Standardization on multimedia communications: Computer-telephony-integration-related issues

Computer-telephony integration (CTI) has been developed for many years since the 1960s. It is one of the major emerging multimedia communications applications. It provides enhanced telecommunications services controlled by a computer, that is, by integrating the call handling capabilities of PBXs and the data processing capabilities of computers. Recently, CTI applications have become more popular and widespread with the rapid and deep penetration of personal computers and the dramatic growth of the Internet since the mid-1990s. CTI applications are being enhanced by means of more integration with Internet capabilities. Several standardization organizations and fora/consortia are developing standards/specifications for CTI in order to cope with the growing demand for multimedia communications. This article describes a brief historical sketch and the state of the art of CTI-related standards and specifications, which are still being developed.