AVAYA
Avaya’s system proposal had some rather unexpected aspects. One would have assumed that the RFP port capacity and geographic redundancy requirements dictated that Avaya would propose a single system S8730 Server solution; instead they proposed multiple S8500 Servers. A S8500 Server with a S8500 Local Survivable Processor (LSP) as a backup server was proposed for one of the headquarters facility equipment rooms, with another S8500 LSP proposed for the second equipment room.
It should also be noted that S8500 Server port capacity (2,400 stations) met the system growth requirements with little room to spare. The much larger-capacity S8730 Server is equipped standard with active and standby call servers, and each can be geographically distributed via LAN or fiber connections. So why propose the S8500 solution? One advantage is that the S8500 supports direct Ethernet call signaling to IP endpoints; the S8730 supports call signaling connections deploying Internet Protocol Signaling Interface (IPSI) and Control LAN (CLAN) circuit boards housed in a G650 circuit switched-based port carrier. Also, the S8500 could use the recently introduced G450 MGs for non-IP peripheral interface support instead of the more costly G650 solution. The latter media gateway cabinet requires dedicated IPSI, CLAN, and media gateway boards for functions that are embedded in the G450.
While technically the S8500 Server is not redundant, the proposed S8500 LSPs offered a satisfactory level of resiliency in case of processor failure. For the remote locations, Avaya proposed its S8300 LSP solution (G450 MG at regional office, G350 MG at satellite office). The LSP option supports seamless switchover and full feature capabilities in survivable model, fully satisfying the RFP requirements.
In addition to the call processing servers, Avaya’s configuration also included additional servers for SIP Enablement Services (SES), Modular Messaging, One-X Speech, and Meeting Exchange. It should be noted Avaya remains the only vendor to require a peripheral server to support some SIP service capabilities, including desktop instruments. Avaya proposed its integrated E911 solution to satisfy RFP requirements, although the more advanced RedSky solution is available as an option.
Avaya has a very strong IP telephone portfolio, and appeared to generally satisfy the RFP. Avaya proposed its cost-efficient 1603 to fully satisfy Economy requirements. The Avaya 9650 was proposed for Administrative model requirements; the Avaya 9630 for Professional model requirements; and the Avaya 9640 for Executive model requirements. Although Avaya’s 9600 models have a very limited number of fixed feature keys (as required by the RFP), they generally satisfied all RFP requirements. It must be noted, however, that the pricing proposal did not include the Bluetooth interface option nor the Gigabit Ethernet option (or integrated Gigabit model) as required to satisfy the RFP requirements. Also, a 4600-based teleworker instrument with integrated VPN capabilities is available; however, the newer generation 9600 does not currently support this requirement.
Avaya’s solution strongly satisfied RFP security and system management requirements, and fully satisfied all listed generic software features (the only vendor to do so). Avaya has been a pacesetter in cellular extension support, and its current software-based offering supports one-number access by enabling calls bound for an employee’s business number to ring simultaneously on both their office phone and up to four mobile (or wireline) phones. Users can access a variety of advanced features such as transfer and conference. Avaya’s one-X Mobile software client transforms a user's mobile phone into a full-featured extension of their office desk phone supporting one-number service, single voice mail box, dial through the PBX, and advanced feature access via an integrated GUI on the mobile device. The Mobile option works across a wide range of smart phone models and operating systems. Last year Avaya was the first to announce planned support of the Apple iPhone.
Avaya strongly satisfied the RFP’s unified communications requirements. Included among the proposed elements were: one-X Desktop (SIP Softphone); IP Softphone; one-X Portal; one-X Mobile; and one-X Speech (voice portal). Conferencing & collaboration solutions included Meeting Exchange, Avaya Web Conferencing; and Avaya Video Telephony. An Application Enablement Services (AES) server may also be required to fully satisfy customer-specific requirements. Microsoft and IBM integration was fully supported by the proposal.
NORTEL
Nortel proposed the CS 1000E High Availability system with redundant call and signaling servers, media gateways, and PRI Media Gateways providing campus redundancy. Additional servers housed at the headquarters facility support messaging, contact center, and unified communications requirements. E911 services support is fully embedded into the generic software design.
Media Gateway (MG) 1000E with integrated call and signaling servers were proposed for each equipment room at the headquarters facilities. At both the regional and satellite facilities Nortel proposed MG 1000E Survivable with integrated Call Server and Signaling Server. Any of the distributed MG 1000Es with integrated call/signaling servers is capable of supporting the entire network if necessary at maximum port capacity. The remote MG 1000Es support full feature capabilities in survivable mode, and all active calls are preserved during a switchover, but implementation of new calls is delayed for a short period until the local server is fully active.
Nortel’s proposed IP telephones were a mix of design types. The Nortel 1210 fully satisfied all Economy model requirements. The Nortel 1120E with an Expansion Module satisfied Administrative model requirements except for wideband codec capabilities. Also, a standard USB interface port is available that can be substituted for a Bluetooth interface. The Nortel 1140E was proposed for the Professional model and fully satisfied all requirements except for a wideband codec; both Gigabit and Bluetooth interfaces are standard with the instrument. The Nortel 2007 was proposed for the Executive model requiring a color display screen, but did not satisfy wideband, Gigabit, or Bluetooth/USB requirements. A VPN-based teleworker instrument is not available.
Nortel has always had a very strong generic software feature set. The proposed solution only lacked the Whisper Page feature. Two other features, Meet-me Conferencing and Multi-Party Assisted Conference w/Selective Call Drop, require an ICB card. All required Attendant and System features were supported. Systems management support was also strong, but security requirements demanded optional hardware--Nortel’s Secure Multimedia Controller (SMC) 2450--to provide a “Secure Multimedia Zone” to support encrypted call signaling to and from Nortel IP Phones.
Beginning with CS 1000 Release 5.5, Nortel’s Mobile Extension became a native feature. Mobile Extension supports single number reach and a single voice mail box while extending basic system features to the mobile device such as direct extension dial and conferencing services. Other basic features such as transfer, hold and forward are supported. The feature can also be used to support Microsoft’s Office Communicator Client desktop option. The Nortel Mobile Communication 3100 advanced GUI client works with Windows Mobile dual-mode (Wi-Fi/Cellular) devices and selected single-mode BlackBerry and Nokia devices. Only single devices are currently supported by the 3100 option.
Although Nortel has its own enhanced unified communications solution, MCS 5100, the vendor proposed Converged Office with Microsoft OCS. It is an integrated portfolio of telephony, conferencing, messaging and satellite solution that includes a single soft client, Microsoft Office Communicator Client, as a single client for presence, IM, voice/telephony, conferencing and contact center. Office Communicator Mobile was proposed for mobile users. The proposed Nortel Call Pilot UM partially addressed RFP Voice Portal requirements. Obviously, the proposed Converged Office solution does not support IBM integration capabilities. The alternative Nortel MCS 5100 solution supports both Microsoft and IBM integration if required.
