Event
Summary
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2000-- Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO
- news) and iBasis (NASDAQ: IBAS - news) are joining forces to deliver carrier-class,
IP-based, Unified Communications services.
The
Cisco Unified Communications (UC) solution uses the open Internet Protocol (IP)
standard to unify communications methods that were previously disjointed --
e-mail, fax machines, voice mail systems, cellular phones, and the Web. The
Cisco Open Network Exchange (uOne) application, a pivotal component of Cisco's
overall UC solution, enables users to initiate and return voice calls and send
and receive faxes, e-mail, and voice messages - independent of location, time
or device.
iBasis, the leader in advanced Internet-based communications, will deploy the
uOne application on its global IP network and make UC services available to
service providers worldwide.
EffectNet,
a rapidly growing application service provider and Cisco Powered Network partner
will be the first iBasis partner to provide the Cisco uOne solution to its customers.
With customer orders for 50,000 uOne mailboxes, initial deployments are expected
to begin in the second quarter of 2000.
Market
Impact
Cisco
systems has teamed with iBasis to fortify its Internet hold through an Internet
based Unified Messaging (UM) solution. EffectNet, an iBAS Partner, Cisco Partner
and Application Solution Provider (ASP), will initially serve the product. The
Cisco Unified Communication solution provides the following features, which
will be device independent:
Voice Messaging: Call answer on busy/no answer, full-featured voice messaging,
PC and telephone access, Web-based system administration.
Total
Messaging: User administration via Web, inbound fax, fax redirect/outbound
fax, text-to-speech.
Notification Services: Subscriber notification indicates new incoming
messages.
Call Services: Outbound call management features for calling services,
personal access reach, and outbound dialing from voice messaging platform or
from within a voice message.
Cisco and iBasis will be competing with existing Unified Messaging vendors such
as AVT Corporation and Active Voice. However, Cisco's UC solution is a complete
solution including e-mail for turnkey configuration. The competitors in the
market produce add-on, or snap-in, software to enable Unified Messaging solutions
for existing mail systems. Cisco is well respected throughout the ISP/ASP community
and can expect to enjoy immediate success with the UC product offering.
Pricing
has yet to be made available for the initial offering, we expect MSRP figures
to be made available prior to the end of the 1st quarter 2000 (probability 90%).
Expect to see a partnership in the near future with Puma Technologies (Probability
65%) for its device Enterprise synchronization solution to enhance the wireless
reach of the UC product (Probability 70%).
User
Recommendations
This
is exciting news for members of the ASP community. Cisco and iBasis have essentially
created a complete IP based, turnkey solution which will allow ASPs to enhance
their offerings to their existing and future client base.
To
the end user of the service, access to all communications, regardless of time,
location or device, is time saving news. Rather than dialing in to check one's
voicemail, fax, e-mail and calendar, they can check their pocket pc device,
wireless PDA, or even a Wireless Access Phone (WAP) for needed information.
If
you are a company looking towards one of the many ASPs on the market, and have
a 6-month incubation period prior to implementation, make sure to add the Cisco
Unified Communication to your list for evaluation.