Canada-based Mitel has announced the general availability of its Unified Communicator (UC) Advanced software for devices that run on Google's (News - Alert) highly popular Android mobile operating system.

By bringing unified communications capabilities to the Android platform, Mitel (News - Alert) is enabling IT managers to respond to the burgeoning Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) trend, where employees utilize their personal mobile gadgets for business-related tasks.

Mitel's portfolio of UC applications is now available to owners of Android (News - Alert)-based mobile devices and those manufactured by Research in Motion, maker of the enterprise-focused Blackberry line of smartphones.

“The BYOD trend is a big challenge for companies that need to supply a consistent set of communications services across their entire workforce,” Stephen Beamish (News - Alert), vice president of marketing and business development at Mitel, said in a statement. “With the addition of a mobile client for Android, we further extend the in-office experience anywhere by leveraging the native capabilities of the device for enhanced UC application integration.”

Mitel UC Advanced is designed to simplify business communications while simultaneously providing employees with a host of next-generation applications, including voice, video, presence, instant messaging and even conferencing. The services are offered via a single, unified interface.

Mitel UC Advanced Mobile for Android boasts a number of other features, including visual voicemail, advanced message management as well as the ability to search corporate directories and click-to-dial.

In addition, the mobile client provides location-based presence capabilities, which allow users to designate the manner in which they prefer to be contacted, based on their given location. This feature leverages a mobile device's GPS radio to automatically update whether a user is in the office and available for video calls or instant messages, or on the road and only available via their mobile number. Automatic presence status updates can also be determined by the time of day or the Wi-Fi network location.

“UC Advanced enables our customers to connect users across multiple platforms and devices no matter where they may be located,” Beamish concluded.

In related news, Mitel recently inked an extended partnership agreement with Design Communications Inc (DCI), a provider of telecommunications systems and services. With the collaborative deal in place, DCI will now use Mitel's cloud-based technology to support a new hosted UC product for the hospitality space. 

Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell