TeleWare launches SIP softphone for Microsoft PDAs

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 23 November 2005 15:34

Business IT - Technology

Telephony software company TeleWare has released its iX-Fone SIP-based softphone for Microsoft CE and Microsoft PocketPC based PDA's in Australia/ New Zealand.

iX-Fone CE works with the TeleWare's intelligent eXchange (iX) SIP-based softswitch to support traditional PABX features on a PDA including message waiting, caller ID, call transfer, call waiting, call divert, call hold, intelligent numbering, presence, voice mail and tele-conferencing. The system also has tight messaging integration with Novell GroupWise, Lotus Notes and Microsoft Office.

The iX-Fone CE client is claimed to interact with any conforming application and to have been successfully tested with CE devices from a number of leading manufacturers including Dell, HP Compaq and HTC (manufacturer of the XDA II). It enables the use of these PDAs as WiFi telephony devices in the office and also as a mobile device into a WiFi enabled PC - for example, a portable PC/laptop used at home over a broadband connection.

According to Mike Blanchard, MD of TeleWare Australia & New Zealand, "In the past, there have been a small number of shareware type VoIP offerings for PDAs from smaller vendors, but this is the first time that an enterprise class product with the full range of features has been made available."

The software provides a reduction in call costs by automatically prompting the device to be selected and utilises the lowest cost network at any point in time such as fixed LAN, wireless network, wireless hotspots or cellular/PSTN network. If configured, the system will use the least expensive network available, instead of the GSM or PSTN, with subsequent cost savings to the customer.

TeleWare iX-Fone for PCs, iX-Fone CE for PDAs and intelligent eXchange SIP switch/IP-PBX are supported by a software development kit for integration of telephony applications into other business processes and to allow more bespoke customisation of features and functions.