TMCnet News
Nortel Teams With Microsoft to Deliver Real-Time Business CommunicationsAugust 30, 2005 Integration of Open, SIP-Based Enterprise Solutions to Deliver Converged Office Solution to the Desktop TORONTO – Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT] today expanded its strategic relationship with Microsoft* through integrated technology solutions designed to help simplify the way businesses communicate around the world. The latest cooperative initiative between the two companies will provide collaborative real-time capabilities for businesses through integration of Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 and Office Live Communication Server with Nortel’s open, SIP-based communications solution. The converged solution will provide desktop call control using Microsoft Office Communicator for telephony infrastructures built on Nortel Communication Server 1000. Nortel’s open SIP application interface allows customers to build solution sets that meet their business needs with flexibility and simplicity. To provide this functionality, Microsoft Live Communications Server and Office Communicator will be integrated with the industry-leading telephony and flexible IP communications of Nortel Communication Server 1000. The new Nortel/Microsoft converged office solution will also provide access to critical applications such as Unified Messaging, Contact Center and Self Service via the Nortel Applications Center. “Providing an easy to use solution for simplifying business communications is a very powerful and valuable tool for the enterprise,” said Dr. E. Brent Kelly, senior analyst and partner at Wainhouse Research. “The integrated Nortel and Microsoft solution offers a strategic capability for increasing business competitiveness by driving productivity and improving profit potential.” “Combining the capabilities of Microsoft’s Live Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator‘s capabilities with Nortel’s IP Telephony represents a win-win scenario for end-users,” said Malcolm Collins, president, Enterprise Networks, Nortel. “We are pleased to be working with Microsoft to integrate our open, SIP applications, which are designed to enable customers to drive increased productivity through enhanced access to a multitude of applications and simplified communications. Designed to ignite global commerce, we expect this new solution to open up a world of new opportunities for businesses by providing users with the convenience and flexibility to collaborate through the most effective means available.” “Communications have to be effective, simple to use and provide the flexibility to accommodate a variety of methods for businesses to enable their employees to be more effective,” said Zig Serafin, general manager, Microsoft Office Real-Time Collaboration. “Our collaboration with Nortel provides that foundation. Integrating the Microsoft Office Communicator with business-grade communication capabilities from Nortel will provide more effective real-time collaboration capabilities for our customers.” The Nortel/Microsoft converged office solution builds on a longstanding relationship between the two companies. This solution is designed to enable end-users to exploit the personal computer-based Microsoft Office Communicator client in concert with a Nortel desktop phone for business communications. It will also enable them to determine when colleagues are available and employ an integrated Instant Messaging capability, all from the Communicator client interface. In addition, end-users will be able to access communications directly from the desktop phone or from Communicator. With the Nortel/Microsoft converged office solution, end-users will be able to: • initiate telephone calls through enterprise phones directly from Communicator 2005. • see pop-up notifications for incoming calls and access phone features (accept, transfer or divert calls, or add others to the conversation) via Communicator 2005. • forward incoming calls automatically based on location. • ‘twin’ desk phones to the Office Communicator client, enabling calls to desktop phone numbers to ring and be answered using Communicator.. • conduct multimedia communications sessions with Live Communications Server and Communicator including voice, instant messaging, presence, data sharing, and video. • benefit from the business-class reliability, communications continuity and resilience of Nortel Communication Server 1000. This Nortel/Microsoft converged office solution is expected to be available for customer beta trials in September 2005, with general availability later in 2005. Leveraging the leadership positions of both companies in developing SIP applications in an open, standards-compliant environment, the Nortel/Microsoft converged office solution demonstrates both companies’ commitment to providing the best collaboration solutions without compromise. Nortel is the only company that has deployed more than 50 million enterprise telephony lines and 50 million Ethernet ports. Nortel’s award-winning IP multimedia solutions serve customers of many sizes in many industries. |