The Power in Empowered Communications uReach Technologies ProprietaryPage 1 Rakesh Agrawal uReach Technologies VMA Fall Meeting October 30, 2001 Future

uReach Technologies ProprietaryPage 1 The Power in Empowered Communications

Rakesh Agrawal

uReach Technologies

VMA Fall Meeting

October 30, 2001

Future of Messaging

The Power in Empowered Communications


About uReach Technologies

• Provider of empowered communications to service providers– Outsourced– License

• Current customers– Verizon– Cingular Wireless– GiantBear

• Operate Showcase Site as “laboratory” to help service providers to better understand


Evolution of messaging

• Email, voicemail, fax, IM, SMS systems developed at different times

• Developed by disparate manufacturers for a specific network (PSTN, IP, etc.)

• Designed around the technology, not the user


What are the problems?

• Disparate accounts – silos of information– Each with own login, passwords– Different access methods

• Difficult to use– Difficult to administer– Systems aren’t intuitive– Different systems work differently– Need to remember multiple “addresses”

• Lack of interoperability


Communications technology today is about devices and addresses – not

about reaching people


Compelling services

• Services with the highest take don’t have substitutes– Call waiting– Caller ID

• Take advantage of the “always on”, ubiquitous nature of the network to deliver compelling services

• uReach believes that with the right bundle of services, UC penetration can greatly exceed VM penetration


TAD vs VM

Advantage TAD

• One-time fee

• Easier to use (locally)– Message counter– Navigation buttons

• Call screening

Advantage VM

• Takes messages while on the phone

• Easier to use (remote)

• Reliable– No need to worry

about power loss

5 yr cost: $20-$40 5 yr cost: $300-$500


Keys to success

• Unique features – Alerts– Return call– Mailbox management

• Ubiquitous access– Web, phone, WAP, Palm, etc.

• Integration of applications• Ease-of-use

– Voice access

• Empowers users– “Communicate on your terms”


Communications technology should be about empowering people with the tools and information they need to

communicate efficiently


Empowered communications

• Intelligent

• Integrated

• Flexible

• Simple

• Accessible


Example 1: MWI

• Basic: Stutter tone or lit icon

• Advanced: Pager notification “732-335-5400”

• Empowered: Pager notification “Rakesh Agrawal from 732-335-5400. 45 second message received at 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 27. High priority.”


Example 2: Incoming calls

• Basic: Ring Ring

• Advanced: Caller ID, Talking caller ID

• Empowered: Intelligent call filtering based on schedule and contact information


Example 3: Outgoing calls

• Basic: Dial number

• Advanced: Speed dial

• Empowered: Say “Call Rocky Agrawal”


Example 4: Returning calls

• Basic: Listen to message, write down number, hang up, dial number

• Advanced: Return call button

• Empowered: Say “Return call”


Ubiquitous access

• Web and phone at a minimum today

• WAP, Palm, cable TV in future


Integration of applications






Benefits to the service provider

• Increased revenue– Monthly fees– Additional usage

• Higher margin

• Reduced churn

• More customer touch


Contact Information

Rakesh AgrawalDirector, Product Development

uReach Technologies

uNumber: 877-814-4568

Email: [email protected]

Documents

The Power in Empowered Communications uReach Technologies ProprietaryPage 1 Rakesh Agrawal uReach Technologies VMA Fall Meeting October 30, 2001 Future