nce is used has to do with raising the traditional telephone call to a new level by add- ing computer-supported intelligence. This is the applications- based view of convergence. This is best explained by providing some examples: PRESENCE TECHNOLOGY Presence Technology ensures that people trying to communi- cate with each other are provided with information on the "willingness to be available" or presence context of the other The Telecom Handbook 159 CONVERGENCE OF VOICE & DATA person. For example, you may be able to determine which people in your organization are at their desks and available for commu- nication. Presence technology also enables you to decide to whom you wish to be available and to assign different levels of accessi- bility for different callers. You may want your mother and your biggest customer to reach you anywhere. If you're not at your desk the system will automatically try your cell phone and then your pager. Other less important callers may be directed to voice mail to leave a message. Presence Technology incorporates aspects of a variety of tech- nologies including telephony, instant messaging and e-mail. COMPUTER TELEPHONY Computer Telephony is a term coined by Harry Newton of Newton's Telecom Dictionary fame. The concept of Computer Telephony covers a developing array of hardware, software and applications that add computer intelligence to the making and receiving of telephone calls. The way in which Computer Telephony continues to develop will be shaped by the technology, the tenacity of the companies involved and the demands of the marketplace. You may also hear the expression CTI or Computer Telephony Integration. CTI refers to the integration or merging of different systems (hardware and software) into a Computer Telephony ap- plication designed for a specific purpose. Some manufacturers build telephone systems incorporating many capabilities (such as PBX, Voice Mail, Automated Attendant and Call Accounting) into one system and all on one software platform. While this can reduce the