This story appeared on Network World at http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/converg/2010/041210convergence2.html  

Convergence & VoIP Alert By Larry Hettick and Steve Taylor, Network World
April 13, 2010 01:19 PM ET

In other news, Clarus Systems announced it has entered into an alliance with Microsoft to collaborate on "value-added testing and monitoring solutions" for Microsoft Communications Server 14. Clarus has also joined the Microsoft Technology Adoption Program (TAP), a program which is designed to "obtain real-world customer feedback on Microsoft pre-release products and provide technical feedback, support, and discussions with customers...”

Clarus Systems announced the latest release of ClarusIPC Plus+ 2.6.3, which includes support for Cisco Unified Communications Manager 8.0 and enhancements to its performance monitoring, traffic analysis, and call utilization features. Clarus Systems is a leading provider of integrated VoIP management software and services for Cisco Unified Communications.

“ClarusIPC Plus+ 2.6.3, combined with our previous enhancements over the last two years, continues Clarus’ evolution from an automated testing solution to a full Cisco VoIP management suite,” said Gurmeet S. Lamba, senior CP of Product Development at Clarus Systems. “Our latest version offers essentials in end-to-end VoIP management in what we identify as our Four Pillars: Automated Testing, Performance Monitoring, Configuration Management and Business Intelligence.”

Clarus Systems: End-to-End VoIP Services Management
by Ray Horak, Technology Editor
March 16, 2010

Clarus software can actually seize control of a phone and use it to test system capabilities, perhaps causing hundreds of phones to simultaneously dial into a conference bridge and test for two-way audio. Clarus software monitors packet latency, jitter and loss and can set MOS alerts to notify the system administrator if an individual call or the average of calls drops below a definable level, e.g., 3.5. It can also alert on blocked or dropped calls, or unexpected changes to the CallManager configuration, sending alert information into existing network management systems. The Clarus solution also can assist a snifter or probe in deep dive diagnostics, getting as granular as an individual PRI or handset.

"2009 has been a transformational year for the company," said Brendan F. Reidy, CEO, Clarus Systems. "We reduced our operating costs significantly while exceeding all our sales and revenue targets. Large enterprise customers have embraced our transition from a testing solution to an integrated VoIP management suite, and our partners have made ClarusIPC a standard in managing their largest, most complex enterprise VoIP systems."

Clarus added several global 100 banking and insurance customers to its client list in spite of unprecedented turmoil in the financial services industry. The company also continued its evolution from a testing solution to an integrated VoIP management suite, including testing, performance monitoring, configuration management and business intelligence.

Clarus Systems Acknowledges Debt to CIPTUG
Telecom Reseller
February 17, 2010
by Ray Horak, Technology Editor

Brendan Reidy, President and CEO of Clarus Systems, gives a lot of credit to the Clarus product development team but, at the same time, offers plenty to the end user community—most particularly the CIPTUG membership. "Clarus enjoys a highly collaborative relationship with the Cisco end user community, thanks in large part to CIPTUG. As an independent organization, established and funded by end users and existing solely for their benefit, CIPTUG provides an honest and open forum for the informal exchange of ideas and experiences."

From my not-so-lofty perch here at Telecom Reseller, it seems as though the respect and admiration equation is well-balanced. ClarusIPC Plus+ won the "Board of Directors Choice" award in the Application "Bake-Off" at the CIPTUG 2008 Annual Conference. Previously, Clarus was awarded "Best Tools" category in an Application "Bake-Off" at the CIPTUG 2007 Annual Conference.

HP Network Management Center Blog: IP Telephony Monitoring, Configuration Management and Remote Troubleshooting
August 25, 2009

Many UC managers often overlook the key requirements to operating a UC system effectively and focus immediately on voice quality (VQ) measurement and alerting as the only real need. Indeed, ensuring your users receive acceptable VQ leaves is important, however, more fundamental principles such as basic call setup, routing, device registration and diagnostic capabilities are essential components of a proper UC management solution.

With the integration of the ClarusIPC Plus+ UC management platform to HP NNMi, the combined solution now enables end-to-end fault monitoring, troubleshooting, diagnostics, change detection and proactive testing of your Cisco UC environment.

ClarusIPC^® Plus+ Wins CIPTUG 2008 "Board of Directors Choice Award" in Application Bake-Off
December 02, 2008

“CIPTUG is committed to providing its members with the most comprehensive, highest quality user information that can help keep each Cisco IP Telecommunications product operating at peak performance levels,” said Michael Kok, President of the CIPTUG Board of Directors and Senior Network Designer at The Boeing Company. “On behalf of the CIPTUG Board and our end-user members, we are thrilled to distinguish ClarusIPC Plus+ amongst the other entries for its end-to-end voice service management capabilities.” Clarus also won the "Best Tools Award" at the 2007 CIPTUG Application Bake-Off.

IP telephony management software essential to large-scale deployments
July 6, 2008
By Shamus McGillicuddy, News Editor

The automated testing and management tools included in emerging IP telephony management software packages are essential to a complex IP telephony deployment. A manual approach in an enterprise deployment could lead to disaster...

Clarus Selected as Finalist for “Most Innovative Company” and “Best Product Development Organization/Department” in 6th Annual Stevie® Awards.

“American Business Award entries grew more than 30% this year, so being named a Finalist is more of an accomplishment than ever before,” said Michael Gallagher, founder and president of The Stevie Awards. “It means that independent business executives have agreed that Clarus Systems is worthy of national recognition. We congratulate all of the Finalists on their achievement and wish them well in the competition.”

"With this latest launch, Clarus is likely to enjoy an extended reach as companies continue to look for ways to streamline the integration of voice and IT. For many organizations, this is still a new concept and to maximize the promised benefits, will turn to companies like Clarus for guidance.

In doing so, Clarus will strengthen its market stance and will be in a position to set the standard in the industry, driving further demand and revenue for its solutions."