Nortel Makes Unified Communications For Enterprises As Simple As 1-2-3

TAMPA, FL – Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT] is fundamentally changing the way enterprises conduct business with the introduction of UC 1-2-3, a global program providing ready-to-use solutions that simplify the transition to Unified Communications (UC). Nortel’s UC solutions provide simple and reliable ways for enterprises to converge VoIP, video and data services that help streamline communication processes and allow workers to be more productive and responsive in real-time. UC 1-2-3 was unveiled today at Global Connect, the annual international Nortel enterprise customer conference held in Tampa, Florida by the International Nortel Networks Users Association.

Nortel’s UC 1-2-3 program helps businesses cope with the challenges of Hyperconnectivity, a new era in communications where anything that can be connected to the network will be connected -encompassing person-to-person, person-to-machine and machine-to-machine communication. Nortel is enabling enterprises to prepare for, and leverage, the emerging trend of Hyperconnectivity through the UC 1-2-3 program that simplifies communication among multiple people and devices.

“Nortel is launching UC 1-2-3 to help our customers turn the challenges of Hyperconnectivity into an opportunity,” said Steve Slattery, president, Enterprise Solutions, Nortel. “The average employee gets more than 50 messages every day on up to seven different devices or applications (1). The UC 1-2-3 program helps customers accelerate the transformation of their enterprise as they integrate the proliferation of devices and applications across the network, turning the communications chaos associated with Hyperconnectivity into a real business advantage.”

Nortel’s UC 1-2-3 program streamlines the process of selecting, purchasing and deploying a UC solution with pre-engineered, pre-configured packages and enhanced sales tools that simplify the quoting and ordering process. These packages combine Nortel’s latest release of its flagship VoIP system, the Communication Server 1000, with its Business Optimized Networking data products and select Multimedia Applications. Nortel is differentiating itself and delivering a simple, seamless customer experience by integrating its UC solution with the world’s leading desktop applications and environments. Businesses can select bundles to launch a full range of UC services or deploy them in phased stages to meet networking and budgetary needs. Additionally, businesses can leverage technical and consulting services from the Nortel Global Services portfolio to smooth the transition to UC and to provide ongoing support for a cost-effective, highly reliable converged network.

UC solutions can provide up to 75 percent savings in communications costs for mobile workforces. Shared Technologies, a Nortel Elite Advantage channel partner in North America, is using the new UC 1-2-3 program to raise awareness of these proven benefits. “Nortel’s customer education events have been very successful in generating excitement about UC and its surge in the marketplace,” said Jeff Graham, chief technology officer, Shared Technologies. “We are especially excited about UC 1-2-3 because Nortel has made the selling and buying process simple with sales tools, pre-packaged configurations and great promotions. We’re better able to elevate customer confidence with this complete solution set which is backed by Nortel’s strong commitment to the enterprise market.”

VoIP is the underlying technology that allows for a smooth transition to UC and Nortel’s customers are finding that VoIP solutions provide immediate value and cost advantages. For the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), a Nortel VoIP solution is reducing costs, improving safety and enhancing operations with seamless communication among its headquarters and six engineering regions.

“Nortel’s UC-enabled VoIP solution allowed us to reduce the time it takes to update our message signs over roadways from one hour to eleven minutes improving safety by providing ‘real-time’ updates for amber alerts, road closures, construction alerts and emergency situations,” said Thom Rivera, manager of Technology Services Section, CDOT.

A core component of UC 1-2-3 is Nortel’s robust application portfolio. excelleRx Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Omnicare, Inc. and a leader in pharmaceutical care for the hospice industry along with its subsidiary company Hospice Pharmacia, relies on a Nortel Virtual Contact Center and its industry leading CS1000 VoIP solution to offer advanced medication management services and support for more than 8,500 incoming calls daily.

“Managing the requests of thousands of nurses, physicians and patients on a daily basis is an incredibly complex task,” said Steve Lemak, vice president, IT, excelleRx. “Nortel’s Contact Center solution allows us to streamline our business by implementing interactive voice response (IVR) and speech recognition software that significantly streamline our call management to improve operating costs and worker efficiency.”

For more information on UC 1-2-3, visit www.nortel.com/uc123.