Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 02:38:32 GMT Server: Apache/1.2.4 Last-Modified: Wed, 05 Nov 1997 18:04:23 GMT ETag: "ee7-30c6-3460b527" Content-Length: 12486 Accept-Ranges: bytes Connection: close Content-Type: text/html STRATUS ENHANCES SERVICE CONTROL POINT PLATFORM FOR INTELLIGENT NETWORKS
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STRATUS ENHANCES SERVICE CONTROL POINT PLATFORM FOR INTELLIGENT NETWORKS

New SCEnic/SCP Release Provides Advanced Capabilities for Service Creation, Implementation, and Management

Marlboro, Mass., October 14, 1997 - Stratus Computer, Inc. today introduced a new, robust, and easy-to-use version of the SCEnicTM/Service Control Point (SCP) platform, the company's open, standards-based solution for developing and delivering continuously available Intelligent Network (IN) service applications.

SCEnic/SCP Release 2.0 offers application developers, service providers, and systems integrators comprehensive service creation, control, and management capabilities - as well as a full-function runtime environment - for sophisticated Intelligent Networks. It supports IN call control applications such as Freephone 800/888, 900 number, alternate billing, line information database (LIDB), and local number portability (LNP).

The new SCEnic/SCP features a graphical user interface (GUI)-based service creation environment (SCE), designed to streamline service development, testing, and deployment; a full set of GUI-based tools for managing the service life cycle; improved version control support; SCP database performance enhancements; and expanded support for both North American (ANSI) and international (ETSI/ITU) advanced intelligent network standards.

Release 2.0 supports the Stratus® Continuum® Series family of continuously available computers. It runs under the FTXTM operating system, the Stratus' fault-tolerant UNIX® operating environment. The service creation and service management functions reside on a UNIX workstation.

"This 'industrial-strength' platform reduces substantially the time and cost for SCP service development and management," said John Scanlon, Vice President of Telecommunications Systems at Stratus. "It gives our customers and application partners a unique combination of advantages, including Stratus' industry-leading fault tolerance; open hardware and software architectures; remote system monitoring; support for IN standards; and proven IN experience.

"By starting with an entry-level Continuum 400 system, SCEnic/SCP offers a cost-effective way to enter the IN world," Mr. Scanlon said. "Users can start with the platform that meets their needs today, then scale up to larger Continuum systems to take advantage of future revenue opportunities."

Matthew Lam, Director of Network Planning for the major Hong Kong carrier New T&T, pointed to the Stratus SCP platform as a critical element in his company's network. "The icon-based service creation environment makes IN software development much faster and easier. This is key to the success of our business," he said. New T&T uses the Stratus product to support local number portability and other advanced IN services.

Kerry Slota, AIN Developer at Gulf Telephone, said the Foley, Alabama-based independent service provider selected SCEnic/SCP because it is "feature-rich, easy-to-use and very affordable." Gulf currently has a caller name delivery application based on the initial version of SCEnic/SCP and plans to build new "follow me"/roaming and credit card verification services on the new release. "The original SCEnic/SCP version was very user-friendly and didn't require a lot of training," said Mr. Slota. "We're installing the new one to take advantage of the upgrades that will make application development even easier, as well as the additional functionality it offers."

State-of-the-Art Features
With Release 2.0, the SCEnic/SCP service creation environment offers an expanded set of graphical tools, including tools for specifying a service logic program (SLP) and its associated reports and database templates. SLPs, reports, database templates, and program execution tools can be automatically downloaded to the SCP. There is no need to manually create traditional UNIX character-based commands and scripts. In addition, service validation features have been expanded, allowing SLPs to be fully prototyped prior to deployment. This enables developers to be sure that their applications will work as intended before they are brought online.

Release 2.0 provides GUI support for the entire service life cycle, with management tools supporting service specification, implementation, activation and deactivation, provisioning, monitoring, and modification. Built-in SLP version control allows multiple versions of a service - along with all associated templates and reports and tools - to be downloaded to the SCP and dynamically enabled or disabled without affecting ongoing network service.

Database performance enhancements include redesign of the service data function (SDF) to maximize data throughput. The result is a significant improvement in the number of service subscribers that can be supported on a given system installation.

Compliance with key international standards ensures that SCEnic/SCP will fit in a range of network environments. These standards include ITU Q.1200 recommendations (CS1) message set, ITU '93 standards for TCAP signaling, and ETSI INAP and AIN 0.1 call models. Release 2.0 adds expanded ETSI messaging, including support for ETSI-style mid-call detection points and triggers.

SCEnic/SCP is built on the Stratus Intelligent Network Applications Platform (SINAP®). Deployed in more than 60 wireless and wireline service providers' networks worldwide, SINAP is a full UNIX-based implementation of the SS7 protocol for building and linking IN elements.

Configurations and Availability
Available immediately worldwide, SCEnic/SCP Release 2.0 is configured as individually priced service creation and runtime environments. Users may choose from AIN, ETSI or ETSI/AIN runtime variants.

Prices vary with the Continuum Series model on which the system is based. Upgrades from Release 1.0 to Release 2.0 are available free of charge to customers with Stratus SCEnic/SCP maintenance agreements. Future upgrades will also be free to maintenance agreement holders.

Based in Marlboro, Massachusetts, Stratus Computer, Inc. (NYSE:SRA) is the premier supplier of computer systems and services where continuous availability is a critical need. Stratus and its subsidiaries offer a broad range of continuously available computer platforms, application software, middleware, and professional services. The company markets its systems and solutions to a range of industries in more than 60 countries. Stratus posted revenue of $609.3 million in fiscal year 1996. For more information, see Stratus on the Internet at http://www.stratus.com.

Stratus Contact:

Lynette Gutcho
Tel: 508-490-6430
Fax: 508-485-6603
e-mail: lynette_gutcho@stratus.com
http://www.stratus.com


Editors Note: Stratus, the Stratus logo, Continuum, and SINAP are registered trademarks, and FTX and SCEnic are trademarks of Stratus Computer, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited.


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