Siemens Communication Software (SCS) has announced the release of a PC-based network management software, CentrexManager. The product manages enterprise networks of virtual PBXs (GeoCentrex). CentrexManager was commissioned at Deutsche Telekom (DTAG), Germany. Centrex, which is the central office exchange, is a virtual PBX embedded within a public switch and provides the functions of a normal PBX.

“This software is targeted at the 250 to 300 EWSD (Electronic Worldwide Switching Digital-Siemens’ digital telephone exchange) exchanges in India. Over six million lines are supported by such exchanges in India,” said SCS director Christoph John. All sales of the software are handled directly from the company’s headquarters in Germany. “Centrex is intended for Siemens exchanges and cannot be operated with any other exchange,” he added. Presently, the product is being deployed in more than 1,200 EWSD switches across Germany.

BSNL, with about 5.7 million local lines and MTNL with 0.76 million local lines, are the two telcos having EWSD exchanges and almost every state in India is covered by them. EWSD GeoCentrex is the Centrex implementation of Siemens and Centrex is a Windows network-based GUI with a scalable three-tier architecture.

CentrexManager benefits the network operator and it replaces the PBX unit though it can also coexist with another PBX. The software was developed at SCS Bangalore with more than 40 engineers working on it for over two years. SCS has a work group of 450 employees, the majority of whom are working on network management products. The company’s turnover during the year 2001-2002 was Rs 83 crore.