Zultys takes SIP to launch Zip

IP telephony vendor unveils SIP-enabled handset in the US

Start-up IP telephony vendor Zultys Technologies has launched a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) enabled IP handset in the US and is set to launch the phone in the UK soon.

The product, called Zip 4x4, which costs $400, is built on Linux, works as a switch and supports the emerging SIP call-control standard.

According to Iain Milnes, president of Zultys, Zip 4x4 works with the vendor's own MX 1200 IP-PBX, as well as systems from other vendors that support open standards.

"For resellers, the benefit in supporting this phone is that it is based on open standards, which are definitely the wave of the future. The days of proprietary systems are numbered," Milnes said.

With the integrated switch, the phone is also simple to deploy because resellers can use the existing Ethernet connection from the network room to users' desktops, Milnes said.

Other devices, such as PCs, laptops, PDAs and printers, can plug into the network through the phone's four Ethernet ports.

"It's a full and proper switch, so your PC can continue to get a 100Mbps connection, just as it did before," he added.

Terry Howick, vice-president of operations at reseller LEI Communications, said Zip 4x4 is also easy for customers to operate because it does not use embedded scroll-through soft keys.

"The buttons are well-marked, and you don't have to search through a bunch of menus to find a feature," he said.

In addition to four Ethernet ports, Zip 4x4 supports four call appearances, or simultaneous incoming or outgoing calls.

Other features include voice stream encryption through secure Real-Time Transport Protocol, power over Ethernet, five-way call-conferencing, and a full duplex speakerphone with acoustic echo cancellation.

In January Zultys launched its first product, the MX 1200, which integrates call management, automated call distribution, voicemail, auto attendant, internet gateway and firewall capabilities in one box.