By building on proven technology and focusing on migration, CommWest solutions are backward and forward compatible. Customers can appreciate the commitment to protecting as much of their investment as possible, while continuing to deliver the latest technology and customer benefits. With the introduction of IP telephony, CommWest offers a true “hybrid” system. By combining analog, digital, wireless, and now IP into one platform, the system has the flexibility to meet almost anybody’s needs, leaving the customers to choose what they want, where they want and when they want it. Customers will not have to invest their money into technology unless it brings them real value. The Inter-Tel solution provides that choice of technology. This means the customer retains the right to decide which technology they implement and where. Our solution gives them the flexibility of using circuit-based and/or packet-based technology, within one system, as they see fit.

CommWest's commitment to new technology has provided its customers with the ability to use Voice over IP (VolP) at both the system level and the desktop level, without compromising functionality. At the system level, the 63 locations that tie together transparently can also use IP or Frame Relay networks to connect together, rather than the more costly PSTN. At the desktop level, IP phones and soft phones connect users to the phone system from wherever they are. These more advanced alternatives to the traditional desktop phones have broken the boundaries of the phone system. Designed for the Internet, these phones deliver all the features of an advanced digital phone to virtually any location, worldwide.

In addition to the capabilities above, Inter-Tel offers a complete line of voice and data routers and e-commerce applications for the enterprise. The voice and data routers (part of our InterPrise line) are designed to work with anyone's PBX and allow them to use VolP for long distance bypass, unified dialing, and centralized management. The e-commerce applications are designed around the need to communicate through a company's Web Site. The applications literally "voice enable" the web experience by adding touch-to-talk VolP from a Web browser, along with full collaboration, including web page push technology and text chat.

By using the Internet as part of your communications solution, your phone system is everywhere you want it to be. With IP-based phones, such as the IP PhonePlus and the IP SoftPhone, your data network seamlessly connects together your telecommuters, satellite offices and warehouse facilities as if they were all in the same building. It eliminates the need for a separate phone system in each location and it provides you with functionality, mobility and flexibility like you've never seen before. IP PhonePlus is integrated with the telephone system to connect any off-site worker to the full power of the Axxess platform through the company's data network (LAN, WAN or Internet connection) to send and receive voice transmissions in the form of data. All customers' employees, no matter where they are, can work as if they were physically in one location.

Because the IP phones are fully integrated with the platform, users anywhere have access to the full functionality of the phone system, such as transferring calls, conferencing, accessing voice mail, record-a-call, etc. Call center agents working off-site do not sacrifice functionality. They can be part of hunt groups or call routing patterns, and supervisors can monitor their calls as if they were in the office. The only thing missing is the office itself.

More and more businesses have multiple locations or remote workforces. CommWest offers multiple solutions to handle these challenges and creates a truly connected workforce. Customers may select from a variety of IP, digital or analog phones in a large office or campus environment. If they need wireless access for those who are on the move, Inter-Tel can do that too. If they have telecommuters, work at home employees, and traveling sales people, CommWest can accommodate them as well. Inter-Tel can transparently network up to 63 nodes and 20,000 ports over traditional or IP based networks. These locations can be tied together with full-feature transparency, while leveraging the Internet. Extensions within an CommWest system can literally be distributed around the globe. Users can function like they are in the same office, regardless of their location. Companies can now leverage the Internet to extend their phone system worldwide, without losing the functionality they have grown accustomed to in more traditional platforms. Furthermore, a key benefit is the cost savings realized by eliminating duplicate infrastructure, such as voice processing units. With so many technologies integrated within one platform, the Axxess by CommWest offers the flexibility to meet the needs of its customers. Customers are given the choice of what applications to implement and when.

Seamlessly connecting multiple phone systems together has never been easier or more cost-effective. CommWest's platform is designed around a distributed open architecture for maximum efficiency and reliability. Whether you have three sites or 63 sites, all of your locations can interact in a completely seamless fashion over your IP data networks.

Seamless connectivity means your employees work more closely together, and your customers are handled more efficiently. Everything you can do in one location can be done between locations. All the advanced features, such as ACD hunt groups, call center applications, paging zones, centralized attendants, and tightly integrated voice mail, remain in place even when you are networking over IP. To place, transfer or conference a call, you simply dial an extension. And, you can even avoid long distance charges. By leveraging refined voice compression and echo cancellation, your calls will take up minimal space on your data network, and your end users won't even know you are doing it.