HP's business messaging server

For larger networks, this server offers voice mail, a call center and IP telephony

By Deni Connor
Network World Fusion, 03/18/99

SAN FRANCISCO - At a press conference fraught with failing video, telephone problems and technical difficulties, Nortel Networks, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft and Intel showed viewers why open systems need to be used to converge voice and data.

HP will OEM Nortel's new CallPilot unified messaging system and its Nortel Network Voice telephony package and incorporate them into HP NetServer-based business communications and business messaging servers. Microsoft will pony up its open system telephony application program interface (TAPI). The products will run on Intel-based HP NetServers.

Analysts are optimistic of the success of converged voice and data from these vendors. "[Nortel] brought out the big guns today. If converged network services are ever going to make any impact on a mass level, it's going to be driven by more than one company. Nortel is the first company with a strong voice heritage to step up to the plate and say here's how we are going to support converged networks, says John Armstrong, vice president of networking for Dataquest of San Jose.

Armstrong notes that previously computer telephony systems were mired down by proprietary protocols and came from data communications companies, such as Cisco. His enthusiasm is for the open systems model these companies propose. "I would expect if these companies can't do it, nobody can."

The brass tacks

The business communications server is aimed at small and midsize businesses and branch offices and includes voice mail, a call center, IP telephony, Microsoft Small Business Server and remote management tools. Users can view and listen to their voice mail messages from popular applications, such as Microsoft Outlook or Exchange, or send and receive faxes, and answer them with voice commands. This year, the business communications server will initially scale up to 80 extensions with further connections next year. CallPilot will scale from small to large enterprises depending on its configuration.

In addition, HP will provide small business or branch offices with product selection, configuration, installation, services and support, a "unified solution for the masses" according to John Roth, vice chairman and CEO of Nortel Networks.

The business messaging server for midsize to large businesses also integrates CallPilot and will handle unlimited lines and operate as a standard Windows NT application server. It is meant to be used as a front-end to a large telephone switch, such as Nortel Network's Meridian 1.

The Nortel Networks/HP telephony solution is unique in providing a feature dubbed system phase-up. As long as the server is powered, the phone system will stay up even if the server is down. The products will work over AT&T's or any other vendor's network.

Pricing is not currently available. Products will be available from HP midyear.