Intrado Inc., a global provider of integrated data and telecommunications solutions and a leading provider of VoIP 9-1-1 services, announced an agreement with XTEND Communications Corp., a provider of Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) and Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) systems, to market VoIP E9-1-1 services. Under terms of the agreement, XTEND Communications will market Intrado V9-1-1 for Enterprise to large businesses that operate and support their own Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange (IP-PBX) based networks.



The introduction of IP technology in the PBX environment enables enterprises to support a host of new applications and capabilities, including providing employees with the flexibility to work in remote locations or in nomadic environments as well as establishing branch locations that are networked with a main location for off-network calling. However, the technology also creates a challenge in terms of 9-1-1 services as locations and phone numbers of the 9-1-1 caller can no longer be easily identified when users switch locations or move away from the enterprise premises. Furthermore, networking branch locations, which are physically separated by large distances from the main site, can result in the inability to get the 9-1-1 call to the correct PSAP.

With the integration of Intrado V9-1-1 for Enterprise and XTEND's Enterprise Alert solution, critical E9-1-1 support is available to traveling employees who use a soft phone to access their company's private network, telecommuters who use company assigned IP phone equipment, or remote employees who are networked to their employer's main site.

"Until recently, we were able to provide only a limited level of 9-1-1 services that are required for complex enterprise IP-PBX environments," said Bill Schwartz, President of XTEND Communications Corp. "By teaming up with Intrado, we can deploy a superior 9-1-1 solution to our customers, enabling them to leverage the full value of their IP-based equipment."

This comprehensive solution manages all aspects of 9-1-1 support, from provisioning the caller's current location to successfully routing and delivering the call to the geographically appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP) assigned to handle the emergency. The location and callback number can be updated whether the caller is moving between locations, working remotely or tied to a specific remote location.

"Intrado is pleased to work with XTEND Communications to bring a cost-effective, single-source E9-1-1 solution to enterprises," said Stephen Meer, Intrado co-founder and chief technology officer. "Together we can help enterprise customers address critical employee safety issues within their IP-based environment."

Intrado V9-1-1 Services are integral components of the Intrado Intelligent Emergency Network, Intrado's next-generation, IP-based emergency communications services architecture. Intrado developed the Intelligent Emergency Network in response to the nation's growing demands for enhanced emergency communications for public safety. The current 9-1-1 infrastructure is challenged not only with its ability to quickly exploit technological advances but also with the complications and complexities that the rapid proliferation of new technologies like Voice over IP present to the existing system. With over two decades of experience as the steward of the nation's 9-1-1 network, Intrado has a unique perspective on the design and requirements for the next generation emergency communications network. The Intrado Intelligent Emergency Network is a robust and secure technology framework that bridges the gap between the limitations of the legacy 9-1-1 system and the expanded capabilities required. The design incorporates new technology that leverages the improved efficiencies of an Internet Protocol system, uses open, ATIS-approved standards, and provides an evolutionary, non-disruptive deployment model.