Mitel Networks 6600 Your Assistant, 5230 IP Appliance represent next step in five-phase collaboration strategy

Mitel Networks has released the Mitel Networks 6600 Your Assistant and Mitel Networks 5230 IP Appliance, introducing a new era of collaboration for users within an IP environment.

While the infrastructure savings of convergence are well documented, there are now user level benefits emerging that are equally compelling. The introduction of these new products represents the shift towards a new user experience where multiple devices and media are integrated for enhanced usability and control.

Mitel Networks 6600 Your Assistant is a PC-based software application that combines the power of Mitel Networks 3300 Integrated Communications Platform, a broad range of award-winning IP and digital phones, Microsoft Outlook and third-party Instant Messaging tools.

From a single interface, users can substantially improve efficiency through easily managing contacts, initiating "drag-and-drop" communication and collaboration sessions, setting up virtual workgroups, and interacting seamlessly in multiple forms of media. The introduction of the 6600 Your Assistant represents a critical step in fulfilling Mitel Networks` five-phase strategy to redefine collaboration within the enterprise.

The Mitel Networks 5230 IP Appliance builds on the company`s market leadership at the IP desktop to seamlessly blend the wired and wireless world for the user. Simply docking a HP iPAQ personal digital assistant (PDA) directly into the phone provides immediate hot synch capabilities and transfers a user`s preferences and policies to that workstation. In addition, users will also benefit from new Windows CE-based desktop applications such as dial by address book, visual voicemail, forthcoming portable voicemail and integration with the 6600 Your Assistant.

"In the past year Mitel Networks has become recognised by the industry as a thought leader in desktop communications," said Andy Bull, director for Mitel Networks, South Africa.

"The 6600 Your Assistant and 5230 IP Appliance provide further examples of this through our ability to bring together disparate communications tools and improve efficiency while maintaining an intuitive user interface," said Bull.

These product launches represent the next step in Mitel Networks` five-phase strategy for enterprise collaboration that is redefining the efficiency of communicating for individuals and workgroups. This strategy was introduced with the development of the industry`s broadest range of IP desktop devices, including industry-leading audio conference units. In February 2002 Mitel Networks introduced Voice First, a breakthrough solution that provides one-touch enterprise video conferencing. In August 2002 a relationship was announced with RemoteAbility, re-creating the conference experience enjoyed by participants in the same room.

With the general availability of Mitel Networks 6600 Your Assistant and the Mitel Networks 5230 IP Appliance, the next phase of this strategy is now realised and the foundation is laid for real-time unified communications at the desktop.

"Enterprises today are inundated with productivity-enhancing features and applications but are often handicapped by the inability to make them work together," said Terry White, Senior Director, InfoTech. "Through providing a single unified client interface and integrated desktop devices, users can now focus on the value these applications bring to their work environment, while significantly reducing the learning curve associated with technology adoption."