Having sold itself on the telecom savings provided by its voice-over-IP systems, Lehman Brothers Inc. is aggressively building business applications that take advantage of its VoIP and conventional data networks.

Lehman Brothers has chosen software from Metreos Corp. to further leverage its Cisco Systems IP Communications infrastructure. Metreos' product consists of a set of development tools and customizable applications designed to make deployment of apps that straddle voice and data systems faster and easier.

Lehman Brothers has used it to create and deploy a Webcast app that makes it easier to transmit broadcast multimedia messages throughout all Lehman Brothers offices. It has also created a voice app called QuickDial, which is designed to disseminate information to Lehman Brothers customers, freeing up research analysts to do other tasks.

At the same time, Lehman Brothers has used Metreos' advanced security-and-reporting program, called VoiceTunnel, which is part of the development environment. Its VoIP network alone didn't have the same level of security as what's delivered by VoiceTunnel. The investment firm also has deployed Metreos' ActiveRelay, which enables people to move between devices without interrupting an ongoing call.

The value of the sale hasn't been disclosed.