The latest version of the snom 821 desktop phone has received approval from Microsoft (News - Alert), gaining the “qualified for Microsoft Lync” status. Configured with Apollo, the latest version of the snom UC edition firmware, this is the first snom device that is fully compatible and interoperable with Lync.

The Apollo firmware equips snom phones with Microsoft Lync with expanded capabilities, such as hold music, integrated presence functionality, and shared line appearances. The snom 821 is the first snom UC edition phone with the Apollo firmware, providing a high-resolution color display and presence features integrated with call history and contacts. It can operate in a mixed environment with Microsoft Lync 2010 Enterprise Voice and any other SIP-based IP PBX, while its LAN interface means there’s no need for physical cabling.

According to Michael Knieling (News - Alert), COO of snom: "Becoming 'qualified for Microsoft Lync' represents a significant benchmark for our snom UC edition firmware and the snom 821, and we expect all our snom UC edition phones running Apollo to achieve the same recognition from Microsoft in the coming months. The new Apollo firmware seamlessly integrates both Lync and traditional enterprise telephony features directly on the phone, significantly enhancing the capabilities of snom UC edition phones in Microsoft Lync environments. "

Having the device qualified for Microsoft Lync is a nice achievement for snom, showing impressive progress and improvement. That’s not all that’s recently come out from snom, of course. Recently it released the snom ONE mini, a compact IP PBX (News - Alert) for the Small Office Home Office market. It’s a fully integrated business phone system in a compact size, providing the same capabilities as a regular sized phone system while taking up little space and less power. Before that, it entered an agreement with the Westcon Group (News - Alert), which will distribute snom’s IP and Lync qualified endpoint devices across EMEA.

All in all, I’d say things are looking pretty good for snom right now. It’s releasing new devices and firmware that continue to reach new heights, and is gaining more recognition and qualifications. I’m looking forward to seeing what snom has in store for us next.

snom is a GOLD sponsor of ITEXPO West 2012. To be held Oct. 2-5 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX, ITEXPO (News - Alert) is the premiere communications and technology event. Visit snom in booth #921. For more information on ITEXPO click here.