Beaverton, Ore – Advanced American Telephones, which manufactures AT&T-branded telephones under a license agreement with AT&T Intellectual Property, today announced availability of the new SIP Gateway and new software for its popular Synapse^® business telephone system. These two enhancements to the Synapse system further extend the flexibility and convenience required to meet the diverse needs of SMBs.

The Synapse software upgrade supports several new features, including multiple auto attendants, which allow a company to address the different operating hours of up to four businesses or departments, working out of the same location through one business telephone system. Business users can route calls automatically or by menu selection, and set separate holiday schedules for each auto attendant. A new voicemail-to-email forwarding capability allows users to receive voicemails on-the-go through their laptops and smartphones, helping SMBs make better use of mobile communications.

Enhanced inbound call routing gives users more control over call management—whether using analog PSTN lines or direct inward dialing (DID) numbers. When paired with the system's auto attendants, users can customize call handling based on the day of the week and time of day. Outbound call restrictions allow businesses to set user permissions and restrict who can make certain types of calls, such as long distance or international. In addition, call handlers can get real time updates on user status through a new busy station signaling feature, which allows them to make more informed decisions about where and how to route calls.

Hardware enhancements include a new SIP Gateway (SB67070), which enables access to lower-cost VoIP service and allows businesses to leverage unused bandwidth in their data networks for voice calling. Additional benefits include the ability to connect branch offices with inter-branch calling without going over PSTN lines.

"Today's employees are more on-the-go than ever, and the resulting high communication demand means SMBs need phone systems that are sophisticated, scalable and cost-effective," said Graham Williams, vice president of the SMB group at Advanced American Telephones. "The enhanced performance of the new Synapse software, coupled with the cost-saving features of Internet telephony services using the SIP Gateway, creates a perfect solution for the evolving, fast-paced SMB environment."

The Synapse platform is an advanced business telephone system with an intuitive, easy-to-understand management interface and upgradeable software that supports up to 100 extensions. The new Synapse SB67031 Deskset can easily integrate into any existing Synapse telephone system, and includes key features to provide flexibility and help SMB employees communicate effectively in or out of the office. For added convenience, the Synapse SB67031 connects to Power over Ethernet (PoE), eliminating the need for external power supplies.

For more information on the new Synapse telephone system, the SB67070 SIP Gateway, the SB67031 Deskset and the complete line of SMB telephony products, please visit www.telephones.att.com/smb.

To help kick-off the new year with these additions to the SMB Partner Program, VTech has launched an aggressive pricing promotion for Q1 of 2012. Partners purchasing any qualified Synapse product from January 1 through March 31, 2012 will benefit from a 10 percent discount off the list price of their purchase. This aggressive promotion is designed to kick-start 2012 for small business customers.

Enhanced Partner Program

Advanced American Telephones recently augmented its SMB Partner Program by including sales of cordless headsets to qualify for joint marketing fund (JMF) accruals, as well as offering a discount promotion in Q1 of 2012. AAT has formed an alliance with Marlin Leasing Corporation^® to offer SMBs flexible payment options for Synapse. The SMB Partner Program is designed to provide the tools and resources to help support the Synapse product line by offering compelling product benefits, such as free software upgrades and a two-year warranty. For more information, please visit the SMB Partner Program online or contact Jane DonnellyThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view itor Rebecca ChingThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Synapse Product Specifications

Synapse SB67070 SIP Gateway

• Access lower-cost VoIP Service Provider trunks
• Leverage unused bandwidth in data networks to transport voice traffic
• Connect remote offices together to enable inter-branch calling without going over PSTN
• Supports up to 16 simultaneous calls
• No licensing fees to activate
• Supports T1 and Analog Gateways
• 1 LAN and 1 AuxNet Connection
• Direct Inward Dial (DID)
• SIP RFC 3261 Compliant
• G.711 and G.729 CODEC Support
• Rack-Mountable
• Automated Attendant
• Supports 100 Extensions
• Integrate into any existing Synapse system
• List Price: US$589

Synapse SB67031 Deskset

• Power over Ethernet (PoE) keeps phone systems running in a power outage
• Field upgradable firmware
• DECT 6.0 Digital Technology
• Context-Sensitive Feature Soft keys
• DECT 6.0 Base Supports a Cordless Twin Extension
• Supports Cordless and Corded Headsets- AT&T SB67040
• Sync up to 5 Calls Simultaneously
• Expandable up to 100 Extensions
• Fully Integrated Digital Answering System
• 1 - 16 Line Operation
• Dial-in-Base Speakerphone
• PBX-style line appearances
• 5-inch backlit LCD
• Message on hold
• Directory lists
  • Personal - 50
  • System – 100
• Simple Web setup and administration
• Ring groups
• Call park
• Call forward
• Carries one-year limited warranty
• Embedded User Help
• Ring delay and call screening features
• Merged directories
• List Price: US$389

About Advanced American Telephones

Advanced American Telephones (AAT) designs, manufactures and distributes AT&T-branded telephone products in the United States and Canada under a brand license agreement with AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.  AAT is owned by VTech Holdings Ltd. VTech is a widely recognized leader in corded and cordless telephones.

Synapse is a registered trademark of Advanced American Telephones.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband. AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^SM and AT&T│DIRECTV^SM brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE^® magazine.

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