More Than a PBX - MKC Networks Enterprise SIP Application Server

By Sandra Gustavsen, TelecomTactics

 

MKC Networks’ next generation 7000 Communication Server (CS) is a software-only Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Application Server that pushes the limits of conventional telephony. “Many have a hard time believing that standard computing platforms offer more value and performance than a purpose built product. There are significant benefits to this approach, including the speed of feature deployment, scalability, cost and ease of use,” notes Ben Morris, Sales and Product Marketing Manager of MKC Networks Corporation in Ontario, Canada.

 

The 7000 CS software on CD-ROM loads onto a customer-supplied hardware platform. The combination of open standards, a Linux operating system and SIP call control enables some exciting voice and data communications features such as desk and mobile phone ”twinning,” IP trunking directly to a carrier, phone relocation both internal and external to the corporate LAN, network alarms and flexible software-based licensing. SIP compatibility means the solution is not tied to a single vendor so that customers can choose from “best of breed” solutions, including phones (desktop and soft phones), unified messaging servers, call center applications, conference and collaboration solutions and vertical-specific applications.

 

The 7000 CS enables browser-based system administration for adding new users, Internet access, e-mail, back-ups, print sharing, file server setup and firewall. Built-in voicemail provides unlimited mailbox accounts and hours of storage for each SIP phone user; messages can be managed via phone or PC or the Web, locally or remotely and delivered via e-mail with Short Message Service (SMS) text notification. The 7000 CS will work with any third-party SIP device, including the Polycom IP601 (pictured).

 

The cost-effective 7000 CS is designed for a variety of markets, including both small businesses and large carriers since it can be easily scaled with the addition of software licenses. The 7000 CS is available in various license packs (10, 20, 50, 100, and 1,000) on one server, or up to 5,000 users using several servers. MKC Networks reports one carrier in Toronto, Canada is running the 7000 CS software on a powerful Dual Xeon processor, hosting 5,000 users. The 7000 CS can be deployed in global network configurations via SIP-compliant carrier-class gateways.

 

The MKC Networks’ 7000 CS software solution competes with other software-only or “open source” PBXs on the market, including Fonality PBXtra, Pingtel SIPxchange, TeleSynergy TelePCX, Vertical’s TeleVantage, Asterisk, FacetCorp FacetPhone and Sphere Communications Sphericall. See the snapshot comparison from TelecomTactics below, comparing the 7000 CS software solution to MKC Networks’ 7000 Integrated Communications Server (ICS) “hardware version” for 20 users.

 

 

TelecomTactics is a database and newsletter publication, covering the business telephony industry. For more information, visit www.telecomtactics.com or contact Sandra M. Gustavsen at [email protected] (856-424-1100 x11).