3CX and Patton Team Up to Offer Flexible, Windows-Based VoIP for Small Offices

Nicosia, Cyprus and Gaithersburg, Maryland – 17 May 2007: 3CX — developer of the software-based Private Branch Exchange (PBX) for Windows — and Patton Electronics Company— the industry leader in business-class network access, connectivity and VoIP equipment — announced today a strategic technology partnership that pairs 3CX’s free software-based IP-PBX for Windows with Patton’s SmartNode™ VoIP gateways.

3CX recently completed successful interoperability testing between their SIP-based PBX and Patton’s SmartNode VoIP equipment.

The certified interoperability means small offices can immediately realize the cost-saving benefits of VoIP (such as free calling and consolidated operations). Businesses can implement a cost-saving, feature-rich voice and data-communications system, built on state-of-the-art VoIP technology that preserves investments in legacy equipment. The 3CX-Patton cooperation enables a gradual transition to VoIP that avoids the expense and risk of a wholesale migration.

"We are very pleased to cooperate with such an industry leader as Patton,� said Nick Galea, CEO of 3CX. “SmartNode VOIP Gateways are well-known for their stability and powerful features. Our cooperation multiplies the value we can deliver to our mutual customers. Anyone who buys Patton and 3CX solutions can rest assured the products work well together and are fully supported."

SmartNode gateways provide all the traditional telephony interfaces (PRI, BRI, FXS, FXO, T1, E1, etc.) in addition to standard Ethernet. Customers can use those interfaces to interconnect the Windows computer running 3CX PBX software with installed POTS and ISDN phone and fax equipment. New hardware and software SIP-phones can also be incorporated in the fully-integrated VoIP, voice and data network. SmartNode also provides connections to the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) for fallback and local-number dialed access.

“We are honored to be working shoulder-to-shoulder with such an industry front-runner as 3CX,� said Bobby Patton, President of Patton Electronics. “It’s a collaboration of innovation.�

Both companies are distinguished by ground-breaking firsts. 3CX is first to market with a free software-based IP-PBX for the Windows operating system. Patton’s SmartNode brand has launched such innovations as VoIP-over-VPN with encrypted voice, and a low-cost, high-performance PRI VoIP gateway with Dual Gig Ethernet ports.

"Interoperability is the word in today’s converging networks," said Marco Liechti, VoIP Product Line Manager at Patton. “No business can risk an untested, non-standard system. We are very pleased 3CX has chosen SmartNode for their certification program. SmartNode VoIP equipment has reputation as the industry’s most interoperable. We’ve been supporting the SIP standard for years."

For hi-resolution images of SmartNode VoIP equipment, go to Patton's media resources page and click on VoIP.

About Patton

Patton manufactures communications equipment for carrier, enterprise, and industrial networks worldwide. Incorporated in 1984, Patton’s catalog of more than 1000 products includes the SIPxNano™ ultra-miniature IP-PBX, SmartNode™ and SmartLink™ VoIP solutions; ForeFront™ multi-service access infrastructure solutions (T1/E1, G.SHDSL, xDSL, dial-up); IPLink™ CPE solutions (WAN routers, modems, remote access servers, NTUs, CSU/DSUs); CopperLink™ Ethernet Extenders; EtherBITS™ device servers; EnviroNET™ industrial-networking equipment, network-connectivity Micro-Products (interface-converters, etc.), and more.

About 3CX

3CX offers a fully featured FREE IP PBX with no time outs that is supported via the 3CX forums. Take the product tour at http://www.3cx.com/phone-system/product-tour.html. 3CX is a privately held company with a management team backed by years of experience in developing and selling network infrastructure software. 3CX maintains a global presence by maintaining a localized website for all major countries with information available in German (www.3cx.de), Spanish (www.3cx.es), French (www.3cx.fr), Portuguese (www.3cx.com.br), Japanese (www.3cx.jp), Traditional Chinese (www.3cx.hk), Simplified Chinese (www.3cx.cn), Vietnamese (www.3cx.vn) and Korean (www.3cx.co.kr).

For more information contact Tamara Borg (tamara@3cx.com)

3CX Ltd.
Engomi Business Center
1, 28th October Street
2414 Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel: +357 22461392
Website: http://www.3cx.com.

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.