Alcatel-Lucent's My Phone (we tested Version 3.295.30) is part of the larger OmniTouch Unified Communication software suite. My Phone can be installed as a thick client, referred to as the 4980 softphone, or accessed via a Web page running off the OmniTouch server (Alcatel-Lucent's telephony application server). Using the fat-client option, the softphone can be integrated with Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Web Access, Lotus Notes or Lotus Web Access, giving users access to the basic telephony function from their e-mail client.

When accessing the My Phone Web client from a secure SSL browser connection, a small plug-in is downloaded to enable VOIP. This plug-in is unloaded when the browser is closed, so that it can be used at public terminals with no fear of leaving behind corporate information. Users can specify if they want to use their PC for the voice path or specify an alternative number, such as a home phone or cell phone.

The Web client can be run in a "full window" or "phone bar" mode, and can operate on its own or be embedded in a corporate portal page. Both versions display the call status and incoming calls, as well as buttons for such common functions as conferencing, recording, transferring, dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) and call hold. Also displayed are buttons for such functions as speed dial, call logging, customization and voice-mail access. The full window modes show the call log, director service, personal phone book and a DTMF keypad. The Web client also can provide telephony-based presence information to other Alcatel-Lucent softphone clients.

The other advantage of proprietary softphones is their tight integration with the underlying PBX. From the My Phone application, users can launch a tool that shows them a graphical representation of their physical hard phone set. They can arrange their button mappings for features and speed dials without having to contact an administrator. The mappings carry over to their softphones as well.

Changes such as activating call forwarding or do-not-features made in the Web interface are reflected on the hard phone and the thick client. The reverse also is true: Features activated on the hard phone show up in the softphones. The 4980 fat client can change how voice paths are routed on the fly. During a call, users can switch the voice path from VOIP to a public switched telephone network phone, desk phone or a cell phone.

The user preprograms an alternate number at which the PBX can reach. When this feature is activated, the OmniPBX Enterprise initiates a call to the specified alternative number, establishes a connection, then internally bridges the call in progress.