In the normal world, a phone handset was a phone handset. In the new arena of IP, what appears like a phone handset is really a P. C. If it is an Alcatel IP handset then it is a dumb terminal driven by a display server and if it is a Cisco IP handset, it’s more or less a Computer . The only limitation is the size and sort of the display.

In every case the phone interface is a net browser and as fashion accessory the IP phone can sit where you the Computer can’t. We all know all of this because Spook Software, with its offshore software development resource, deals with a selection of IP platforms both in conditions of PC Telephony Integration and Voice over IP. This makes the IP handset excellent for retail, like shops in a shopping mall, in reception areas and banking foyers as well as in a ward in an infirmary or a school library.

What drives applications on these handsets is XML. Sure, they look good but they did not justify the price premium of the hardware. Our analysis shows that what’s needed are some normal telephony orientated applications or consultant vertical market applications, the second having its own set of unique issues.

We have we think, 3 and a half common applications that are so insistent that folks will pay the hardware handset premium to have them. The 1st is the facility to send SMS messages from a landline either to one, or broadcasted to several mobile handsets. While this application will work with any XML handset, it is especially suited to the Alcatel IP Touch range, with its built in normal keyboard, This allows for simple integration of SMS into the general portfolio of business communication. Any one with an external sales force will have an immediate need. Next is an application called “XPOP” it is a basic screen pop application that often resided on a Computer , so you can see who is calling by capturing the caller’s number and querying the database. Now we will be able to remove the info and populate an XML telephone browser.

Last but not least is an outbound dialler. Some folk in the world wish to have a predictive dial solution, but we think that is too niche. The size, shape and composition of these is never-ending. Scholars can see whether books are in or out and reserve them.

Patients go from ward to ward and frequently their case notes get left at the back. An application which broadcasts to all departments with a choice to respond if you have them is good, and ( 3 ) Hospitality software, where staff can enter a pin code when they have cleaned a room or you can order room service from your handset. The issue is that if you go to a business and say what do you want? – the answer’s usually “we have no idea. “The solution is to build demo applications which have a feature set but they are hard-coded ( this implies they’re faster to develop ) and when you show it, everyone knows what is wrong with it. This is how we have worked over up to date months with some fantastic results.