Genesys and Veraz Networks Allow Telecom Carriers to Merge IP Systems into Intelligent Networks

• IP integration optimised for carrier intelligent networks, support enhanced and hosted customer interaction services

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc., an Alcatel company (NYSE: ALA, Paris: CGEP.PA), and Veraz Networks, a leading global provider of next-generation communication networks, today announced that service providers have new options for connecting enhanced customer interaction and contact centre applications to existing network resources.

Genesys integrates with more than 65 PBX offerings and several carrier network switches offered by industry leaders including Alcatel and others. The integration of Genesys Voice Platform:Network Edition, a carrier-grade IP voice services platform, with the Veraz ControlSwitch softswitch platform now allows service providers to connect IP-based customer interaction and contact centre applications with existing Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) interfaces, using Primary Rate Interface (PRI) and SS7 ISDN User Part (ISUP).

This pre-defined connection decreases integration costs significantly for carriers, optimises service provider network resources and supports faster deployment of enhanced services for enterprises, including hosted call centre applications – all via the same platform. This integration provides an additional option to the existing Genesys SS7 connectivity.

“Hosted voice applications are a growing source of revenue for carriers and service providers,” said Bob Thronson, vice president of managed service solutions, Genesys. “As SIP usage continues to expand for IP-based voice services, carriers and service providers are challenged to connect existing SS7 ISUP-signalled resources with SIP-enabled applications, including
instant messaging, call routing or voice conferencing. The Genesys-Veraz solution is the perfect answer to service providers’ requirements.”

Using Veraz ControlSwitch for management and switching of traffic among different networks and the Genesys Voice Platform:Network Edition platform for management of the applications infrastructure helps carriers provide the same set of applications through different networks.

“The multi-protocol capabilities of the Veraz ControlSwitch allows SIP enabled applications to be seamlessly integrated inside the carrier networks,” said R. Paul Singh, vice president of business development, Veraz Networks. “Any customer, regardless of access network, can now take advantage of value added services provided by the Genesys Voice Platform.”

Genesys and Veraz are currently working together to implement new connectivity features that will further enable carriers to maximise existing resources while rapidly deploying applications for residential and enterprise carrier customers.

About Veraz Networks:
Veraz Networks (www.veraznetworks.com) is the leading global provider of softswitch-based, toll-quality packet telephony solutions for traditional and next-generation communications networks. Built on a rich heritage of delivering carrier-class products to over 700 customers in 140 countries, Veraz offers complete solutions to both established and greenfield carriers worldwide through its softswitch, media gateway, and digital compression products. Leveraging open, best-of-breed components and a global support and service infrastructure, Veraz partners with carriers to design and deploy carrier-class next-generation networks tailored to meet their business objectives. By combining industry-leading, standards-based softswitch and media gateway platforms with robust management systems, Veraz offers unmatched flexibility to carriers – a best-in-class integrated packet telephony solution as well as the freedom to choose best-of-breed individual products to match their unique network needs. Veraz solutions address a wide range of carrier applications such as tandem switching, domestic & international long distance, IP trunking, IP Centrex, as well as new voice-data services.

Veraz Networks is privately funded by ECI Telecom (NASDAQ: ECIL), Argonaut Private Equity, Battery Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Levensohn Venture Partners and Norwest Venture Partners. The company is headquartered in San Jose, CA, with offices throughout the world.

About Genesys:
Genesys, an Alcatel company, is 100 percent focused on software for contact centres. Leading companies in the Global 2000 and Fortune 1000 use Genesys to deliver interactions that drive better business. With 3000 customers in 80 countries, Genesys directs more than 100 million customer interactions every day. Genesys allows enterprises to achieve key business objectives by tying together customer interactions, people, and customer information in both traditional telephony and IP environments. Sophisticated routing and reporting across voice, e-mail, documents and Web interactions, coupled with integrated self service, ensure that customers are quickly connected to the right resource - the first time. Genesys solutions stop customer frustration and allow enterprises to deliver superior customer satisfaction and improved business results. For more information visit us at www.genesyslab.com.

About Alcatel:
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com.

Media Contacts:
Ed Camarena, Veraz Networks, +1-408-750-9424, edc@veraznet.com
Sigal Naor, Veraz Networks, +972-3-926-6317, sigal.naor@veraznetworks.com
Paul Roberts, Genesys, +44 (0) 118 974 7144, proberts@genesyslab.co.uk