Appliance facilitates telephony deployment on Linux.
Press Release Summary:
Compatible with VoIP as well as analog trunks and telephones, PIKA Warp Appliance for Linux allows telephony application developers to deploy Asterisk and other Linux-based applications with set of traditional and next-generation telephony features optimized for SMB environments requiring up to 100 phone lines. It is equipped with host media processing (HMP) v2.2 software, Ethernet and USB ports, as well as one analog telephone port, expandable up to 8 additional ports.
Original Press Release:
PIKA Extends Appliance Offering to Linux Community
Positive response to Asterisk appliance spurs release of out-of-the-box solution for other Linux open-source developers
Ottawa, ON - October 24, 2007 - PIKA Technologies Inc., a developer of media-processing hardware and software, today announced the release of its Appliance for Linux, the second member of PIKA Warp, its new Appliance family. It provides Linux computer telephony (CT) application developers with a smaller-sized and lower-cost alternative to traditional off-the-shelf computers and plug-in board network connectivity. The Appliance for Linux is equipped with the latest version of PIKA's field proven host media processing (HMP) software.
With the expansion of PIKA Warp, the company continues to fulfill its mission to provide solutions for the Linux open-source development space. The inaugural product, the Appliance for Asterisk released last month, is purpose built for the Asterisk open-source communications platform; the PIKA Appliance for Linux extends the benefits of the Appliance to the general Linux developer community. This Appliance allows IP/PBX, Integrated Voice Response, predictive dialing, appointment reminder and other Linux-based CT applications to be deployed on a cost-effective and reliable technology platform.
"We are very pleased to announce the second product in our Appliance family," said Terry Atwood, vice president of sales, marketing and customer care at PIKA. "PIKA Warp, the appliance for Linux is unique in the marketplace today. By taking the features of a standard off-the-shelf computer, adding some basic telephony features and packaging them into a small, low-cost, very reliable embedded appliance with an open-source architecture, application developers can more effectively deliver their Linux-based solutions to small- and medium-sized business customers."
Warp reflects PIKA's years of expertise in telephony voice-processing and its range of reliable, high-quality components. The appliance is an out-of-the-box embedded computer solution that allows developers to deploy Asterisk and other Linux-based application with a rich set of traditional and next-generation telephony features, optimized for the small- and medium-sized business (SMB) environment. The appliance is designed to address businesses with requirements for up to 100 phone lines.
Unlike a typical computer or appliance, PIKA Warp is an appliance that covers all of the end-users' traditional telephony requirements. Like the PIKA Appliance for Asterisk, the Linux version brings application developers the functionality they require at an attractive cost in a small footprint. Desirable features like music on hold, power failure transfer and paging can be cumbersome to add to a data-centric solution, but all are included in the PIKA Appliance.
Using PIKA's unique appliance development environment, PIKA Warp is completely customizable, and is compatible with VoIP and analog trunks and telephones. On the VoIP side, the unit can accommodate up to a combination of 100 IP trunks and telephones. In addition, each unit comes equipped with one analog telephone (FXS) port for portable phones, fax machines and answering machines, and can be expanded with up to eight additional analog ports to be used for either FXO trunks or FXS stations/telephones.
PIKA Warp, the Appliance for Linux has version 2.2 of PIKA's HMP software installed, which includes the MonteCarlo software development kit that provides access to both the low-level API and high-level (GrandPrix) API, allowing developers more design control or a faster development cycle based on their particular development requirements and level of programming expertise.
PIKA is working with several early adopter customers that have responded well to the appliance features and appearance, as well as its price.
"As soon as we learned about the PIKA Appliance for Linux, we knew it would be an ideal solution for the deployment of our Confirm-IT, a calendar-based scheduler and automatic appointment reminder / interactive confirmation system," said Don Williams, chief operating officer for CTL, Inc., a designer, manufacturer and distributor of telecommunication solutions in the areas of IP telephony, unified communications, voice processing, self-service automation and interactive voice response (IVR). "Its attractive look, powerful processor, reliable design and cost-effective price points are key to us."
PIKA Warp features include:
· Up to 100 IP trunk/station ports
· One FXS port included in every unit
· Up to eight additional analog FXO/FXS ports · Traditional telephony features:
· Power failure transfer RJ11 jack(s)
· Music-on-hold audio input jack
· Paging system audio output jack
· Ethernet and USB ports
· 2 x 20 LCD display: backlit, API controlled, front panel scroll button
· Powerful embedded processor
· SD flash memory
· Customizable look; developers can private label Appliance to build brand
· Dynamic thermal management
PIKA Warp, the appliance for Linux will be generally available in February 2008.
For a datasheet on the PIKA Appliance for Linux, please visit http://pikatechnologies.com/products/appliance_for_linux.htm
PIKA will be exhibiting and presenting at DIGIUM/Asterisk World as part of Fall VON, October 29 through November 1 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, MA and will be holding a draw for 2 FREE appliances. Interested parties can visit and learn more about the company's new Appliance and Gateway products at Booth D1325, part of Asterisk World Pavilion.
PIKA is also holding a half-day product information session on Monday, October 29, prior to VON. For more details and registration information, please visit http://pikatechnologies.com/misc/horizons_reg.htm
At Fall VON, PIKA business development manager David Clarke will participate in the panel discussion, "Echo Cancellation: Even Packets get Voice Quality Issues" taking place from 3:45pm to 5:00pm on Thursday, November 1. The panel will discuss why packet-based networks are plagued with problems like echo cancellation, phase and jitter and the various approaches to rectifying these issues. To download a PIKA white paper on echo cancellation, please visit http://pikatechnologies.com/misc/white_papers-echo.htm
About PIKA Technologies
PIKA Technologies for over 20 years has been providing developers with the tools they need to build advanced voice and fax applications like IP PBX, fax broadcast and self-service IVR. As the technology landscape has changed, so too has PIKA, building out its product offering so its customers can choose the right tool set for their applications. Whether building applications using board-based media processing or using host-based solutions, application developers of all kinds turn to PIKA for their development tools.
In addition to its traditional line of hardware and software solutions, PIKA now offers a family of gateways and appliances that provide top-quality performance out of the box. PIKA sells these products directly and also makes them available through its growing network of resellers and distributors. Known for its exceptional customer service, PIKA's customers can expect the same high level of personalized, fast and free support that the company has always delivered. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, the company has ranked in The Branham 300, an authoritative ranking of successful Canadian high tech firms, for five consecutive years. Visit www.pikatechnologies.com or call +1-613-591-1555 for more information.
The names of actual companies or products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. PIKA is a registered trademark of PIKA Technologies Inc. Asterisk is a registered trademark of DIGIUM Inc.
