Novell Delivers NetWare Telephony Services Switch Normalization
Specification

New specification to become basis for switch driver tested and approved
program

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 24, 1995) -- Novell, Inc. today announced
availability of a NetWare Telephony Services (NTS) switch driver
normalization specification that complements Novell's Telephony Services
API (TSAPI). The new specification will ensure consistency between switch
drivers, simplifying interoperability for TSAPI applications that support
different vendors' switches. The specification will become the basis for a
Novell tested and approved program for switch drivers scheduled to begin
before the end of Q1 96.

Novell's TSAPI has become a de facto standard procedural API that
represents the features and services defined by the European Computer
Manufacturers' Association standard, Services for Computer Supported
Telecommunications Applications (CSTA). Although TSAPI delivers a
consistent programming interface to access the switch features,
differences in switch implementation require TSAPI applications to use
vendor specific TSAPI call sequences in order to operate. This new
specification normalizes the sequence of events for common features,
allowing TSAPI applications to use a single method to interoperate with
different switch partners.

"Customers, developers and switch partners have been requesting that Novell
establish implementation standards to make interoperability easier to
achieve," said Paul Armstrong, director of Marketing, Novell Telephony
Products. "The new program will allow customers to more easily identify
products that interoperate and simplifies the development efforts for
TSAPI application partners."

Novell is making this specification available to the TSAPI development
community allowing them to make driver and application adjustments in
advance of the testing and approved program. This will ensure that
approved drivers will be available in the market shortly after the start
of the program.

In a related announcement, Novell also said it has opened an
interoperability and testing lab in its new San Jose facility. The lab,
open to Novell's switch and applications partners, provides a single
location where developers can obtain first hand experience with a variety
of switch equipment. Participating switch partners will install switch
equipment in the lab for shared access by independent software vendors
(ISVs). This presents an opportunity for ISVs to test the proprietary
features of different vendors' switches and receive assistance direct from
Novell's telephony engineering team.

This specification and program announcement is part of Novell's telephony
roadmap, which supports independent software vendors, original equipment
manufacturers and resellers to facilitate delivery of computer telephony
solutions to customers. The specification is currently available on
Novell's NetWire and through Novell's FTP server.

Press Contacts:
Amanda Berman or Jeff Davis
Alexander Communications, Inc.
(415) 923-1660 fax: (415) 923-9863
INTERNET: 71154.2546@compuserve.com
 
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