No clear path to business mobility

IP telephony specialist Avaya says IT managers 'experiment' with mobility solutions

Vendors need to keep their options open when it comes to mobile platforms and technology, because nobody yet knows which solutions will prove attractive to enterprise buyers.

Don Peterson, CEO of IP telephony specialist Avaya, predicts that IT managers are likely to experiment with a broad range of IP based voice/data mobility solutions, including access over WiFi and GSM networks, rather than move en masse to one particular technology.

"It is unclear how businesses will want to address mobility, but many technologies will be used by many different enterprises. It is yet to be seen where the peaks and troughs will come." he said.

Earlier this week, Avaya introduced a session initiation protocol (SIP) based IP telephony software client that can be used on plug and play IP handsets, desktop PCs and Nokia series 60 mobile phones.

The one-X Quick Edition, based on technology derived from Avaya’s acquisition of Nimcat Networks last year, is designed for smaller businesses or enterprise branch offices housing up to 20 employees. The handsets, which cost around $485 to $585. (£xx exc VAT), plug directly into the LAN to deliver peer to peer telephony without the need for a telephony server.

The mobile version provides roaming workers with access to voicemail, conferencing and other features of the vendor’s MultiVantage Communications Manager IP telephony platform from Nokia Series 60 smartphones, and the Desktop Edition delivers a PC interface to IP handsets.

Avaya also announced it will integrate its IP telephony software with Microsoft’s Office Communicator.