VoIP, or Voice over IP, allows telephone calls to be made by using a computer network, over a data network like the Internet. VoIP converts the voice signal from a telephone into a digital signal that travels over the Internet, then converts it back at the other end so you can speak to anyone with a regular phone number.

Two separate protocols have emerged at the forefront of VoIP - H.323 and SIP. Even though H.323 was originally designed for video conferencing systems, it was adopted by most of the early entrants in the VoIP Industry, making it widely deployed worldwide. SIP is the emerging standard that is being deployed by major service providers worldwide and has been adopted as the standard protocol for the 3G Next Generation (wireless) Network.

By using Intel's IP building blocks (IPLink and Host Media Processing (HMP) software) for the underlying support of the VoIP technology, the OmniVox3D Application Server Software can provide a multi-service, high performance, high density, and high availability platform designed to bridge the gap between legacy PSTN switching networks (E1/T1, ISDN, SS7 and R2), and the emerging IP packet switching networks (H.323 and SIP).

APEX's implementation of VoIP technology not only provides Service Providers the tools necessary to build network elements in the Next-Generation Packet Switched Networks, but it allows enhanced media solutions to be developed and deployed by combining the SIP technology with other auxiliary technologies such as Text-to-Speech, Automated Speech Recognition, and Conferencing. This combination gives Service Providers the tools needed to implement a wide range of enhanced media and switching solutions in their networks, with the added advantages of ease-of-use and rapid development environment that are a trademark of OmniVox3D.

OmniVox3D Application Server Software, combined with VoIP technology, allows Service Providers to develop and deploy enhanced media services in the Next-Generation Network such as:

• Enhanced IP IVR (including Speech Recognition)
• PSTN-to-IP Gateways
• Prepaid Calling
• Web page click-to-call
• Multi-party & Business Conferencing
• Follow-me services for mobility
• Unified Messaging
• Instant Messaging and Presence applications
• Virtual Office Assistants

VoIP technology combined with OmniVox3D's architecture provides Service Providers with the tools necessary to accommodate changes in today's dynamic business environment. The platform provides the features to smooth out the disruptive effects that the revolutionary Internet technology has had in the telecommunications environment, while at the same time provides a clear migration path to an increased presence in the Next Generation Network arena.