Technology's Ensemble(TM)
Series messaging platforms. Panasonic's PanaVOICE(R) Courier(TM) product family
delivers feature-rich voice and unified messaging solutions that meet customers'
requirements for low cost and scalability.
Market
Impact
Panasonic
has long been recognized as a leader in inexpensive electronic instruments,
ranging from microwaves to telephones and fax machines. Through a strategic
OEM partnership with Brooktrout Technologies, Panasonic has acquired the necessary
voice and fax technologies to saturate the market with competitively priced,
unified messaging products that will strongly challenge Lucent Technologies
Octel Messenger system.
The
PanaVoice system is targeted towards both small and large organizations, touting
scalability as one of the key advantages of the system. PanaVoice will also
offer voice-mail, audiotext, unified messaging and dictation services, thereby
expanding the generic role of voice integration. By selecting Brooktrout, a
proven unified messaging OEM software and hardware vendor, Panasonic has given
itself a healthy leg up in the unified messaging competition arena. Look to
see Panasonic emerge as one of the key players in the voice-messaging arena
within the next twelve months (probability 80%).
The
Panasonic PanaVoice systems will offer support for DOS, Microsoft Windows 95
and 98 in addition to the Microsoft Windows NT platforms. There has been no
indication as to support for Unix, Linux, AS/400 or Apple systems at the present
time. Look to see the PanaVoice product suite released in the second quarter
of 2000 (probability 80%).
User
Recommendations
Users will benefit from additional competition in the voice sector of the unified
messaging arena. Panasonic is well suited to mass produce the product suite
and achieve the lowest entry cost into the market for businesses of any size.
PanaVoice should be on the CIO's comparison-shopping list for those looking
at implementing an integrated voice messaging system over the course of the
next 12-18 months. Users should take time to evaluate the product prior to implementation
to ensure the product meets and or exceeds the majority of your criteria for
a voice system and will coexist seamlessly in your existing Unified Messaging
Infrastructure. Given that the OEM back end emanates from Brooktrout Technologies,
expect this product to be a market leader, both from a financial and functionality
perspective.