Washington, DC, September 15, 1998, VOICE ON THE NET CONFERENCE – TouchWave Inc., provider of the award-winning WebSwitch family of network-integrated phone systems, today announced the immediate availability of its new WebSwitch 1608 IP networked PBX. The new phone system is a Voice over IP enabled version of its original product, the WebSwitch 1608. It includes an integrated Voice over IP gateway that supports 4 to 16 IP channels. The WebSwitch 1608 IP networked PBX allows companies to combine the reliability of proven circuit switched telephony with the money-saving potential of IP telephony. The result is a highly scalable solution that can be distributed using Voice over IP across a multi-site enterprise and is easily managed from any computer on the network.

"The TouchWave’s WebSwitch 1608 IP networked PBX sets a new benchmark for price and ease-of-use in the convergence of voice and data. The IP gateway becomes a natural part of the PBX as demonstrated by TouchWave’s newest product," stated Jeff Snider, vice president of Marketing for TouchWave.

The WebSwitch 1608 IP networked PBX with its integrated Voice over IP gateway allows small- to medium-sized companies to build enterprise wide phone systems that are distributed across Internet and IP networks. The phone system has all of the following features:

Full-featured PBX Functionality

The WebSwitch 1608 IP provides a full suite of PBX functions. This includes full PBX call handling features, as well as an auto attendant and voicemail. These features can be controlled from a regular phone or from any Windows-based computer on the network. An intuitive graphic user interface makes it simple to use and manage and adds enhanced features such as visual voicemail.

 

Integrated Voice over IP

The WebSwitch 1608 IP comes with an integrated Voice over IP gateway that requires no additional software or hardware. From a user's perspective, the gateway is totally transparent, allowing users to dial remote trunks and extensions as easily as they do with local ones.

 

USER APPLICATIONS:

Multiple Site Enterprise: The WebSwitch 1608 IP allows companies with multiple locations to lower their long distance costs and bring their branches closer together by routing calls over the company's IP network. Users at both locations then share a common dialing plan and can make calls seamlessly between the two locations. Additionally, one system administrator is all that is required to manage the system centrally from a single location.

Campus Environments: Companies at a single location but with multiple buildings can implement a common dialing plan and a centralized directory for their entire campus. Further, they avoid pulling phone wiring from building to building and instead use Voice over IP with their existing IP network.

Telecommuting: Companies with employees working from home or at remote locations can provide their telecommuters with a more integrated phone solution that allows workers to make calls and access voicemail using Voice over IP over an IP network. In essence, the WebSwitch can put telecommuters in closer touch with customers and fellow employees, alike.

Next Generation Telcos: Companies such as ISPs who have access to high speed IP networks can leverage Voice over IP to provide telephony services to their existing customers. The WebSwitch 1608 IP networked PBX eliminates the need for a dedicated gateway. Because of its integrated Voice over IP gateway, the WebSwitch 1608 IP allows IP channels to be added at a marginal cost, without increasing the complexity of the system.

Price and Availability

The WebSwitch 1608 IP is currently shipping with an MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) of $7,995 which includes the full PBX, voicemail, auto attendant and an integrated 4 channel gateway. Existing customers can upgrade their WebSwitch 1608 by adding the Voice Over IP module for $2,495. The product is available directly from TouchWave or through distributors such as TechData and CT Solutions. For information on TouchWave or the WebSwitch, call 650-843-1850.

 

About TouchWave, Inc.

TouchWave is a privately held, venture-backed company based in Palo Alto, California. TouchWave’s mission is to build network-integrated phone systems that combine the power of telephony, the company network, and the Internet. TouchWave’s products offer customers flexible, modular, integrated phone solutions that leverage the power of computer networks. For information, call 650-843-1850 or visit the company's Web site at http://www.touchwave.com

For More Information, Contact:

Jeff Snider

TouchWave, Inc.

jsnider@touchwave.com

650 843 1850 #103

 

 

Carmen Hernandez

Mindshare Communications, Inc.

carmen@mindshare-pr.com

415 896 6454