Siemens Unveils Its Gigaset Broadband Software Suite, Giving Service Providers Unprecedented Control over New and Deployed Broadband Devices and Services

June 20, 2007; 05:05 AM
Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices (SHC) announced today a new Gigaset Software Suite to complement its vast portfolio of Gigaset broadband devices and cordless voice phones, giving service providers the ability to manage and control their broadband network better than ever before. The new software suite provides comprehensive provisioning, configuration, maintenance and marketing tools for service providers, thereby reducing the complexity of next-generation communications for subscribers.

The Gigaset Software Suite builds on the core competencies of the widely-deployed tango® broadband management suite, and now includes a new module, Gigaset Home Director, which uses patent-pending technology to enable standards-based (DSL Forum TR-069) remote management of non-standards-based devices, including the desktop PC within the home network.

“The Gigaset Software Suite represents a great innovative accomplishment,” said SHC CEO Gerd Pasedag. “The software is engineered to ease the installation process and ongoing support of subscribers with its centralized automation and control - all of which contribute to a quicker return on network investments for service providers by enabling new value-added services and enhancing the subscriber experience.”

The rising popularity of broadband services like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), streaming media and other next-generation communications represent a significant profit potential for broadband service providers. However, adding more devices to the home network also increases complexity for subscribers. Supporting increasingly complex home networks can be time consuming and costly, involving lengthy technical support calls and potential on-site truck rolls.

While DSL Forum TR-069 is poised to become the defining protocol for the remote management of broadband devices, there are currently millions of devices that cannot support or be upgraded to this protocol. The Siemens Gigaset Home Director enables service providers to reach these devices remotely, which can result in tremendous savings in resources. This easily deployed patent-pending solution extends standards-based remote management to non-TR069 devices – automatically detecting and communicating with broadband devices and key desktop applications to the help desk representative. As a result, diagnosing problems and providing solutions can be done more quickly and effectively. And with secure desktop access, Gigaset Home Director also enables service providers to remotely manage everyday PC application issues including e-mail and browser configuration.

Service providers can deploy the Siemens Gigaset Subscriber Manager to automate all phases of the subscriber lifecycle such as ordering, auto provisioning, management and maintenance of VoIP and data services. The module is based on the tango Subscriber Manager, which is an integral component of one of the world’s largest managed VoIP solutions with tight integration into provider OSS systems such as order management, fulfillment, help desk support and a subscriber self-care web portal. The software is field proven, currently managing nearly one million devices from various hardware vendors in service provider networks around the globe.

As a component part of the Siemens Gigaset Subscriber Manager, Siemens Gigaset FrontLine is designed for front line support to aid in the quick and cost-efficient resolution of most broadband service problems. In addition to having the functionality of the tango package, Gigaset FrontLine has been enhanced with a richer and more user-friendly GUI design based upon AJAX technologies. Additional new features include support for backup and restoration of modem or gateway configuration files, and the capability to download firmware files.

Other Gigaset Software Suite modules include Gigaset Installer, Gigaset Access, and Gigaset Support Plus, providing the installation, access, and ongoing support for broadband services. The modules in the Gigaset Software Suite can be used in combination with one another or as standalone products.

Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices LLC

Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices LLC is the U.S. affiliate of Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices GmbH & Co KG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens AG. These companies focus on the design, manufacturing and distribution of the full range of Siemens Gigaset products, including cordless phones, home media devices and broadband products and services, which are designed to enable seamless, integrated communication solutions for service providers and consumers.

Siemens and Gigaset are registered trademarks of Siemens AG or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All other company, brand, product and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on beliefs of Siemens management. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," and "project" are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

More about Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices at www.siemens.com/gigaset/provider