VoIP

VoIP News Briefs

• MALC Is In The Zhone
• PeopleSoft Adds VoIP Through TALX
• Talk, Don't Walk, Into Danger
• 3Com To Fuse Business Units

by InternetNews Staff [June 10, 2002]

MALC Is In The Zhone
Local Internet loop specialists Zhone Technologies released its Multi-Access Line Concentrator (MALC) delivery platform. Zhone claims it's the first next-generation, high-density multi-access loop concentrator specifically developed to support both traditional TDM and broadband access in a single platform.

The MALC product family offers common line cards and code base for easy integration and a choice of circuit and/or packet uplinks that include Packet + TDM, GR303, V5.2, and converged ATM, as well as T1/E1, DS-3/E3, OC-3/STM1, and OC-12/STM4.

In addition, Zhone said the MALC supports a comprehensive broadband service offering that includes ADSL, HDSL2, SDSL, G.SHDSL, VDSL POTS, ISDN, Specials, T1/E1 HighCap, and legacy services—all from a single platform and management system.

"The MALC platform is addressing a sweet spot within the industry," said Zhone vice president of engineering Unmesh Mehta. "As one of the few truly integrated packet-based edge solutions, the MALC was specifically designed to enable service providers to deliver a rich array of voice and data services while simultaneously minimizing the financial impact to their operations Clearly the MALC is exactly what service providers need today."

The company said key design criteria for MALC has been transition management, which helps carriers migrate from circuit to packet-based networks. Zhone said with it's packet-based POTS architecture, the MALC can coexist in the current TDM world with transparent migration to packet and fit into existing OSS systems (the MALC OSMINE certified) as well as existing 3rd party DLC's, gateway's and customer premises equipment (CPE) product lines.

The company said the product has already been installed at a wide range of unnamed carriers including IOCs, IXCs, PTTs, and CLECs .

"Successful local loop modernization efforts require a comprehensive approach that addresses narrowband and broadband services and operating expense reduction," said Dr. Michael Kennedy, co-founder of Network Strategy Partners, LLC. "Zhone, through its MALC product family, has addressed local loop modernization in such a comprehensive way. Zhone's approach recognizes that local loop modernization requires a large scale and sustained effort over many years—there is no quick fix."

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PeopleSoft Adds VoIP Through TALX
E-business software maker PeopleSoft said that it will add telephony access to its Time and Labor Module courtesy of Ti3.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

St. Louis-based Ti3, a TALX-owned company, said it is developing an interface that will let employees working in remote locations or without access to the Internet report their time and expenses from any touch-tone telephone.

"This new service offering will extend our PeopleSoft relationship that has been in place for several years," said TALX president and CEO Bill Canfield. "Currently, The Work Number, our automated employment and income verification service, is part of PeopleSoft Marketplace and we anticipate this new alliance between Ti3 and PeopleSoft Time and Labor Module will benefit both our companies as well as our clients."

Canfield said the idea is to let the computer do all the calculations and speed the process by sending electronic data to the payroll system. The automated process is also designed to reduce paper consumption, as well as paper storage and handling expenses.

"We are very pleased to extend our relationship with TALX to include an alliance with Ti3 and we anticipate a smooth transition integrating our solutions," said PeopleSoft HRMS vice president of global HCM strategy Jenny Lehman.

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Talk, Don't Walk, Into Danger
The threat of war between India and Pakistan forced U.S. officials to issue travel warnings last week to India and Pakistan. The restrictions are felt deeply in the Silicon Valley.

The area has the highest population of Indian and Pakistani natives per capita in the country, most migrating here in just the last ten years to help build the dot-com era.

To help ease the frustration, Mountain View, Calif.-based PlaceWare said Friday it will begin to offer free Web conferencing to 501-C non-profit and aid organizations operating in India and Pakistan.

In a nutshell, charitable organizations affected by recent travel warnings can get free services for the next month, and businesses impacted by the conflict can get reduced rate services.

The offer is good from now until July 1, 2002.

"We know that many businesses, including high-tech and other companies throughout the U.S., work extensively with organizations and contractors in India and Pakistan. Web conferencing can help these users communicate and collaborate even when they are separated by distance and cautionary travel warnings," said PlaceWare VP, Worldwide Marketing Dustin Grosse. "Our offer lets people sign up for a large-scale Web conference event, and conduct meetings they would have otherwise attended in person in this region of the world."

On a normal day, PlaceWare said its managed event services can accommodate up to 2500 attendees at once. The company said it is expecting brisk business after announcing this offer.

PlaceWare said new and existing customers doing business in India and Pakistan must call 1-800-526-6170 to take advantage of the offer.

New business customers can get 50 percent off a first-time managed event and 20 percent off all seats (minimum of 5 seats) purchased before July 1. Existing business customers will get 25 percent off a first-time managed event and 10 percent off all seats (minimum of 5 seats) purchased before the deadline.

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3Com To Fuse Business Units
3Com Corp. said Thursday that it will merge its Business Connectivity Company (BCC) into its Business Networks Company (BNC).

"One year ago, the realities of the marketplace and our business required that we create businesses with largely separate functionality in order to enable laser-like focus in specific business areas," said 3Com president and CEO Bruce Claflin. "That strategy has paid off by allowing each business to force out unnecessary costs, identify key development opportunities in markets in which 3Com can excel, and build appropriate business plans to reach their respective goals."

The changes will take effect July 1, 2002, one month into its new fiscal year. 3Com is scheduled to release its results of operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2002 and hold its quarterly conference call on June 25.

"In the case of BCC, which has largely marketed NICs and PC cards, this has meant managing a declining market segment as basic 10/100 connection capability moves into silicon, directly onto the motherboard," said Claflin. "BCC's primary mission a year ago was to manage the decline of this market by improving costs and expenses at a rate commensurate with the decline. The focus was successful as our traditional NIC business, while substantially lower in terms of revenue, is profitable and generates cash. As NIC/PC card revenue continues to decline, however, it is no longer cost effective to maintain a largely separate infrastructure."

On July 1, 3Com said BNC will have three divisions: the Connectivity Division, which will include NIC and PC card products; the Personal Systems Division, which will be responsible for technologies that link users to networks with such products as the recently announced Network Jack; and the LAN Infrastructure Division, which includes enterprise switching, voice solutions, wireless, security and small business systems.

3Com said BCC sales will also mesh into the BNC global sales structure and Global Account Managers who cover 3Com's largest distributors and OEMs will be responsible for BNC and BCC products.

End-user demand creation representatives will be maintained for BCC products and will supplement similar sales positions that exist in BNC.

The company said John McClelland will continue as president of BNC. James Ticknor, currently vice president of BCC Supply Chain Operations, will head the Connectivity Division of BNC. Tom Gerstenberger, currently vice president of BCC Business Operations, will head the new Personal Systems Division of BNC. BNC's LAN Infrastructure Division will continue to be headed by Patrick Guay, vice president and general manager.

Dennis Connors will continue as President of BCC until the transition in July, after which the company said he will remain as a key member of 3Com's senior management team.

Other than management shifts, the company did not mention any employee layoffs.

3Com said more details of the plan would be announced before the July 1 cutoff date.

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