Hosted Telecom Applications

Promise to let businesses completely outsource their telephony services.

by Wayne Kawamoto

Sylantro Systems announced two new application modules in its Communications Suite: ComCierge and ComTraveler. According to the company, ComCierge offers businesses and their employees the ability to tailor and manage communication processes in an intuitive and efficient manner.

While the ComTraveler module delivers remote access to the Sylantro application set from an Internet-enabled mobile phone. Both modules were designed to offer service providers a new level of value and "stickiness" to their overall service offerings.

The company claims that its pre-packaged, easy-to-deploy application modules enable service providers to deliver advanced, managed telephony services that permit small and medium-sized businesses to completely outsource their telephony services.

So instead of purchasing and managing a PBX, Centrex, or Key System, customers may be able to manage, provision, and personalize their individual phones and telecom services via a browser-based portal. Also, Sylantro's carrier-grade applications-enabled softswitch technology is supposed to enable service providers to deliver hosted services and become a partner rather than just a vendor to their business customers.

"Service providers are looking for applications and services that will generate new sources of revenue from the investment they've made in broadband infrastructure," stated Pete Bonee, Sylantro's president and CEO. "These new applications, combined with our c-Business module, supply the most comprehensive telephony application offering currently available to service providers. By seamlessly integrating the business phone with the Internet-enabled cell phone, we have opened up exciting new revenue opportunities for service providers to simplify end-users' lives and deliver new applications and content."

"These new application modules from Sylantro are an excellent example of the types of applications that service providers should be looking to deploy if they want to succeed in the new market for IP-based voice services," stated John Kuzma, senior analyst for New Voice Infrastructure at RHK. "Most service providers either have developed or are in the process of developing broadband networks. However, in order to generate high-margin revenue from these networks, they will also need to deploy services that reduce customer churn and allow for 'upselling.' Sylantro's applications do just that."

"ComTraveler, in conjunction with ComCierge, allows service providers to deliver branded content and services to wireless devices without actually offering wireless service themselves," said Laura Thompson, Sylantro's vice president, marketing and business development. "By doing so, Sylantro gives service providers a strong service differentiator, as well as the opportunity become more a partner to its customers."

Pricing and availability
At press time, pricing had not yet been established. The products will be available during the fourth quarter of this year.

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