Toshiba Announces Browser-Based Unified Messaging Retrieval
Strategy View, a "sleek and efficient" Web interface, lets enterprise workers grab their voice and fax messages wherever they have Internet access.
Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. yesterday unveiled Strategy View, a new convenience application for users of its Strata CIX IP phone systems who also have licenses for the company's Strategy ES unified messaging technology.
Strategy View lets users retrieve their voicemail and fax messages from any location where they have Internet access via standard Web browser—instead of having to use the Strategy mail client on their PC or laptop.
"Strategy View gives users a sleek and efficient Unified Communications Web interface to access and manage their voice and fax messages from anywhere there is Internet access," said Shahin Hatamian, vice president of product management at Toshiba’s Telecommunication Systems Division. "Whether they are traveling or in a meeting, users can quickly check voice and fax messages over the Internet using Strategy View, without even needing to first access their email providers."
The new application, which is powered by the open-source Web server Apache Tomcat software, can run on a variety of Toshiba messaging server components (MAS (media application server) or MicroMAS) or on a separate Web server on the enterprise network.
Strategy View then acts as a go-between, linking the Strategy ES system with the company's e-mail provider. When new fax or voicemail messages hit the voice system, it posts them on the Web server and sends an e-mail alert to the user containing a link to the Web page. But, again, the e-mail is only an alert; users can check the Strategy View Web page at any opportunity.
At the core of the Strategy View interface is a message list that displays sender/caller, duration (for voicemail), time-date stamp, and message header, if any. Users can read/listen to messages, and reply, forward, delete, and save them right from the Web interface. They can even attach notes to the messages in the queue.
Strategy also presents two contact lists: the full organizational directory (i.e., all enterprise personnel licensed for the Strategy ES messaging system) and a personal address book that can also contain outside contacts.
The interface lets users configure what equipment will be used to record and play back voice messages—computer based audio components or a pre-specified phone. There are some other configuration tasks available in the Web interface, and Strategy View can run in a mini-player mode for ongoing monitoring of message traffic.
Strategy View works with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, Macintosh Safari, and Mozilla FireFox for both Windows and Macintosh. It is available now, through Toshiba's authorized dealer network, at no extra cost to Strategy ES licensees.
