This is a list of the new features
What's new
In addition to the many features and capabilities provided in previous releases, Avaya Modular Messaging Release 3 offers the following new or enhanced features and capabilities:
Web Subscriber Options
LAN backup
Serenade Telephone User Interface (TUI)
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) switch integration
New hardware platform for the Avaya MAS and MSS
Call Answer message response improvements
Enhanced support for Microsoft Exchange
Support for multiple time zones
Message sorting by media type
Audible hourglass (indication of work in progress)
Blocking of Call Answer Fax receipt on a Class-of-Service basis
Caller Application holiday routing
Message Waiting Indicator (MWI) enhancements
User interface improvements
Other Modular Messaging Release 3 improvements
Note: The availability of the features and capabilities described in this topic depends on system configuration. That is, some features and capabilities are available only with the Avaya Message Storage Server (MSS) or with the Microsoft Exchange server.
Web Subscriber Options
Modular Messaging Web Subscriber Options is a Web-based visual interface that subscribers can use to change default mailbox settings. Web Subscriber Options is similar to Subscriber Options, but instead of being installed on the subscriber’s personal computer, the application resides on one of the Messaging Application Servers (MAS) and is accessed through a Web browser. Using Web Subscriber options, a subscriber can set up Modular Messaging to:
Screen incoming messages
Receive notification when a new voice message, text message, or fax arrives
Redirect unanswered calls to a different location, and vary that location according to the time of day
Play different greetings if the subscriber’s telephone is busy or unanswered
Manage Personal Distribution Lists (PDL management is limited for the Microsoft Exchange server)
Sort messages by media type
Set the time zone
Enable multilingual call answering for the subscriber’s mailbox
For more information about Web Subscriber Options, see the online help for Web Subscriber Options.
LAN backup
For Modular Messaging systems with the Avaya MSS, Release 3 adds the ability to back up system data and messages to a location on the customer LAN and restore data and messages from that location. You can use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) to back up data and messages.
This new capability makes it possible to back up more data than will fit onto a DVD. As with previous Modular Messaging releases, you can also back up system data and messages to the DVD drive on the Avaya MSS.
For more information about backing up system data and messages, see Backing up the system on the Modular Messaging Documentation CD.
Serenade TUI
To make it easier for customers to migrate from Avaya Octel 200 and Octel 300 systems to Modular Messaging, Release 3 offers a Serenade Telephone User Interface (TUI). The Modular Messaging Serenade TUI is similar to but not exactly the same as the Serenade product. A system administrator can assign subscribes their preferred TUI based on class of service (COS).
SIP switch integration
In addition to the switch integrations offered in previous Modular Messaging releases, Release 3 adds the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) integration with Avaya Communication Manager Release 3.1. SIP is an important new technology for establishing real-time multimedia calls in an IP network environment.
For more information about the SIP switch integration, see the Avaya Modular Messaging - Release 3 - Concepts and Planning Guide.
New hardware platform for Avaya MAS and MSS
New Avaya S3500-family message servers are shipped with all new Modular Messaging Release 3 systems. The new servers are used for both the Avaya Messaging Application Server (MAS) and the Avaya Message Storage Server (MSS). As with previous Modular Messaging releases, the Avaya MSS is available in both Standard Availability and High Availability configurations.
Call Answer message response improvements
For Modular Messaging systems with the Avaya MSS, when the system is appropriately configured, local subscribers can reply to or call the sender of Call Answer messages received from remote subscribers. For most Modular Messaging systems, this capability requires significant evaluation, planning, and administration of the Modular Messaging system and the switches to which the Modular Messaging system is connected.
For more information, see Administering call answer response options for local subscribers on the Modular Messaging Documentation CD.
Enhanced support for Microsoft Exchange
The following new features and capabilities are supported on the Microsoft Exchange server for Modular Messaging Release 3:
All Telephone User Interfaces; Aria, AUDIX, and Serenade
Personal Distribution Lists including contacts
Broadcast messages
Message privacy
Support for multiple time zones
On a Class-of-Service basis, the Modular Messaging system administrator can assign groups of subscribers a default time zone. On a per-mailbox basis, subscribers can specify a specific time zone using Subscriber Options or Web Subscriber Options. If a subscriber does not specify a time zone, the COS default value is used.
All Modular Messaging TUIs adjust times for input and presentation based on the subscriber-specified time zone. Avaya-provided clients and standards-based clients adjust the presentation of time based on time zone attributes defined for the subscriber’s personal computer.
Message sorting by media type
When accessing messages using a TUI, messages can be sorted by media type for the Avaya MSS and for the Microsoft Exchange server. This new capability is particularly important for Microsoft Exchange users who receive a lot of email.
For the Modular Messaging Aria TUI, the current capability to specify message types when accessing messages is also available for Release 3. For Modular Messaging AUDIX and Serenade TUIs, messages are presented in a manner that is consistent with the interface. Users can configure message sorting using Subscriber Options or Web Subscriber Options.
Audible hourglass
When the Modular Messaging system response for any user-requested operation is delayed more than four seconds, users hear an audible indication that work is in progress and they should continue waiting. The audible indication is the prompt Please wait or the localized equivalent.
Blocking of Call Answer fax receipt on a Class-of-Service basis
For Modular Messaging systems with the Avaya MSS, the receipt of Call Answer faxes can be blocked on a Class-of-Service basis. Regardless of the COS setting for blocking Call Answer faxes, a subscriber can:
Create fax messages
Receive fax messages other than Call Answer faxes. Incoming mail messages containing fax are accepted and a subscriber can forward or reply to these messages.
Caller Application holiday routing
In addition to Caller Applications that route calls based on time of day and day of week, the Modular Messaging system administrator can create Caller Applications for system-defined holidays.
Message Waiting Indicator (MWI) enhancements
For Release 3, the system administrator can request that the Modular Messaging system send MWI updates to the switch for a specified range of mailbox numbers. For QSIG, SIP, and H.323 integrations, the switch can query the Modular Messaging system for the MWI status of specific extensions.
User Interface improvements
Modular Messaging Release 3 provides the following user interface improvements:
Subject line edit for the Avaya Modular Messaging Web Client and Modular Messaging Microsoft Outlook Client
Performance improvements for the Modular Messaging Microsoft Outlook Client
TTY, also known as a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), support for callers and subscribers
Multilingual call answering – as many as three languages including TTY can be assigned to a subscriber’s mailbox
Ability to toggle between TTY and other languages
Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Communications Act for usability by persons with motor skill and hearing impairments
Administrator control of date and time playback by COS for the Modular Messaging Aria TUI
Common TUI for offline access to Call Answer messages regardless of the subscriber’s assigned TUI
Event and activity logging for the Serenade TUI that is similar to other Modular Messaging TUIs
Common mailbox functionality regardless of TUI
Quick logon from Modular Messaging Web Client to Web Subscriber Options
Independent language selection for Modular Messaging Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and TUIs
Improved response time for Modular Messaging GUIs and TUIs
TUI activation of the Call Me and Find Me features
Music on hold for the Find Me feature - replaces ring-back tone while the Modular Messaging system tries to locate the called party - for T1 QSIG, E1 QSIG, and SIP switch integrations
Enhancements for the Avaya Modular Messaging IBM Lotus Notes Client
Other Modular Messaging Release 3 improvements
Modular Messaging Release 3 also offers the following system improvements:
Maintainability, availability, reliability, and serviceability enhancements
Streamlined installation and upgrade process for the Avaya MAS using the Data Collection Tool, which collects and validates required information before installation, and records updated information after installation
Security improvements including LDAP encryption and the ability to survive Denial of Service attacks
Improved collection, distribution, and analysis of fault data from Avaya MAS servers
Modular Messaging systems with the Avaya MSS support Directory Enabled Management (DEM), an application programming interface that facilitates customer directory changes in a central location using the Avaya directory server
Customer downloadable/installable Service Packs for the Avaya MSS
Ken Means