NEC Joins Growing Band of UC Vendors
<<<... Also in the UC for Enterprise suite is the Univerge MC530 Mobile Client, which can run on Windows Mobile 5, RIM and Symbian operating systems. It integrates UC functions with mobility, allowing messages from the business IP communication system to be automatically sent to mobile devices. It provides a unified user experience across Wi-Fi and cellular networks and allows a single phone number to work across desk phones and mobile devices. The Univerge UM8500 Unified Messaging System works with the new clients and integrates with Microsoft's Exchange Server to allow the system to read aloud a schedule of tasks for any given day. It is unique in its combined support of VideoMail, Find Me/Follow Me and ViewCall desktop call control. On the hardware side, NEC added new Univerge DT700 and DT300 IP and digital phones that support SIP, have open XML interfaces and intuitive GUIs, and can be customized. The new Univerge OW5000 media gateway integrates NEC offerings with Microsoft's OCS 2007, IBM Lotus Sametime and applications offered by NEC partners. A Web-based management program provides a portal to allow users to configure their communications options, as well as providing call accounting, asset management, and billing and invoice management functions. NEC's challenge now with its UC offerings will be to get its large, dedicated base of resellers to move beyond selling point products such as IP PBXes and digital wireless products to sell more advanced application sets, Riggs said. "NEC has the potential for being a sleeping giant in this market. They have a very dedicated set of resellers and now applications that improve product cycle after product cycle," he said. The Univerge SV7000 R24 is available now, while the rest of the enhanced portfolio is due at the end of April.