Cedar Point Communications has taken converged services to another level with the introduction today of its SafariFusion Visual Communications Suite.
The SafariFusion Visual Communications Suite (VCS) was built onto Cedar Point’s SafariFusion Application Platform that made its debut last year at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo.
SafariFusion VCS uses standard Web 2.0 tools and applications to help cable operators and network service providers offer a robust slate of converged service offerings, including Caller ID on TV and other devices, visual voicemail, call logs, incoming message screening and social media integration.
“SafariFusion as a platform, with its Visual Communications Suite, enables delivery to multiple endpoints,” said Jeff Walker, vice president of marketing for Cedar Point Communications. “What we’re talking about is the ability to fuse the applications together for delivery across many different endpoints.”
Walker said SafariFusion packages information for delivery on the “presentation” layer in order to deliver it to the various endpoints. The information can be delivered to a TV via EBIF, tru2way or IP; to a PC through a Web portal; and to various tablets, smartphones and iPads.
From the customer’s vantage point, the Communication Control Center on the platform allows a user to define the configuration of the communication features, including blocked calls from defined callers and incoming call message screening.
From a service provider’s perspective, SafariFusion creates stickiness among subscribers and differentiates a cable provider’s service from telco or satellite competitors.
“Operators can build value by using SafariFusion VCS to enable inbound call monitoring, message retrieval and the ability to respond to calls on the subscriber’s own terms,” Walker said. “SafariFusion VCS gives subscribers who want to minimize disruptions the tools they need on the devices they are using.”
SafariFusion, which is part of Cedar Point’s next-generation PacketCable 2.0/IMS solution, is currently in customer trials prior to its availability this fall.
Among its roster of customers, Cedar Point counts cable operators Comcast, Charter Communications, Insight Communications, Buckeye CableSystem and Atlantic Broadband.
