Timico And Nortel Launch VOIP Solution To Offer Unified Desktop Services For SMBS

LONDON/NEWARK, UK – Timico Ltd., a UK provider of converged communication services, has become the first service provider in the UK to work with Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT] to launch a tailor-made, hosted VoIP service for SMBs incorporating a PC-based multimedia voice and video application that fully integrates with Microsoft® Outlook® messaging and collaboration client.
This addition to Timico’s VoIP for Business service will enable SMBs to improve efficiency and productivity by allowing them to dial colleagues, suppliers, business partners and customers using a simple click of the mouse within their Microsoft® Outlook® business application. By combining the Nortel Application Server 5200 with Microsoft® Outlook®, the often lengthy process of looking up a contact telephone number and picking up the phone to make the call can be shortened to "one click" access. Moreover, if the call is made between two Timico VoIP for Business users, presence capabilities can be used to determine if the person being called is available, busy or away from their desk.

The PC-based phone, within the VoIP for Business solution, is established on Nortel’s Application Server 5200 (AS5200) platform. The AS 5200 is Nortel’s IMS-ready, SIP applications server, which integrates voice with video, collaboration and presence services to deliver next-generation unified communication services. Users can use a Timico recommended headset with their PC SIP client or they can choose a Nortel desktop telephone handset, according to their preference.

"Timico’s VoIP for Business customers have reported how the solution transforms their business communications, reducing costs and improving productivity by allowing voice calls to be carried over the core network and providing advanced communications tools such as presence, instant messaging and a variety of collaboration tools" says Trefor Davies, technology director at Timico. These efficiencies are further enhanced by integrating the solution with Microsoft ® Outlook® which is the application that most PC users in a business environment have constantly open because they use it for email and it contains their contact database and diaries. Another benefit to this Nortel-based VoIP system is that it is hosted by Timico so SMB end user customers don’t have to buy the equipment"

Timico’s enterprise class VoIP service is tailored specifically for SMBs, though larger businesses could also benefit from this technology. The SIP-based, multimedia communications service delivers the kind of business communications tools that used to be the preserve of bigger enterprises. Advanced telephony services such as voice and video conferencing together with presence, instant messaging and a variety of collaboration tools, now fully integrated with Microsoft® Outlook®, are all attainable by even the smallest business.

"Timico is offering a hosted service that seamlessly integrates with the desktop" adds Brian Day vice president, Carrier VoIP and Multimedia, EMEA, Nortel. "By making the most of Nortel VoIP technology, Timico’s Business Service for SMBs can deliver business communications tools wherever there is IP connectivity, removing the inflexibility of more traditional desktop services improving collaboration, efficiency and productivity For ease of use customers can also download their Microsoft® Outlook® interface to a PC, laptop or mobile device so they can use the applications wherever they go"

The Timico VoIP for Business service is enhanced by the fact that the company is not only an Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP) but is also a Mobile Service Provider, a fixed line service provider and a QoS enabled ISP. This means that its customers can enjoy the benefits of VoIP at their main office site without having to throw away their existing PBX investment; and they can also take advantage of a toolkit of Timico services such as free calling and dial-by-extension between locations, one non-geographic number for all locations and one receptionist for all locations which can cover their home-workers and branch offices.