IP Office

[ Overview | Features | Telephones ]

 

FEATURES

 

Complete Description

Avaya IP Office can easily scale up to 360 endpoints with more than 200 analog and digital trunks (up to 96 trunks; 192 analog trunks) giving small and medium size businesses room to grow.

The IP Office platform comprises 3 models: IP Office - Small Office Edition; IP406; and IP412. The IP406 and IP412 platforms can have expansion modules added to them to match the requirements of a growing business. The IP Office - Small Office Edition is a compact platform specifically designed to meet the needs of home offices and very small business. In a single unit it provides a PABX with capabilities to support Auto Attendant, Voicemail, broadband access, a wireless access point, and VPN tunneling. VCM compression is included as standard to support IP extensions or provide IP trunks back to a head office. The IP Office - Small Office Edition supports a maximum of 28 extensions; the IP406 supports a maximum of 190 extensions; the IP412 supports a maximum of 360 extensions.

 

IP Office - Small Office Edition

The IP Office - Small Office Edition is a compact platform specifically designed to meet the needs of very small businesses and home offices. In a single unit, it can provide a PABX with Auto Attendant and Voicemail, Broadband Access, Wireless Access Point (WiFi) and VPN tunneling. Voice Compression is included as standard to support IP Extensions or provide IP Trunks back to a head office. The IP Office - Small Office Edition is available in the following configurations:-

- 4 Analog trunks, 4 analog extensions, 8 digital stations and 3 VoIP resources

- 4 Analog trunks, 4 analog extensions, 8 digital stations and 16 VoIP resources.

 

IP406
Supports 6 Expansion Modules providing a combination of up to 190 analog and digital extensions, with capacity for 8 analog trunks or 3 digital trunks (72 T1/PRI channels and 90 E1 channels). Additional analog trunks can be provisioned using the IP400 Analog trunk 16 module. Features include 30 optional voice compression channels and 8 port Layer 2 switch.

 

IP412 Office
Avaya IP Office 412Supports 12 Expansion Modules providing a combination of up to 360 analog and digital extensions, with capacity for 8 analog trunks or 4 digital trunk (96 T1/PRI channels or 120 E1 channels). Additional analog trunks can be provisioned using the IP400 Analog trunk 16 module. Features include 60 optional voice compression channels and 2 independently Switched LAN ports.

All IP Office models support common software, telephones, and applications.

Avaya IP Office delivers full voice functionality with a comprehensive set of features. The system can be configured as a voice-only PBX using traditional circuit-switched lines or as an IP telephony server using high-speed ISDN/PRI dial-up access and/or direct leased line connectivity.

When acting as an IP telephony server, IP Office supports cost effective standards-based IP telephony (H323), quality of service (QoS) through DiffServ (for routing), 802.1p (when used in conjunction with an Extreme Networks™ local area network [LAN] switch), and remote locations connected via Point to Point or Frame Relay. Voice calls can be allocated dynamically and can "bump" a multi-channel data transmission from one of its channels as needed to help ensure priority voice calls get through.

Multiple Avaya IP Office systems can be linked together using a standard data network, providing limited rich transparency and advanced applications such as centralized voice mail and call center. The data networking capabilities of IP Office include Internet or branch-to-branch based routing with firewall-protected Internet access and integral security. The system supports the QSIG protocol for improved networking and interoperability to different telephone systems.

Avaya IP Office is complementary to Avaya switch technology and VPNet® solutions, giving businesses the ability to grow into converged networks.

The basic system includes a 4-port voice messaging solution and the ability for users to manage their phone calls through a simple GUI. Additional applications, such as integrated messaging, web-enabled conferencing, and customer service (call center) can be added when needed. The Auto Attendant application enables callers to route their own calls to the relevant department/person without the need to speak to an operator/receptionist. Receptions/operators can take advantage of the SoftConsole application to present a professional view of the business to all callers. TAPI (Telephone Applications Programming Interface) support enables IP Office to be linked to Microsoft Outlook and other popular desktop applications for screen pops and PC-based telephony management.

Avaya IP Office allows users access from desktop computers, laptop PCs, with individual firewall security and access control.

Investment protection is offered through handsets supported by several Avaya platforms, and provides a migration path that is forward and backwards compatible. IP Office supports IP and digital telephone operation, with large display desktop phones with sophisticated screen-driven feature access. Single button on/off control is available for selected features for ease of use.

 

Complete list of phones supported by IP Office:

Digital phones

 

IP phones

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IP Office - Voice Communications Capabilities

IP Office offers full voice functionality with a comprehensive list of features and benefits for the small and mid-sized business and branch office, including:

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IP Office Applications

IP Office provides big business benefits and enhanced productivity for small and mid-size businesses with a full complement of sophisticated applications, including:

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IP Office - Data Communications Capabilities

For offices with basic data networking needs, IP Office can provide a complete data communications and networking solution:

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IP Office - Management Tools

The full IP Office solution (phone system, router/firewall/DHCP server, Voice Mail and other applications) are easily managed through the IP Office Manager.

The IP Office Manager is a Windows PC software application that connects to the IP Office system using TCP/IP. It can be on the same LAN as the IP Office, remote on the WAN, or connected via the Remote Access Server with either a Terminal Adaptor, Router or the optional Modem 2 package.

A suite of IP Office Wizards can also be used to configure systems and to manage user adds, moves and changes. These wizards make setting up and using the IP Office very easy – Business Partners can use them or allow clients to access them for basic moves, adds and changes.


Call Accounting

IP Office provides built-in call accounting capability that includes tracking, maintaining call accounting records along with reporting capability accomplished via IP Office SMDR utility.

The call accounting features of IP Office help small and medium-size businesses manage and control calling costs and communications expenses by accounting for and monitoring every call. Businesses can bill clients for calls made on their behalf and track and/or allot calling costs inside their company for bill-back purposes.


Call Center / Customer Management

Avaya IP Office supports a range of call center operations—from small, informal customer-facing groups (e.g., an accounts receivable department), to formal sales or service operations (e.g., order processing and technical support).

IP Office Compact Business Center is an excellent value-for-money entry-level tool for small customer-facing departments. It provides reports on real-time and historical information for up to 3 groups as well as providing information on the operation of the system as a whole.

Enhanced call center capabilities are available via the Avaya IP Office Compact Contact Center. Scaling from 5 to 75 agents, this modular solution offers e-mail, Web chat, and Web Call Me capabilities. Other important capabilities include support for outbound calling, call blending and prioritization to maximize agent productivity and help ensure high value customers receive the right level of service. More than 72 standard real time and historical reports help managers better track and control operations.

IP Office Compact Contact Center is integrated with the Microsoft Business Solutions CRM application, enabling customer records to be attached to an incoming call and 'screen-popped’ to the person answering the call.

Tightly integrated with the Avaya IP Office portfolio, Avaya IP Office supports a range of call center operations—from small, informal customer-facing groups (e.g., an accounts receivable department), to formal sales or service operations (e.g., order processing and technical support). IP Office Contact Center solutions allow organizations to manage their customer facing departments or contact center effectively and improve customer service.

The Avaya IP Office Compact Contact Center solution provides managers with a real-time view of call center activity to enable them to manage by exception to help maximize performance.

By enabling the use of multiple media types, the Compact Contact Center allows businesses to answer customer concerns and issues in the way customers prefer and in a timely and managed manner.

Integration with Microsoft CRM enables businesses to provide a more personalized service to improve customer loyalty.
Call Handling

IP Office simplifies day-to-day calling handling with a wide range of features, from basic hold, transfer and conference, to advanced capabilities such as Meet-me Conferencing and barge-in.

With Phone Manager, a PC manages calls through an easy to use graphical user interface and sends them through a traditional handset or through the IP Softphone and a sound card in the PC.

SoftConsole is a PC-based operator console that provides a visible display of call information. SoftConsole users can simultaneously view caller information, directory information (for point-and-click call routing), held calls and company-wide phone status.

Call handling features streamline communications, make it easier for customers and suppliers to reach associates and departments, and improve associate productivity. The advanced call handling features of IP Office automate routine tasks, enable collaboration, and improve customer service. Phone Manager beings the features and functionality normally available on feature phones to every user’s desktop PC for greater ease of use and improved productivity.
SoftConsole enables phone operators/receptionists to easily answer, route and manage incoming calls from the screen of their PCs. This application enables businesses, no matter how small, to handle calls in a very professional manner.

 

Computer Telephony Integration

The Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) features of IP Office integrate phone and PC functions to deliver a variety of capabilities. CTI provides access to information in company databases during phone calls. For example, an incoming call from a customer could automatically generate a “screen pop” of detailed information about that customer on a service representative's PC screen.

Employees can also control their phone via a familiar, easy to use graphical user interface (GUI) on their PC screen. CTI is based on the TAPI (Telephone Applications Programming Interface) standard, which supports use of Microsoft Windows applications such as Microsoft Outlook.

Through CTI, IP Office can improve employee efficiency and productivity by combining the capabilities of the telephone and the PC behind one easy to use GUI. It can enhance customer contacts by providing access to important information to associates. Support for TAPI helps extend the value of investments in IP Office.

 

Conferencing

IP Office offers the Meet-me Conferencing Bridge, which supports conferences with up to 2 x 64 parties and may require conference attendees to have a PIN number to add a level of security to the conference (requires the Voicemail Pro application).

IP Office Conferencing Center provides audio and web-based conferencing capabilities. Conferences can be scheduled and confirmed in advance by email, or set up as and when required.

Conferencing enables associates to cost effectively conduct meetings over the phone and collaborate spontaneously for information sharing and decision-making. The Meet-me Conference Bridge can lower conferencing costs by reducing the need for third-party conferencing service providers.

 

IP Telephony

Avaya 5600 IP TelephoneIP Telephony—routing calls over Internet Protocol (IP) networks using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology—is ideal for business with voice intensive applications, such as call centers, and enterprises with significant voice communications costs, such as those with branches and clients located around the world. To ensure quality, Avaya IP Office dynamically allocates bandwidth to voice calls and can even “bump” a data transmission to ensure that the voice call is unaffected.

Routing calls over IP networks is less costly than using traditional voice networks and enables businesses to take advantage of advanced applications like messaging and call center. With IP Office, businesses can elect to use IP Telephony immediately, or migrate to it at a later time.

 

Management of Call Costs

Avaya 5420 Digital TelephoneIP Office delivers a range of capabilities for managing and controlling the cost of outgoing calls. Administrators can program call restrictions to prevent or limit phone use. Least cost routing automatically determines and employs the lowest cost options for all calls.

 

Conferencing enables associates to cost effectively conduct meetings over the phone and collaborate spontaneously for information sharing and decision-making. The Meet-me Conference Bridge can lower conferencing costs by reducing the need for third-party conferencing service providers.
Messaging

IP Office comes standard with VoiceMail Lite, a built-in voice messaging feature. It supports detailed, confidential messaging for individuals and hunt groups, allowing them to quickly and conveniently receive, manage and respond to messages from customers, suppliers or employees.

The VoiceMail Pro option provides advanced capabilities such as automated attendant, directory access, and centralized voice messaging. Scaling from 2 to 30 simultaneous calls, it supports message handling for individuals or groups, provides information to callers, assists the operator during periods of heavy call activity, and more. When used with networked Avaya IP Office sites, VoiceMail Pro's centralized voice messaging feature enables a one voice messaging system to handle all messaging needs. VoiceMail Pro can dial subscribers back, internally or externally, as soon as a voice mail message is left so users can respond quickly to high priority messages.

The Unified Messaging option allows users to consolidate all messages into one inbox, and retrieve, respond and manage them from any phone or PC connected to the Internet. Users can hear their e-mail messages via a telephone and hear and/or read their voice messages via their PC. Support for INTUITY™ AUDIX® messaging (via DEFINITY or MultiVantage platforms) delivers messaging capabilities for businesses with a distributed branch office/small office environment that want to leverage the economies and functionality of a centralized voice messaging solution.

IP Office offers several messaging choices to meet the specific needs of small and medium-size businesses. Each can help ensure associates stay connected to the business at all times and from any location.

Ensuring that customer calls get through and reach the right person, extension or department every time leads to improved customer service.

Employee efficiency and productivity are maximized as calls can be routed appropriately and handled quickly during peak call periods.

 

Networking

Using Small Community Networking, IP Office allows multiple Avaya IP Office systems to be linked together using a standard data network (including Frame Relay), providing feature transparency and advanced applications, such as centralized voice messaging. As a local-area network (LAN) hub, IP Office can connect up to eight PCs and a router with standards-based directory support for integration into an existing IT environment.

With IP Office’s networking features, businesses can extend communications capabilities to remote locations, unify voice communications across multiple sites, or connect branch sites.
Linking multiple locations via Avaya IP Office is a cost-effective way to enhance the value of existing investments, improve operations, and control costs for communications and system management. Applications such as messaging can be shared transparently between locations and administered more efficiently.

 

System Administration / Management Tool

An integral part of the Avaya IP Office solution, the Manager application provides a single point of management, including applications. The Manager provides remote management facilities, and off-line configuration, and is capable of managing any number of Avaya IP Office sites from a single location—all subject to user-specific permissions.

Using the IP Office Manager application, the System Administration functionality of IP Office lets administrators monitor, maintain, change or upgrade the communications system. The application uses powerful built-in diagnostics to alert administrators when they need to take action, which can be done remotely.

Avaya also backs IP Office with a comprehensive set of installation and configuration tools (Wizards) which are provided free of charge with every IP Office system to speed up simple installations.

These tools help companies monitor activity across all locations to control costs, increase efficiencies and drive improved system performance.

With a Windows-based program and reliable backup, support and diagnostics, IP Office makes administration simple, quick and convenient—freeing administrators to work on other tasks.

The installation and configuration tools (Wizards) allow for shorter installations, less time spent on configurations, fewer mistakes and therefore greater customer satisfaction.

 

Wireless Mobility
Avaya 3810 digital wireless telephoneIP Office supports a range of digital wireless phones, which provide in-building wireless communications capability.

The mobility capabilities available with IP Office allow associates to stay in touch with customers, colleagues, and suppliers wherever they work within their location—at their desk, in a conference room, or on the factory floor. This mobility allows businesses to cost-effectively enhance call coverage and improve customer service.