by Ray Horak, Technology Editor
It was only a few months ago that Mitel® released Series X, which decouples Mitel Communications Director software from the HYPERLINK “http://www.mitel.com” Mitel 3300 IP Communications Platform (ICP) so that customers can leverage existing infrastructure and run it on a standard server from either Sun, HP, or IBM. Telecom Reseller reported on the Series X announcement and its support for Dynamic Extension, which allows mobile workers to select up to eight devices, regardless of make and with no client software requirements. Dynamic Extension allows calls to the mobile worker’s business number to ring on a mobile phone, home phone, remote office or any other device they choose. We believed that to be a major evolutionary step in Mitel’s open communications strategy. We also knew there would be more to follow.
Mitel now has unveiled the next phase. Mitel Series X Collaboration is a suite of collaboration solutions that includes Mitel Unified Communicator Advanced (UC Advanced) and the Mitel TeleCollaboration Solution.
Mitel UC Advanced is the core communications application that integrates presence and availability, secure instant messaging (IM), audio conferencing and web and video collaboration with the call control capabilities of a business communications system. UC Advanced provides single portal access to all devices and Mitel collaboration tools, including deskphones, softphones, mobile devices, voice mail, IM, audio and Web conferencing, desktop videoconferencing and document sharing. Users can launch all these capabilities from a single pane without having to close one application to launch another and while always seeing who else is engaged. UC Advanced is fully modular, so users can tailor their communications toolsets to match their business requirements.
Mitel TeleCollaboration Solution, another product under the Series X Collaboration umbrella, is a high definition (HD) multiparty videoconferencing solution with fully integrated collaboration. According to Brooks Riendeau, Mitel Solutions Marketing Manager, “Mitel TeleCollaboration Solution is unique in that it enables the group to view and edit multiple instances of collaboration material that can be simultaneously shared from remote sites. Shared documents can be conveniently moved across the video displays allowing multiple documents to be easily viewed. TeleCollaboration Solution is not just a face-to-face experience but creates a true interactive collaboration environment.
TeleCollaboration Solution is an excellent tool that fosters effective collaboration while saving on travel costs. We at Mitel believe strongly that users will find TeleCollaboration Solution so effective that they will continue its use when the economy bounces back. We think it is a long term game-changer.” In a point-to-point conference mode TeleCollaboration Solution requires bandwidth of approximately 2.5 Mbps and in a multiparty conference about 5.0 Mbps. A desktop office configuration calls for two screens and carries a price tag in the low $40,000 range per location. A meeting room configuration involves three screens and is in the low $60,000 range per location.
TeleCollaboration Solution is a software-based solution that runs on certified standard servers that meets minimum hardware requirements. No special rooms are required, so the impact on the facilities is minimal. According to Riendeau, “The value proposition is undeniable. We can offer a case study in which the client recouped the system cost by eliminating six trips over a period of several months. That translates into serious hard dollar savings over the long term. Additional soft dollar savings include reduced time to meet and, therefore, shorter reaction time, faster decision making and increased effectiveness.”
Mitel is a channel-driven company, distributing its communications solutions through a network of 1,400 channel partners worldwide, about half of which are in the US and Canada, in addition to direct sales and national, global and government accounts teams.
For more, visit mitel.com.
