Comcast Corporation, today announced
plans to launch the SmartZone communications center, which will give
its customers free access to many of the most innovative and popular
communications tools, via the industry's first fully integrated, Web-based
communications center. For the first time, Comcast customers will be able
to go to one central location to send and receive email, check voicemail
online, send instant messages and manage a new smart address book. Comcast
is partnering with a number of industry-leading technology companies to
design and create this simple and easy-to-use communication application.
Scheduled to begin rolling out later this year, Comcast customers will
be able to access the message center via the award-winning Comcast.net to
do things like:
- Experience "Visual" Voice Mail, which means customers can listen to
their voicemails online and forward voice mail messages via email to
anyone. Customers can also view, save and print Call History just as
they can with email. Customers can also manage calling features such
as call forwarding, do not disturb and voice mail playback options.
- Easily merge their contacts into a single Smart Address Book that
synchronizes with and is accessible from a wide range of tools,
services and Web-enabled devices.
- Send Instant Messages and Video Instant Messages that enable customers
to connect with friends and contacts online in real time.
- Personalize their SmartZone communications center with other features
like weather, news reports and video clips.
- View, send and receive voicemail integrated with email, all on one,
easy-to-navigate Web application.
To create the new service, Comcast chose to work with best-in-class
companies that are leaders in their respective fields. Mr. Butz added, "We
are delighted to be working with forward-looking technology innovators like
HP, Plaxo and Zimbra to create an exceptionally simple and intuitive
communications application that will enable our customers to keep in touch
with anyone, from anywhere."
"We're excited to be leading Comcast's team of partners and to be
selected as the primary implementer to design, build and manage this
communications center, which will be accessible to Comcast's 12 million
plus high-speed Internet customers as well as their Digital Voice
customers," said John E. Evers Jr., Vice President and General Manager,
Outsourcing Services Americas, HP Services. "HP Services' proven expertise
in designing, managing and hosting complex IT environments will be an asset
in helping Comcast more easily and cost-effectively integrate data, voice
and video services on this innovative SmartZone communications center
platform."
Other key partners involved in the project include Plaxo, creator of
the leading address book service, used by over 15 million members
worldwide. Plaxo pioneered the "smart address book" that gives users a
single, self- updating address book they can use within a wide variety of
communication tools, services and mobile devices. "We're honored to be
chosen by the market-leader Comcast to provide the strategically important
address book component of their exciting new communications platform. By
giving users easy access to contact information for all of the important
people in their lives, we can help create true integration across Comcast's
triple play and mobile services, and make them even more convenient and
compelling," said Ben Golub, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Plaxo.
Zimbra, the award-winning provider of next-generation unified messaging
and collaboration software, was chosen by Comcast for SmartZone. "Zimbra is
thrilled about teaming up with Comcast to deliver a rich, integrated email
and Visual Voice Mail communications platform," said Satish Dharmaraj,
co-founder and CEO of Zimbra. "With our combined expertise and Zimbra's
innovative Web 2.0 technologies we are delivering a powerful, unified, and
effortless experience that brings Comcast Triple Play to the web. SmartZone
represents the future of communications and we look forward to working
together and expanding on this vision."
Beyond control and ease of use, Comcast's SmartZone communications
center will also set new standards for safety and security. It will
incorporate Bizanga's email anti-abuse system, Cloudmark's email anti-spam
and anti- phishing tools and Trend Micro's anti-virus software.
Comcast customers will be able to access the SmartZone communications
center through Comcast.net, the Company's portal, which is also a top-10
site on the Internet.
Comcast Corporation isthe nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications
products and services. With 24.2 million cable customers, 12.1 million
high-speed Internet customers, and 3.0 million voice customers, Comcast is
principally involved in the development, management and operation of
broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Plaxo is the creator of the "smart address book" service that now helps
15 million people around the world stay organized, up-to-date, and in touch
with their friends, family, colleagues, and customers.
Zimbra is the leading provider of open source messaging and
collaboration software for consumer and other hosted service providers in
addition to businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies.
The Zimbra Collaboration Suite features a rich web-based user interface
built with AJAX technology that dramatically improves the messaging and
collaboration experience for end users.
Source: Comcast
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