Open Architecture Computer Telephony Servers and Tools

VoIP PCI H.323 Gateway - Overview

Telephone Voice Routed over Data Networks to provide solutions for Call Centres (traditional and virtual), Audio Conference Bridges, FAX Servers, IVR Auto Attendant, Text to Speech, Voice Recording, connectivity into existing PBX's, Web linkages, plus many custom functions.

What is Voice Over IP?
Voice Over IP (VoIP) can provide organisations with an alternative to analogue telephone connections. Instead of using a dedicated circuit between parties, as happens with calls over the public telephone network, internal phone systems or mobile networks, VoIP digitises conversations and transmits the data using standard TCP/IP networking packets. This allows voice traffic to be carried over the same wires as Ethernet LAN and WAN data, or across wireless networks if required. With the right equipment, voice calls can be transmitted over the Internet, just like ordinary Emails, Web pages and other Net-borne data. Because carrying voice and data on the same wire removes the need for separate networks, implementing VoIP can save companies money, although special digital systems and telephones are required. Savings can be made on calls between offices, and especially from international calls, as traffic can be sent via the Internet to call anywhere in the world. Fax costs can also be cut using VoIP.
One of the biggest advantages of VoIP is that it can support integrated voice and data applications therefore enabling computer telephony integration. VoIP can make it easier to build customer relationship management (CRM) applications, Call Centres and help desks, providing, for example, the ability to link Web and voice services.
Typical Application using Conference Bridge
The diagram below shows how a single conference bridge can be shared between two remote offices using a managed data network

VoIP and CallHandler
Chelston’s COM Object based CTI Middleware Software is hardware independent. This means that applications written to run on it are independent of the hardware channels they are communicating with. For example, an Agent in a Call Centre can seamlessly be talking via a PSTN or VoIP connection. The application software is not affected by the output/input channel. The hardware chosen for Chelston's VoIP solution is from Aculab.
Aculab present a common interface to the CallHandler which means it was very easily integrated into the existing architecture. VoIP and E1/T1 network connectivity can be mixed as required. The only restrictions are the number of PCI cards that can be put into the PC chassis.
All the communications standards and processing power are taken off by the PCI Cards. This means that the PC is only acting as a power and data host to the telephony function, resulting in a very robust and stable platform.

Performance Benefits of the Aculab VoIP Card
Aclab Card	Other Host Solutions
Direct LAN to Card so Lowest Possible delays	Through Host LAN Connection - so Higher Delays + operation Loads the Host Computer BUS
Separate DATA and Voice LAN\WAN connections - so Data can be kept secure (Behind Firewall) but voice (H.323) can be connected non-secure side of firewall (no delay or H.323 connect issues)	Data and Voice share LAN/WAN connection so voice needs to go through a Firewall with all the associated delay and connection Port issues that this causes

Application examples
The IP telephony gateway PCI card can be used as a means of moving traffic between dissimilar networks as in a media or signalling gateway and also to leverage existing IVR or unified messaging applications. In a typical gateway scenario, the card is fitted with an E1/T1 digital network access module, and this may be used to provide an interface between conventional PBX equipment, using any supported protocol, and LAN based IP telephony clients. It can also be used to enable the cost-effective use of an already established enterprise WAN or Intranet, again by interfacing corporate PBX telephone users to the IP network, delivering voice over IP into a legacy environment.
For IVR applications, particularly in leading call centre operations where there is a need to provide multi-channel access for customers, the VoIP card can be used to provide an IP interface. For systems already having a PSTN connection, the IP telephony gateway PCI card is provided without the optional E1/T1 digital network access module, with the 'gateway' between the 10/100 BASE-T interface and the H.100 CT bus. It is used in this way as a gateway between the IP network and the existing speech processing resources of the IVR system. This means that technology investments are protected and utilised to deliver new or improved functionality leading to better customer service and loyalty.

Email for more information: info@chelston

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