Third 'TAPI Bakeoff' Brings Together 45 Companies to Test TAPI-Based Computer Telephony Integration

Strategic Insights -

Forty-five companies from around the world gathered at the third 'TAPI Bakeoff' to test products that integrate the telephone with the personal computer using the Windows Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI). The event, hosted by Intel, Microsoft, and Pacific Bell, aimed to ensure that different applications can operate seamlessly with a wide variety of telephone systems. Microsoft executives, including Charles Fitzgerald, discussed the inclusion of TAPI in the Windows 95 operating system and plans for TAPI support on the Windows NT operating system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 'TAPI Bakeoff' is a testing event where companies test products to ensure they can operate seamlessly with a wide variety of telephone systems.
  • 45 companies from around the world attended the event, including Intel, Microsoft, and Pacific Bell.
  • Microsoft executives discussed the inclusion of TAPI in Windows 95 and plans for TAPI support on Windows NT.
  • TAPI aims to make the telephone as common a PC peripheral as a monitor or printer.
  • The specification is supported by a broad range of companies, including major telephone switch manufacturers, PC and peripheral manufacturers, software developers, and network providers.
  • Currently, only Windows-based PCs are making inroads as the communications clients of choice, but PC servers are also making tremendous inroads as the platform for the telephone network itself.
  • TAPI is set to be included in the next release of Windows NT in 1996.
  • The event showcased various applications, including Unified Messaging System, PhoneKits, and Mediatrends UMS, which integrate audio, multimedia, and Microsoft Exchange messaging with TAPI.
  • The 'TAPI Bakeoff' represents an ever-growing community of developers building exciting and compelling new communications applications.
  • Codeveloped by Intel and Microsoft, TAPI offers a standard way to integrate telephony with the personal computer in the Microsoft Windows environment.

Statistics:

  • 45 companies attended the 'TAPI Bakeoff' to test TAPI-based products.
  • The event was hosted by Intel, Microsoft, and Pacific Bell.
  • Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system will include TAPI.
  • TAPI support on Windows NT is scheduled to be included in the next release in 1996.

Sources:

  • Intel Corp.
  • Microsoft Corp.
  • Pacific Bell
  • Acer Advanced
  • Active Voice Corp.
  • Bell-Northern
  • CCOM Information
  • Compaq Computer
  • Cypress Research
  • Envision
  • Ericsson Business
  • Executone Information
  • Fujitsu Business
  • Inter-Tel
  • Integrated IPC Corporation
  • Iwatsu America
  • National Semiconductor
  • Nokia Mobile
  • PAGE TeleCOMPUTING
  • SDX Business
  • SounDesigns MCS
  • Spectrum Signal
  • Stylus Innovation
  • Voice Processing
  • Voice Technologies