4 Oki Technical ReviewJanuary 2005/Issue 201 Vol.72 No.1

Concept of a Solution for Converging Information and Telecommunications by Oki Electric: AP@PLAT®

Osamu Nakazawa Kunio Ooba

Services that are based on various informationtechnologies (IT) to raise the efficiency of transactionprocesses, such as the settlement of accounts andauthentications for e-commerce utilizing the internet andmobile environments as well as business processes ofcompanies, are becoming widely popular in recent years,due to progress made in information technology, such asdistributed processing and security. On the other hand,attractive communication and broadcasting transmission(IP) services, based on IP technologies, such as IPtelephones and video distributions, are starting tobecome available due to the progress made in thetechnologies related to broadband networks, audio andvideo media. We are currently entering an era whereinpractical implementation of the world of convergence,known as the “convergence of information andtelecommunications”, is occurring, which combines thesevarious services.

These are evident, for example, in the convergence ofIP telephones with office operations, such as electronicmail and groupware, as shown in Figure 1. Further, newapplications that result from the integration of the weband VoIP, such as integration of the IP telephone and e-commerce, are also becoming available. Furthermore,the approach of integrating audio and videocommunications into the business process managementof companies by using the enterprise resource planning(ERP) or supply chain management (SCM) suitable forthe enterprise architecture with the aim to standardizeinformation systems and to optimize corporateorganizations1), is also drawing attention. These servicesthat are becoming available differ from conventionalservices because the borders between individualservices of “information” and “telecommunications” areremoved. This, in turn, is giving birth to a world wherein

practical implementation of new information andtelecommunications converged services, which integratethe “trinity” (data, audio and video) of media, takes place.“AP@PLAT®*1)”, introduced in this paper is a genericterm used to represent the concept of information andtelecommunications converged solution of Oki Electricintended for building such applications to convergeinformation and telecommunications2).

In the following sections of this paper descriptionscentering on the concept model of AP@PLAT® and thesystem configuration model as well as examples ofapplication configurations using AP@PLAT®, areprovided.

AP@PLAT® Concept Model

AP@PLAT® is the integrated concept of a solution forconverging information and telecommunications with theaim to create new values and business for customers.Application configurations and execution environments toconfigure a diverse range of information andcommunication integrated applications will be providedas part of the product group based on the concept ofAP@PLAT®.

By configuring a converged framework based on theservice-oriented architecture (SOA), which is drawingattention as a cutting-edge information technology,AP@PLAT® by Oki Electric, provides a solution forconverging information and telecommunications. Inparticular the integrating environment for VoIP and videotransmission services as well as information services,such as web services, portal and transaction services,will be realized.

Fig. 1 Birth and creation of an information and telecommunications converged application

*1) AP@PLAT, CenterStage, CTstage4i, CONVERGENCE and SipAs are trademarks or registered trademarks of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

IP telephoneInstant

messaging

Videodistribution &

videoconferencing

Communication (IP) services

Videomonitoring Internet

appliances

Information andtelecommunications

converged application

Electronic mail & groupware

Information (IT) services

Settlement& authentication

transactions

e-commerce

ERP, CRM& EIP

KIOSK & ATM

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Fig. 2 AP@PLAT® concept model

Figure 2 represents a concept model of AP@PLAT®,showing media and applications integrated through aconfiguration of the core component product groups of“information” and “telecommunications” that are foundedon basic technologies, such as security, sound, wirelessand IP networking, into which Oki Electric has beenputting a lot of effort. The application templates in thehigher layer serve as templates for various solutionsprovided to customers that are built on the informationand telecommunications converged application base.Information and telecommunications convergedapplications for a diverse range of markets andcustomers will be realized based on these templates. Inthe systems that are configured using the AP@PLAT®

model, data, audio and video media as well as variousapplications are integrated in a flexible yet dynamicmanner using the SOA concept. Interlinking with existingsystems can easily be realized by freely combiningcomponents that provide information services with

components providing communication services usingSOA. Further, it is possible to provide the solutionsdesired by customers in a short time and very easily,even though it is done with superior quality and with theconvergence of information and telecommunications,which had in the past been very difficult to achieve.

AP@PLAT® reference architecture

Figure 3 represents a reference model forAP@PLAT®, showing its overall architecture. Using SOAas the unifying IT concept various information andtelecommunications converged solutions are based onintegrated system management and securitymanagement environments configured with a four-layerclient-server model that utilizes the loose couplingtechnology for application services over an IP network.Components of the reference model are described below.

Fig. 3 AP@PLAT® reference model.

AP@PLAT®

basic technologies

Enhanced core componentsof "information"

and "communication"

Foundation of an informationand telecommunications

converged application

Application templates

Provision of information and telecommunications converged

applications suitable for various industries and formats

Multiple servicecontacts

Financial Telecommunicationscarrier ISPGovernment Manufacturing LogisticsTravel Service

Communication assistance

Ubiquitousnetwork linkups

Interlocking of enterprise processes

Security Sound Wireless MechatronicsIP networking

Videodistribution VoIP CTI Web services,

EIP, ERP and CRMSettlement transactions

Interlocking and integrating of media (data, audio and video) and applications

Exchange server Application server Information and operations server

Software phone(SIP client)

IP telephoneIP mobile telephone

Web browser(HTTP client)

Mobile browser(Mobile client)

SIP server for telecommunication carriers and ISPs<CenterStage NS>

IP contact center<CTstage4i>

IP-PBX/Centrex<SS9100>

Web server<Apache, IIS>

Web AP server

SIP AP server

Information and telecommunicationsconverged AP server

<SipAsTM on WebLogic®>

Information and telecommunications converged application Video server

<VOD, monitoringand conferencing>

Enterprise server<ERP, CRM>

Information server<Portal>

Web AP services<Settlements andauthentications>

SIP

HTTP

SOAPRMI

HTTPSIP

HTTP

Information application interlocking using .NET

API

System administration Security management

Client environment

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(1) Client environmentThis environment becomes a user interface to which

users have direct access. Personal computers, IPtelephones, IP mobile phones, ATM/KIOSK terminals andalso consumer devices, such as internet appliances, fallwithin the scope of this environment. The real-timecollaboration environment is provided in the clientenvironment through the “trinity” of media realized byinterlocking with the “exchange server”, which will bedescribed later. Communication functions that areessential for business environments include VoIP,teleconferencing, instant messaging, as well as thesharing of screen displays and applications.Collaboration environments between people, as well asbetween people and goods, which are filled with realisticsensations, can be realized by this function using not onlysound but also data and images.

(2) Exchange serverA diverse range of IP telephones and session

initiation protocol (SIP) server environments areprovided, which represent communication solutionproducts.• CenterStage®*1) NS: An SIP server product for

telecommunication carriers and ISPs to achievehighly reliable and highly scalable environments.

• CTstage4i®*1): A CTI product with the highestdomestic market share that realizes an IP contactcenter solution.

• SS9100: An IP CONVERGENCE®*1) server productthat realizes IP-PBX and Centrex services forcorporations.The generic term for all these product groups is the

“Exchange Server”, which provides the “presence”information for communication partners based on the SIPtechnology, communication methods suitable forindividual purposes, as well as a diverse range ofmultimedia communication functions that cater to suchmethods.

(3) Application serverThe “Application Server” is a core component that is

central to AP@PLAT® composed of an information andtelecommunications converged application server knownas “SipAs™*1) on WebLogic®”. It is an environment thatoffers coordination with the exchange server and theinformation and operations server, which is describedlater, as well as an environment for configuringapplications that converge information andtelecommunications. SipAs™ on WebLogic® isconfigured based on the WebLogic®*2)3) provided by BEA.Through collaboration between Oki Electric and BEA anSIP application server function4) has been integrated intothe existing web application server function to create aproduct that can be used to develop applications usingtwo representative IP protocols, HTTP and SIP.

It is possible to easily configure information andtelecommunications converged applications thatconverge information services centered around theconventional web with communication services based on

real-time communication environments, such asCenterStage® NS or SS9100.

(4) Information and operations serverThis server environment is composed of video

services, such as video distribution and video monitoring,enterprise services, such as ERP and SCM as well asweb services, such as settlement and authentication. Theenvironment is connected to an application server ondemand under the SOA concept according to theintended objective. Links between various services arerealized while integration of these information andoperation services with communication service functions,provided by the exchange server, is made. Further, byusing the Business Process Management (BPM) andEnterprise Application Integration (EAI) it is possible toachieve interlinking with existing systems in a flexiblemanner.

System integration with AP@PLAT®

The system configuration environment based on theSOA model as represented in Figure 4 is provided byAP@PLAT® with SipAs™ on WebLogic® as its corecomponent. The enterprise information and userintegration (Enterprise Information Portal, EIP)environment provides an executing environment for avariety of application services related to information andtelecommunications in a security environment that offersauthentication and access control functions suitable forthe authority of users and types of terminals used. Thecommunication integration environment is anenvironment that provides a diverse range of multimediacommunication functions suitable for purposes ofcommunication and “presence” of communicationpartners. This environment offers media communicationfunctions and it is possible to realize a “trinity” mediaenvironment in a flexible manner through broadband andubiquitous networks, by interlocking with the enterpriseinformation and user integration environment.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide an environmentfor configuring an information and telecommunicationsconverged system based on the SOA model byintegrating the application configuration environment forthe business process interlocking, based on the BPM thatincludes interlocking existing systems with an eventinterlocking application configuration environment basedon Business Activity Monitoring (BAM), which monitorsthe executing status of business processes and monitorsperformances.

*2) BEA WebLogic is a registered trademark of BEA Systems, Inc. Other company names and products names mentioned in this paper are trademarks orregistered trademarks of their respective companies.

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Fig. 4 System integration with AP@PLAT®

With AP@PLAT®, it is possible to provide aninformation and communication integrated solution thatseamlessly links information applications andcommunication applications, through the combination ofthe three integration models of “Enterprise Informationand User Integration”, “Communication Integration” and“Business Process Integration”. Through these it ispossible to provide an environment for collaboratinginformation and operation applications with audio andvideo for the purpose of modifying the working style of anenterprise. It is also possible to easily provide attractiveservice environments that are highly progressive andexpandable for service providers, such astelecommunication carriers and ISPs.

Furthermore, it aims to provide highly reliable andstable executing and monitoring environments for theinformation and telecommunications convergedapplications by properly maintaining the integratedsystem administration and security environment as partof the AP@PLAT® infrastructure.

Application configuration examples using AP@PLAT®

The convergence of information andtelecommunications realized by AP@PLAT® merges theinformation and communication systems that have beenrealized by differing visions, cultures and technologieswith SipAs™ on WebLogic® as the core component. Thisis done while maintaining and stipulating applicationconfiguration methods and common components thatcan be reused. Also, common methods for using andconducting operational management are established toconverge information and telecommunications solutions.Furthermore, AP@PLAT® adopts an applicationconfiguration model based on the SOA to resolve existingissues relating to system configurations, such as a lack ofease of development, expandability and perpetuity aswell as to define flexible system architecture that makes arapid response to changing business environmentspossible.

Fig. 5 Configuration example of an IP telephone advancement application

ERP SCMTelephone Videodistribution

Informationsharing

Application integration(EAI)

Information and telecommunications converged AP server <SipAsTM on WebLogic®>

SOA service integration (BPM)

Enterprise Information and user Integration (EIP) Communication Integration (SIP)

AP development environment(SDK, framework)

Business activity monitoring(BAM)

AP component

System administrationSecurity management

IP telephone server SipAsTM on WebLogic®

Audio & videoconferencing server

Call logs & transmission control

Voice mail management

Call forwarding & incoming call blocking settings

Audio & video conferencing management

IP telephone advancement application

Web serverWeb portal

IP telephone

Software phone

OSS/BSS

<Telecommunication carrier and IPS internal service environment>

Videophone &conferencing

Chat & IMPresence exchange

Advanced IP telephone

Audio conferencing

e-commerce services

Internet appliance services

Integration with internet services

User environment for IP telephones, software phone

and web integration

OSS/BSS: Operation Support System/Business Support System

<User environment>

Telephone from webCall forwarding settingsConferencing settings

& performanceVoice mail verification

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Fig. 6 Configuration example of an innovative work style application for an enterprise

Configuration examples of information andtelecommunications converged applications based onAP@PLAT® are introduced below.

(1) Advancement of IP telephonesThis offers a configuration of applications resulting

from advanced IP telephone services and integrationservices through a linkup of IP telephone systems of thetelecommunication carriers and ISPs with SipAs™ onWebLogic®. Call log management or quick-to-dial that arelinked with web applications, including call forwarding andincoming call blocking settings, which are matched to theschedule information as well as advancedcommunication services, such as audio and videoconferencing, can be mentioned as examples of theadvanced applications of IP telephone services, asshown in Figure 5.

Further, flexible responses to accommodateprogressive services, such as IP telephones and theextension of videophone services that target mobileenvironments or various internet services, including e-commerce and internet appliances as well as theintegration of audio and video communications, are allpossible.

(2) Innovative work styleThis application aims to promote efficiency in

corporate operations and bring about an innovative workstyle based on the integration of information systems andreal-time communications. It realizes the acceleration ofoverall enterprise activities as well as their optimization. Itis possible, for example, to provide the followinginformation and telecommunications converged services,as shown in Figure 6.• Builds an environment for exchanging and sharing

content, such as corporate information or customerinformation via the place of information sharing(knowledge community) and provides the speedyexchange of knowledge and logistical environment byusing a real-time communication function.

• Provides an environment for accessing informationsystems and for conducting flexible communicationsamong relevant members without having to rely onany particular location or time, such as free-spaceoffices and mobile environments where there are no

assigned desks or cubicles.• Provides a service environment with a high degree of

customer satisfaction by integrating the managementof information for inquiries and complaints fromcustomers while responding to customers in a rapidand appropriate manner by utilizing “Know Who”,which is a management database of knowledge andindividuals in possession of technologies within thecompany.Various configuration examples of applications that

use AP@PLAT® were introduced. Applicationconfigurations other than those mentioned here are alsobeing pushed forward. For example, the configuration ofa solution known as the “Multiple Service Contact”, whichprovides a service environment that combines variousinformation providing services as well as a means ofcommunication using audio and video to accommodatethe purpose of users and contact channels. Suchservices can be used for the video monitoring of criticalpoints inside a railway station or an airport or to providereal-time information for guidance about weather or forsight-seeing tours. Travel planning support and virtualtravel experiences through visual aids at travel agenciesand travel portals or even channel integration andcustomer support at financial institutions can beconsidered as possible candidates for the use of suchservices.

Conclusion

This paper introduced the model and architecture ofAP@PLAT® as well as configuration examples ofapplications. At Oki Electric we believe that by aiming tocreate new values and businesses by converginginformation and telecommunications as well as bycreating new customer value, such as “increase businessopportunities through flexible responses to marketchanges”, “improve operating efficiency by acceleratingits pace” and “create new business through linkups withpartners” by providing applications and solutions that arebased on AP@PLAT®, as shown in Figure 7, we canattain attractive and progressive businessaccomplishments.

SipAsTM on WebLogic®SS9100

Information sharing services

Business transactionsand complaint management

Video distribution services

Know Who database services

Knowledge community

Linkup of information systems

Communication management

Customer information management

CTstage4iCustomer

<User environment> <Service provision environment inside an enterprise>

Information sharing and

communications that take advantage

of knowledge

InquiryComplaint

Knowledge accumulation and utilization

"Direct link with the key person"

Collaboration-typeservices that realize

innovative work styles

Cooperative workin a free-space office or mobile

environmentVarious services and systems that link up

through SOA

Own desk

Branchoffice

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Fig. 7 Introduction of information and telecommunications converged businesses with AP@PLAT®

References1) Ito, Nakazawa et al., “Application platform that

integrates web and VoIP”, Oki Technical Review Issue197, Vol. 71, No. 1, 2004.

2) Matsushita, “The Information and CommunicationIntegration Solution Oki Electric is Aiming for”, OkiTechnical Review Issue 197, Vol. 71, No. 1, 2004.

3) WebLogic, WebLogic server product introduction,http://www.beasys.co.jp/products/weblogic/server/index.html

4) SIP Servlet, SIP Servlet specifications, http://jcp.org/en/jsr/

AuthorsOsamu Nakazawa: Corporate Network Application Div.,AP@PLAT® Dept., General ManagerKunio Ooba: Corporate Network Application Div.,Planning Dept., General Manager

Mobile Centrex

Linkup of IP telephone and information system

Visual communication

Conversions to IP telephones (network integration)

"Trinity" media environment for enterprise

Context awareness

Internet appliances & home security

Visual communication

Advancement services for IP telephones

"Trinity" media environment for telecommunication carriers and ISPs

Financial channel integration & advancement of ATMs

Processing of customer requests and complaints

ITS, pedestrian support, disaster prevention and emergency response

Advancements in railway station and airport systems providing support for commuters and tourists

Opportunity: Increase business opportunities through flexible responses to customers and market changes.Performance: Improve operating efficiency by accelerating its pace.Creation: Create new businesses through partner linkups.

"Trinity" media environment for living environment