Objectworld has established the Objectworld Connect™ Interoperability Program to allow participants in the program (Partners) to certify that their products and/or services are interoperable with Objectworld's products: Objectworld Unified Communications Server™ and CallAttendant Office™. The program also allows for interoperability certification between third-party products that hold an Objectworld Interoperability Mark, when Objectworld recommends combinations of third-party products, such as headsets for use with telephones, or telecommunications services for use with gateways. The program covers the following product categories:

• Telephones (wired, wireless, soft, cellular, communicators)
• Gateways (analog PSTN, digital PSTN, ALGs, SBCs, etc.)
• Server Hardware Platforms
• Communications Cards
• Audio Devices (headsets [wired, wireless], USB telephones)
• Private Branch Exchanges (SIP, Legacy)
• Application Servers (voice mail, e-mail, IVR, call center, conference, etc.)
• Reporting Applications/Services (call accounting, billing, etc.)
• Application Software
• Telecommunications Services (ITSP, PSTN, etc.)

Organizations that enter into the Objectworld Connect™ Interoperability Program Agreement become a recognized Objectworld Connect™ Program Partner and may refer to themselves as an Objectworld Connect™ Program Partner in their promotional literature, press releases and on their Web site.

Partners with at least one Partner Product that has been granted the Objectworld Connect PLUS™ Interoperability Mark may refer to themselves as an Objectworld Connect PLUS™ Program Partner in their promotional literature, press releases and on their web site.

The Program acknowledges the interoperability of Partner Products with Objectworld Products by awarding Interoperability Marks to the Partner Products. Two different Interoperability Marks can be awarded to Partner Products depending on their level of integration with Objectworld Products.

Objectworld Connect™ Mark

The Objectworld Connect™ Interoperability Mark is awarded to products that interoperate with either Objectworld Products or third-party products that hold an Interoperability Mark under the Program when: either no configuration of the Partner Product is required, or configuration of the Partner Product is achieved using Partner supplied configuration tools and methods according to Objectworld provided Integration Notes. Products that are awarded this mark typically do not require Objectworld to modify its products to achieve interoperability. This mark is intended to cover all the program's product categories.

Partners may describe Partner Products that have been awarded this mark as "Objectworld Connect™ Compatible" and may employ the Objectworld Connect™ logo in conjunction with the product, in their marketing programs, advertising, and other communications. Partners may also affix the logo to the Partner Product, its labeling and/or packaging materials, and may indicate that the Partner Product has been successfully tested under the Objectworld Connect™ Interoperability Program.

Objectworld Connect PLUS™ Mark

The Objectworld Connect PLUS™ Interoperability Mark is awarded only to products that interoperate directly with Objectworld products and only when the Objectworld product makes special provisions to detect/locate and substantially configure a partner product. Products that are awarded this mark require Objectworld to modify its products to achieve this level of interoperability. Automatic configuration is limited to a Standard Feature Set intended to cover the operational requirements of most installations. Additional features must be configured according to the partner's product configuration instructions.

Partners may describe Partner Products that have been awarded this mark as "Objectworld Connect PLUS™ Compatible" and may employ the Objectworld Connect PLUS™ logo in conjunction with the product, in their marketing programs, advertising, and other communications. Partners may also affix the logo to the Partner Product, its labeling and/or packaging materials, and may indicate that the Partner Product has been successfully tested under the Objectworld Connect PLUS™ Interoperability Program.

This mark is intended to cover only the following product categories:

• Telephones (wired, wireless, soft)
• Gateways (analog PSTN, digital PSTN, Session Border Controllers, Application Layer Gateways)
• Communications Cards
• Telecommunications Services

How the Program Works

This section provides an overview of the typical process, from initial discussions with a prospective program partner, through joining the program, the initial test and interoperability certification cycle, and ongoing program activities.

Getting Ready to Join the Program

• Partner and Objectworld enter into a Mutual Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
• Objectworld provides copies of the Objectworld Connect™ Interoperability Program Partner Agreement, sample technical requirements for interoperability, and sample test plans under the NDA.
• Partner proposes the initial products to be entered into the program.
• Partner and Objectworld mutually determine the initial products to be tested and the Interoperability Marks to be achieved for the products.
• Objectworld invites Partner to enter the Program.

Joining the Program

• Partner and Objectworld enter into an Objectworld Connect™ Interoperability Program Partner Agreement.
• Partner becomes recognized under the program and may announce its membership in the program and display the Objectworld Connect Partner logo.
• Objectworld and Partner make commercial announcement as to interoperability intent.

Copyright and Redistribution Rights (may occur at the same time as Testing Cycle)

• Partner provides to Objectworld the right to use its copyright material to produce the Interoperability Report, Integration Note, and User Guide (if an end user device) for each product to be awarded an Interoperability Mark and provides to Objectworld soft copies of this material.
• Partner provides to Objectworld redistribution rights to its software/Firmware for Partner Products that hold the Objectworld Connect PLUS™ Interoperability Mark and may optionally provide such rights for products that hold the Objectworld Connect™ Interoperability Mark if the partner wishes Objectworld to redistribute its software/firmware in its Online Resource Center.
• Partner provides to Objectworld copies of its software/Firmware for Partner Products for which it has granted redistribution rights to Objectworld.

Objectworld Integration/Documentation

• If Connect PLUS integration is required into Objectworld Products, Objectworld will create a development plan and determine an internal development schedule, the scheduled product release, and estimated release date for the integration.
• If Connect PLUS integration is not required, Objectworld determines the software release in which support for the partner products will be provided, including the Interoperability Report, Integration Note, User Guide, and Re-distributable Software/Firmware.

>The Testing Cycle

• Objectworld consults with Partner to determine the Test Plan.
• Objectworld provides the Test Plan to the Partner.
• Objectworld selects a Testing Party that will execute the Test Plan. The Testing Party may be Objectworld, the Partner, or a third party testing organization.
• Objectworld and Partner establish a schedule for the Test Plan.
• Objectworld provides Partner with Objectworld technical training for its staff.
• Objectworld provides Partner with a not-for-resale copy of Objectworld Product to support Partner interoperability testing.
• Partner installs the Objectworld Product.
• Partner pre-tests interoperability using the Test Plan.
• Partner makes reasonable commercial efforts to achieve pre-test interoperability as defined by the Test Plan.
• Partner provides the Testing Party staff with partner product technical training.
• Partner provides the Testing Party with sufficient product resources to implement the Test Plan.
• The Testing Party implements the Test Plan.
• If the Testing Party determines that the Partner Product is not interoperable, then Objectworld and the Partner make reasonable commercial efforts to achieve interoperability and re-test according to the Test Plan or modify the Test Plan.

Award of the Interoperability Marks

• Objectworld reviews the results of the Test Plan conducted by the Testing Party. If the results indicate that the Partner Product is interoperable and the Partner is otherwise in compliance with the Partner Agreement, then Objectworld awards the appropriate Interoperability Marks to the product.
• Objectworld and Partner make commercial announcements as to interoperability and availability.
• Objectworld and Partner commence joint marketing activities.

Maintenance and New Products

• Objectworld provides second-line support to its customers under its Software Protection Program (SPP) for the Partner Products that hold Interoperability Marks.
• Partner provides third-line support to Objectworld (and if necessary provides support directly to Objectworld Authorized Resellers and Customers) for Partner Products that hold Interoperability Marks.
• Partner informs Objectworld of new releases and versions of the Partner Products and Objectworld informs Partner of new releases and versions of the Objectworld Products.
• Objectworld and Partner maintain ongoing interoperability testing for new releases and versions.
• Objectworld and Partner maintain ongoing interoperability by correcting previously undetected interoperability defects.
• Partner may propose additional products for the Interoperability Marks.