The driving force in IP CONVERGENCE

Julian Barnes - UK Channel Director Samsung Network Division

As a key part of Samsung Electronics UK Limited, Samsung Network Division is closely linked with one of the world’s fastest-growing brands - a brand that is renowned for design, innovation and quality. Samsung Network Division provides IP convergence solutions right across the technology spectrum. This includes the award-winning OfficeServ 7000 IP PBX range, Broadcast Triple Play services, Mobile WiMAX and Integrated Access Devices (IADs). We are also the No. 1 supplier of Set Top Boxes in the UK.

Our aim is to help all types and sizes of organisation to save cost, improve productivity and increase their competitiveness, by delivering world-class, added-value IP solutions that are backed up by superior customer support. Our position as a leading player in this marketplace has been further qualified by Sprint Nextel’s recent US announcement that they have selected Samsung as a partner in the deployment of the first 4G nationwide broadband mobile network. This decision clearly demonstrates Samsung’s expertise in WiMAX and further underpins the strength and reach of the global Samsung brand.

Reaching our customers

Samsung Network Division’s go-to-market strategy in the UK is based upon a twopronged channel model. This involves a small number of key distribution partners and a select group of direct reseller partners, working together to ensure that we can offer full geographical coverage within the UK.

“We work closely with channel partners and our accreditation scheme ensures that they are fully trained across the Samsung IP portfolio”, explains

UK Channel Director Julian Barnes. “This gives them all of the necessary tools to market, specify, sell, install and support the 7000 series. We take pride in the level of support which we provide and we also strive to ensure that the end-user is always looked after - and that the customer is able to derive maximum business benefit from the solution which our partner has deployed for them.”

The 7000 series platform

Our core IP PBX offering provides a secure, converged communications solution for organisations of all sizes, whether single site or multi-site. It is also strong with respect to mobility, enabling wireless IP access points to be deployed as required to support both wireless voice and data.

The 7000 series is modular and scalable, giving it the capability to support up to 20,000 users in a single network. And because it uses similar components and the same handsets/terminals and applications, customers can easily upgrade and expand the system as their organisation grows - whilst retaining most of the original hardware. This reduces the overall cost of ownership and protects their original investment.

In addition to common hardware, the 7000 series also runs a common software suite, meaning that all features and facilities are available across all systems. So, if employees have to move around and work in different locations, they only have to learn how to use the one system and can then gain access the same level of functionality and user benefits wherever they are located. This makes user training much simpler and far less timeconsuming.

Sibel Tunali - Director Samsung Network Division

With the Internet and broadband becoming a vital core of every business, it is important that customers consider the security of their network and associated systems. When implementing a converged IP solution the last thing they want to have to worry about is whether their voice system has become vulnerable. With inherent security features such as Firewall, Intrusion Detection and Protection System (IDS/IPS), De-Militarised Zone (DMZ) and Quality of Service (QoS) techniques, the 7000 series can help in addressing these key concerns.

In order to provide our partners and customers with even more opportunities and more business benefits, the 7000 range has successfully undergone a series of inter-working tests with Gamma Telecom and VoiceFlex to test their respective SIP trunking services. The success of these tests demonstrates the ease of configuration and deployment of Samsung Network Division’s IP solutions. This interworking capability will enable organisations to benefit from lower call costs and to take advantage of an application that is scalable on a per channel basis. So whilst some manufacturers talk about IP and SIP as two separate entities, we are bringing these technologies together into a converged solution which is designed simply to meet our customer’s needs.

Planning for the future

The OfficeServ 7200 model was launched in the Autumn of 2005, followed by the 7400 in the Spring of 2006. The baby of the family, the 7100, is planned for release in the first half of 2007, giving customers the choice of a truly converged IP communications solution, no matter what size of organisation they are. The 7100 will also use common software and hardware, thus ensuring that the benefits which this consistency delivers throughout the existing range are also carried through for smaller requirements.

In addition to the launch of the 7100 system, the product roadmap for the OfficeServ 7000 series also includes a raft of new added-value IP products and applications including video phones, presence management, unified messaging, Integrated Access Devices, call centre applications and enhanced networking functionality.

What the industry has to say

So in summary, there are a number of key reasons why customers should choose Samsung Network Division to deliver their converged IP solutions. These strengths also clearly demonstrate why communications resellers must have the Samsung OfficeServ 7000 IP PBX range as part of their product portfolio.

• Samsung brand strength

• Modular, scalable and secure systems

• Converged ‘in skin’ data functionality

• Easy to deploy IP

• SIP capabilities

• Simple to expand and upgrade

• Investment protection

• Breadth of portfolio