California IP Voice & Data Solutions

Toshiba Launches Strata CIX40 IP Voice System for Small Companies

Completes Transition of Toshiba’s Product Line to VoIP

SAN FRANCISCO (VoiceCon Fall 2006), August 21, 2006 — Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. Telecommunication Systems Division (TAIS TSD) today announced that it has expanded its award-winning Strataâ CIX™ family of IP business communications systems with the launch of Strata CIX40 IP business communication system.  Designed specifically for small companies, Strata CIX40 supports up to 16 station ports and eight IP channels. The launch of Strata CIX40 completes Toshiba’s transition of its entire product line to Voice over IP.

“Toshiba’s Strata CIX40 offers all the benefits of Toshiba’s larger Strata CIX systems at a size and price that is perfect for small businesses,” said Brian Metherell, vice president and general manager of Toshiba’s Telecommunication Systems Division.  “With the addition of Strata CIX40, Toshiba has now completed the transition of its entire line of voice solutions to VoIP platforms, while still keeping its promise of a migration path from older Toshiba digital systems.”

“Small businesses and branch offices need the flexibility to transition from TDM to IP at their own pace. Systems like the Toshiba Strata CIX40 give them that flexibility plus the choice of having an all IP system or a mix of IP and TDM,” comments Steve Hilton, Yankee Group Director of Small & Medium Business Strategies.

As with Toshiba’s other Strata CIX offerings, the new Strata CIX40 offers Toshiba’s FeatureFlexä adaptability capabilities, can be TDM-enabled, can be networked with any other CIX40 or larger Strata CIX systems, and provides a smooth migration path.
 
Features included in the Strata CIX40 include:

• Strata Net Networking — Strata CIX40 can be networked with all of Toshiba’s Strata CIX family, including the CIX670, CIX200, CIX100 and other CIX40 systems.  This allows large companies to use the Strata CIX40 for remote small or home offices and allows smaller companies to add additional networked systems as they grow.

• Virtually All Features to All Toshiba Users, on Fixed or Mobile Devices — Strata CIX40 has been designed to deliver virtually every feature to every user, regardless of the type of Toshiba endpoint they are using, whether they are fixed or mobile.  The system supports IP phones, IP wireless telephones, IP softphones on notebook and tablet PCs, and digital (TDM) and analog telephones. 

• Choice of Endpoints — Strata CIX40 is compatible with Toshiba’s IP and digital telephones, Toshiba SoftIPT softphone for laptops and PDAs, and third-party SIP telephones (as tested by Toshiba).  It also supports Toshiba CIX Digital and IP Attendant Consoles.
  
   
• Traditional Business Phone Features in an IP System — Strata CIX40 delivers virtually all the features and functionality of Toshiba’s traditional digital business telephone systems, taking advantage of decades of experience serving enterprises with voice solutions. 
  
   
• Ability to Mix and Match IP and Digital on a Single System — Unlike many competitive IP systems, Strata CIX40 can be TDM-enabled, giving users a choice of running a pure IP system or a mix of IP and digital TDM.  This allows users to choose how they will maximize their systems and migrate existing equipment. Because it supports open standards, Strata CIX also works with SIP telephones.
  
   
• Integrated Voice Mail — This Toshiba Voice Processing Solution is designed specifically for Strata CIX40 and delivers four-port, 40-hour integrated plug-and-play voice processing.  Supporting up to 374 mailboxes, it is a fully featured voice processing solution with live message call monitoring, LCD feature prompting, soft keys, call record and much more.  Easy to install, it plugs into the Strata CIX40 cabinet.  This is an optional feature.

• Strata Media Application Server (MAS) Compatibility — For more robust applications, users may choose Toshiba’s Strata MAS, which allows multiple applications to be combined on a single media application server.  Applications include Auto Attendant, Voice Mail, Automated Speech Recognition, Text to Speech, Unified Messaging, Interactive Voice Response, Automatic Call Distribution and Reporting, Web-based Personal and System Administration, Web-based Telephone Applications, and other third party applications.  Strata MAS comes standard with Toshiba’s Stratagy® Enterprise Server Voice Processing solution, “My Phone Manager™” personal administration tool, eManager™ system administration tool, and Toshiba’s FeatureFlex™ adaptability tool that allows users to customize and add features.

• Ease of Installation — Strata CIX40 is a compact, single-cabinet system that is designed for wall mounting and occupies very little space. The CIX40 system and voice mail option comes fully programmed to plug and play immediately when powered up and initialized.

Toshiba Quality and Reliability
Built InStrata CIX40 was designed, engineered, and built by Toshiba, based on the company’s 30-year history of product and technology research and development in the United States and Japan.  It uses a high-speed 32-bit RISC processor, DRAM working memory, and SRAM with lithium battery for back-up memory.  It comes with the backing of Toshiba’s reliable service and customer support, its extensive National Accounts program and Toshiba’s ValuePlusä Warranty, the industry’s only seven-year manufacturer’s extended warranty.

Pricing and Availability
Retail prices of Strata CIX systems are set by Authorized Toshiba Dealers who sell to end users. Dealer pricing may vary, but the estimated average retail price per station starts from $400, depending upon configuration, applications, telephone models selected, and size. Customers can contact an Authorized Toshiba Dealer for more detailed pricing information.

Toshiba Receives Customer Inter@ction Solutions® Magazine’s 2005 “Product of the Year” Award

Toshiba Video Communication Solution Honored for Innovation

IRVINE, Calif., March 9, 2006—Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Telecommunication Systems Division (TAIS TSD) announced today that Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC®)’s Customer Inter@ction Solutions® magazine (www.cismag.com) has named Toshiba’s Video Communication Solution™ (VCS™) a 2005 Product of the Year Award winner. Customer Inter@ction Solutions has been the leading publication in the CRM, call center and teleservices industries since 1982™.

“We are honored to receive Customer Inter@ction Solutions magazine’s Product of the Year Award for our Toshiba Video Communication Solution,” said Brian Metherell, vice president and general manager of Toshiba’s Telecommunication Systems Division.  “With the Toshiba VCS, Toshiba has made video virtually as easy to use as a traditional telephone, and because it’s compatible with the user’s existing Toshiba Strata® CIX™ system and telephone handsets, it offers a very affordable entry point into video communication and collaboration.”

“Toshiba has demonstrated to the editors of Customer Inter@ction Solutions that its products have gone the extra mile to help improve both the customer experience and the ROI for the companies that use them,” said Nadji Tehrani, executive group publisher and editor-in-chief of Customer Inter@ction Solutions.

Compatible with Toshiba’s Strata CIX family of IP business communication systems, Toshiba’s VCS provides affordable point-to-point (P2P) video communication and collaboration (desktop and applications sharing) capabilities.  Using voice extensions, video can seamlessly be added to telephone conversations.  A number of default settings (video on/off, transmission rate and window size for video) can be configured to meet the individual user’s needs. 

Toshiba’s VCS takes productivity to a new level by allowing remote workers to see, hear, interact and collaborate on projects together, no matter where they are physically located.  Whether it’s used for daily organizational calls or VIP communication, VCS provides the remote way to conduct virtual in-person meetings for staff education, field engineer support, sales staff support, and much more.  Because it takes the place of face-to-face meetings, video communication can dramatically reduce the cost of business travel.

Functionality is integrated into the telephony capabilities with features specifically tailored to handle video telephony, including features such as hold, transfer, and forward.  Compatible with all types of Strata end points, including IP, digital telephones as well as softphones, Toshiba’s VCS puts the user in charge of how they want to use video communication.

Toshiba Receives INTERNET TELEPHONY® Magazine’s 2005 Product of the Year Award

Toshiba Video Communication Solution Honored for Innovation

IRVINE, Calif., March 8, 2006— Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Telecommunication Systems Division (TAIS TSD), announced today that Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC®)’s INTERNET TELEPHONY® magazine (www.itmag.com) has named Toshiba’s Video Communication Solution™ (VCS™) a 2005 Product of the Year Award winner.  INTERNET TELEPHONY has been the VoIP Authority Since 1998™.

“We are honored to receive Internet Telephony’s Magazine’s Product of the Year Award for our Toshiba Video Communication Solution,” said Brian Metherell, vice president and general manager of Toshiba’s Telecommunication Systems Division. “With the VCS, Toshiba is leveraging its leadership position in broadcasting and video technologies to deliver its Authorized Toshiba Dealers and SMB enterprises an affordable, easy-to-use video communication solution that matches the quality and reliability of Toshiba’s family of Strata® CIX™ business communication systems.”

“Toshiba has demonstrated to the editors of INTERNET TELEPHONY that its products are committed to quality and innovation while addressing the real needs in the marketplace,” said Rich Tehrani, group publisher and editor-in-chief of INTERNET TELEPHONY.

Compatible with Toshiba’s Strata CIX family of IP business communication systems, Toshiba’s VCS provides affordable point-to-point (P2P) video communication and collaboration (desktop and applications sharing) capabilities.  Using voice extensions, video can seamlessly be added to telephone conversations.  A number of default settings (video on/off, transmission rate and window size for video) can be configured to meet the individual user’s needs. 

Toshiba’s VCS takes productivity to a new level by allowing remote workers to see, hear, interact and collaborate on projects together, no matter where they are physically located.  Whether it’s used for daily organizational calls or VIP communication, VCS provides the remote way to conduct virtual in-person meetings for staff education, field engineer support, sales staff support, and much more.  Because it takes the place of face-to-face meetings, video communication can dramatically reduce the cost of business travel.

Functionality is integrated into the telephony capabilities with features specifically tailored to handle video telephony, including features such as hold, transfer, and forward.  Compatible with all types of Strata end points, including IP, digital telephones as well as softphones, Toshiba’s VCS puts the user in charge of how they want to use video communication.

Battle for SMB Enterprise

IRVINE, Calif., January 24, 2006 —Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Telecommunication Systems Division (TSD) today announced that Mac McGrath, director of Sales, National Account Program/Government Systems, will present on the “Battle for SMB Enterprise” keynote panel at TMC’s INTERNET TELEPHONY® Conference & EXPO East 2006, being held January 24–27, 2006, at the Fort Lauderdale-Broward County Convention Center. This keynote panel is open to all registered attendees and will take place Thursday, January 26, 2006, at 4:15 p.m. IT Expo is the world’s largest and best-attended VoIP trade show.

“Toshiba is one of the leading IP Telephony equipment providers, and I look forward to sharing our experiences and those of our Authorized Dealer Network, with 800 locations throughout the United States, on the competitive IP telephony marketplace for the SMB enterprise,” said McGrath. “We look forward to a challenging debate with our competitors about how SMB enterprises are making the transition to IP telephony and what we as equipment manufacturers are doing to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

“We are very excited to have Mac McGrath on board as a speaker again at this year’s IT Expo show,” said TMC president and conference co-chair, Rich Tehrani. “Since Toshiba is one of the leaders in the SMB IP telephony marketplace, we look forward to Mac’s comments and experiences on how IP telephony continues to change the way SMB enterprises communicate and do business.”

At Toshiba, Mr. McGrath is responsible for directing TAIS TSD’s National Account Program and Government Systems Sales for its telecommunications group. He is commissioned with delivering to these customer channels the Toshiba promise and commitment to the value set enabled through emerging technologies such as IP Telephony and Voice/Data Mobility. He also oversees international distribution and support through the National Account Program. Mr. McGrath has more than 35 years experience in telecommunications, IP and mobile communications sales and marketing.

Toshiba Hosting Dealer Panel on VoIP
Mr. McGrath will also moderate a panel of IP telephony resellers, entitled “VOIP from the Trenches: Real Life Successes,” being held on Wednesday, January 25, 2006, from 2:00–2:45 p.m. The panel will feature Ray Balboa, treasurer/secretary of TeleSound Systems Corporation in Miami; Keith Croteau, president of eCom2000 of Juno Beach, Fla.; David Espino, director of sales at Strata Communications Inc. in Oldsmar, Fla.; and Mark Williams, owner of Teleco South Florida in Deerfield, Fla. The panel will discuss experiences in deploying VoIP in a variety of industries, from the RFP and decision-making process to installation and bottom-line results.

Toshiba Presenting Educational Session on WiFi VoIP
David Fridley, senior product manager for Toshiba IP Telephony Solutions, will present a stand-alone educational session entitled, “WiFi VoIP: From Installation to Implementation” on Thursday, January 26, 2006, from 12:30–1:15 p.m. In his session, Mr. Fridley will educate the audience on WiFi in a VoIP application, from installation to successful implementation. He will cover network assessments (making sure the wireless network is ready for voice), advantages of WiFi, and troubleshooting the VoWiFi system.

Toshiba Presenting on Why VoIP Makes Sense for SMBs Session
Mr. Fridley will also participate in a shared session entitled, “Why VoIP Makes Sense for SMBs” being held Friday, January 27, 2006, from 8:30–9:15 a.m. The session will focus on why VoIP makes sense for small to medium sized business (SMBs) and will include how SMBs can make smart decisions on a VoIP system, costs of implementing VoIP versus cost savings, and how it will positively impact communications at SMBs. The session will also feature several real-world case studies in different vertical markets showing the benefits of VoIP for SMBs.

Registration for the show is now open. Anyone interested may register by visiting http://www.itexpo.com. Limited booth space is still available as well. Vendors interested in exhibiting at the show should contact Dave Rodriguez at 1-203-852-6800, ext. 146 or at drodriguez@tmcnet.com.
 

About Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of three divisions: Digital Products Division, Telecommunication Systems Division and the Storage Device Division. Together, the three divisions provide mobile products and solutions, telecommunications, imaging and storage products and services. Products include industry leading portable computers, projectors, DVD/CD recordable products and hard disk drives for computers, telephony products, digital imaging systems, wireless solutions and services.

Strata CTX has won 2004 Product of the Year

Toshiba is thrilled to announce that the Strata CTX has won 2004 Product of the Year from Communications Convergence Magazine!   Highlighting the "smart CTX platform's ability to centralize multi-site  madness," the editors at Communications Convergence touted the Strata CTX for its "ability to network multiple systems so they function as one integrated network." Further, the magazine applauded Toshiba's strategy, stating "Toshiba has always been smart about balancing aggressive adoption of new technology and solid core product engineering." The article goes on to describe the "exceptionally full-featured CTX" in more detail, affirming that the Strata CTX is, indeed, one of the best!  Be sure to promote our most recent award in all your proposals and marketing materials.  In fact, we'll send you article reprints as soon as the ink is dry so watch your mailbox!  In the meantime, check out the December issue of Communications Convergence for the complete article. Once again this industry stamp of approval is a true testament to the Toshiba Strata CTX.  We're extremely proud of this honor and we thank you for your support and feedback as we continue to develop award-winning products.

Toshiba adds the CTX28, a new small business/home system, for 2004.