None of the products/upgrades are available as yet in the UK.
This includes a suite of new features for its Business Communication Manager (BCM) 50 as well as new, innovative, SMB-centric IP phones, an advanced paging and text-messaging application suite, and a fully featured cordless digital phone with extensive reach.
"Nortel understands that one size does not fit all and that is why we offer SMB solutions that are specifically designed to meet the needs of these strategic customers," said Phil Edholm, chief technologist and vice president Network Architecture, Enterprise Solutions, Nortel. "In fact, building complete, end-to-end solutions specifically for SMBs, rather than re-purposing large enterprise solutions, is a key differentiator between Nortel and our competition. The end goal is to help our SMB customers stretch their dollar further as they strive to meet their unique business needs."
A simple software upgrade is all that is needed for Nortel's BCM50 customers to immediately take advantage of new offerings like SIP trunking for more cost effective service provider access, advanced conferencing and many more. Furthermore, Nortel customers with Norstar key systems can extend up to 70 percent of their past investments by reusing existing equipment as they evolve to IP Telephony and converged communications with BCM50.
"Small and medium businesses were once constrained by the limited technologies and communications tools available to them, and this impacted their ability to grow and succeed. But things are changing as companies like Nortel arm SMBs with customized technologies such as Internet access, contact center integration and remote working," said Ray Boggs, vice president SMB research, IDC. "SMBs can be a challenge to serve, since they want to access the latest technology, but they don't want to throw away the equipment they already have. Nortel's approach provides an upgrade path to advanced capabilities while leveraging previous SMB investments."
Nortel's new SMB products include:
Business Communications Manager (BCM) 50, Release 3.0: provides new and existing customers SIP trunking enhancements, new conferencing and reporting features, improved applications, better platform integration, operability improvements and support of the new SMB-centric IP Phone 1200 Series. This is the third major release of Nortel's multi-award winning BCM50 product that has sold over 75 000 units since May 2005.Currently available in NA, CALA, and Asia.
IP Phone 1200 Series: provides an innovative, feature rich portfolio of IP telephones that come pre-programmed with the most common telephony features used by SMBs such as autodial, conference, and messaging, and can be easily customized to access more than 400 sophisticated BCM features. For the first time, SMB customers have VoIP desktop clients at prices similar to digital phones. Currently available in NA, CALA, and Asia.
Advanced Paging Productivity Pack (APP Pack): features an innovative suite of software applications for BCM that gives SMBs access to sophisticated overhead paging and text-messaging capabilities. APP Pack enables a highly mobile workforce to stay connected while improving customer service and providing a common, in-store experience within a retail site, or across multiple sites. Available in NA only.
Business Series Terminal T7406E: provides a new cordless digital telephone for Norstar and BCM customers, with extensive range - up to 1000 feet - providing employees with sophisticated features and capabilities in or around the office. Available in NA and parts of CALA (Mexico and the Caribbean, excluding Trinidad and Jamaica).
Nortel marketing programs are available to assist authorized channel partners in providing support to SMB customer's converged voice, data and application needs. These programs are tailored by region and include such items as partner tools focused on demand generation, straightforward SMB solution packages, customer centric promotions, incentives and optional services to facilitate an optimized deployment.