Specifications

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only one POP server per configuration.
This means that a user would be required
to set up two configurations for POP e-
mail retrievals, one for the regular
Internet e-mail service and another for
AltiMail. The only way to avoid this dif-
ficulty would be to obtain a hard hookup
to the Internet from an Internet Service
Provider and to configure AltiServ to be
the e-mail server for the entire company.
Configuring AltiServ as a node on the
Internet would require considerable net-
working experience and TCP/IP knowl-
edge (including firewalls). However,
once the node was setup, it would pro-
vide for a one-stop shop for all mes-
sages — e-mail, voice, or otherwise.
Remote Call Management
AltiServ provides remote call man-
agement via AltiReach, which brings
control over selected extension settings
to the user’s desktop. AltiReach works
by setting up the AltiServ node as a
Web server. AltiReach can rely on any
of several different platforms, includ-
ing Microsoft Information Server and
Netscape FastTrack Server.
The advantage of the AltiReach
approach is that call management can be
accessed from just about any browser on
any platform, be it UNIX, Mac, or
Windows. The drawback is that you will
need good network and TCP/IP knowl-
edge to setup and maintain the system.
The initial screen (Figure 6) is the
login screen for AltiReach. Once
logged on, the user can set up different
follow-me schedules based on caller ID
and time of call. The user can enter up
to four different numbers into the sys-
tem’s follow-me scheme.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
We stressed the system by placing
multiple and simultaneous inbound and
outbound calls, leaving and retrieving
messages, waiting for the operator, and
opting for different notification methods.
Basically, the system performed fine.
However, we could not get the message
waiting light to flash on our older-style
phones. We suppose we stumbled across
a compatibility problem. We hope prob-
lems of this sort are resolved in future
versions of the product.
More specific improvements would
include a client/server model for sys-
tem and extension administration, an
API interface, and tighter integration
with popular e-mail packages. Also, as
mentioned above, we would like
AltiServ to allow the administrator to
pick exact times for calls to be routed to
certain auto-attendants right from the
Trunk Configuration screen.
Finally, we would like AltiReach to
provide more comprehensive Web access
to the extension features. We are happy to
report, however, that Altigen plans to
make the next version of AltiReach (4.0)
considerably more robust and powerful.
CONCLUSION
AltiServ represents a great achieve-
ment. With this product, AltiGen pro-
vides a comprehensive communications
solution bursting with options and
advanced features. The product boasts
easy installation and configuration, inher-
ent integration between the PBX and the
voice mail module, good scaleability, and
Internet/Intranet integration.
S
witchboard brings the power of a
PBX to the small office and home
office. A two-line, six-extension
telephone system, the Switchboard
delivers auto-attendant, line sharing, line
transferring, conferencing, fax scanning,
and speakerphone capabilities.
The Switchboard’s use of DSP tech-
nology accounts for the product’s great
versatility. In fact, the Switchboard can
integrate telephone lines, analog
phones, modems, fax machines, cellular
phones, and pagers into a single system.
The Switchboard isn’t just powerful,
it’s convenient. It works using your
existing telephone setup. All you need
to do is to plug your phones and other
devices into the unit, and then config-
ure the software to perform auto-atten-
dant and call routing. Although the
Switchboard connects to the PC
through the serial port, it works
whether the PC is on or not.
INSTALLATION
Both the hardware and the software
installations were quick and easy. We were
up and running in about five minutes.
To set up the hardware, we plugged
in the Switchboard power supply,
hooked up the phone lines, and con-
nected the communications devices
C T I LABS
FFiigguurree 66..
AltiServ
System: AltiReach call
management Web page.
Switchboard
Centrepoint Technologies
1565 Carling Avenue, Suite 304
Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 8R1
Ph: 613-725-2980; Fx: 613-725-2898
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Web Site: www.ctrpoint.com
Price: $495