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Voice over IP Systems: Page 3 of 21


Unfortunately, the HiPath 3000 switch line requires proprietary phones, and Siemens did not indicate any planned support for SIP-based phones. On the bright side standards-wise, Siemens' OpenScape SIP-based presence product is one of the most impressive of the bunch.

Based on Microsoft's Real-Time Communication (RTC) server, OpenScape lets users automatically advertise multiple levels of status and availability over the phone, instant messaging or e-mail. It also lets users easily set up rules for contacting them, update their current contact status and specify which devices should be contacted, in preference order or if at all, depending on who is calling (for a presence primer, see "The Basics of Presence,").




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For example, you can choose from statuses like "on the phone," "in a meeting," "on vacation" or "available via cell phone." And the status information can be integrated with groupware applications, including Microsoft Exchange, IBM/Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise.

The HiPath 3000 comes with a basic conferencing system, but HaveNoFear could add on the OpenScape presence application, which brings presence to conference-call setups. This makes it much easier to set up ad hoc conference calls, especially with predefined groups also running OpenScape. And it makes it possible to turn a standard conference call into a multimedia collaborative workgroup session with a few mouse clicks.