BOSTON, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Thinkengine Networks and Powercom have
joined efforts to drastically reduce the cost to implement and deploy
reservation-less conferencing systems.  This comprehensive solution allows
current operators to break free from paying exorbitant costs for traditional
TDM or next generation IP conferencing bridges.  This innovative solution
allows operators to maintain compatibility with their existing installations.
Installed costs for this new solution are typically 1/6 to 1/8 the cost of
traditional solutions.
    Thinkengine and Powercom worked closely to integrate Powercom's
ConferenceFlow audio conference bridge management software for the
Thinkengine's VSR1000C conferencing server.  This software application and
conferencing server together form an audio conference bridge management system
for reservation-less conferencing.  This solution allows conference service
providers and enterprise users to create, manage, host and report on
conferences via a web interface with the ability to bill via invoices or
credit cards at a greatly reduced investment.  In addition, the ConferenceFlow
software can form a middle layer between the Thinkengine VSR1000C conference
bridge and Spectel's conference bridges, allowing users of Spectel conference
bridges to seamlessly and inexpensively add ports to their existing systems
utilizing the Thinkengine bridge.
    "The audio quality and system reliability of the Thinkengine VSR1000C is
as good as or better than that of our Spectel bridge," Herb Levitin CEO of
Powercom reported.  "We can now seamlessly expand our GoConference and other
branded audio conferencing businesses at a much lower cost while still keeping
and using our Spectel bridge.  Our end-users and internal office staff can
manage both types of bridges without knowing or caring what platform is
servicing the call."
    Operators and self service websites can now generate accounts within the
ConferenceFlow system that work seamlessly across Thinkengine VSR1000C and
Spectel bridges.  Billing information appears on a single invoice representing
usage on both platforms.
    The ConferenceFlow module will also work in Thinkengine-only environments
providing current resellers of conferencing services a cost effective
opportunity to move customers to an owned conferencing system, increasing both
top and bottom line revenue.  The typical ROI for this solution is 3 months.
    "Together, Powercom and Thinkengine have created an unprecedented solution
that allows existing Spectel operators to expand their systems at 1/8 the cost
of traditional Spectel solutions.  In many cases, the acquisition cost of a
Thinkengine VSR1000C is less than the yearly maintenance cost on a Spectel
bridge," said Mike Wixon, VP Sales and Marketing for Thinkengine.
Thinkengine's VSR1000 is a carrier grade 1000 port VoIP and DS3 TDM
conferencing server.  Wixon continued, "The VSR1000 has passed stringent NEBS3
testing and is being deployed in a 10,000 port application by a tier 1 ILEC."
    The VSR1000C conferencing server will also perform operator attended
conference calls in a future upgrade of the ConferenceFlow software.  "Right
now we are a 100% reservation-less audio conference company," said Levitin.
"But when we decide to have operator assisted high touch conference calls, it
makes sense for us to write the software for the VSR1000C instead of investing
in more Spectel ports."
    Thinkengine will be exhibiting at Fall VON in Boston, September 18-22,
booth number 126.  Interested parties can contact Thinkengine at 888-669-0857.

    About Thinkengine
    Founded in 2000, Thinkengine Networks is a leading provider of TDM and IP
capable conferencing bridges and media servers.  The VSR1000C includes both
TDM and IP interfaces as standard equipment and is capable of processing 1000
simultaneous sessions in a compact 1U platform.  The NEBS 3 certified platform
has been deployed by customers to implement Reservation-less Conferencing,
Prepaid Calling, and IVR applications.  Working with partners, Thinkengine is
a disruptive force in the marketplace -- drastically reducing the cost of
implementation while giving customers a migration path from TDM to VoIP.
Thinkengine is located in Marlborough, MA.

    About Powercom
    Powercom, the parent company to ConferenceFlow, is a Santa Barbara, CA-
based systems integration company specializing in data and voice connectivity
solutions. For more information about ConferenceFlow see
http://www.conferenceflow.com

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