SIP End Points

In case you didn’t get the chance to attend the largest communications’ conference last week in Miami, Fla., ITEXPO East 2012, you might not know that Panasonic’s (News - Alert) latest SIP phone, an open source-based operating system desk phone, was the talk of the show floor.

Designed to allow users to develop integrated solutions for business communications and operations, the KX-UT670 Smart Desk Phone (News - Alert) expands upon Panasonic’s current lineup of SIP UT Series telephones. Unveiled in January, the KX -UT670 boasts a full operating, open source system as well as a Web browser, seven-inch color LCD Touch screen and HD wideband voice and high quality HD video. It is certified for Broadsoft, Asterisk (News - Alert) and Metaswitch; can be expandable to six SIP terminals; and has the ability to support Bluetooth.

Last week, TMCnet sat down with Bill Savino, marketing manager for business communication solutions at Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, to discuss how the new kid on campus was doing. And this week, TMCnet followed up with the SIP End Points company to see which verticals can particularly benefit from this new innovation.

“Being that this phone is a truly customizable business solution, it can really be tailored to a variety of vertical markets,” Savino said. “We believe that the main vertical markets that will benefit from the Panasonic SIP KX-UT670 Smart Desk Phone will the retail, healthcare, hospitality and education.  However, this phone is truly ideal for any industry because of its ability to be customized based on which applications are loaded.  Additionally, for any business industry, the KX-UT670 can be used for office facility control- to open and close curtains, control air conditioning and heating or even lock and unlock doors- the possibilities are really endless.”

Savino shared with TMCnet some hypothetical app uses for the UT670 phone in a particular vertical market, assuming that these applications were developed by third-party app developers.

Retail

Whether it’s using the phone to check to see if the UPS guy knocking at the back door is really a UPS guy or keeping tabs on your employees to make sure they are not abusing their breaks, real-time video surveillance monitoring of a store environment is possible through the KX-UT670 screen.

“Now a store owner doesn’t always have to be on the premises to make sure employees are being productive and the store, and its merchandise is secure,” Savino said. “With the KX-UT670, a store owner can view video feed from their store office or even from the comfort of their own home.”

Hospitality

Comfort is paramount for hotels hoping to turn first time visitors into brand proponents and, accordingly, the KX-UT670 was manufactured to offer a range of applications to make a guest’s stay more enjoyable.

Specifically, hotels could create applications for room service in which guests could peruse menu options and then place orders directly from their room phones. Moreover, with proper app development guests could forgo bringing their laptops to hotels as the phone could boast Internet capability which would allow guests to check out neighboring attractions within minutes. 

“The phone can even be programmed to be a command center for a hotel room – adjusting lighting, temperature and raising and closing shades,” added Savino.

Healthcare

When your loved one has to check into a healthcare facility, aside from getting better your one hope is that they can experience some quality of life while staying at the institution. With Panasonic’s latest SIP phone, residents at long-term healthcare facilities would, for example, be able to pick and choose meals for the day through an integrated menu app.

Moreover, facilities could benefit from integrated nurse call systems directly on the phone.  The large screen size makes this ideal for people with vision problems and a touch screen makes it simple to use for anyone, according to Savino.

Education

With the rise of bullying and cheating, there is perhaps no greater need for real-time video monitoring in the classroom than now and that’s where the SIP phone can come in handy, according to company officials.

“In an emergency situation, the KX-UT670 can provide real-time video monitoring of a classroom when integrated with Panasonic network cameras,” Savino said.  “When a silent emergency alert is triggered on a teacher’s Panasonic Infrared Wireless Microphone Pendant, Panasonic network cameras allow school administrators and emergency personnel to see directly into the classroom.  The real-time video feed can stream directly to the KX-UT670, allowing for careful monitoring of any situation.”

For more on Panasonic’s latest innovation, click here.