Multimedia Communication Server Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Nortel Multimedia Communication Server MCS 5100 Frequently Asked Questions October 1, 2007 Table of Contents General............................................................................................................................... 2 Hardware......................................................................................................................... 5 Clients ............................................................................................................................. 6 Applications .................................................................................................................... 7 Other features.................................................................................................................. 8 MCS 5100 Audio Conferencing Solutions .................................................................... 10 MCS 5100 Video Solutions............................................................................................. 11 MCS 5100 Web Collaboration....................................................................................... 14 Multimedia Wireless Client ........................................................................................... 17 Multimedia Office Client (MOC) .................................................................................. 18 Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes....................................................................... 20
- 2. General What is MCS 5100? MCS 5100 is one of Nortel’s unified communications solutions for Enterprise Multimedia and Collaborative Applications. MCS is integral to Nortel’s vision of a comprehensive 'always on integrated communications' solution embracing asynchronous and synchronous modes and interfacing to business applications, all based on SIP. MCS 5100 utilizes Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) hardware to evolve PBX and IP PBX networks to multimedia and collaborative communication networks. While MCS 5100 does provide PBX capability, it is better positioned as an application server that has the ability to transform the way an enterprise communicates, enabling users to take advantage of next generation tools that improve productivity, reduce operations costs, and facilitate fast decision making. New efficiencies in business processes enable users to conduct business more effectively and increases user mobility by removing barriers of distance and location. MCS 5100 brings together advanced communication and collaboration capabilities within a single converged communications solution , including features such as: multimedia (video and voice calling); Meet Me Conferencing (audio and video), collaboration (Ad Hoc Conferencing, instant messaging and chat, web collaboration, white boarding, file exchange, co-Web browsing); personalization (call screening and routing and call management); and presence. How is MCS 5100 positioned as part of Nortel’s Enterprise portfolio? Nortel Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) 5100 is a strategic component of Nortel’s Enterprise Multimedia portfolio. It delivers multimedia and collaborative applications to enhance the enterprise users’ communications experience increasing productivity and mobility while driving more powerful customer interaction and reducing communications costs. It is intended as a complimentary solution to existing PBX systems as opposed to being a PBX replacement solution. Does MCS 5100 deliver Unified Communications? MCS 5100 is a very good example of a solution that delivers unified communications to the enterprise as it unifies all of an end user’s communications (IP telephony, group collaboration, instant messaging, presence, email) from a single client interface. An end user can launch virtually any communication from within the MCS 5100 soft client which can operate as a standalone application or in turn be embedded within IBM Lotus Notes or Microsoft Outlook. How is MCS 5100 positioned against what Nortel is doing with Microsoft through its Innovative Communications Alliance (ICA)? Nortel offers customers choice in unified communications solutions. Customers will want to choose the solution that bests satisfies their needs depending on their desktop environment. How does the MCS 5100 benefit the Enterprise? Nortel MCS 5100 provides significant benefits to enterprises and specifically addresses the applications of mobility and convergence of voice, video, and data, evolving current telephony infrastructure to a multimedia engaged network with a converged multimedia desktop solution. Key values for the enterprise that support business users who are highly mobile and have geographically distributed workgroups are as follows: • Location independence and personalized communication services are available, no matter where you are
- 3. • When you are out of the office, business calls can be directed to your cell phone, home office or virtually any device • Makes communications easier • Simple point and click access to communications • Personalization enables the user to setup how, where and when they can be reached • 40 to 100% savings over traditional remote worker solutions • Improves user productivity • Eliminates the cost of outsourced conferencing for voice, video, and application sharing Key values for the enterprise that is looking to evolve their existing telephony network to one that offers investment protection, improved user productivity and accelerated business communications that extend beyond the boundaries of the physical office space, include the following: • A path to multimedia and collaboration with a low entry cost – By avoiding the capital expenditure needed with other vendors and leveraging the operational benefits of convergence, year 1 savings can be up to 50% with a payback of 13 months (based on 500 users, NPV 12%, 3yr period, MCS 5100 price is MSRP) • The flexibility to migrate users to IP Telephony over time, eliminating risk, managing network • Upgrade costs, and preserving desktop investments. • Retains current voice features and augments new multimedia capability • Enhances employee communications and facilitates collaboration • Provides employees with flexible work options and mobility Why is MCS 5100 important to enterprise communication? Nortel MCS 5100 simplifies communications with enhanced reachability that enables users to maintain business communications no matter where they are. MCS 5100 enhances an enterprise’s communication network, allowing users to specify how they wish to communicate with the world by providing a central address (phone number and/or e-mail/alphanumeric address) for all forms of communications (video, voice, text, and data). With MCS 5100, the network is now intelligent enough to handle communications according to a user’s preferences, as well as coordinate all of the various forms of communication. What are the key features offered by the MCS 5100? The MCS 5100 supports a variety of features that improve communications for users. It offers new streamlined ways to reduce redundancy and clutter in everyday activity – email and voice mail pile-up becomes a thing of the past with instant messaging and presence-aware contact to colleagues. New mobility enhancing capabilities mean that you stay productive even when you are away from the office. For the IT manager, the simplicity in implementation of the MCS 5100 into the existing telephony infrastructure means a risk free evolution to new services and investment protection. Here are several key collaborative and multimedia applications offered by MCS 5100: Collaborative and Multimedia Applications: • Ad Hoc Audio Conferencing (requires Media Application Server) • Automatic or Manual Call Screening • Call Hold • Call Forward • Call Forward—No Answer • Call Forward—Forward on Busy • Call Initiation
- 4. o Manual, Last Number Redial o Call Return (missed call) o From Call Log, Directory • Call Logs (network based), incoming and outgoing • Call Park & Retrieve • Call Redirect to Web Page, E-mail, SIP Address, PSTN Address • Call Screening & Routing • Call Transfer (announced and unannounced) • Call Waiting (with visual support) • Calling Line ID (CLID) • Calling Line ID (CLID) Presentation Restriction • Calling Subject Delivery • Collaborative White boarding • Conferencing multi-way • Direct Outward Dialing • Directories (Personal and Global) • E911 Zoning • File Exchange (sharing) • Find Me/Follow Me • Friends Lists • Instant Messaging (IM) • IM Broadcast • IM Chat (requires Media Application Server) • IM Screening and Routing • Integrated soft client for IBM Lotus Notes and Microsoft Outlook • Meet-Me Media Conferencing (requires Media Application Server) • Multi-call Capability • Music On Hold (requires Media Application Server) • Picture Calling ID • Presence Status and Management • Professional Assistant Services • PSTN Audio Call (Direct Inward Dialing from PSTN) • Recorded Announcement (requires Media Application Server) • Selective Call Forwarding (based on CLID, Time of Day, Day of Week, Until, Always, Presence) • Selective Screening • Simultaneous, Multiple Call Forwarding • SIP Trunking • Video Point-to-Point Calling • Video Multi-Point Conferencing (requires Ad Hoc and/or Meet Me Media Application Server) • Visual Call Transfer (support from hard client and soft client) • Web Push and Collaborative-browse • Web Collaboration (requires Media Application Server), publishing and application sharing • Wireless multimedia client for PDAs What is the scalability of the MCS 5100? MCS 5100 can scale from 50 to 10s of thousands of active users per system in a real world
- 5. configuration. Is the MCS 5100 standards-based or proprietary? MCS 5100 operates on COTS servers. MCS 5100 can provide advanced multimedia services in any PBX, IP PBX or Centrex environment supporting industry standard gateways (PRI, SIP, etc) with industry leading SIP applications to the desktop. 3rd party vendors are encouraged to make use of Nortel’s Developer Program which provides compatibility certification testing. How experienced is Nortel with SIP and related industry developments? Nortel has been an early driver in the SIP standard development and is a key member of the IETF (http://www.ietf.org), SIP forum (http://www.sipforum.org), and SIP Interoperability Testing (http://www.sipforum.org/sipit.php) organizations. Nortel’s implementation of SIP within MCS 5100 enables enterprises with a key competitive edge by increasing end-user productivity, expanding user mobility, and enhancing interactive communications. It is Nortel heritage of technology design, development, reliability, scalability, interoperability, and breath of application/feature support incorporated within MCS 5100 that positions the offering in this rapidly emerging collaboration and multimedia market segment. What is the availability of the MCS 5100? MCS 5100 has been generally available since July 2003. MCS 5100 Release 4.0 is the current generally available release as of March 5, 2007. Over the years, MCS 5100 has received numerous industry awards including enabling Nortel to remain in Gartner Magic Quadrant leadership position. What is the estimated price per user for the MCS 5100? A typical MCS 5100 configuration supporting 100 users has a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of approximately $103 per user excluding hardware. A 500 user configuration is approximately $69 excluding hardware. Specific pricing is dependent on the customer application and system configuration. Hardware What hardware does the MCS 5100 operate on? Nortel MCS 5100 core system currently operates on IBM x306M servers. MCS 5100 applications as part of the Media Application Server (MAS) operate on IBM x335/x336/3550, and Blade Center-T. Is there a small enterprise system? Yes, the small enterprise system is based on a single IBM x306M server. It is not available in a redundant configuration. The small system supports a maximum of 400 users. The small system is upgradeable to a medium system. Can the small enterprise system be upgraded to a medium system and if so, is my investment preserved? Yes, the small enterprise system can be upgraded to a medium system. Hardware components and
- 6. licensing are preserved. Note, that the MCS must be taken out of service and reconfigured during the upgrade process. What type of redundancy does the MCS 5100 support? The MCS 5100 supports hot failovers where a backup server can assume control of a failed primary server without disruption to end users. Is geographic redundancy supported? Yes, this is available for layer 2 and layer 3. Replication of the entire core system is necessary. With layer 2 redundancy, Session Managers must be on the same subnet but can be geographically dispersed. Calls stay up when failover occurs. With layer 3 redundancy, active and backup servers can be on separate subnets. When a failure of the primary system occurs, calls fail as users must re-register to backup servers. Layer 3 redundancy requires the Nortel Application Switch 2424 in the solution to re-direct SIP users. Which hardware is supported for Media Application Server (MAS)? MAS applications can operate on the following IBM hardware: x335, x336, 3550, and Blade Center-T (with HS20 Blade Servers). Clients What clients are supported on the MCS 5100? MCS 5100 supports the following hard clients: • IP Phones 2002, 2004, 2007 in Unistim mode • IP Phone 2004 in SIP mode • IP Phones 1140E, 1120E in SIP mode • IP Phone 1535 (SIP video phone) in SIP mode • 3rd party SIP devices that have been compatibility certified through the Nortel Developer Program MCS 5100 supports the following soft clients: • Multimedia PC Client • Multimedia Web Client • Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes • Multimedia Office Client • Multimedia Wireless Client for BlackBerry • Dual Mode Mobile client – DMM 3100 What licensing is required for clients? SIP port licenses are required for all simultaneously active subscribers. How do the Multimedia PC Client and Multimedia Web Client differ? Both of these clients have very similar capabilities from a feature/function perspective. Is US government section 508 compliance supported?
- 7. This is supported for the Multimedia PC Client and Multimedia Web Client. Are the soft clients customizable? A theme developer kit is available which enables customers to customize the Multimedia PC Client. Do soft clients support smart tags? Yes, all PC based soft clients support use of smart tags. Applications What are the MAS applications? MAS applications are as follows: • Ad Hoc Conferencing with optional video • Meet Me Conferencing with optional video • IM Chat • Web Collaboration with document and application sharing • Music On Hold • Recorded Announcement What video conferencing capabilities are supported? Desktop point-to-point video, desktop Ad hoc and Meet Me video conferencing and desktop to boardroom based systems (e.g. Tandberg) are supported. MCS supports point to point video as part of the systems base software. Ad hoc and Meet Me video conferencing requires the MAS server and Ad hoc or Meet Me audio and video software. To integrate with boardroom systems, MCS inter works with the 3rd party Multipoint Control Units (MCUs) such as available from Tandberg, which enables multi-point video conferencing between SIP-based video conferencing devices, H.323, and H.320/ISDN legacy video equipment. Is video conferencing available for both Ad Hoc and Meet Me Conferencing? Yes. What happens to my existing investment in video conferencing equipment? Interworking with 3rd party MCUs that support SIP devices is supported. As such, using these 3rd party MCUs, interworking can be achieved between SIP-based video conferencing devices, H.323, and H.320/ISDN legacy video equipment. Refer to Nortel’s Developer Program for a list of supported 3rd parties. What is web collaboration? Web collaboration enables groups of users to share documents or applications through use of the web. There are 2 modes, one for document publishing which is well suited for presentations. The other mode is document sharing which enables users to pass control of a document or application amongst one another. The person with control has complete control of the document or applications and it enables that user to make changes to a document and share the changes real-time.
- 8. Does the web collaboration application support document sharing? Yes, document sharing of virtually any document type or application is possible since sharing is enabled by providing remote control of the document or application. What is IM Chat? IM Chat enables users to setup public or private chatrooms that can be used by MCS client users. 3 types of chatrooms are supported: 1. Private – not visible to MCS users that view the list of available chatrooms and users can only join by invitation. 2. Public with password – visible to all MCS users but users can only join if they know the correct password. 3. Public – visible and available to all MCS users. How does the IM Chat application differ from the IM Chat function available with Meet Me Conferencing? The IM Chat function available with Meet Me Conferencing is almost the same as the one available with the IM Chat application. The primary difference is that with Meet Me Conferencing, only private chatrooms are available. The chairperson of a Meet Me conference launches the private chatroom by pressing *2. All MCS participants receive a chatroom invitation. Additionally, the IM Chat function available with Meet Me Conferencing is built in to the Meet Me Conferencing application and does not require an IM Chat server or IM Chat licenses. Once the private chatroom is launched, additional parties can be invited to join the chatroom. Other features How can I use my existing corporate database information to provision the MCS 5100? The MCS 5100 database can be populated using an LDAP database. Any changes made to the LDAP database can be synchronized to the MCS 5100 database. Note that users that are deleted from the LDAP database do not get deleted from the MCS 5100 database but instead are placed inactive. MCS 5100 administrators can then view the lists of inactive users and delete them as appropriate. Does MCS 5100 support E911? Yes, E911 zoning is supported. During the login process to MCS, users select their location from an administrator defined list of locations. This ensures that when a user dials 911, the call is directed to the local Public Safety Access Point (PSAP). MCS can also provide additional information such as specific location via file transfer to the PSAP (providing this is supported by the PSAP). Additionally, MCS supports on-site notification such that an Instant Message can be delivered to a designated location (e.g. security desk). What E911 support is there for users working in remote locations? There is support providing the user is in an administrator defined list of locations. If the user is not, then they should specify that they are in an undefined location and they will receive a warning that they should not use their MCS client to dial 911 if unable to communicate their location.
- 9. Does MCS 5100 support an Assistant Console? Yes. What is the Converged Desktop? The Converged Desktop greatly increases the integration between the MCS 5100 and CS 1000 platforms. It enables: • Dynamic presence over the CS 1000 attached phones. • Supports analog, digital, and IP phones. • Converged desktop users utilize their desk phone for voice and their PC client for multimedia (e.g. IM, chat, click to call, video, web collaboration, call logging). Is IM recording supported? Users have the ability to save their IM conversations locally on their PCs for the recording of IM messages. Automated recording of IM’s at the system level are not available natively at this time. This type of function is available through 3rd parties. Refer to the Nortel Developer Program for details. Can the MCS IM function communicate with public IM systems such as Yahoo? Not at this time. This is under consideration for a future release. Does MCS 5100 support public/private name and number display? Yes, system administrators can provision public names for users such that PSTN calls display public names if provisioned instead of the private name that would be displayed for internal calls. This is provisionable on a user, sub-domain or domain basis. Does MCS 5100 support any customization? Yes, there are a few options. • There is a theme developer kit which enables customers to customize the Multimedia PC Client? • The Multimedia PC Client supports an Application Programming Interface (API) such that 3rd party PC based applications can invoke multimedia communications through the client. • Similarly, a “headless” version of the client is available through the Nortel Developer Program which enables applications to invoke multimedia functions of the client without the end user having to launch the client or even see the main client screen • There is a subscriber Open Provisioning Interface to 3rd party applications for subscriber management which is available through the Developer Partner Program. This enables access to all options in Personal Agent and enables the gathering and modification of such information. As an example, a location application could update presence and reachability routes. • Granular service packaging is available to the system administrator to enable certain functions of the Multimedia PC Client to be disabled and hidden from the end user.
- 10. MCS 5100 Audio Conferencing Solutions What’s the difference between Meet Me Conferencing and Ad Hoc Conferencing? Ad Hoc conferencing is used for adding additional persons to a conversation. This feature is also referred to as 3-way or 5-way conferencing. For example, if two persons are engaged in a voice conversation, the participants can dial a third person, and have another participant join the conversation. Other participants can be added up to the limit configured by the system administrator for that user. Note that it does not matter who called who. It is even possible for a person engaged in 2 conferences to join those 2 conferences together. Meet Me conferencing provides an audio bridge function. Each user is given their own personal access code and chairperson password. To hold a conference, the chairperson provides their unique access code to all expected participants such that all participants dial into the conference bridge and provide the given access code. Note that bridge numbers and access codes are permanently assigned to individual users. Can I schedule conferences for the Meet Me Conferencing application? Yes, each user is given their own personal access code and chairperson password and as such conferences can be scheduled such that bridge information can be sent out well ahead of the meeting, however, note that today, Meet Me conferencing is reservation-less, that is, audio ports are never reserved on the server and are subject to a first come, first served basis. Reservation based conferencing is planned for a future release. Can I reserve conferences for the Meet Me Conferencing application? No, today Meet Me conferencing is reservation-less, that is, audio ports are never reserved on the server and are subject to a first come, first served basis. Reservation based conferencing is planned for a future release. What advantages does reservation-less conferencing offer? Reservation-less conferencing provides for maximal use of system resources. Unused ports are always available to other users. This enables an enterprise to oversubscribe the Meet Me Conferencing application thereby lowering total conferencing expenditures. Is recording of Meet Me conferences available? Yes, the chairperson has the ability to start and stop conference recording. How does Meet Me conference recording work? The chairperson has the ability to start and stop conference recording using the DTMF command *9. When the chairperson stops conference recording or when the conference is terminated, the conferencing server saves the recording into a .wav file and emails it to the chairperson. When conference recording is enabled/disabled, participants are warned that recording is on/off. Even if participants join a conference after recording has started, they will be automatically informed that conference recording is active. Are quick start conferences supported for Meet Me Conferencing?
- 11. Yes, the chairperson has the ability to configure their bridge for quick start. With quick start, the conference starts as soon as the first person joins the conference as opposed to having to wait for the chairperson to join the conferencing. Can other participants assume the role of chairperson? Yes, but only if the chairperson leaves the bridge. A participant may then press *0 and enter the chairperson’s pin to assume the role. What chairperson controls are available with Meet Me Conferencing? Following is a list of control functions available through the Telephone User Interface (TUI): *0 Assume chairperson role † *2 Launch private chat room for conf. attendees *4 Lock , *5 UnLock conference *6 Mute, *7 UnMute † *8 Toggle conference continuation upon exit *9 Toggle conference recording *# Query number of participants † ## mute all, 99 unMute all 2(n) where n = audio emotion (clap, etc.) † 00 Call for operator † ** Help † 91 start web collaboration session, 92 stop web collaboration session † Available to all participants What operator controls are available with Meet Me Conferencing? Operators have access to all the chairperson controls through the TUI as well as the MCS Provisioning Agent. Additionally, through the MCS Provisioning Agent, operators can also terminate and mute/un-mute specific lines. MCS 5100 Video Solutions What video solutions are offered on the MCS 5100? The MCS 5100 offers many alternative solutions for video. 1. Point-to-point desktop video: This solution enables PC and Web client users to communicate using video in point-to-point conversations. 2. Point-to-point video with compatible 3rd party endpoints: This solution enables PC client users to communicate with compatible 3rd party endpoints in point-to-point conversations. 3. Desktop multi-point video or MAS-based video conferencing: This solution which is available on the Ad Hoc and Meet Me conferencing servers enables PC and Web client users to engage in a multi-point video conference. This solution supports switched video. 3rd party clients can not participate in the video conference. 4. Advanced multi-point video: This solution makes use of compatible 3rd party bridges or Multipoint Control Units (MCUs) to provide the multi-point conferencing bridge functions. These will generally provide support for legacy H.320 video equipment as well as H.323 video equipment and may support continuous presence.
- 12. Note: Refer to the Nortel Developer Program for a list of compatible 3rd parties http://www.nortel.com/prd/dpp/product/index.html. What do I need to be able to do video at my desktop? If using an MCS 5100 soft client, the only hardware requirement for desktop video is a web cam. Alternatively, the IP Phone 1535 (SIP video phone) or compatible 3rd party video endpoints can be used. What is the difference between switched video and continuous presence? Switched video which is supported on the MAS-based video conferencing enables users on the video conference to see the most active speaker. In other words, users only see one video source at a time and when another participant begins to speak, the video will switch to that participant. Continuous presence which is available with some 3rd party conference bridges enables users to simultaneously see multiple video sources. This is sometimes referred to as the “Hollywood Squares” view or “Brady Bunch” view. The following picture is an example of continuous presence. Can audio only users participate in a video conference? Yes, users can participate in the audio portion of a video conference if they are only equipped for audio. Do I need a web cam to be able to receive video? No, users can still see other participants’ video feeds even if they aren’t equipped with a web cam, however, they will not be able to transmit video. What web cams are supported on the MCS 5100? The MCS 5100 will operate with most web cams in the market. When will the MCS 5100 support reservation-based video conferencing? Reservation-based video conferencing is planned for a future release on the MAS-based video conferencing bridge. Reservation-based video conferencing is likely available from the compatible 3rd party MCUs supported. Which video codecs are supported on the Meet Me and AdHoc Conferencing applications? Only the DIVX video codec is supported on the conferencing applications at this time.
- 13. When will the MCS 5100 MAS-based solution support the H.263 or H.264 video codecs? H.263 and H.264 video codec support on the MAS are under consideration for a future release? When will the MCS 5100 MAS-based solution support continuous presence? Continuous presence support is under consideration for a future release? How are video solutions licensed on the MCS 5100? Desktop video is included with the base MCS software. In order to use video with Ad Hoc or Meet Me conferencing, video port licenses are required on the respective audio servers. One video port license is required for each active video client. The video port licenses are incremental to the audio conferencing port licenses. What collateral or documentation is available for this solution? • There is a Nortel written white paper titled “The Role of Video in a SIP-Enabled Collaborative World” available on Global Web and nortel.com (www.nortel.com). If a customer has existing 3rd party video equipment, will it work in this solution? Providing the equipment can be upgraded to the required software level then it should work. Older equipment can also be supported through the 3rd parties as they may support legacy equipment. In any case, customers should contact the 3rd parties directly for assistance and refer to the Nortel Developer Program website for additional information.
- 14. MCS 5100 Web Collaboration What do participants require to join in web collaboration? The only requirements on participants who wish to join a web collaboration session are for a compatible web browser such at Internet Explorer or Netscape with Active X enabled. How do users join a web collaboration session? Users can join a web collaboration session in one of 2 ways. First, by joining the Meet Me Audio Conference from an MCS client, users will automatically receive a web push which will connect them to the web collaboration server. Second, the chairperson may publish a URL which will connect users to the web collaboration server. Can a user join the web collaboration without an MCS 5100 client? Yes, an MCS 5100 client is not required to participate in a web collaboration session. The chairperson may publish a URL or provide the URL in an email to participants. The URL for participants can be found under the Meet Me preferences found in the Personal Agent. How can users not connected to their corporate network access web collaboration? In order for users that are outside the company to access a web collaboration session, they would need access to the web collaboration server. This can be accomplished by locating the web collaboration server outside the firewall, by opening the necessary holes in the firewall, or by traversing the firewall using an IPSec or SSL VPN. Do users need to reserve a web conference? No, web collaboration is reservation-less. Can other participants be presenters or application sharers? Yes, the chairperson can pass control to another participant in document publishing mode such that the other participant controls the document being published. Similarly, the chairperson can pass control to another participant in application sharing mode such that the other participant can share applications on their desktop or make changes to the application being shared. Note that the application continues to reside on the desktop of the participant sharing the application and the changes are made on that person’s desktop. Can multiple participants make changes at the same time when sharing an application? No, only one person at a time can make changes to an application. What is the difference between document publishing and application sharing? Document publishing is for presentation purposes only. Users can not make changes to the content. Application sharing enables the chairperson to make changes to the shared application and all participants see the changes dynamically as they occur. Why is there a need for both publishing mode and an application sharing mode?
- 15. The publishing mode provides better performance than the sharing mode and optimizes bandwidth by converting documents before publishing the document. Can PowerPoint builds be used? Yes for application sharing. No for the publishing mode because the PowerPoint file is converted to JPEG image for broadcast to the other web collaborators. Note that Word and Excel files are rendered into HTML images when published. What security exposures are introduced by allowing someone to share a desktop? Showing someone your desktop does not pose a security threat, however, giving them control of your desktop potentially does. With control of your desktop, a user can pretty much do anything to it as if they were sitting at your desktop including deleting files. Do participants in an application sharing session need to have the application being shared installed on their PCs? No, only the chairperson needs to have the application being shared. Note that when accessing web collaboration for the first time, participants may be asked to download and install software in order to join a web collaboration session. If so, the web collaboration application will prompt the user through the process. Can multiple web collaboration servers be used to share the same information? A single web collaboration session can not span multiple web collaboration servers. Is it necessary to have Meet Me conferencing to do web collaboration? Yes, the web collaboration server works in conjunction with the Meet Me conferencing server. The chairperson launches the web collaboration by issuing DTMF (pressing 91 on the telephone) commands once connected to the Meet Me conference. Can a web collaboration server support multiple Meet Me conferencing servers? Yes. How many web collaboration sessions are supported from a single server? 1000 document publishing or application sharing sessions or a combination of both. Does the web collaboration application support polling? Yes, the chairperson can submit multiple choice questions to all participants. The polling function provides cumulative results. As participants complete the poll, the results are updated real-time. The chairperson does not see individual responses. The chairperson has the option to publish the results to all participants. Does the web collaboration application support file transfers? Yes, through the web collaboration application, the chairperson can perform point-to-point and multi-point file transfer to all participants.
- 16. Does the user need to purchase Microsoft Office for the server? Yes, Microsoft Office for the web collaboration server must be purchased by the customer from a MS Office reseller. Can customers’ bill usage back to internal departments? Yes, session information reports are available. Customers can obtain usage information for department billing purposes from these reports. Are there restrictions on application sharing? With Application sharing, users can share one or more applications or their entire desktop, however, it should be noted that the greater the number of applications shared, the greater the impact will be on performance. Sharing videos is not recommended. Can this solution be used with MAC or LINUX? Yes, but for viewing only. MAC and Linux can not be used as sources for publishing or application sharing. Windows is the primary operating system supported. How is licensing of web collaboration applied? Customers must purchase a web collaboration port for every simultaneous web collaboration participant. Does the web collaboration application support streaming media? No. Does Nortel offer a service based application through a partner or partners? The AS 5200 (carrier equivalent of the 5100) is used by service providers who in turn offer MCS services. What hardware platform does the web collaboration application run on? The web collaboration application operates as per other Media Application Server (MAS) based applications. Is there an attendee roster and who can see it? There is an attendee roster available to the chairperson. The chairperson can also share the attendee roster with all or select participants. Can documents be pre-published for document publishing? Yes, multiple documents can be pre-loaded to the web collaboration server prior to starting a web collaboration session. Does the web collaboration application support recording of conferences?
- 17. No, at this time, only audio conference recording is available as part of the Meet Me application. What languages are supported by the web collaboration application? The web collaboration application supports the same languages that the basic MCS 5100 system supports? Multimedia Wireless Client What is the Multimedia Wireless Client? The Multimedia Wireless Client is available for certain BlackBerry devices. This client enables certain multimedia functions such as presence-based instant messaging (IM) and collaborative capabilities to be available to BlackBerry users. What capabilities does the Multimedia Wireless Client support? The following capabilities are supported: • Presence – Users can set their presence as well as query presence of their colleagues. The same Icons used in the MCS PC client are used to display the presence settings. • Presence Alerts – Users can request to be alerted when a friends presence state changes. • Instant Messaging – Users can exchange instant messages securely with other MCS users. • Call Logging – Records of incoming calls to your MCS enabled phone line are delivered to the BlackBerry handheld. • Click-to-Call – Users can set up calls using MCS. Calls can be delivered to the BlackBerry handheld, the users SIP address, or other numbers configured into the User client preferences, only if the Blackberry is voice enabled, other wise it is a means to remotely setup a Click-to-Call. This is similar to the Click-to-Call capability available through the MCS Personal Agent. • MCS Personal Address Book – The personal address book from MCS is downloaded to the users BlackBerry. This gives the user access to SIP addresses and other phone numbers stored in their MCS directory. • Call Routing – Users can enable, disable and reorder MCS Personal Agent routes from the Handheld Device (this is for routes created via the MCS Personal Agent). • Set Temporary Address – Users can create a temporary route to redirect calls to a different SIP address or phone number and they can specify how long the route should be active. The temporary route is only stored in the BlackBerry handheld. • Corporate Directory – Users can search the corporate phone directory for numbers and use click-to-call to start a phone conversation. • Voicemail notification – Users with voicemail compatible with MCS receive a voicemail indicator on the BlackBerry (note that the user’s voicemail must be compatible and configured for use with MCS). What are the benefits of using this client? This client extends many of the MCS collaborative capabilities to wireless devices which greatly enhance collaboration for mobile users. Is the Multimedia Wireless Client secure? Yes, the client relies on the encryption provided between the BlackBerry handheld and the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). All infrastructure remains behind the firewall; the BES
- 18. manages all communications through the firewall and the BES encrypts all communications to the RIM BlackBerry devices, including all MCS presence and instant messaging Which release of MCS supports this client? The MCS 5100 system must be at release 3.5 or higher. Which BlackBerry devices support this client? The client is supported on the RIM BlackBerry 62xx, 65xx, 67xx, 71xx, 72xx, 75xx or 77xx wireless devices. What are the requirements on the MCS for using this client? A Wireless Client Manager (WiCM) server is required. The WiCM runs on a dedicated IBM x306M server. A SIP port licence is required for each active mobile client. How many mobile clients are supported on a single server? A single WiCM can support up to 1,000 mobile clients. What are the licensing requirements? Each active mobile client consumes 1 SIP port. The WiCM software is included with the base software. What are the requirements from BlackBerry for using this client? The BlackBerry Enterprise Server (release 3.0 or higher) with Mobile Data Services (MDS) must be deployed in the customer environment. Customers are responsible for acquiring this. Are other non-BlackBerry mobile devices supported? At this time, only the BlackBerry is supported, however, other devices are under consideration for a future release. Multimedia Office Client (MOC) What is the Multimedia Office Client? The Multimedia Office Client (MOC) is a plug in for the Microsoft Outlook application. It enables users to have quick access to MCS multimedia functions from within Outlook without having to run a separate Multimedia PC Client. What capabilities does a MOC user get? From Outlook and the MOC, users can • View presence of friends • Modify their own presence • Launch collaboration (IM, call, …) o From directories, contacts, emails, call logs
- 19. • Handle incoming calls in real-time • View incoming/outgoing call logs • Add SIP addresses to Outlook Contacts • Control hard sets o IP phone 200x via client set mode o Converged desktop with analog, digital, and IP phones • Synchronize their contacts in Outlook/Exchange server and Personal Address Book on MCS server • Ability to import contacts from the MCS global address book • Custom contact form published which contains a sip address entry form, user presence information, friend/group setting and picture id (this is also made available with the global address book with Outlook!) • Ability to access Personal Agent thru Outlook What are the benefits of the MOC? • It combines the collaboration capabilities of MCS with Microsoft Outlook in an easy to use interface. • It enables quick and easy access to MCS collaboration functions from Outlook with one click access to many MCS functions. • The addition of SIP addresses in Outlook Contacts simplifies directory handling. • It provides a single tool for all communication. • Minimal user training is required. • It further enhances user productivity. • Provides choice and flexibility to users and standardizes one client for the desktop! What languages does the MOC support? Supported languages include French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and Russian. The language for the client is based on the operating system language. The installer is localized as well and users are prompted to choose their language of choice. What are the compatibilities and licensing for the MOC? • Supported with Outlook 2000, XP, 2003 & Windows 2000 and XP • No impact to email server • Compatible with MCS R3.0 & R3.5 • Operates with hard sets o IP phone 200x via client set mode o Converged desktop with analog, digital, and IP phones • Licensing o No special licensing, client included in standard MCS 5100 load o Client is a download away (available for R3.0 and R3.5) o Requires SIP port licenses for active users as per any other client with R3.5 o No cost at 3.0 (no CD, but downloadable from web portal) Where are the limitations of MOC? • MOC and the Multimedia PC Client can be installed on the same PC but cannot be running at the same time.
- 20. • Preferences for the Multimedia Office Client are very similar to Multimedia PC Client (with the exception of some removed features) • Service package restricts the maximum number of MCS Personal Address Book entries which can be imported and synchronized. What are the differences between MOC and the Multimedia PC Client? The following Multimedia PC Client functions are not available with MOC: • IM Chat • IM Broadcast • Assistant console • Access for call routes from Outlook • Customization of the toolbar and menu • Nortel USB Headset’s Smart button not supported What is the competitive positioning for MOC? Standard MCS competitors are applicable. MOC provides tighter integration with Microsoft Outlook than most competitors. What is the positioning of MOC relative to Microsoft and its Live Communication Server (LCS)? MOC is independent of Microsoft’s Live Communication Server (LCS). Nortel and Microsoft share a common vision and complementary values. The client is well suited for customers with investments in Microsoft Office but undecided on multimedia or Microsoft evolution. Where do I get the Multimedia Office Client, from Nortel or Microsoft? MOC is a Nortel soft client and is only available from Nortel. Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes What is the Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes? The Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes is a plug -in for the IBM Lotus Notes application. It enables users to have quick access to MCS multimedia functions from within Lotus Notes without having to run a separate Multimedia PC Client. What capabilities does a Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes user get? From Lotus Notes and using the Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes, users can • View presence of friends • Modify their own presence • Launch collaboration (IM, call, …) o From directories, contacts, emails, call logs • Handle incoming calls in real-time • View incoming/outgoing call logs • Set up and use click to call to access meetings in your calendar • One click access to voice mail from within Lotus Notes
- 21. • Add SIP addresses to Lotus Notes Contacts • Control hard sets o IP phone 200x via client set mode o Converged desktop with analog, digital, and IP phones • Synchronize their contacts in Lotus Notes/Domino server and Address Book on MCS server • Ability to import contacts from the MCS global address book • Ability to access Personal Agent thru Lotus Notes What are the benefits of the Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes? • It combines the collaboration capabilities of MCS with IBM Lotus Notes in an easy to use interface. • It enables quick and easy access to MCS collaboration functions from Lotus Notes with one click access to many MCS functions. • The addition of SIP addresses in Lotus Notes Contacts simplifies directory handling. • It provides a single tool for all communication. • Minimal user training is required. • It further enhances user productivity. • Provides choice and flexibility to users and standardizes one client for the desktop! What languages does the Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes support? Supported languages include French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and Russian. The language for the client is based on the operating system language. The installer is localized as well and users are prompted to choose their language of choice. What are the compatibilities and licensing for the Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes? • Supported with IBM Lotus Notes and Domino Server 7.0 • Supported on Windows 2000 and XP • No SameTime dependencies • No impact to email server • Compatible with MCS R4.0 • Operates with hard sets o IP phone 200x via client set mode o Converged desktop with analog, digital, and IP phones • Licensing o No special licensing, client included in standard MCS 5100 load o Client is a download away (available for R4.0) o Requires SIP port licenses for active users as per any other client with R4.0 o No cost when downloaded from web portal Where are the limitations of Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes? • The MCS Notes Client and the Multimedia PC Client can be installed on the same PC but cannot be running at the same time. • Preferences for the Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes are very similar to Multimedia PC Client (with the exception of some removed features) • Service package restricts the maximum number of MCS Personal Address Book entries
- 22. which can be imported and synchronized. What are the differences between the Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes and the Multimedia PC Client? The following Multimedia PC Client functions are not available with Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes: • IM Chat • IM Broadcast • Assistant console • Access for call routes from Lotus Notes • Customization of the toolbar and menu • Nortel USB Headset’s Smart button not supported What is the competitive positioning for the Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes? Standard MCS competitors are applicable. Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes provides tighter integration with IBM Lotus Notes than any other competitor. What is the positioning of Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes relative to IBM’s Sametime? Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes is independent of IBM Sametime and although there are some similar features across the two solutions (IM, presence, web collaboration) the MCS Notes Client provides extensive integrated call control capabilities for Notes users with comprehensive meet-me conferencing capabilities not available on Sametime. The client is well suited for customers that are looking to integrate their Nortel Telephony infrastructure with their IBM desktop. Where do I get the Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes, from Nortel or IBM? Multimedia Client for IBM Lotus Notes is a Nortel soft client and is only available from Nortel.