PIKA ships GSM module for WARP Appliance

Wireless option for wireline replacement a boon for European markets

OTTAWA, April 13 /PRNewswire/ - PIKA Technologies Inc., a leading developer of media-processing hardware and software, today announced April general availability of the GSM Module for its flagship WARP Appliance, providing Asterisk and FreePBX developers with the ubiquitous wireless connectivity options of the GSM standard.

When PIKA launched the WARP Appliance 18 months ago, the intention was to provide developers with a less expensive, more reliable and much more compact open-source alternative to typical off-the-shelf computers with plug-in voice cards for voice-application deployment. Since then, PIKA customers serving the European, Middle Eastern and Asian markets have emphasized the benefits of WARP having a GSM module that would take advantage of the pervasiveness of wireless connectivity in those regions

The GSM Standard is the most ubiquitous wireless standard in the world, with the number of GSM connected devices estimated at more than 4 billion by industry watchers such as research firm Informa Telecoms and Media and industry association 3G Americas. GSM technology is available on more than 800 networks in about 220 countries, with penetration rates in many instances far exceeding 100 per cent. This is particularly evident in Europe, where the traditionally high cost of landline telephone access has driven wireless adoption rates over the past decade to the point where many people have more than one GSM wireless device in lieu of a landline.

"Adding a GSM Module to the WARP Appliance significantly increases our addressable market," said Terry Atwood, PIKA's vice president of sales, marketing and customer care. "GSM dominates the worldwide market as the prevailing wireless standard. This new module allows VARS and system integrators to take advantage of GSM connectivity with features that can yield dramatic cost savings and productivity gains for wireless subscribers."

APPLICATIONS & BENEFITS

The GSM module provides two GSM channels or radios per module and uses two externally accessible SIM cards. It can also work in combination with other WARP Appliance expansion modules, such as analog trunk (FXO), analog station (FXS) and BRI. In addition, it provides:

    -   Cost savings with Least Cost Routing (LCR) - For calls between
        landline and GSM or between different GSM networks, which can be very
        expensive, the FreePBX dial plan can be configured with a prefix
        that, when dialed, will route calls placed from a SIP or analog
        telephone over a GSM trunk.
    -   Back-up - Should the landline network go down, GSM can be used as a
        cost-effective backup.
    -   Land Line Displacement - For wireless carriers looking to build
        incremental traffic on their networks by displacing traditional
        telephone company landlines, WARP with GSM trunk connectivity
        provides a unique small/medium business telephone system option.
    -   Remote and Temporary Installations - WARP with GSM is an excellent
        option for the installation of business telephone systems in remote
        areas where traditional, wired telephone lines may not be available,
        or may have extended installation intervals. It can also be a great
        option for temporary installations.
    -   Increased productivity with SMS voicemail notification - No longer
        does a user need to continually check voicemail for that important
        message. Upon receipt of a voicemail, the owner of the mailbox can
        receive an SMS message that he or she has a new voicemail.

To learn more about the GSM Module for the WARP Appliance, download the datasheet at www.pikatech.com/GSM

GSM MODULE BETA TRIAL USERS IMPRESSED BY WHAT THEY'VE SEEN

Digital Opsis of Athens, Greece specializes in the development of real-time embedded software, based on LINUX and Open Source, to integrate data, voice, control and video service.

"What I like most about the GSM Module is that it gives the WARP Appliance the ability to connect to all major European networks in a small form factor at a price point that is ideal for small-to-medium enterprises," said Stelios Koroneos, director. "One of the highest telecom costs for our customers is for calls from a fixed network to a GSM network - as much as 60 to 70 percent more than calls on the same network. We have found that having WARP route calls to the GSM network directly reduces that cost significantly."

Klarya Inc. of Modena, Italy, develops and manufactures VoIP and IP communication platforms for small, medium and large enterprises, as well as providing custom software development. It already turns to PIKA for technology that provides its customers with more effective, and more economical, communications solutions.

"The GSM Module for the WARP Appliance is welcome and long overdue addition that has impressed us with what we've seen so far," said Stefano Carlini, business development manager. "We are integrating the Module with our larger iPBX system in order to provide a complete solution without any other third-party GW components, as well as combine it with other WARP expansion modules."

VISIT PIKA IN PARIS FRANCE AT ASTRIEUROP

See PIKA's WARP Appliance with the new GSM Module at Hall C, Booth A11of AstriEurop April 14 - 16 in Paris at the Espace Champarret. Also see PIKA's Maarten Kronenburg presenting "GSM and SMS Applications for the SMB segment using Asterisk" on Thursday April 14 at 11 a.m., local time.

About PIKA Technologies

PIKA Technologies for over two decades has been providing developers with the tools they need to build advanced voice and fax applications like IP PBX, fax broadcast and self-service IVR. As the technology landscape has changed, so too has PIKA, building out its product offering so its customers can choose the right tool set for their applications. Whether building applications using board-based media processing or using host-based solutions, application developers of all kinds turn to PIKA for their development tools.

In addition to its traditional line of hardware and software solutions, PIKA now offers a family of appliances that provide top-quality performance out of the box. PIKA sells these products directly and also makes them available through its growing network of resellers and distributors. Known for its exceptional customer service, PIKA's customers can expect the same high level of personalized, fast and free support that the company has always delivered. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, the company has ranked in The Branham 300, an authoritative ranking of successful Canadian high tech firms, for nine consecutive years. Visit www.pikatechnologies.com or call +1-613-591-1555 for more information.

Asterisk is a registered trademark of Digium Inc. FreePBX is a registered trademark of Bandwidth.com.

SOURCE Pika Technologies Inc.