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Nortel And Microsoft Make Next-Generation Networks a Reality For EMEA Customers


WEBWIRE

MAIDENHEAD - Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT] and Microsoft have achieved another major milestone in their roadmap for delivering next-generation unified communications capabilities to customers through the official opening of their European Collaboration Centre. This first Centre under Nortel and Microsoft Corp’s Innovative Communications Alliance (ICA) demonstrates the companies’ long-term commitment to ensuring customers tap into the best expertise, experience and tools.


This jointly developed centre facilitates the transition to unified communications by enabling customers to trial the technology prior to purchasing. Through ICA Collaboration Centres, customers can assess, design and develop network applications in real-time, allowing them to experience the value of unified communications as the services would operate in their own enterprises. A second Collaboration Centre will open this week at Research Triangle Park in Raleigh, North Carolina and more will follow later in 2007, offering global customers a worldwide resource.

“The development of the European Collaboration Centre, as part of our global ICA strategy, is great news for our customers,” said Peter Kelly, president, Enterprise Networks, Nortel EMEA. “It brings to life the practical benefits of working directly with two leaders in communications and enables our clients to actively engage in the design of their own networks. Nortel and Microsoft are working closely with customers to really accelerate IT and communications convergence to transform and reduce the complexity their business operations, improve customer service, reduce costs and enhance collaboration.”

Staffed by on-site experts from both Nortel and Microsoft, the Collaboration Centres are focused on enabling customers to deploy unified communications and optimise return on investment. Tailored joint development sessions will be provided to customers to help them meet their specific needs. The portfolio of services offered supports the deployment of advanced Converged Office Solutions, expanding the network lifecycle from design and deployment to support and evolution. Services available today include: IT business consulting to help analyse alternatives to existing processes and create business cases; VoIP, data network and security assessments to determine network transformation readiness; network and security design configuration; and implementation for Microsoft’s Live Communication Server and Nortel’s Communication Server 1000.

“The Innovative Communications Alliance is focused on delivering solutions that transform voice, video and data communications and the desktop into a single, unified communications experience,” said Torben Andersen, senior director, Unified Communications, Microsoft EMEA.

“The integration services offered through our Collaboration Centres mean that customers can confidently deploy the unified communications solution available from the Alliance today. They can also be reassured of a rapid return on their investments through a more rapid and effective deployment ensures that enterprises achieve best results by addressing business and technical requirements with a collaborative delivery methodology that joins the forces of Nortel and Microsoft.”

Nortel has enhanced its proven deployment expertise in real-time IP and unified communications by achieving Microsoft’s elite Gold Certified Partner status. Gold partner status was achieved in January 2007, making Nortel one of just three percent of Microsoft partners who hold this status.



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