As an alternative to the capital purchase of a traditional phone system or PBX, Centrex solutions have been around for many years. However, the advent of IP and hence the carrying of voice traffic over the internet has led to the availability of new, hosted IP PBX solutions with enhanced features, even over and above those of modern, complex and expensive PBXs.

These are now available at a fraction of historical costs making IP Centrex an exciting and attractive proposition for all businesses, large or small. IP Centrex has no capital outlay and is instantly flexible to meet the changing needs of any business.

Bluetone's VoIP for Business service, provided in partnership with partnership with Timico and Nortel Networks is a fully hosted, SIP-based Voice over IP solution designed specifically for the business market.

Free inclusive broadband

With a Bluetone VoIP account there is no extra cost for broadband* as it is included in the monthly subscription. Timico provides the broadband from its own high quality ISP providing full Quality of Service (QOS) ensuring that all voice calls are of the highest quality.

Timico has its own Cisco-based core network which supplies the fully-managed DSL and dedicated internet connectivity required to operate your VoIP for Business service.

The Bluetone VoIP for Business solution can be installed as a standalone IP PBX or it can work in tandem with your existing PBX, extending it to peripheral office sites or to remote tele-workers.

• Hosted service with full resilience and 24 hour system management
• Cost reductions through a minimal capex investment and low cost of ownership
• Make calls over the internet at dramatically reduced rates
• Free intra company calls
• Free, inclusive broadband
• Wide range of PBX features including caller display, call waiting, call transfer, voicemail, last number redial and three way calling
• PC Client software providing on-screen multimedia phone capability, including desktop videoconferencing, presence, instant file transfer and web push
• Variety of call management options including call routing, call screening and call logging
• A VoIP telephone number that travels with you wherever you go - your account can be accessed via any web browser worldwide
• A high level of security, preventing unwanted outsiders from contacting users and reducing the risk of network intrusion
• ADSL broadband is provided as part of the inclusive price of a VoIP subscription. If the cost of the Broadband service required at any site is more than the sum total of the costs of subscriptions at that site, the difference will be charged

Main features

Every user within your organisation is supplied with a PC Client (or 'soft phone'), bringing VoIP phone calling and a range of multimedia functionality directly to a PC or laptop. Users can log into their account from any web browser worldwide. They can also opt for a VoIP deskphone if required.

Bluetone's VoIP for Business service offers a huge range of easy-to-use features, a few of which are available on traditional PBXs, but most, such as person to person videoconferencing have appeared only very recently, thanks to the advent of IP telephony:

PBX type features

• A range of traditional PBX functions including caller display, call waiting, call transfer, voicemail, last number redial and three way calling , call hold and call mute, call logs - inbox / outbox , call waiting disable, personal address book, do not disturb / Ignore, message waiting indicator, user programmable program keys, Quality of Service and call redirect
• A managed short code dial plan to fit in with your existing PBX
• Full PBX-based routing packages including free self-provisioned hunt groups and ring groups

PC Client features

• Presence - see whether the person you want to phone is available before calling
• Instant messaging - if your contact is already on the phone, opt to send them an instant message or email instead
• Integration with Outlook address book - click to call a contact or incorporate Outlook address book into the PC Client Click to Call - allows calls to be placed instantly by clicking on the contact information
• Personal & Group Directories - permits users to manage, track, and maintain information about key contacts
• Picture ID - stores user's picture on the network for display during incoming call and in the address book
• Company administrator access - easy subscriber management and adds, moves and changes
• A single mailbox - hold messages from various telephony devices. Messages are compressed into an audio file and forwarded to the subscriber's email address
• Voicemail service - options for different messages based on time of day or call routing options

Multimedia collaboration services

Working with the PC Client facilitates the sharing of files, images, text and other content by geographically dispersed individuals. Collaboration features include:

• Instant Messaging - allows secure text notes to be sent and received between one or more recipients, even while they are engaged in an active call
• Buddies List with Presence - allows the user to constantly monitor the availability of up to 20 selected contacts
• Whiteboarding - facilitates collaboration through the sharing of text and graphic objects in a common workspace
• Instant file transfer - permits the sending and receiving of files from a remote collaborator, even while the user is engaged in voice/video/multimedia session with that individual
• Web push - enables a user to instantly display web pages on a contact's screen during active calls
• Co-browsing - enables a user to automatically display web pages on a contact's screen as the user surfs the web
• Conferencing - multi-party conferences can be set up easily without any need for pre-booking
• Desktop video calling - enables point-to-point video calling from your desktop, without the need for special rooms or complicated dialling procedures

Personal Agent

The system's Personal Agent is a web based interface allowing the user to define rules for redirecting their incoming calls (based on call attributes such as caller ID, time of day, etc.) from a single directory number (or SIP address) to their most convenient communications device. The Personal Agent also provides:

• Call Screening - provides programmable screening procedures based on caller ID
• Find Me/Follow Me - redirects incoming calls based on caller ID, time of day and day of week
• Simultaneous Ringing - allows an incoming call to ring all communication devices at the same time
• Sequential Ringing - allows an incoming call to ring communication devices in a user-defined sequence
• One mailbox - allows for one voice mailbox to be used for multiple communications devices
• One phone number - allows user to be reached on any phone including mobiles from one inbound phone number
• Access from any web browser - changes can be made to users' personal accounts from any PC anywhere