Daily News 2004/08/06

Concerto Software announces to acquire US PSS Company

　　On August 3, the global famous client interactive management solution provider Concerto announces to acquire US Positive Software Systems Company (PSS). PSS is a special provider of ECM solution to telephone sales company, outsourcing company and enterprise customer contact center. PSS Company is the founder of global ECM system.

　　This acquisition is a second M&A activity after its merger with Melita, the global outdial giant in October 2003. Before this acquisition, Concerto Company has acquired the customer contact center performance optimization and labor management solution provider CenterForce in May 2004. This series of M&A is an important part of the strategy "construct Concerto into the leader of global customer contact center" proposed by the CEO of Concerto, Jim Foy.

Huawei 3Com supports the opening of Construction Bank Mobile Bank Service

　　On July 19, China Construction Bank "mobile bank" service has fully opened. Huawei 3Com undertakes the construct project of the network platform for this project with the stability, safety and high efficiency of its network equipments and strong adaptability. Relevant principals of Construction Bank say the present operation of the whole accessed system is well and wins consistent appraisal from the users.

The wired giant will take place of special enterprises as leaders of VoIP service

　　The most update study shows, in this year, wired giants will take place of voIP special enterprises, and become leaders of VoIp service through wired broadband.

　　Yankee Group has indicated in a report announced on Monday, Times Warner Cable, Cablevision and many other wired MSOs become to provide VoIP service to US consumers. This trend will soon lead to the change when people select voIP service provider in 2004.

　　At present, VoIP special enterprises, such as Vonage, 8x8 and Galaxy Internet own 66% of users. However, because they have no own operation network, they have no control over VoIP transmission service.

　　In order to remedy this disfigurement, these special enterprises begin to cooperate with wired enterprises. For example, Vonage established cooperation with 6 small wired operators. Net2Phone provides VoIP service only through the networks of its broadband supplier.

　　The study report of Yankee Group shows, these VoIP service providers will experience powerful growth in the coming years. However, when wired enterprises or mainline operators begin to provide VoIP service, they will finally been replaced.

　　Some traditional telephone operator also provides voice service by cooperation with wired broadband companies. Sprint recently has signed a five-year contract with USA Companies to provide VoIP service in California, Montana and Nebraska.

　　The report on Monday also indicates that in the first season of 2004, Comcast owns 5.7 million broadband users using cable modem, and ranks first in this market. SBC ranks first in DSL market with users of 4 million. Over 95% of cable modem users are residents, while 15%-20% of DSL users are small enterprise.