Avaya Introduces New Unified Communications Applications and Devices to Increase Business User Productivity

With several industry firsts – including the first enterprise media phone - Avaya transforms an employee’s communications experience with a software-driven approach

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – New applications and devices provide business users with greater flexibility and more efficient communications while lowering the cost of operation to the enterprise, Avaya announced today. In several industry firsts, Avaya is delivering a range of unified communications technologies to enable employees to be more productive, including the first media phone for enterprises, new low-power phones, wireless-to-cellular mobile integration with DiVitas Networks, and a USB stick that enables users to instantly make any compatible desk phone within the company their own.

“Employee productivity can largely depend on their experience with the communications device at hand. An enterprise-class, software-driven device provides the flexibility to meet current and changing roles, tasks, locations, etc., and take on a broader function within the communications spectrum,” said Michael Frendo, vice president and general manager, Unified Communications for Avaya. “Avaya’s strength is in understanding the range of communication needs within the enterprise, and providing a seamless, integrated experience across different business users, locations and technologies.”

The new technologies announced today include:
Additions to the Avaya one-X® series desk phones: Avaya has extended its line of office desk phones to set a new direction for the enterprise desk phone industry.

The Avaya 9670G desk phone is the world’s first media phone for enterprises. A media phone is a cross between a telephone and PC, allowing direct access to applications and Internet-based information through a large color touch screen with a high-quality phone. Similar in concept and use to popular mobile devices, the 9670G boasts a large, color home screen that provides one-touch access to people, information and tools. Applications embedded in the device give users useful options when the phone is idle, such as access to a full QWERTY keyboard, weather conditions, calculator, and more. New applications can also be downloaded. The high performance screen enables users to simply scroll contacts and directories, for example, and eliminates unnecessary buttons for a cleaner appearance. (Download photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/avaya/)

In addition, the Avaya 9620L desk phone has been designated as a PoE Class 1 phone, meaning that average power consumption is only 2.2 watts compared to similar models that average 6.3 to 12.0 watts. For the entire Avaya one-X desk phone line, color displays are now available and a new release of downloadable software expands their value with a number of features that increase user productivity, personalization and management.

In the City of South Portland, Maine, department heads have already been using the new Avaya 9670G media phones. The sleek, appealing design has attracted a lot of attention, and IT Director, Shawn Pennington, views them as more than simply phones.

“We see a lot of possibilities with the new Avaya desk phones,” said Pennington. “The downloadable applications make these phones more functional, and they will become an integral part of our offices as well as useful in public places for informational purposes. The color touch screen is great – the matrix is extremely accurate and easy to use. This is the wave of the future.”

DiVitas Networks integration with Avaya Communication Manager and Modular Messaging: In another industry first, DiVitas Networks’ Mobile UC solution now integrates with Avaya Communication Manager and Avaya Modular Messaging to offer a best-in-class dual-mode solution. The DiVitas Mobile UC solution enables mobile employees to move seamlessly between their campus-based, wireless networks and cellular networks. Currently available for Symbian or Windows Mobile dual-mode handsets, the DiVitas Client is an easy-to-use interface that sends and receives calls via the Avaya communications network, and provides one number reach, mid-call management, presence availability, access to corporate directories, and more. In addition, the DiVitas integration with Avaya Modular Messaging allows users to visually retrieve their Avaya voicemail through the DiVitas Client through a single voice mail box. Integration with the Avaya Modular Messaging server is included at no additional charge.

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation’s leading transportation companies, providing rail-based transportation services. The company has integrated the DiVitas Mobile UC solution with Avaya Communication Manager and looks forward to extending that value with Avaya’s unified messaging.

“We rely on our combined DiVitas Mobile UC and Avaya Communication Manager solution to keep our rail operations personnel reachable at all times,” said Dori Meade, senior telecom architect for voice systems at CSX. “However, occasionally an important call will still get sent into voicemail. The DiVitas integration with Avaya’s visual voicemail will further enable our operations personnel to quickly respond to urgent messages from their DiVitas handset.”

DiVitas Networks is a member of the Avaya DevConnect program - an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company’s investment in its network.

MyPhone USB Drive: Employees can increase their mobility within the enterprise and make any compatible phone on the network their personal business phone anytime with this USB stick. With MyPhone, users can have their identity, associated features and preferences become instantly available on the nearest phone while in alternate locations, such as a hoteling station, conference room or visitor’s office, for example. All calls directed to their extension number will ring at the phone currently in use. Users can personalize their phone using the display of the phone as a digital picture frame displaying photos stored on the USB stick.

About Avaya
Avaya is a global leader in enterprise communications systems. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world. Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.

About DiVitas Networks
Founded in 2005, DiVitas Networks has rapidly become the leader in Mobile Unified Communications. DiVitas offers the first solution to mobilize corporate voice and messaging (deskphone, voicemail, IM, contacts and Presence) for businesses by unifying them onto a smartphone. DiVitas’ Environment Aware™ seamless roaming enables its solution to operate transparently over cellular or WiFi or both. DiVitas provides organizations complete management and control over its mobile solution by providing IT the ability to track usage, customize features and implement policies. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, DiVitas Networks is backed by Clearstone Venture Partners, Menlo Ventures and SVB Capital. More information is available at www.divitas.com.