NEC America Inc is collaborating with Cisco Systems Inc on voice over IP internet protocol technology, so that users can begin merging their separate voice and data networks. In the first of what is said to be a series of planned initiatives, the two will deliver a full voice over IP-enabled PBX private branch exchange, using NEC Corp’s new Neax 2400 IMX system, which deploys a new transmission signalling protocol compatible with IP networks and Cisco’s routers and switches. NEC will contribute expertise in the areas of voice communications, PBX technology and vertical market application development, while Cisco says it will provide the skills in data communications and internet. NEC has worked with Cisco in Japan since 1992. Meanwhile, NEC Corp has signed a worldwide sales and marketing alliance with self-service software specialist Edify Corp of Dallas, Texas, which will see Edify call center software software packaged in conjunction with NEC Corp’s PBX systems. NEC will use Edify’s Neax family of integrated voice servers and future PBX systems for turnkey and custom call center products, aimed particularly at entry-level customers. The systems, based on Windows NT, will be customized for vertical markets. Edify’s Electronic Workforce EWF 5.0 application, its first to run on Windows NT, was launched last October.
