Event
Summary
SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ - Active Voice Corporation (Nasdaq: ACVC), a global provider
of unified messaging and computer telephony software solutions announced it
has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held PhoneSoft Inc.,
a leading provider of true unified messaging solutions for Lotus Notes/Domino.
Market
Impact
PhoneSoft,
Inc. is a privately held company that focuses on unified messaging solutions
(UM), including email, facsimile, and voice mail. PhoneSoft was selected as
a finalist for the Beacon award at Lotusphere 2000 in Orlando, FL for its integration
and interoperability with the Lotus Notes Domino platform. ActiveVoice does
not have a product specific to Lotus Notes at the present time. With Lotus'
recent announcement of 50,000,000 installed clients, Lotus offers a rich environment
for 3rd party software.
ActiveVoice
is acquiring PhoneSoft so that it can sell into one of the richest collaborative
messaging server arenas in the world. Active Voice will integrate all of PhoneSoft's
functionality into its existing "Unity" voice-messaging product to target Lotus
Notes Domino R5.
User
Recommendations
In
order to tap the Lotus Notes market, Active Voice had to acquire an organization
with a Lotus Notes Domino focus. Users should be cautious in their interest
in the combined Active Voice/PhoneSoft solution. As with all mergers, especially
those so entrenched in software development, difficulties can arise.
If
you are looking for a fully integrated Unified Messaging solution aimed at Lotus
Domino R5, Active Voice is an option to consider. However, stable corporations
such as AVT Corporation already offer fully interoperable unified messaging
solutions for Lotus Notes. We recommend a careful technical evaluation of both
products prior to a final selection .