Nortel Updates Flagship UC Tools
With CS 1000 Release 6.0, Nortel said it added in a host of new capabilities, including new functionality to enable simplicity, resiliency, security and openness. CS 1000 is a software-based, full-featured IP PBX and the cornerstone of Nortel's enterprise unified communications solutions. It offers a fully converged network, advanced applications and more than 750 telephony features. The CS 1000 is fully distributed over IP LAN and WAN infrastructure with built-in reliability and survivability, while supporting business-critical applications like unified messaging, customer contact center, IVR, wireless VoIP and IP telephony.
Release 6.0 is Linux-based and lets users select their hardware platform, whether it's Dell, Hewlett-Packard (HP) or IBM, Nortel said.
The updates also add in a new high-density services gateway, dubbed the MG 1010, to centralize the provisioning of communications services and applications, and enhanced SIP support to increase scalability and functionality, including support for Nortel's IP Softphone 3456 and several other, third-party SIP devices.
To compliment the new release, Nortel also unveiled new IP telephone handsets, including the Nortel IP Phone 1165E, which offers wideband audio technology to boost voice quality, a high-resolution color display, eight new softkey features, and the ability to create and display custom applications. The new system also integrates with a new unified messaging solution, the CallPilot 202i, which is offered in a simplified form-factor to reside on a server blade.
Nortel also enhanced its conferencing solution with Nortel Multimedia Conferencing 6.0 software, a platform-independent solution that adds new conferencing capabilities, including announcements, voicemail detection, a Web management tool and reporting.
In addition, Mobility MC 3100 enhancements let any Web-enabled mobile phone, including the iPhone, T-Mobile G1 and netbook devices, be integrated into the network. Release 6.0 also integrates with Nortel's new Contact Center 7.0 solution, offering additional control over quality assurance and remote monitoring capabilities.
Communication Server 1000 6.0 also adds in specialized support for the financial industry with a SIP-based Turret Solution for phone banks on trading floors. Located in "turrets," those phones require a direct connect with the office for real-time order placement, barge-in where callers can interrupt an existing conversation and recording.
On the management side, the system is managed by Nortel's Unified Communications Management Solution to control all converged network elements.