Diverse solutions implemented through a collaboration of telephony services and computers

In response to the growth of broadband communications in recent years, growing numbers of enterprises have introduced IP telephony services (VoIP). Enterprises have primarily introduced IP telephony services to reduce communication costs for outside lines as well as the cost of rewiring when reconfiguring office layouts. But growing numbers of companies are also seeking to apply wireless IP telephony services to establish full-scale nonterritorial offices.* Companies are also interested in the advanced information services available only through VoIP, based on the integration of voice communications and computers.

Hitachi Cable offers a line of AquaVocal IP-PBX series for five to 200 users. The AquaVocal is an all-in-one IP-PBX offering various functions for offices introducing IP telephony services, including IP-PBX functions, diverse gateway functions, and PPPoE functions. AquaVocal makes it easy for small- and mid-sized offices and branch and sales offices of large enterprises to introduce IP telephony services and helps reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the communication infrastructure. Hitachi Cable also manufactures and sells WirelessIP5000, an open-type wireless IP phone that complies with Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), fast becoming the standard protocol for IP phones. WirelessIP5000 enables the configuration of low-cost, flexible wireless IP telephony networks to establish nonterritorial offices, taking advantage of the existing IT and communication environment.

Hitachi Cable also combines AquaVocal with various other applications to provide diverse solutions that dramatically improve communication efficiency in business operations, including CTI for small- and mid-sized offices and Click-to-Call.

* A nonterritorial office is an office environment wherein employees do not have fixed desk assignments; instead, they are assigned desks based on the task at hand.

AquaVocal 2000 series

Figure 3: IP communication networks can be constructed to coexist with traditional analog phones

Reception system Hitachi Cable has developed a reception system that combines corporate databases and other systems with IP phones placed at the front visitor reception desk. The system allows visitors to confirm the face of the employee they are scheduled to meet, then page that employee. In the past, such systems required dedicated hardware. Hitachi Cable uses AquaVocal for the IP-PBX, which makes it possible to implement this reception system by combining a PC and an IP phone.	Example of reception system screen
CTI for small- and mid-sized offices Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) is a technology for integrating phones or faxes with computer systems. For example, a CTI used in a call center or similar site automatically retrieves customer information based on the customer phone number, enabling fast, accurate customer service. Demand for such systems has been especially high among mail-order companies, an area of commerce that has lately seen many newcomers of various sizes and backgrounds, as well as restaurants that offer delivery services. Hitachi Cable has developed a CTI solution that combines AquaVocal and fixed-line phones. In January 2006, Hitachi Cable launched sales of a modestly-priced five-user mail-order management system.	Example of CTI software screen
Click-to-Call Click-to-Call allows callers to initiate phone calls simply by clicking on a signature or phone number in an electronic mail or on a Web site viewed on a PC. The combination of AquaVocal, a PC, and a fixed-line IP phone enables low-cost system introduction. FOMA* collaboration A collaboration involving AquaVocal and the FOMA portable phone allows customers to use a single phone as both an IP phone terminal for a wireless LAN within the company and as a mobile phone when away from the company site. Implementing Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC), which combines on-site fixed-line phones and mobile phones, it significantly increases convenience for employees who are often in and out of the office. * FOMA is a registered trademark of NTT DoCoMo, Inc.