Intel unveils voice and data platform

Architecture more affordable for SMEs

Intel has blown open the convergence market by releasing a new open-architecture platform that allows SMEs more-affordable access to combined voice and data products.

Networking and telephony distributor Crane has secured an exclusive pan-European agreement with Intel to supply the PC-based platform.

The Intel Converged Communication Platform (ICCP), which is still at the beta-testing stage, is due to be officially launched at the beginning of July.

Developed in PBX format, ICCP can accommodate 50 to 360 users and is based on Windows 2000 server technology.

Intel has been working with independent software vendors to develop applications for the platform, bringing the convergence process down in price for end-users, said Leon Conway, product strategy manager at Crane.

"The platform is ideal for the SME community, which previously could not afford this kind of technology," he said. "Previously, a customer bought one manufacturer's convergence product and was then tied to buying that vendor's peripheral products as well. But Intel has opened it up," he added. P>Channel reaction has been positive. Phillip Smith, managing director of VAR Castleford Associates, which is testing the system, said: "This technology will do for telephony what the jet engine did for air travel.

"Proprietary manufacturers must be having nightmares, because the cost of ownership is so low compared with theirs. The only thing I'm worried about is selling too many."