Microsoft and Mitel recently demonstrated the powerful interoperability of Microsoft`s unified communications technologies (Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Office Communicator 2007) and Mitel`s IP Communications Platform. Microsoft`s global announcement of its Unified Communications Strategy included demonstrations with a Mitel 3300 IP Communications Platform (ICP).
"We utilised the Mitel 3300 ICP as part of our demonstration of the unified communications technologies that tightly integrate telephony, presence and collaboration features for enabling better, faster decision-making, increasing productivity and efficiency and streamlining costs," said Marc Sanders, group product manager, unified communications.
"Mitel`s understanding of unified communications extends to integrating collaboration features into the desktop experience, providing easy-to-use, flexible and secure real-time communications capabilities for our customers."
As Mitel demonstrated at the Microsoft-Mitel-Reuters financial services event in New York City in early June, combining its solutions with Microsoft Office Communicator adds value to and reach into existing Microsoft Office applications. When approached from a business process improvement perspective, IP telephony and voice communication can help organisations develop a sustainable competitive advantage through a personalised messaging and presence system that turns technology into an easy-to-use, simplified and cost-effective way to build a strong partnership with customers, suppliers and employees.
"Available today, Mitel`s 3300 ICP acts as a gateway between the Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 infrastructure and rich voice applications to enhance employee productivity, increase customer loyalty and help businesses drive business process integration and improvement," said Mitel CEO Don Smith.
"Our ongoing enhancements to our Microsoft interworking in the areas of presence information for customised call flows and enhanced end-user utility across our entire suite of applications will further establish Mitel as the IP communications vendor that adds value to a Live Communications Server presence deployment," said Smith.
"Mitel and Microsoft recognise that the rationale for deploying IP communications and related applications is much more than simple cost savings; it is driven by business process improvement (BPI)," said Andy Bull, director for Mitel South Africa.
"A key element of BPI is the simple, intuitive user experience which both Microsoft and Mitel are committed to deliver. This shared vision provides for the interoperability of the Microsoft Unified Communications suite with the Mitel IP Communications Platform and associated Mitel applications including presence-aware unified messaging and contact centre.
"This vision includes enabling enterprises to evolve their legacy infrastructures in a smooth, cost-effective manner to facilitate increased efficiency and productivity," said Bull.
The Mitel 3300 ICP acts as an application services gateway (ASG), allowing customers access to advanced applications such as messaging, mobility and teleworking. With the Mitel Live Business Gateway attributes enabled, the ASG provides connectivity to Live Communications Server for both Mitel solutions and legacy voice infrastructure. The ASG uses open industry standards such as XML and SIP to interoperate with native and third party business applications and devices.
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Mitel is a leading provider of integrated communications solutions and services for business customers. Mitel`s voice-centric IP-based communications solutions consist of a combination of telephony hardware and software that integrate voice, video and data communications with business applications and processes. These solutions enable our customers to realise significant cost benefits and to conduct their business more efficiently and effectively by enabling enhanced communications, information sharing and collaboration within a business and with customers, partners and suppliers. Mitel is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices, partners and resellers worldwide.
For more information please visit www.mitel.com.
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