Public Relations

Asgent Announces Release of SIP-based IP-PBX for use with pre-existing telephone systems

- Making the gradual shift to IP telephony a reality -

September 1, 2005
Asgent,Inc.

Asgent, Inc. (President & CEO: Takahiro (Shuji) Sugimoto, located in Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo), a pioneer in security solutions, announces the start of sales of the “Apostra' IPX-120”, an IP-PBX solution that allows small to mid-size companies to implement IP telephone systems that are capable of working in conjunction with existing telephone systems.

■ Background

A need to reduce expenditure for communication management and the unification of voice and data content is the prime motive behind the shift towards IP-based telephone systems for many companies. However, obstacles exist that make it difficult for small and medium sized companies to make the move to IP-based telephone systems.

1. The inability of IP phones to coexist with traditional existing telephones means that the only option available is for companies to make the total shift to IP telephone systems, with the resulting high installation costs.
   
2. There are a limited number of low-cost IP-PBX systems that support the various functions that current PBX systems possess (hold delivery, group teleconferencing etc).

With these issues in mind, Asgent announces the release of the “Apostra IP-PBX20”, an IP-PBX system that gives customers the opportunity to gradually phase IP telephony into the corporate environment. The “Apostra IP-PBX20” connects to and works in conjunction with standard PBXs through a BRI interface, allowing it to coexist with existing telephone systems, so making it possible to make the gradual shift to IP telephony systems with a minimum of initial investment. Naturally, the “IP-PBX20” can also be utilized in corporate telephony environments where the shift to IP telephony is already complete. Also, standard telephony functionality such as call holding, hold delivery, absent transfer, answer phone, ISTP/PSTN external line calling are retained. Moreover, by establishing an alternate route between internal lines and the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), support for emergency numbers and support in case of network breakdowns is also possible.

A maximum of 50 telephones (including internal extension lines) can be connected to the “Apostra’ IPX-120” at any one time, with a maximum of 20 concurrent calls. It is possible though to exceed this number by installing additional “Apostra IPX-120” units.

[Apostra' IPX-120]

Start of Sales: September 15, 2005

Proposed Sales Price: Open Price

Features:

• Ability to coexist with traditional telephone systems by connecting to preinstalled PBX.
• Enables support for emergency numbers and support in case of network breakdowns by creating an alternate route between internal extension lines and the PSTN.
• Support for frequently used PBX functions
  • Internal line functions
    • Call holding
    • No response forwarding
    • Hold delivery
    • Busy call transfer
    • Call waiting (catch)
    • Call pick-up
    • Call-park
    • Call hunting
    • Group teleconferencing
    • Absent transfer
    • Auto attendant, etc.
  • Answer phone functions
  • ITSP/PSTN External line functions
    • PSTN external calling
    • Call hunting
    • ITSP external calling
    • Group teleconferencing
    • Dial-in
    • Auto attendant, etc.

Specifications

[Regarding Apostra’ Brand]

Asgent develops and sells SIP related products under the Apostra’ brand name.

[Related Documentation]

Apostra’ IPX-20 Configuration Example (PDF-Japanese Only)