Acme Packet Session Management Solutions for Microsoft Lync Simplify Enterprise Communications Networks

In its recent press release, Acme Packet announced that its two session management solutions optimized for Microsoft Lync have been fully qualified under Microsoft's Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program (UCOIP). This qualification program for enterprise telephony services and infrastructure ensures that customers have seamless experiences with setup, support, and use of qualified telephony infrastructure and services with Microsoft's UC software including Lync Server and Exchange Server.

Acme Packet's two session management solutions address the challenges of consolidating multivendor legacy IP-PBX telephony networks onto a common IP trunking infrastructure and integrating the full suite of Microsoft Lync UC applications. Each solution creates a central management layer that integrates Lync into the legacy IP telephony network without compromising Lync's enterprise voice features. By centralizing session management, the communications network becomes more scalable and easier to control. Enterprises can simplify network operations, increase business agility and better control costs without the fear of vendor lock-in.

Direct SIP with IP-PBX, as an alternative solution, is great for P2P connections. Direct SIP is a documented and supported way in which Microsoft Lync Server exchanges voice calls with third-party on-premise devices such as SIP/PSTN gateways and IP-PBXs. Direct SIP with IP-PBX is a variation in which the calls are exchanged over IP between the Mediation Server and an IP-PBX, without the use of back to back IP/PSTN gateways (i.e. in IP all the way, without transcoding between IP and TDM). That is done across a SIP trunk connection between the two systems over which the two systems will converse in a standard manner (SIP over TCP, RTP, G.711...) as specified in the UCOIP's Direct SIP specifications. This approach is not without a drawback, however. Turning up Lync enterprise voice in a large enterprise where there might be dozens of IP-PBXs will lead customers into the "n² problem." The solution is to use an Acme Packet session management element to act as the central point of control.

As used by Acme Packet, "legacy IP-PBX" refers to any PBX, regardless of manufacturer, that has some form of IP telephony whether SIP or H.323 interfaces. Native TDM termination capability is not available on either session management solution. In this case a gateway would be required.

Acme Packet Net-Net Enterprise Session Director (ESD) provides interoperability between the customer's Lync environment, which is SIP-based, and its legacy IP PBXs, whether they're H.323 or SIP-based, and their contact center systems, which are typically SIP. It interfaces with the enterprise session border controller (E-SCB) which takes on the dedicated function of providing the interface to the WAN services, securing access to those services and providing reliability services to assure that the WAN services are always accessible.

The ESD and E-SBC can be deployed as two separate devices or collapsed into one physical device with the integration of the two capabilities and the flexibility that combination offers. This is Acme Packet's starting point for customers that are looking for session management in a Lync environment. It provides the basic apps that customers are going to want in terms of multivendor interoperability, unified dial plan management and troubleshooting tools.

The Acme Packet Net- Net Application Session Controller (ASC) is the solution that would be brought forward if the customer wants to bring together session management with the ability to communications-enable business processes (CEBP). The ASC is a standalone enterprise session management solution that includes Web 2.0 APIs and is installed in the trusted network zone. It applies policies to control session routing, provides interoperability across multivendor communications systems and integrates business applications with communications. There are certainly some cost and deployment advantages to this "one box" approach. The ASC connects these systems to public network services via a separate E-SBC. This management layer makes multi-application and multi-vendor real-time communications networks scalable, interoperable and easy to control.

A comprehensive feature comparison for the two session management solutions is shown below:

What This Means to You

For Customers: As enterprises adopt the advanced voice communications capabilities offered by Microsoft Lync Server 2010, IT managers are faced with the challenge of integrating Lync enterprise voice into complex, legacy telephony networks, while also protecting their investments in existing telephony applications and systems. Consolidating this infrastructure onto a common IP trunking system and migrating to modern UC capabilities can be complex, time consuming and expensive. Acme Packet session management solutions create a central management layer that simplifies the whole multivendor network operations environment, increases business agility and fosters better cost control without vendor lock-in.

For Partners: Microsoft partners can leverage the customer value proposition to increase Lync sales in large enterprises with complex multivendor networks. Investment protection, network simplification and reduced deployment costs will be a big plus. Microsoft UCOIP certification adds an additional leverage point. As pointed out above, this qualification program for enterprise telephony services and infrastructure ensures that customers have seamless experiences with setup, support, and use of qualified telephony infrastructure and services with Microsoft's UC software including Lync Server and Exchange Server. In particular, the partner can leverage the following features defined by UCOIP:

• Specific requirements for interoperability with Lync Server & Exchange Server Voice Mail
• Testing requirements for qualifying interoperability with Lync Server & Exchange Server Voice Mail
• Installation, set-up and configuration requirements via a Quick Start Guide
• Release Notes with any known issues
• Documented support process between Microsoft and the vendor
• Enterprise-class standards for audio quality, reliability, and scalability

Acme Packet works with an ecosystem of application development partners that cover specific industry verticals. Today there are about two dozen such partners. For example, Acme Packet has a Salesforce.com app that was developed in such a manner. Typically, the application development partner offers application development and integration services to end customers. Acme Packet is focused on building its business selling session management solutions that are complementary to their core session border controller business. They do not compete with their application development partners. This is a strong positive for partners.