• Digital 2.0 Release
• Digital Trunk Interfaces (DTI) for the Plexus available...
• BBS introduces PlexusCTI at CT Expo in Los Angeles...
• BBS awarded Computer Telephony Judge's Pick...
• BBS Telecom's Micro Plexus receives Teleconnect's Editors' Choice Award...

Digital 2.0 Release

BBS Telecom is excited to announce that the Plexus Digital 2.0 software was officially released on  September 27, 1999. BBS Telecom began shipping the new Digital 2.0 Plexus System Manual and Authorized Dealer CD to all Authorized BBS Telecom dealers on this date.

Plexus systems can be upgraded to Digital 2.0 XOS (if purchased from BBS Telecom after November 1, 1998). Contact your sales representative, BBS Technical Support, or reference your 2.0 Dealer CD for more upgrade and pricing information

Most version 1.01 Plexus Keyphones can be upgraded to Digital 2.0 firmware. This involves the replacement of two chips inside the Key Telephones. The two chips required to upgrade the Key Telephone to version 2.0 are available for $35.00 per set.

NOTE: Due to hardware limitations, version 1.01 analog DSS Operator Consoles cannot be upgraded to version 2.0 software.

Will version 1.01 Key Telephones be compatible with the new software?

Yes. Upgrading the Plexus system to the Digital 2.0 XOS will expand the Plexus and version 1.01 analog Key Telephones functionality for most features. See the chart below for a comparison of functionality within Key Telephone versions.

1) PDT-30D and PDT-22D Digital 2.0 Key Telephones will begin limited production Jan 2000

Click here for more information on Digital 2.0

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Digital Trunk Interfaces

T-1, E-1, ISDN PRI and BRI digital trunk cards for the Plexus Hybrid Digital Telephone Systems are available. New hardware includes:

T-1/E-1 CAS Digital Trunk Interface Card;

Channel Associated Signaling (CAS) is a generic name for a signaling method used on T-1 and E-1 carriers. T-1 uses Robbed Bit Signaling (RBS). This method utilizes all 24 channels for voice, data, and signaling, offering 24 voice channels for the Plexus system. E-1 provides 30 'clear' channels for voice. The two remaining channels are reserved for framing and signaling. Each voice channel represents a digital trunk into the Plexus system.

ISDN PRI Digital Trunk Interface Card

ISDN PRI is an interface between a user and a digital telephony network capable of delivering many types of services. PRI can be implemented on either a T-1 or an E-1 carrier. In both cases, the full bandwidth of the bearer or B-channels is available for the transmission of voice. T-1 ISDN PRI offers 23 voice channels. E-1 ISDN PRI offers 30 voice channels. Each voice channel represents a digital trunk into the Plexus system.

ISDN BRI Digital Trunk Interface Card

ISDN BRI is a communication protocol that utilizes existing local loop wiring (i.e., standard 2-wire, single pair) to carry a digital signal. This signal can be split into two separate voice or data channels. A four port ISDN BRI card offers up to eight voice channels. Each voice channel represents a digital trunk into the Plexus system.

Contact bbssales@bbstelecom.com with any questions.

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PlexusCTI is the sophisticated computer telephony platform developed for the Plexus Hybrid Digital Telephone Systems. By communicating in native CSTA, PlexusCTI delivers a truly open interface and limitless development opportunities. BBS is currently identifying software developers to partner with in its mission to develop superior computer telephony applications.

PlexusCTI works with Dialogic's CTConnect^TM to provide high level APIs to address call control and monitoring for valuable PBX/Server CTI applications.  A proprietary media controller and various DSP resources on the PlexusCTI Digital Switch Processor (CTI DXP) will make possible the most advanced IP Telephony and unified messaging applications.

The PlexusCTI is currently in beta with several CTI application partners.  PlexusCTI has begun shipping. CTI application developers should email: cti@bbstelecom.com with any questions.

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BBS Telecom awarded Computer Telephony Judge's Pick...

BBS Telecom is recognized by Richard Norman of the REN School of Telecommunications for doing "...a fantastic job of streamlining installation."  Some of the features that Richard liked...

• All card slots are universal.
• Each port on the AEI card can support virtually any analog telephone device (e.g., single line telephone, modem, fax machine, credit card scanner) or a key telephone.
• The system can be programmed via PC or through a key telephone.
• Plexus systems are cooperative about moving phones around or changing the type of phone.
• Least-cost routing is an absolute breeze to program and set up.
• ...any of the flexible keys on the phone can be set up as macro keys.

See "BBS Telecom's Plexus, An Interconnect's Plaything" on page 112 of the April 99 issue of Computer Telephony for more details.

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BBS Telecom's Micro Plexus receives Teleconnect's Editors' Choice Award...

In October 1998, Teleconnect Magazine conferred the prestigious Editor's Choice Award on BBS Telecom's Micro Plexus.  Teleconnect's review of our system is available in Adobe Acrobat format.

This article appears with permission from TELECONNECT, October 1998 (c) 1998 MILLER FREEMAN, INC. All Rights Reserved. For subscriptions, call 888-824-9795. Visit their web site at www.teleconnect.com