There is a marked difference between Pointspan and traditional PBX's, both physically and functionally. The static "box" of yesterday has now become "building blocks" that can be placed along the enterprise network as needed. Keeping in line with the flexibility that IP provides, Pointspan has been designed to offer a multitude of configurations based on the specific needs of our enterprise customers. Pointspan is the only system to effectively bridge circuit switched system with packet switched technology and provide a single, unified system. The key value of the Pointspan architecture is its flexibility, which gives enterprise customers the ability to create systems that are anywhere from 0% to 100% IP telephony.

Pointspan’s unique migratory approach to VoIP uses the IP network to distribute circuit switched nodes called Integrated Pointspan Nodes (IPN’s) across a local or wide area network. The IP network is used to transport control, signaling and voice between IP connected circuit switched nodes and a single call control server. Unlike other implementations, Pointspan places the circuit switched environment under the control of an IP-based control server which provides services to traditional telephony users on IPN nodes and SIP users on SIP Pointspan Nodes (SPN). This unique approach provides for a seamless mixed environment that can be fully migrated to an all IP all SIP system over time.

The traditional PBX line and trunk cards are now located in one or more IPN’s in the network under the control of the server. IPN’s can be located anywhere in the network. Pointspan is a completely scalable product line supporting multiple IP nodes and facilitating thousands of time slots each, and the highest call capacity in the industry. No other enterprise product can boast this magnitude of scalability.

Once one or more IPN's exist in the network, additional circuit switched sites can be connected using other network links such as fiber, ATM and T1. The types of network nodes that can be implemented using traditional circuit switched technology are:

Integrated Pointspan Node (IPN)
Pointspan communications node comprised of a circuit switched matrix and line cards for connection to telephone stations and the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Pins are always connected to the communications servers over the  IP network.

Remote Telephony Node (RTN)
Pointspan communications node comprised of a circuit switched matrix and line cards for connection to telephone stations and the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Fiber and ATM Extended Nodes (FXN and AXN)
Pointspan communications node comprised of a circuit switched matrix and line cards for connection to telephone stations and the public switched telephone network (PSTN). FXN and AXN nodes are always connected to IPN or RTN nodes.

In addition to distributing telephony via nodes individual cards can be distributed for smaller locations using fiber or T1 connectivity.

Fiber Extended Card (FXC)        
(Formerly known as Fiber Distributed Line Card, FDLM). Pointspan communications element comprised of a circuit card connected via fiber to a Pointspan Node for connection to ITE digital stations, ITE Splitters or SDAA Analog Adapters. FXC’s are always connected to a Pointspan Node (IPN, RTN, FXN, AXN). FXC’s have 36 ports and 72 timeslots.

T1 Extended Card (TXC) 
(Formerly known as T1 Distributed Line Card, T1DLC) Pointspan communications element comprised of a circuit card connected via a T1 span for connection to Aastra ITE digital stations, ITE Splitters or SDAA Analog Adapters. TXC’s are always connected to a Pointspan Node (IPN, RTN, FXN, AXN). TXC’s have 23 ports and 23 timeslots.