Sun Microsystems and Mitel Partner for Unified Communications

Sun Microsystems (News - Alert) has formed an alliance of sorts with Mitel, an IP-based voice solutions provider, in an effort to deliver on their joint global OEM agreement to offer regional enterprises and SMBs a complete unified communications (UC) solution that delivers new levels of flexibility and business process improvement for existing and future Mitel (News - Alert) and Sun customers throughout the world.


The two companies are announcing this week the availability of the SunRay Unified IP Client from Mitel at GITEX Technology Week. As the drive for UC implementations continues throughout global industries, the companies will be poised for strong opportunity growth.

A unique unified communications solution, the SunRay Unified UP Client is designed to suit both cost and security-sensitive environments. It is also expected to appeal to those people that work remotely or are very mobile.

This latest solution is the result of Mitel using the ultra thin client SunRay technology and creating a slim module that snaps securely onto Mitel IP phones to create the industry’s first truly unified communications desktop. Such a process allows users to securely “hot desk” into both the Mitel IP phones and the SunRay thin client terminals using a personal, authenticated Java Card.

"The agreement signals a new era for the SunRay, and simply demonstrates its flexibility. The SunRay Unified IP Client delivers a secure unified computing and communications environment fully integrated into our world renowned Su Ray solution," said Chris Cornelius, Managing Director, Sun Microsystems MENA, in a Monday statement.

"This combined solution is also among the industry's most energy efficient, providing ongoing CAPEX and OPEX (News - Alert) savings through the elimination of power-hungry desktop PCs and the reduced energy consumption of low power Mitel IP phones."

To further develop the joint unified communications solutions and take them to market, Mitel and Sun have committed teams of resources. Mitel announced earlier this month the Q208 availability of the Mitel Communications Suite on the Sun Fire X4150.

This application introduces the ability to consolidate mission critical voice applications that include messaging, mobility, conferencing and Microsoft (News - Alert) Office Communications Server 2007 in the data room environment.

“We are excited by this global agreement with Sun Microsystems. The mutual Enterprise offering is significantly differentiated - Nothing else is like it in the market. It is another endorsement of mutual responsiveness and commitment to the market place,” said Hisham Amili, Mitel, GM, GCC, in the Monday statement.

“Naturally we are delighted to be offering this cutting-edge unified communications suite to a growing market in the Gulf region. The GCC appears to be reaching a maturing point where such unified communications adoption is accelerated by organizations that are looking to stay connected and competitive regardless of time, geography and applications.”

The SunRay Unified IP Client is designed to provide voice and data services at any workstation on the network to dramatically reduce desktop cost and complexity while preserving the familiar, proven, telephone device. It has also been designed to significantly reduce power consumption.

Companies throughout the world are interested in the benefits that can be realized through unified communications, but many are leery of making technology changes or have invested too much in legacy systems to replace them.

 

By offering a solution that preserves legacy systems while delivering next generation technology, Sun and Mitel are hitting the hot points in the market, creating demand for their solution and driving opportunities in the global market.