Unified Communication Springfield IL

By Robert Poe

UC (unified communications) is all the rage in enterprises these days. It makes multiple methods of communication, such as voice calling, IM (instant messaging) and email, accessible through a single interface. It's a lot more useful, of course, if the access extends to mobile users as well. Accordingly, Siemens Enterprise Communications has just made a big move to extend UC to mobile handsets. It's also upgrading its FMC (fixed-mobile convergence) and wireless networking products.

The mobile unification comes in the form of Siemens' new OpenScape UC Application Mobile Client software. Downloaded to handsets, the software gives mobile users access to the features of Siemens' OpenScape Unified Communications platform. The users can get buddy-list, presence and directory information, and retrieve their voice-mail messages in the form of sound files. They can also initiate conference calls from their handsets, instead of just making and receiving individual calls. The software works on RIM, Symbian and Windows Mobile 6 handsets.

The upgraded FMC capabilities add even more convenience. HiPath MobileConnect, introduced in March 2007,  allows users with dual-mode handsets to roam between cellular and enterprise wifi networks. It also provides one-number calling capability, so calls to users' desk phones can be automatically routed to their mobile phones. Version 2 of the software, announced along with the new mobile client, allows roaming to public or residential wifi hotspots as well. Because it sets up a VPN (virtual private network) between the corporate phone system and the handset, it eliminates security worries.

The new capabilities will be particularly useful in call-center applications, where workers answering phones often need to reach supervisors or technical experts for guidance, according to Siemens vice president of solution management Rahul Aggarwal. "In a call center, successful call completion is really important," he explained. "If you can see that a supervisor or expert is on the move, and can see what device he is on, then you can reach him."

Siemens has also upgraded the capabilities of its HiPath Wireless 802.11n WLAN product. Equipment using the advanced wireless standard provides greater bandwidth over larger areas than gear limited to earlier versions of the 802.11 standard, according to Aggarwal. Thus it makes possible wireless video conferencing and other "trendy" applications, he said, while cutting down on power consumption and wiring required for enterprise networking.

The new version of the equipment, called V5R3, provides "full survivability" in case of the failure of a controller by saving session information on other controllers, according to Siemens vice president of enterprise mobility Luc Roy. It also allows administrators to control the amount of bandwidth any given user can access, a handy feature when guest users are on the network.

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