* Combines Verizon Business IP Trunking with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2.
In little more than a week after it unveiled wholesale VoIP packages, Verizon announced a new bundle targeted for its business customers, which combines a Verizon Business IP Trunking with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2. Verizon Business also disclosed it will offer a managed Cisco TelePresence service. Both announcements were timed to coincide with the VoiceCon conference being held this week in Orlando.
In the first announcement, Verizon Business noted customers who use Microsoft unified communications software for voice calling, conferencing, instant messaging and presence management can now combine the Microsoft capabilities with Verizon VoIP for a more powerful solution. Verizon Business has been collaborating with Microsoft on UC since 2004, and has been named a Microsoft SIP Trunking partner, following qualification of the company’s IP Trunking service for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2. In 2009, Verizon Business became one of the first global service providers to offer Application Management Services for Office Communications Server to its global customers.
Aspect, a global provider of UC and collaboration services and software, is one of the first customers to benefit from the combined offer using Verizon VoIP and Microsoft UC. In a statement, Jamie Ryan, CIO at Aspect said, “By using our WAN and Verizon SIP Trunking capabilities integrated with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Aspect has reduced telephony circuit costs by more than $350,000 per year. As a result, Verizon has played an important role in helping Aspect demonstrate the real value of unified communications.”
In a second announcement, Verizon Business said it is teaming with Cisco to offer a managed service: the Verizon Immersive Video Conferencing Service for Cisco TelePresence. The managed offering will be available in next month. In the same statement, Verizon also disclosed that it “is building and deepening its relationship with Cisco as the two companies, among the industry’s leaders, bring advanced unified communications and collaboration offerings to market.”
The managed TelePresence Meetings will be supported by two Verizon Business Exchanges so if one exchange is interrupted, the video connection will automatically transfer to the other exchange, so customers will be able to re-establish service with the touch of a button. Customers will be offered the ability for users to make reservations online or by phone, and two Verizon Business Video Network Operations Centers will provide round-the-clock concierge services to establish and manage meetings.
Next week, we’ll offer more news highlights from VoiceCon and CTIA — both in progress this week.
