Inter-Tel Announces Linktivity WebInteractive® 4.0

Newest Web Interactive e-Support and e-Sales Collaboration Software Designed to Improved Business Processes

TUCSON, AZ - (December 16, 2004) - Inter-Tel, Incorporated (Nasdaq: INTL), announced today the release of Inter-Tel Linktivity® WebInteractive 4.0. Linktivity, a division of a wholly owned subsidiary of Inter-Tel, offers real-time communications software that provides server-based collaboration and control products. WebInteractive 4.0 is the latest and most advanced version of its award-winning, secure, premise-based e-Support and e-Sales collaboration software.

“Inter-Tel is committed to providing businesses with real-time collaboration solutions designed to that improve business processes,” explained Jeffrey T. Ford, Inter-Tel’s chief technology officer.“Linktivity WebInteractive is designed to enable our customers to improve their support and online sales environment. By connecting through the Internet or via intranets and extranets, representatives can chat real-time with their customers or prospects and quickly escalate chats to desktop sharing, virtual product demonstrations, training or live customer service to help reduce operating costs and increase sales.”

Linktivity WebInteractive 4.0 is also designed to allow technical support professionals to quickly and easily resolve customer support issues by allowing them to focus more on solving problems and educating customers and less on attempting to visualize problems and guiding customers toward a solution without the benefit of interactive capabilities.

 

New Features of Linktivity WebInteractive 4.0 include:

• WebInteractive Launchers–WebInteractive launch icon that can reside on a desktop-instantly launching a session.
• Enhanced User Interface– Simplified and attractive "tabbed" format, granting rapid access to features and function buttons. Also included is a full API Toolkit for integration with third-party software applications.
• Expanded Multi-Lingual Capabilities– Enables users to choose their desired language for their user interface including: English, French, Italian, German or Spanish.
• Record and Playback– Allows users to record selected items for playback at a later time; provides flexibility to choose what is to be recorded, using Viewport, Voice Chat, Video Conferencing or Keyboard Chat.
• SSL Support– Offers the ability to run Linktivity WebInteractive 4.0 on a secure SSL connection for increased security.
• Dynamic CAST 128-bit Encryption on the Fly– Meeting hosts can enable/disable 128-bit encryption from a "lock" button on the control pane
  Windows/LDAP/Active Directory/Radius Authentication – You now have the ability to select how users will be authenticated when logging into the Linktivity Server.
• Queue Notification– When a guest enters the WebInteractive queue, the user interface appears in the foreground alerting the agent that someone has a question.
• Windows/LDAP/Active Directory/Radius Authentication– Provides the ability to use these industry-standard network directory services to authenticate users when they log into the Linktivity Server.
• New Online Help– The Linktivity WebInteractive 4.0 user interface has a new and improved online help function designed to provide quicker instructions and improved ease-of-use.
• Redesigned Install– In a matter of minutes, users can install the software that resides behind their firewall; provides protection and confidentiality of information with encryption for online meeting needs.
• New Report Features– WebInteractive 4.0 allows you to search by LinktivityID and Queues, includes new time range options and the ability to "Send to Printer" and "Save" reports in CSV format.

“This Linktivity software solution offers users the features, performance and innovation instrumental to efficient Web collaboration and e-Support, and WebInteractive 4.0 is no exception,” stated Scott S. Moule, Inter-Tel’s Linktivity division general manager. “As with all our Web collaboration software products, we seek to enhance the quality of the user experience, by striving to develop innovative features.”

WebInteractive v4.0 is available immediately. Unlike hosted services, WebInteractive users may download the software for use on their site on an annual fee basis, and therefore, are free of unpredictable per-minute, per-participant, per-seat, monthly overage costs typically associated with third-party Web hosting e-Support services.

Included in the license cost are software updates and upgrades for the first year of ownership, API ToolKit for integration with your existing software and business processes, and first year support during standard support hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. To purchase or to download this software, please visit www.linktivity.com.

 

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are based on current assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, dependence on new product or software development; availability of inventory from suppliers; the presence of software "bugs"; market acceptance of the product and related software; and intended uses identified above. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results; performance; or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results; performance; or achievements, please see the Company's previously filed SEC reports, including the company's Form 10-K, dated March 15, 2004 and most recent Form 10-Q dated November 5, 2004. Inter-Tel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All products and services mentioned are the trademarks, service marks, registered marks or registered service marks of their respective owners.

About Inter-Tel, Incorporated
Inter-Tel (Nasdaq: INTL - news) offers value-driven communications products; applications utilizing networks and server-based communications software; and a wide range of managed services that include voice and data network design and traffic provisioning, custom application development, and financial solutions packages. An industry-leading provider focused on the communication needs of business enterprises, Inter-Tel employs over 1,900 communications professionals, and services business customers through a network of 59 company-owned, direct sales offices and over 350 authorized providers in the United States and United Kingdom. More information is available at www.inter-tel.com

About Linktivity
Linktivity, a division of a wholly owned subsidiary of Inter-Tel, provides server-based communications and control products that enable person-to-person interactions through a browser window. Linktivity products include WebDemo, a Web-based, real-time conferencing and-collaboration software tool, and WebInteractive, a real-time software tool that gives support and sales professionals an efficient way to manage and resolve online requests for service and support. The Linktivity technology and other select assets were acquired by Inter-Tel on October 8, 2004 and join Inter-Tel’s portfolio of business communication software and systems. For more information, visit www.linktivity.com.