Verizon unveils Mobile UC client, helps you not miss your office too much

10/10/2011

SAN DIEGO and BASKING RIDGE, NJ — As the workforce becomes increasingly mobile, enterprises are compelled to expend precious time, money and IT resources to manage employees’ mobile connectivity while away from the office. Today from CTIA Enterprise and Applications™ 2011 (booth #117), Verizon Wireless introduces a breakthrough business tool, Mobile Unified Communications Client (Mobile UC), which combines the processing power of Android™ smartphones and the nation’s most reliable wireless network with existing enterprise telephone systems to support employee mobility while maintaining corporate security and control.

Using the Mobile UC Client, an employee’s personal mobile number and business landline number are both instantly accessible from a user’s smartphone. Mobile employees can place calls and answer them from their work number even when away from the office. Calls initiated from the mobile phone’s business identity are routed through the existing corporate IP PBX system and display the employee’s business number to callers. The business identity mode allows companies to leverage the benefits of their PBX system by routing mobile calls through the existing IP PBX system to maximize Least Cost Routing for savings on international and intra-company calls, while also maintaining business credibility to customers and prospects who see the business number in their caller ID. Employees can access voicemail and other frequently used desk phone features, such as call hold, transfer and conference capabilities, from their smartphones, which helps increase producti vity and support the mobile office experience.

“The Mobile Unified Communications Client from Verizon Wireless revolutionizes the concept of the office phone,” said Bill Versen, director, Advanced Mobile Communications, Verizon Wireless. “Convenience is key, especially when a professional spends time both in their traditional office as well as going on the road. The Verizon Wireless Mobile Unified Communications Client makes it a seamless, easy-to-use experience that satisfies the customer needs for simplification and lower cost solutions. In addition to being backed by the nation’s most reliable network, the whole package is easy to deploy and to manage, so enterprises can reap the benefits of fixed mobile convergence without the need for additional hardware or sacrificing information security.”

To maximize the full experience of the Mobile UC Client, Verizon Wireless developed the enterprise-class Mobile UC Docking Station (sold as a complementary accessory) to connect Android smartphones to a business’ Ethernet. Similar to a traditional office phone with standard functions, such as enterprise directory access, “do not disturb,” speakerphone and voicemail, the docking station leverages Android smartphones to power the office phone experience. When the mobile phone is docked, it doesn’t use wireless minutes for calls. The accessory requires minimal IT services to deploy and manage, while the cost is significantly less than traditional IP desk phones.

“Employees’ work habits and technology have evolved dramatically over the past few years and it’s time for the office phone to evolve with it,” said Mike Sapien, principal analyst, Enterprise Practice, Ovum. “Enterprises need to deploy smart solutions to adapt to the new mobile enterprise model while leveraging the best of the wireless and wireline worlds. Corporate IT will need solutions that satisfy the employee habits and take advantage of the corporate ICT resources. Integrated mobile UC solutions, like this one offered by Verizon Wireless, will be necessary to meet this requirement.”

Deployment for the Mobile UC Client is easy and does not require any additional hardware purchases. The enterprise’s IT department is provided with a configuration tool that allows them to establish profiles for end users specific to their PBX identities. The Mobile UC Client is deployed by download from V CAST Apps store. All existing parameters for smartphone usage, existing PBX calling restrictions and policies, and security settings are maintained with the client.

Verizon Wireless’ Mobile UC Client is compatible with leading IP PBX manufacturers, including Cisco Unified Communications Manager 6.1.4 and above and Avaya Communication Manager 5.2 and above.

Verizon Wireless’ Mobile UC Client currently supports the following Android smartphones by Motorola: DROID X, DROID X2, DROID™ 2, DROID 2 GLOBAL and DROID PRO, with other devices and manufacturers to follow.

The Mobile UC Client is available for a $7 monthly fee per user. The docking station is available for a one-time purchase price of $125 per station.