Sphere Servers will be adding many more features to TeleSphere over the next few months as we roll out more systems, each customised to work with its owners' existing IT systems.

TeleSphere:

Built using the well proven Asterisk open source telephone platform running on stable linux-powered hardware and using BT approved interfaces from Digium etc. TeleSphere is a small office PBX (phone exchange) capable of scaling from one or two 'single' lines and handsets to 30 incoming lines (ISDN30/E1 etc.) and many many more handsets, including WiFI enabled portables. Distributed using existing CAT5e/6 network cabling with "power over ethernet" and offering a choice of full-featured business phones from established brands such as Cisco and Snom, TeleSphere makes using a VoIP based phone system a practical reality.

TeleSphere's web control system provides simple and intuitive access for both "superuser" and all other "users". Once a handset is joined to the system (generally as simple as plugging it in at an office network point), it learns its configuration and may then be connected to the internet ANYWHERE (subject to firewalls etc.) and will work as an extension of the system WITHOUT CALL CHARGES. Try doing that with an ordinary phone system!

Using VoIP technology, TeleSphere can route calls to anyone, anywhere, as instructed by the superuser and save a considerable amount of money on call charges. (Prices vary but typically call charges to other landlines in western Europe, the USA etc. etc. could cost under 1.5p per minute, and rates to mobiles are very competitive too). There are so many options available here that we will advise on an individual basis.

TeleSphere uses a MySQL database system to store all its configuration data and settings. Using a database driven system that updates itself in real time allows us to link TeleSphere up to all sorts of other systems such as existing address/contact systems etc. For example, TeleSphere integrates seemlessly with an MS Outlook address book allowing you to place calls directly. On Mac OSX (Tiger), the same functionality is available from Address Book, and caller ID also uses Apple's Exposé technology to overlay details of incoming calls.

Lastly, TeleSphere knows all about OfficeSphere and there is tight integration between the two systems, so that for instance, the Sphere "out of office" user control panel will, if desired, not only manage and route email traffic to a home worker, or a colleague while on holiday etc, but with TeleSphere added, also forwards voice calls and voice mail as well. All on a single, user controlled mouse click once the systems are set up and configured.