ShoreTel IP 230 (with ShoreTel 6.1)Designed for knowledge workers who rely heavily on telephone communications, the IP 230 is part of an integrated IP phone system that scales from 1 to 10,000 users and includes PBX, voicemail and automated-attendant functions. The system's distributed architecture makes it ideal for multisite companies because it appears and behaves as a unified system. ShoreTel 6.1 offers new functionality, including key-system emulation to reduce training times, intercom, group paging, an overhead page and whisper paging. ShoreTel partners appreciate the simplicity and functionality of the 6.1 software.
"It scales very easily, so customers aren't stuck with the architecture that a lot of other vendors employ," says Dan Wohlbruck, voice services manager at CNP Technologies in Charlotte, N.C. "The modular switch makes it as simple as putting a new switch onto a network and adding some handsets."
Applied Voice & Speech Technologies' CallXpress T-2000 is optimized for small businesses and workgroups, featuring the Intel Pentium 4 2.8-GHz processor for high-speed performance and low cost. The server offers several other features, too, that VARs will want to tout to midmarket users: hyperthreading and extended 64-bit memory that supports four to 16 ports when running CallXpress Advanced Messaging with 512 MB of RAM and 40 GB of hard-drive space.
Based on Avaya Communication Manager software and the S8500 Media Server, MultiVantage Express is designed for businesses with 100 to 500 extensions. It preintegrates midsize-business functionality while providing upgrade paths to more advanced packages. MultiVantage Express comes with a suite of ready-to-use integrated applications, including telephony, messaging, a mobility suite and conferencing. It also has Extension to Cellular and IP Softphone, as well as a Web-based self-service tool to manage FollowMe.
The Catalyst Express 500G Series switch is designed for growing businesses with up to 250 employees. The Layer 2-managed Fast Ethernet and Gbit Ethernet switch offers nonblocking and wire-speed performance, and provides a secure network foundation for data, wireless and IP communications. It also has optional Power-over-Ethernet to help reduce the cost and complexity of IP communications. VARs can get a rebate of up to $300 when replacing a non-Cisco switch with one of these.
Allowing midsize companies to expand their networks without adding a lot of peripherals, this enterprise-class digital KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) provides secure high-performing KVM-over-IP technology. The KX101 dongle connects directly to the back of a server, allowing nonblocked control of an unlimited number of servers by an unlimited number of users. It comes with a power adapter, works in a Power-over-Ethernet environment and works standalone or under the control of Raritan's CommandCenter SecureGateway.
