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AltiGen Communications, Inc., a provider of 100 percent Microsoft (News - Alert)-based VoIP business phone systems and unified communications, or “UC,” systems, has reportedly signed an exclusive agreement with Italian distributor and telecom equipment provider Hypercom. 

The company will direct the sale and distribution of AltiGen's Microsoft-certified applications through Telecom Italia (News - Alert).

Since 1980, Hypercom has been supplying telecommunications solutions to Telecom Italia. The company has its own business phone system product line, CIE, and has added the AltiGen (News - Alert) product line to provide VoIP, advanced call center capability and integration with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007.

Michele Giamundo, director, Hypercom, said that the company evaluated the product for over a year and found AltiGen to be quite different from competing technologies in that it is software-based and provides native integration with Microsoft. 

Giamundo said that most importantly, its comprehensive solutions are engineered in-house by AltiGen. 

“It was critical to us that AltiGen be in control of the technology and able to make extensive changes to meet our requirements,” Giamundo said.

AltiGen Communications officials said that Hypercom and the company began working together in 2008 to localize AltiGen products. 

Officials said that in July, the system was submitted to TILAB Laboratories in Turin, Italy to verify functionality and certify compatibility and connectivity with Telecom Italia's network infrastructure. In September, Hypercom was notified by Telecom Italia that the products had completed all requirements and were certified for sale in Italy.

“We have been extremely impressed by Hypercom's drive to introduce a Microsoft-based solution to the Italian market,” Mike Plumer, vice president of sales, AltiGen, said. 

Plumer said that they brought a team from Telecom Italia to visit AltiGen earlier this year, and have been instrumental in the adaptation of the product for Telecom Italia and the Italian market. Through their partnerships and initiative they have been able to fast track introduction of the AltiGen solution to Italy.

“AltiGen's Microsoft integration has been very well received by Telecom Italia's marketing department,” Giamundo said, adding that customers are looking for advanced features in VoIP, mobility and integration with Exchange and OCS 2007.