SBJ Buzz: What's up in communications and technology

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What's up in communications and technology|ret||ret||tab|

Gabriel offers Unified Messaging|ret||ret||tab|

In late October 1999, Gabriel Communications announced the availability of its Unified Messaging Service, which delivers e-mail, fax mail and voice mail to a single point, where users can use either a PC or a telephone to retrieve all their messages at once.|ret||ret||tab|

According to a release from Gabriel, the service is designed for today's business professionals, who are inundated with information from multiple sources.|ret||ret||tab|

"We recognize that sorting through critical information is time-consuming, so we elected to bring a resource to our customers that does the sifting and saves valuable time," said Jerry Howe, president of Gabriel Communications, in the release.|ret||ret||tab|

Because the system allows customers to access all messages from one point, business travelers can pick up their messages while on the road. On-site workers are saved trips to the fax machine and time accessing voice mail by having everything at their fingertips, the release said.|ret||ret||tab|

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Alltel adds digital wireless service|ret||ret||tab|

Alltel announced Dec. 8, 1999, it has added digital wireless service in Springfield. Dual mode digital wireless phones automatically switch from digital to analog when customers travel outside the digital coverage area, according to a release from Alltel. Within the digital coverage area, the phones offer up to four hours of talk time or 40 hours of standby on a single battery charge. |ret||ret||tab|

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USH CEO on Cisco certification track|ret||ret||tab|

Roger Best, chief executive officer of Universal Systems House, has successfully completed certification as a Cisco-certified network associate, or CCNA, according to a press release from USH.|ret||ret||tab|

The CCNA certification is the first step toward the Cisco-certified Internetwork expert certification, which USH states is "one of the newest and most coveted certifications in the industry." The Cisco network support certification track is designed for professionals working with traditional Cisco-based networks that predominantly include local area network and wide area network routers, and LAN switches. |ret||ret||tab|

Expertise in this area allows Best to install and/or configure a network, optimize WAN through Internet access solutions and provide remote access by integrating dial-up connectivity with traditional, remote LAN-to-LAN access.|ret||ret||tab|

Vatterott offers repair service|ret||ret||tab|

Vatterott College in Springfield has formed Vatterott Volunteer Technicians, a volunteer student group that repairs or upgrades used computers and provides them to local not-for-profit organizations. The group is now accepting donations of used computer equipment for this purpose, according to a press release from Vatterott.|ret||ret||tab|

"Many people have older computers they are not using that could be put to good use for our local community groups," said Cheryl Tilley, director of the Springfield campus, in the release. "Our Vatterott Volunteer Technicians are excited to apply their skills to help these not-for-profit organizations upgrade their systems to become more efficient."|ret||ret||tab|

The first not-for-profit task the VVT students completed was upgrading the Bridges for Youth community center computer system, Tilley said.|ret||ret||tab|

VVT volunteers are students in Vatterott's computer technology program. |ret||ret||tab|

"We give our students as much practical experience as possible so that they are well-prepared when they enter the work force. Vatterott Volunteer Technicians will extend their classroom lab experience by exposing them to more real-world troubleshooting situations and giving them the opportunity to interact with clients," Tilley said.|ret||ret||tab|

Because of space restrictions, all donations must be arranged in advance by calling 831-8116.[[In-content Ad]]