by Ray Horak

Vertical Communications, Inc., a leading provider of telephony systems and applications, announces the MBX IP, which completes its next-gen systems portfolio. Developed in partnership with LG-Ericsson, the MBX IP builds on the strong foundations of the popular SBX IP. Scaling up to 250 users per site and 72 sites, the MBX IP is considerably more robust than the SBX IP and adds the kind of feature content one would expect to see at larger line sizes. Vertical characterizes the MBX IP as (R)evolutionary, which is not only very clever, but also accurate, in my opinion.

According to Charles deTranaltes, Vertical Product Manager, “Development of the MBX IP was driven by market demand for a high performance, highly reliable IP-based communications system that scales well and offers high-end feature content while preserving traditional key system features. At every line size, the market now demands support for mobile workers and virtual offices. Support for UC (Unified Communications) is increasingly important, which speaks to mobility, presence and unified messaging. Simplicity and flexibility are essential. Finally and very importantly given the current economic climate, all of this had to be done cost-effectively. So, the MBX IP TCO [Total Cost of Ownership] is extremely competitive. That includes the costs of system acquisition, expansion, upgrade, maintenance and service.”

MBX IP is an IP-based hybrid PBX/KTS that scales from 50 to 414 ports. A typical configuration might be324 lines (i.e., extensions) and 90 trunks. Scaling the system is a simple matter of adding expansion common control KSUs (Key Service Units).

MBX IP is an IP-based hybrid PBX/KTS that scales from 50 to 414 ports. A typical configuration might be324 lines (i.e., extensions) and 90 trunks. Scaling the system is a simple matter of adding expansion common control KSUs (Key Service Units). System configuration is greatly simplified through a highly intuitive Web-based admin tool (Internet Explorer 7+) that maintains the look and feel of the admin/config tools developed for the SBX IP. In a multisite scenario, the MBX IP supports as many as 72 networked systems, including virtually any combination of MBX IP and SBX IP systems.

MBX IP system features include mobile extension, linked station pair (call forking), tenant service, KTS or PBX configuration, virtual extensions, station groups (ring, pilot), off-hook voice-over paging, ACD, call recording, call screening, Park n Page, conferencing, message waiting indication with busy lamp field (BLF) , centralized voice mail, centralized attendant service (CAS). The list goes on, but Telecom Reseller has a tight budget for ink and paper.

MBX IP offers support for any combination of analog and digital (T1, PRI and SIP) trunks, as well as simultaneous support for SIP and H.323. MBX IP supports the same terminals as SBX IP, , including IP desktop phones, softphones, DECT phones and Wi-Fi phones.

MBX IP will be available in early January 2011 through channel partners and indirect distribution, with channel partners having access to a wider range of endpoint support. As Vertical announced MBX IP at Connections 2010, its annual dealer conference, its channel partners are already engaged in the certification process through Vertical University.

Vertical has a well-defined development roadmap for the MBX IP through 2011. We follow Vertical closely here at Telecom Reseller, so you can expect to read more about it right here. In the meantime, there is a lot more at vertical.com/mbxip.