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Polycom Brings Wi-Fi Telephony to SMBs

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TMCnews Featured Article


March 19, 2008

Polycom Brings Wi-Fi Telephony to SMBs

By Anuradha Shukla, TMCnet Contributor


Polycom (News - Alert) has launched the SpectraLink 8002 Wireless Telephone, its newest Wi-Fi phone that is targeted at small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

 
This latest addition to Polycom's award-winning portfolio of standards-based enterprise VoIP endpoints offers the SMB owners and their employees the freedom to move about the workplace without ever missing an important call. This capability improves accessibility, productivity and responsiveness.
 
Polycom’s SpectraLink 8002 is an entry-level Wi-Fi handset that allows businesses to benefit from enterprise-grade voice over wireless LAN without requiring significant investments in network infrastructure. The device not only supports the open SIP VoIP protocol but is also certified for interoperability with the SIP-based Digium (News - Alert) Asterisk Business Edition IP PBX (News - Alert). Moreover, the device can operate with Wi-Fi access points targeted at the SMB market, which allows businesses to leverage their existing Wi-Fi networks.
 
Craig Mathias, a principal with the wireless and mobile advisory firm Farpoint Group explained in a statement that business customers need enterprise-class cordless phones, and Polycom is meeting this requirement with a high-quality VoFi handset aimed particularly at smaller installations.
 
Mathias noted that the SpectraLink 8002 equips Polycom's channel partners with a turnkey telephony solution for SMBs by integrating Polycom's desktop and conferencing systems with SpectraLink's rugged, power-efficient VoFi handsets for mobility in the workplace.
 
Ben Guderian (News - Alert), vice president of product management for Polycom's wireless business unit said that they have spoken to a number of smaller-sized businesses in the past that were assessing the value of Wi-Fi phones in their offices. He observed that until recently, it was considered cost-prohibitive for SMBs to take advantage of this technology. With the introduction of the SpectraLink 8002, businesses of any size can benefit from high-quality Wi-Fi telephony.
 
Designed to withstand the rigors of the workplace, including clinical or manufacturing environments, the SpectraLink 8002 has interchangeable battery packs for use in multi-shift environments. The company is offering a broad range of carrying accessories to suit the needs of different work environments.
 
The new SpectraLink 8002 supports the industry standards for quality of service and security for enterprise-grade over-the-air privacy and security. The device will be available in the second quarter of this year through Polycom's certified channel partners at a list price U.S. $349, including the handset, battery pack, and desktop charger.
Polycom recently announced a suite of software-based applications for its SoundPoint IP desktop phones that includes several productivity-enhancing applications that help both end users and IT managers communicate and work more efficiently.
 
Anuradha Shukla is a contributing editor for TMCnet, covering call centers, CRM and information technology. To see more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
 
Don't forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.







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