64 S-ICX (International) issued October 2000 S-ICX-50-200up their calls. Network users can also turn a long-distance call into a local one, by accessinganother (long-distance) node and then dialing the (local) number.Computer Telephony Integration (CTI)CTI technology ties computers and phone systems together, allowing phone users to combine theadvantages of both technologies for fast, accurate, effective response to incoming callers. It’s apowerful tool for increasing customer satisfaction, which in turn increases sales for the company thathas CTI built into their phone system. For example:❡ Customer information could be automatically displayed on a Customer Representative’scomputer screen, based on the caller’s phone number.❡ A computer-based phone directory could be used to look up a phone number, and select it on-screen to automatically place the call.❡ PBX features such as call transfers, pickups, forwarding, etc. could be executed by clicking on acomputer icon or responding to a screen prompt (no more trying to remember a feature accesscode or sequence).Panasonic is constantly developing new, more powerful CTI applications to work with the S-ICX. Thefollowing describes the CTI products that are currently available.PC PHONEOur PC Phone is effectively a “Super-Executive Keyphone,” which is designed to replace anextension phone. We have redesigned our telephone circuit cards to fit within a PC. Software allowsus to replicate the dial pad, LCDs, and keys of the phone which are modeled after the popular “Large-Screen Display” telephone.Comprised of a PC card (installed inside the computer), application software, and various connectingitems (leads, handset, headset, etc.), the PC Phone connects to a S-ICX extension port and providesa sophisticated “on-screen” phone for the end-user.