AGN: Business Class VOIP

Unified Communications to Dominate at VoiceCon - SearchVoIP.com

By Andrew R. Hickey, Senior News Writer
05 Mar 2007 | SearchVoIP.com

Unified Communications (UC) will again dominate the show floor and the bulk of announcements coming out of VoiceCon Spring, which kicks off today at the Gaylord Palms resort in Kissimmee, Fla.

Fred Knight, VoiceCon general manager, said the show will build on two key themes: building the new platform to support a converged network and satisfy VoIP needs, and leveraging that platform for business process and collaboration.

As with past shows, Knight said, UC will headline, with many major announcements from key vendors.

"A lot of focus will be on new ways of architecting an IP telephony platform," he said. "There is no narrow single path anymore."

According to Knight, many enterprises are now on a transition path. Many have deployed VoIP but are still looking for ways to leverage it to meet all of their business needs. In addition, he said, as VoIP deployments continue to grow, admins are faced with an "awful lot of choices."

Along with burgeoning technologies like UC, users should still keep on the lookout for those "nagging things that never go away," like VoIP security and interoperability, Knight said.

VoiceCon, he said, gives organizations the ability to gauge how far they've come and where they need to go in terms of voice deployments. With case studies from massive corporations such as Shell Oil and Merrill Lynch, and how-to sessions hosted by knowledgeable VoIP experts, corporations can set a baseline for where they'd like to be. Companies can get a read from their peers about VoIP deployments, Knight said, and try to get a handle on "what's worked, what hasn't and why."

"The big enterprises have some Internet telephony going on," he said, noting that a rash of new products and technologies may seem intimidating on some level because they can often illustrate how far companies still need to go. "Just when I learned what I thought were the new rules, someone changed the game," Knight said, adding that VoIP "is not a sprint, it's a marathon."

Here are just a handful of the announcements coming out of VoiceCon:

4What Interactive will announce a Spanish language version of VoIPTrainer for Cisco IP phones now available for the 7940/60 series, a new annual subscription with unlimited training, and additional VoIP training on various Cisco phone models.
911 Enable will debut the Authorized Agent Program, designed to help VARs, system integrators, resellers and IP-PBX vendors provide their customers with 911 services and solutions.
Adomo will announce Adomo 6.0, which delivers core UC capabilities and introduces new features that make enterprise mobile messaging more effective and efficient.
Alcatel-Lucent will introduce OmniPCX Enterprise Rels 7.1, a new IP Touch 4008 low-cost IP phone, including OmniTouch Unified Communications Rels 4.1 with increased user capacity to 10,000 for My Messaging and more.
Avaya and AGN Networks will announce H323 trunking compliance for Avaya Communication Manager. AGN is the first to achieve 100% compliance with both SIP and H.323 trunking for Avaya systems.
Calabrio Software will introduce new products and enhancements to Calabrio Unified Interaction suite, including Calabrio Vision, a reporting/analytics platform that provides contact centers with the business intelligence to align performance with business strategy.
Clarus Systems is launching the new Clarus Certification Services and Flexible Engagement Model to help customers achieve maximum performance and ROI from their IP telephony systems.
Global IP Solutions (GIPS) will announce complete off-the-shelf applications that deliver the highest-quality user experience with their Remote Extension (RE) and Click-to-Talk applications for enterprises and service providers.
Grandstream Networks will announce GXP2020, the next-generation GXP model offering more advanced features, a large graphical LCD display, six lines, four XML programmable soft-keys, seven programmable hard-keys and a streamlined look and design.
Integrated Research will announce PROGNOSIS IP Telephony Manager 9.0, the company's first management solution for the Avaya IPT environment and for multi-vendor environments where Avaya and Cisco systems co-exist.
iscoord will debut SIP-based video capabilities for is-phone. This new feature enables video-calls with all is-phone products.
Mediatrix will announce the 3500 Series, a multi-function device combining VoIP IAD and Gateway in a secure platform, while applying SIP and PBX Trunking, and PSTN access for local VoIP equipments solutions.
Microsemi will be publicly displaying for the first time the PowerDsine 3500 Midspan Series, a new PoE solution for delivering safe power to existing 10/100 Mbps network devices, including VoIP phones.
NEC will debut products within the UC portfolio, including a mobile client, open API, and new GUI for user and single interface for administration and management support.
Scannex will announce its new IP buffer range. Single- and multi-port versions are available with many updated features and functionalities at a minimal cost.
Siemens Communications will debut Siemens Managed Services for Wireless Networks, a single contact point for around-the-clock remote monitoring, management and service desk support of Wi-Fi networks, WLAN, and municipal mesh environments.
Sipera will debut the new IPCS 210, enabling SMBs and branch offices to protect UC -- including VoIP, IM, video and multimedia -- and securely deploy SIP trunks and VoIP remote users.
Valcom will announce the new IP paging horn/line length extender and IP Paging servers, supporting up to 65,000 speakers that interface with Cisco, Avaya, Nortel and Iwatsu IP telephone systems.

AGN and SIPERA Partner to Provide Secure SIP Trunking utilizing SRTP & TLS

AGN to Integrate Sipera�s VoIP Security Platform into OnDemand SIP� Solution
Offering touts standards based SRTP and TLS support

For immediate release � March 6, 2007

Orlando, FL, VoiceCon Spring 2007 � AGN Networks, a leading business-centric Internet Telephony Service Provider, and Sipera Systems, the leader in pure security for VoIP, mobile and multimedia communications, today announced the formation of a ground-breaking partnership to offer secure SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking for AGN�s IP telephony deployments.

The AGN-Sipera partnership represents a powerful new dynamic in VoIP services and will enable AGN to integrate the Sipera IPCS product into its OnDemand SIP� offering.

The innovative secure SIP trunking solution utilizes next generation Secure Real-Time Protocol (SRTP) and Transport Layer Security (TLS), combining SIP trunking and real-time end-to-end secure communications from service provider to the end customer.

The partnership demonstrates Sipera�s leadership in VoIP security and further recognizes AGN�s reputation as a pioneer in the Internet telephony industry as one of the first VoIP services providers to support and deploy a secure SIP trunking platform.

AGN�s signature SIP services give businesses of all sizes the ability to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities inherent to intelligent IP communications. OnDemand SIP� combines ease of deployment and provisioning along with fail-over capabilities for business continuity and dramatic reductions in communication expenses. With secure SIP trunking from AGN, customers now receive the added benefit of Sipera�s comprehensive VoIP security products to protect, control and manage real-time unified communications.

�As an Internet Telephony Service Provider, it is critical to offer clients enhancements in securing VoIP communications. Capabilities like Secure SIP Trunking will only further accelerate the adoption of advanced and cost-cutting services like IP trunking,� said Albert Rodriguez, President of AGN Networks. �The partnership with Sipera gives our customers a comprehensive VoIP solution, complete with the tools to protect against potential risks like Denial of Service, network eavesdropping and call manipulation. With our new secure SIP trunking feature, AGN is enabling customers to seamlessly launch a secure VoIP system as a single deployment,� said Rodriguez.

The Sipera VoIP security platform supports VoIP VPN capabilities for encrypted signaling, encrypted media, strong two-factor authentication, and VoIP Firewall/SBC functionality to enable enterprises to solve firewall/NAT issues and apply granular unified communications policies based upon network, user, device and time of day. All Sipera IPCS products also offer VoIP Intrusion Prevention and Anti-spam functionality that intelligently analyzes every VoIP call and other unified communications sessions in order to proactively monitor and detect anomalies. This ensures network and user protection from attacks, misuse and service abuse including DoS/DDoS floods, fuzzing, stealth and VoIP spam, in real-time.

�Enterprises are looking to service providers to offer SIP trunks and other hosted VoIP services for cost-savings and other business benefits,� said Seshu Madhavapeddy, president and CEO of Sipera Systems. �However, an enterprise will not compromise its security to realize these efficiencies. AGN recognized this early on and came to Sipera, as the leader in VoIP security, to address the issues and protect AGN�s OnDemand SIP in a comprehensive, real-time manner.�

###

About AGN Networks
AGN Networks is an Internet telephony service provider and phone company for the next generationSM that delivers voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) trunking services to small, medium and enterprise businesses, institutions and governments operating IP PBXs. With a full complement of services � including VoIP termination to the Global PSTN, U.S. local DID and toll free numbers � AGN delivers on the promise of VoIP for business. For more information, visit www.agnnetworks.com.

About Sipera Systems
Sipera Systems provides enterprises and service providers with comprehensive VoIP security solutions that protect, control and manage real-time unified communications. The Sipera IPCS� products combine VPN, Firewall/SBC, Intrusion Prevention, Anti-Spam, Compliance and Troubleshooting functionality for VoIP systems in a single device. This securely enables IP PBXs, VoIP remote users, SIP trunks, data/voice VLANs, hosted VoIP services and IMS or UMA-based networks. Comprised of top vulnerability research experts, the Sipera VIPER� Lab concentrates its efforts towards identifying VoIP vulnerabilities, while Sipera LAVA� tools verify networks� readiness to resist attacks. Founded in 2003, Sipera is headquartered in Richardson, TX. Visit http://www.sipera.com.
Sipera, Sipera logo, Sipera IPCS and related products, Sipera LAVA and Sipera VIPER are trademarks of Sipera Systems, Inc.

Media Contacts:

Melissa Nacerino, AGN Networks
mnacerino@agnvoip.com
646-291-8264

Brendan Ziolo, Sipera Systems
bziolo@sipera.com
214-606-1080

AGN Networks OnDemandH.323 Trunking Services Now Rated �Avaya Compliant�

NEWS RELEASE

Media Inquiries: Media Inquiries:

Melissa Nacerino, AGN Networks Mary Thiele, Avaya

305-728-3047 908-953-6152

mnacerino@agnvoip.com mthiele@avaya.com

AGN Networks OnDemandH.323 Trunking Services Now Rated �Avaya Compliant�

First service provider to achieve compliance with Avaya IP telephony solutions in both H.323 and SIP environments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 5, 2007

ORLANDO, Fla. (VoiceCon Spring 2007) � AGN Networks, a leading business-centric Internet telephony service provider, today announced that its OnDemandH.323� Trunking services are compliant with key Internet protocol (IP) telephony solutions from Avaya (NYSE:AV), a leading global provider of business communications applications, systems and services.

AGN OnDemandH.323 Trunking is an affordable, standards-based service that enables companies to route phone calls over an Internet connection with business-class security and reliability. They are able to get more from their IP PBX by eliminating fixed land lines that are time-consuming to install and typically must be ordered months in advance. In contrast, standards-based AGN OnDemandH.323 Trunking can be set up in minutes and managed in real time � all through an easy-to-use Web portal.

AGN OnDemandH.323 Trunking now is compliance-tested by Avaya for compatibility with Avaya Communication Manager 3.1.2, an industry-leading IP telephony application. AGN previously achieved Avaya compliance with its OnDemandSIP� Trunking for businesses using the SIP protocol. With today�s announcement, the company becomes the first service provider to achieve Avaya compliance for both H.323- and SIP-compatible services � offering businesses a clear and seamless migration plan from H.323 to SIP.

�By achieving Avaya compliance for our new OnDemandH.323 Trunking services, we help businesses get more out of their communications investment,� said Albert Rodriguez, President of AGN Networks. �Most organizations are able to realize a savings of 50 to 70 percent on inbound toll-free calls, international dialing and other voice services as well. They can access additional capacity on demand and achieve significant business continuity advantages, with multiple layers of backup in the event a connection fails.�

AGN Networks is a member of the Avaya DeveloperConnection Program�an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company�s investment in its network.

As a Platinum member of the program, AGN Networks is eligible to submit products for compatibility testing by the Avaya Solution Interoperability and Test Lab in Lincroft, N.J. There a team of Avaya engineers develops a comprehensive test plan for each application to verify whether it is Avaya compliant. Doing so ensures businesses can confidently add best-in-class capabilities to their network without having to replace their existing infrastructure�speeding deployment of new applications and reducing both network complexity and implementation costs.

�By offering compliance testing to the many innovative companies like AGN Networks who are members of our DeveloperConnection program, Avaya promotes fully interoperable solutions that help businesses unleash powerful new possibilities,� said Eric Rossman, vice president, developer relations and technical alliances, Avaya. �They are able to use Intelligent Communications to connect employees and customers to information from wherever they are, over whatever device they have available � getting more out of their multivendor network and delivering new value to their bottom line.�

About Avaya

Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than 1 million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500^�. Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet protocol (IP) telephony systems and communications software applications and services.

Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications - and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services - Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya website: www.avaya.com. For more information on the Avaya DeveloperConnection Program, visit www.devconnectprogram.com.

About AGN Networks

AGN Networks is an Internet telephony service provider and phone company for the next generation^SMthat delivers voice over IP (VoIP) trunking services to medium and enterprise businesses using IP PBXs. With a full complement of services � including VoIP termination to the Global PSTN, U.S. local DID and toll free numbers � AGN delivers on the promise of VoIP for business. For more information, visit www.agnnetworks.com.

# # #

IP-PBX Manufacturer Epygi Demos Technology at VoiceCon

ORLANDO, Fla.-(Business Wire)-March 5, 2007 - Epygi Technologies, manufacturer of SIP-based IP PBX phone systems for small business, will demonstrate the popular features of its affordable Quadro PBX system today at the Spring VoiceCon trade show. Representatives can be found in booth 1022, the display space for VoIP service provider and Epygi premier partner, AGN Networks. Attendees can see how Quadro fits into a total solution business telecom bundle complete with AGN services and VoIP telephones from Aastra. Epygi PBX, gateway and conferencing hardware have been certified compatible for high-grade performance and utility with Aastra phones. VoiceCon(R) brings enterprise decision makers together with the industry's vendors, analysts and consultants to focus on the issues central to enterprise networks and communications. VoiceCon Spring 2007 continues through March 8 in Orlando at the Gaylord Palms Hotel. For more information, visit www.voicecon.com. About Epygi Technologies Texas-based Epygi Technologies (www.epygi.com) designs and manufactures feature-rich IP PBXs, voice over IP gateways and cost-saving conference servers. Epygi's Quadro PBX appliances are positioned to serve the SMB and SOHO markets and enterprise teleworkers and branch offices. Using its own Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) technology and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) software, the company combines telecommunications network knowledge with emerging computer telephony protocols to deliver robust Voice over IP utility. Epygi markets its products through distributors and resellers worldwide. Quadro IP PBXs currently operate in more than forty countries on six continents.

Aastra, AGN and Epygi Intro Small Business VoIP Bundle at IT EXPO

TMCNET FEATURE ARTICLE

October 11, 2006

Aastra, AGN and Epygi Intro Small Business VoIP Bundle at IT EXPO

Mae Kowalke, TMCnet Associate Editor

Three companies in the forefront of the VoIP market introduced on Tuesday a new, bundled solution for small businesses. Aastra Technologies, AGN Networks, and Epygi Technologies announced the new offering at Internet Telephony Conference and EXPO, where their respective products and solutions are on exhibit through October 13, 2006.

The bundle combines IP phones from Aastra, Epygi�s (News - Alert) Quadro IP-PBX (News - Alert), and VoIP service from AGN. The result is a solution that offers small businesses an extensive set of features and benefits, including:
Direct dialing to and from extensions, eliminating the need for auto attendants and receptionists
Automatic call routing to any phone (includes mobiles) or up to five numbers, protecting vital business communications in the event of disaster at the office
E-mail and text message notification of voicemails and faxes, resulting in improved responsiveness to customers
Competitive domestic and international rates
One account that aggregates call volume for cost savings, plus free call between sites and other AGN users
Intuitive, GUI online portal for managing IP PBX and phone features
�This new bundle and partnership between Aastra, AGN and Epygi provides great benefits to small business users and allows them to try the advanced features of voice over IP with minimal risk,� commented Jeff Kirchner, CEO and President of Epygi, in a statement.

As part of the launch, AGN Networks (News - Alert) is offering a free, 14-day trial for every new customer that purchases Aastra IP phones bundled with an Epygi IP-PBX. To claim the offer small businesses can register on AGN�s Web site.

Show attendees interested in learning more about the companies mentioned here are encouraged to visit the following booths at IT EXPO (show runs October 10-13 in San Diego): #112 (Aastra), #802 (AGN and Epygi), and #104 (Epygi).

Additional information about AGN and Epygi can be found on their TMCnet.com channels, SIP (AGN) and Selecting VoIP Solutions (Epygi).

Mae Kowalke previously wrote for Cleveland Magazine in Ohio and The Burlington Free Press in Vermont. To see more of her articles, please visit Mae Kowalke�s columnist page.

Enterprise SIP Trunking to the PSTN (Lippis Report)

Enterprise SIP Trunking to the PSTN

Download White Paper

Oct 2, 2006 by Nathan Swartz

While all the IP telephony vendors have embraced SIP proxys and end-points, service providers are starting to offer SIP trunking between facilities. SIP trunking eliminates gateways, legacy PRI and POTS lines enabling end-to-end SIP connectivity between sites, reducing WAN charges and extending features. SIP functionality includes features such as Instant Messaging, Presence Management, centralized call control, and simplified Moves, Adds and Changes. In this white paper AGN Networks describes SIP trunking and the value of building a multi-site IP telephony with SIP trunks.

AGN Networks Provides Trunking Service for Interop New York Show (TMCNET)

AGN Networks announced Monday that its OnDemandSIP trunking service is being used to provide network connectivity at the Interop New York 2006 show. The company�s service will optimize wide-area network performance and reliability at the event, with monitoring provided by tools from Avaya.

The event�s network, InteropNet, serves both exhibitors and attendees with voice and data connectivity. For the third year running, AGN�s service will connect InteropNet to the public telephony network.

Avaya�s (News - Alert) Converged Network Analyzer will be used to address network variability capable of impacting the real-time communications and business applications that InteropNet supports.

�Using AGN Networks (News - Alert) OnDemandSIP services has helped us make dramatic reductions in our setup time for each show, while giving us a range of new real-time capabilities that help us get more out of our network,� commented Interop General Manager, Lenny Heymann, in a statement.

Heymann added: �We can use an AGN Web portal to add new phone lines and even reconfigure call flow.�

To learn more about AGN�s products and services, visit the company�s booth (#806) at INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & Expo, WEST, October 10-13, 2006 in San Diego.

Mae Kowalke previously wrote for Cleveland Magazine in Ohio and The Burlington Free Press in Vermont. To see more of her articles, please visit Mae Kowalke�s columnist page.

AGN and Avaya Systems to Power Interop New York SIP Trunking

NEWS RELEASE

Media Inquiries:

Barbara Burgess, Avaya
908-953-3348
barbarab@avaya.com

Michael Hartley, AGN Networks
Phone 888-881-VOIP (8647)
pr@agnvoip.com


AGN Networks OnDemandSIP� Trunking Selected to Power Communication Services for Interop New York 2006
�   Avaya Converged Network Analyzer will be used to monitor AGN service and optimize wide-area network performance and reliability for leading industry tradeshow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   Monday, September 18, 2006

NEW YORK, N.Y. � AGN Networks, a leading business-centric Internet telephony service provider, today announced that the company�s OnDemandSIP� trunking service has been selected to provide critical network connectivity for the Interop New York 2006 tradeshow.   To optimize wide-area network performance and reliability for the massive industry event, AGN also announced that its service will be monitored by network analysis tools from Avaya (NYSE:AV), a leading global provider of business communications software, systems and services.

Scheduled for September 18-22 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, N.Y., Interop New York 2006 is the information technology industry's most comprehensive event. The AGN Networks OnDemandSIP trunking service selected for the show will provide public switched network connectivity for the InteropNet � the multivendor, high-speed voice and data network serving exhibitors and attendees. This is the third consecutive Interop tradeshow to rely on AGN Networks OnDemandSIP trunking for connectivity to the public telephone network.

OnDemandSIP is a revolutionary business-class service that helps companies get more from their IP PBX by eliminating fixed land lines that are time-consuming to install and typically must be ordered months in advance. Standards-based OnDemandSIP trunks can be initiated and set up in minutes and managed in real time � all through an easy-to-use Web portal.

To help ensure top performance for InteropNet, Avaya Converged Network Analyzer tools will be used to address the wide-area network variability that can impact real-time communications and business applications. The Avaya tool improves reliability by continually monitoring the wide-area network, assessing the bandwidth needs of applications and optimizing performance.

�Using AGN Networks OnDemandSIP services has helped us make dramatic reductions in our setup time for each show, while giving us a range of new real-time capabilities that help us get more out of our network,� said Lenny Heymann, Interop general manager. �We can use an AGN Web portal to add new phone lines and even reconfigure call flow. Now with the addition of the Avaya Converged Network Analyzer, we expect to be able to optimize the performance of the voice and data applications that travel over the network throughout the show.�

A recently released white paper by The Tolly Group , a leading independent test lab for information technology products and services, compares the functions of the Avaya Converged Network Analyzer to those of a global aircraft traffic control system. The solution monitors all available paths between destinations to understand travel times, congestion delays, equipment failures and quality metrics. It assesses in real time whether the IP telephony application is receiving the levels of service required, and it adapts by choosing alternate routes, if needed, to achieve required levels of service.

"With standards-based SIP trunking services from AGN Networks, businesses have a flexible and affordable alternative to fixed land lines and can get more out of their communications investment," said Lawrence Byrd, director of IP telephony and mobility, Avaya. "As confirmed by Tolly Group tests, Avaya's Converged Network Analyzer builds on that business value by optimizing the performance of real-time applications traveling across a wide-area network�monitoring and re-routing traffic to avoid network issues such as jitter, packet loss and delay."

AGN Networks OnDemandSIP trunk services are compatible with any standards-based IP PBX and have been compliance-tested by Avaya for interoperability with Avaya Communication Manager IP telephony software and Avaya SIP Enablement Servers � both used in InteropNet. In fact, AGN is among the first service providers in the industry to offer Avaya-compliant SIP trunks. The company is an active member of the Avaya DeveloperConnection program, an initiative to develop, market and sell third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company�s investment in its network.

About AGN Networks

AGN Networks is an Internet telephony service provider and phone company for the next generationSM that delivers VoIP trunking services to medium and enterprise businesses using IP PBXs. With a full complement of services � including VoIP termination to the Global PSTN, U.S. local DID and toll free numbers � AGN delivers on the promise of VoIP for business. For more information, visit www.agnnetworks.com.

About Avaya

Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than 1 million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500®. Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet protocol (IP) telephony systems and communications software applications and services.
Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications - and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services - Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya website: www.avaya.com.

About Interop®

Interop®, now part of the CMP Technology family of global brands, has led the revolution and evolution in IP networking for the past twenty years, and is dedicated to promoting and demonstrating the interoperability of the converged network, applications and devices to seamlessly exchange and use information to address the full range of business challenges facing IT organizations today and tomorrow. As the leading destination for technology buyers and sellers, Interop has fostered the growth and evolution of the IT industry for the past two decades, and remains the most anticipated and only comprehensive IT event. Through in-depth educational programs, workshops, real-world demonstrations and live technology implementations in its unique InteropNet and InteropLabs programs, Interop provides the forum for the most powerful innovations and solutions the industry has to offer. Interop New York will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, September 18-22, 2006, and Interop Las Vegas will return to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, May 20-25, 2007. For more information about these events, visit www.interop.com.

AGN and Avaya Announce SIP Trunking for Avaya Quick Edition

Media Inquiries:
Michael Hartley, AGN Networks Barbara Burgess, Avaya
Phone 888-881-VOIP (8647) 908 953 3348
pr@agnvoip.com barbarab@avaya.com

AGN Networks Launches OnDemandSIP� Trunking for Avaya one-X� Quick Edition
Enables small companies and branch offices to establish affordable, business-class phone service in minutes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 23, 2006

San Francisco, CA., VoiceCon 2006 � AGN Networks today introduced a new service that will provide small businesses and branch offices using Avaya one-X� Quick Edition phones a quick and affordable way to route phone calls over an Internet connection with business-class security and reliability. AGN Networks is a leading business-centric Internet telephony service provider, while Avaya (NYSE:AV) is a leading global provider of communications software, systems and services.

Avaya one-X� Quick Edition cost-effectively eliminates the need for a central telephony server by embedding the functionality of an IP PBX into the phones themselves. With AGN Networks OnDemandSIP� Trunking Service for Quick Edition, companies can reduce their telephony services costs even further by routing voice calls securely over their Internet connection � without having to purchase individual hard-wired phone lines. Most organizations realize a savings of 50 to 70 percent with the AGN service, including the cost of inbound toll-free calls, international dialing and other voice services.
OnDemandSIP is a business-class phone service that uses Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for call control and routing and connects the Avaya phones peer-to-peer. The service can be set up in real-time and requires no special hardware.

�Businesses simply purchase their Avaya one-X Quick Edition phone, call or visit the AGN website to select a phone number from almost anywhere in the United States and be up and running in less than thirty minutes,� said Michael Hartley, spokesperson, AGN Networks. �By marrying AGN services with innovative Avaya technology, small businesses now can take advantage of the same productivity-enhancing intelligent communications capabilities that are used by the world�s largest corporations � all priced to fit their budget.�

�Enabling companies to use SIP services for connectivity helps us build greater business value into our Quick Edition solutions,� added Geoff Baird, vice president and general manager, Communications Appliance Division, Avaya. �They can leverage their existing Internet connection for dial tone and can add new phones to their network on demand. That adds up to cost and productivity gains and benefits their bottom line.�
AGN Networks OnDemandSIP features five layers of disaster recovery protection � significantly exceeding that available through traditional telephony service providers. When coupled with Avaya one-X Quick Edition phones that back up each other up automatically over the network, organizations benefit from robust business continuity features without having to purchase additional hardware or software.

AGN Networks is a member of the Avaya DeveloperConnection program � an initiative to develop, market and sell third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company�s investment in its network.

About Avaya Inc.

Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than one million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500�. Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet Protocol telephony systems and communications software applications and services.
Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications - and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services - Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya Web site: http://www.avaya.com

About AGN Networks

AGN Networks is an Internet telephony service provider and phone company for the next generationSM that delivers voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) trunking services to small, medium and enterprise businesses operating IP PBXs. With a full complement of services � including VoIP termination to the Global PSTN, U.S. local DID and toll free numbers � AGN delivers on the promise of VoIP for business. For more information, visit www.agnnetworks.com.

New Hardware, Managed Networks Debut at VoiceCon (VoIP Magazine)

Written by Bryan Richard
Thursday, 24 August 2006

In what's sure to be a reoccurring trend during the Fall tradshows, "unified communications" was a common theme for many vendors at VoiceCon this week though the real focus appeared to lie on practical telephony replacement. The communications industry as been talking about some variation of unified communications for some time, but Microsoft and Nortel's recent alliance announcement has given the concept mass market attention. Though in the short-term, the alliance may introduce more enterprise confusion rather than less.

Neither company offered many additional details of their unified communications alliance at the show. At a press conference for the partnership -- billed as the Innovative Communications Alliance (ICA) -- Ruchi Prasad, general manager of the ICA business unit on the Nortel end said the product roadmap had not yet been completed.

While earth-shattering announcements were in short supply, a number of product updates were on tap for the show.

Toshiba
Toshiba was on-hand to demo it's new IP PBX targeted at small businesses, the Strata CIX40. Of note is that with this release, Toshiba's entire product line is now IP-based or enabled.

Siemens
Siemens announced a new version of their HiPath 8000 that make the product available to the mid-market. The release also signals a shift away from hardware as the company's core focus.

Avaya
One of the more vocal vendors on the show floor, Avaya announced upgrades to the one-X Quick Edition that increases branch office capability by embedding PBX functionality in endpoints, new VPNremote IP phones for teleworkers that embed VPN service into (where else?) the phones, and a SIP trunking partnership with AGN Networks.

Managed and hosted solutions were quite popular with exhibiting vendors with Sprint's business services unit bringing a few Lucent staffers along to talk about the company's hosted applications.

AT&T
Admittedly quiet about voice over IP following the merger with SBC, the company say that is going to change with a major push of their managed services offering at the enterprise space.

That is if a BellSouth acquisition doesn't force them into another blackout period.

NEC
NEC debuted it's own Managed IP Telephony (MIPT) portfolio for SMBs that features no upfront costs for premise equipment.

IBM
One surprise on the expo floor was IBM who has been quietly building a managed services customer base of 100 enterprises and is ready to roll out the service on a much larger scale. The company is building on the experience of an internal IP deployment of more than 100,000 endpoints and, partnered with 3Com, the IBM Global Technology Services division will focus on integrated communications and collaboration solutions leveraging the company's Sametime and Lotus Notes products.

The initiative crosses multiple divisions and product lines within IBM, including middleware, services and the BladeCenter unit, Peter Fay, Business Development Executive for IBM's Global Technology Services said. "Our internal deployment really illustrates that we can roll these systems out on a very large scale."