Lucent Technologies unveils next generation of DEFINITYAnyWhere voice and data conferencing solution for mobile workers

Lucent Technologies has announced it has extended the capabilities of its next-generation DEFINITYAnyWhere voice and data collaborative conferencing solution to remote workers. Now telecommuters or mobile workers have access to DEFINITY Enterprise Communications Server (ECS) server features traditionally available only to office workers, including the ability to hold real-time, reliable multi-party voice and data conferences.

The DEFINITYAnyWhere software solution, formerly called OneMeeting, leverages the power of the industry-leading DEFINITY ECS for collaborative conference calls from any telephone. Virtual office workers or travellers can launch a voice and data conference call that allows participants to simultaneously access and edit a shared file from their own PCs, increasing their productivity and lowering conference charges and travel time. The solution, developed by Bell Labs, is the first to offer businesses the ability to link their existing data and voice networks to collaborate on documents without having to invest in new equipment.

Remote users have access to a full set of telephony features - call forwarding, transfer, hold and caller ID - at their fingertips during conferencing. Special features for remote workers include the ability to now receive multiple incoming calls even if they only have a single telephone line at the remote location. Workers who work remotely also have a special message-waiting alert that shows on their PC screen to let them know they have a message.

"DEFINITY AnyWhere is the only software solution available today that eliminates the complexity of voice and data collaboration because it`s as simple to use as making a telephone call," said Anthony Neal-Graves, general manager, Collaborative Communications for Lucent. "This solution takes conferencing to a new level and allows an enterprise to leverage the capabilities of Lucent`s robust DEFINITY system."

Other new features added to DEFINITY AnyWhere for office and remote users include:

• Call Forwarding/Redirection

  -- Employees can forward all calls from any extension to a pager, cell phone or any other phone. If no answer is detected, the call will be redirected back to its normal coverage path such as an employee`s voice mail system so valuable calls are never missed.

• Conferencing Bookmarks

  -- DEFINITY AnyWhere users can easily launch frequently used conferencing telephone numbers by using a one-touch bookmark for a call instead of clicking on several numbers.

• Integration with Personal Information Manager

  -- DEFINITYAnyWhere is Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) compliant and can also link with personal information managers (PIMs) directories such as Microsoft Outlook and Symantec ACT!. With the link to directories, workers can have a screen pop that will provide them with information about a caller before they answer a call.

• One-button Voice Mail Access

  -- A programmable button allows users to access their voice mail system with one click of a button.

Businesses can gain additional value from the existing resources of their corporate network because DEFINITY AnyWhere resides on a standard Windows NT-based server on the corporate intranet and connects to the DEFINITY ECS or DEFINITY ProLogix through a LAN interface card. The software solution can control multiple PBXs from small to large, minimizing the additional expense of investing more servers. To set up a conference, users need a telephone and a PC with a Java-enabled Internet browser and any T.120 standards compliant data sharing application such as MicroSoftNetMeeting or Sun`s SunForum.

DEFINITY AnyWhere is compatible with all LAN technologies, including Ethernet and Token Ring. The full package of DEFINITYAnyWhere includes Lucent`s CentreVu Computer Telephony software, Netscape FastTrack Server and Netscape Directory Server. The entire package is sold on a concurrent user license basis.

Lucent recently announced that it intends to enter into an agreement with PolyCom for the joint development of several IP-based products, including the addition of video conferencing capabilities to DEFINITY AnyWhere.

DEFINITY AnyWhere is generally available in the US and Canada with worldwide availability scheduled for 2000. For more information about Lucent`s DEFINITY AnyWhere, customers may call (011) 709 0727.