ShoreTel has launched a major update to ShoreTel Mobility with version 8, offering mobile-enabled video conferencing. ShoreTel Mobility 8 is integrated with the ShoreTel Communicator desktop call-control suite, and the new software enhancements have added a virtualized ShoreTel Mobility Router.
ShoreTel Mobility 8 provides video communications via iOS and Android smartphones and tablets with single touch video calling from the keypad. Users can also participate in multi-party video sessions between mobile devices and room-based video communication systems. ShoreTel supports room systems using industry standards H.264/AVC, including Lifesize and Polycom. Video calls are supported over local or remote Wi-Fi and cellular data networks. Another new feature to the Mobility client is that the “join” button, delivering a one-touch audio bridge login that works with third-party Web collaboration tools. ShoreTel Mobility 8 also supports video communication from the user’s Windows desktop using ShoreTel Communicator.
Mobility 8 is integrated with ShoreTel Communicator so employees can control their ShoreTel Mobility client using the same ShoreTel Communicator interface they use to manage their desk phone.
ShoreTel Mobility 8 also adds deployment flexibility for on-premises customers with the virtualization of the ShoreTel Mobility Router. The Virtual ShoreTel Mobility Router (vSMR) deployment option is designed to improve overall TCO by leveraging existing ShoreTel appliances or by deploying ShoreTel Mobility software on VMWare platforms. Commenting in a statement on the benefits of the virtual mobility router feature, ShoreTel customer Paul Harewood, CIO of LiquidHub said, “With the Virtual Mobility Router, we can now deploy new software in minutes instead of hours.”
Pej Roshan, vice president of product management at ShoreTel added, “We’re making mobile collaboration simple and ubiquitous. End users want consistency of capabilities regardless of which device they use. Now teams can stay connected and collaborate using the ShoreTel Mobility Client as well as the ShoreTel Communicator desktop client, on any device, and from anywhere.”
ShoreTel Mobility 8 is available now worldwide for premises-based customers from qualified ShoreTel reseller partners.