A feather in its cap

Continuing its move into the Internet protocol voice market, 8x8 Inc. announced that it would acquire France-based Odisei S.A., a private developer of IP telephony software. The companies originally partnered in April to develop IP telephony solutions.

"It was a natural evolution, considering the technology we have collaborated on over the past three months," said Dominique Pitteloud, formerly of Odisei and now vice president of broadband marketing for Santa Clara, Calif.-based 8x8.

The companies hope the combination of 8x8's voice-over-IP gateways and terminals with Odisei's IntraSwitch software will open 8x8's market to all carriers.

Odisei's IntraSwitch IP-PBX, which is in development, is a Java-based solution for managing voice-over-IP networks. It runs on a carrier-grade server at a telephony service provider's site and provides voice and data services over T-1/E-1, digital subscriber line or cable links.

8x8's Symphony voice-over-IP module can be installed at the customer site, letting customers use inexpensive analog telephones while using IntraSwitch's features such as call forwarding, remote pickup, call routing and voice mail.

"With the IP-PBX, it was a struggle as to how to demonstrate the product," said Chris McNiffe, vice president of marketing for 8x8. "This gives 8x8 the opportunity to drive what happens at the edge of the network infrastructure, and we can provision a more complete solution."

In terms of strategy, the combined company wants to offer application solutions for service providers, Pitteloud said. "With our software, we will provision to business over IP lines."