Mitel moves with the times
Vendor claims latest version of IP platform offers new options for wireless mobility
Mitel launched version five of 3300 ICP, its IP telecoms platform last week, and has promised to help its channel increase sales in the SME and corporate sectors.
"We're number two to Cisco, but the new innovations we're bringing out should bring a lot of converts to IP telephony to us," claimed Sarah Morgan, Mitel's head of platforms.
"We have new applications and software that will help companies use us as their upgrade path. We need the channel to help us capitalise on our strengths."
The latest version of Mitel's flagship IP-PBX boasts new options for wireless mobility, hot-desking, enhanced messaging and system management capabilities.
"The new software makes it easier to adapt telephony systems as companies evolve. If they expand, the system can grow with them," Morgan said.
She claimed the main attraction of the new software is that it is more manageable. "Centralised management is the key to fluid systems. Organisations can lower the cost of managing phone systems," she said.
Wi-Fi and IP-ready Dect phones can work with the 3300 ICP, without any need for adaptation, upgrades or gateways, Morgan added.
Ty Gardner, sales director at Mitel partner Universal Group, agreed that mobility and homeworking will be crucial issues in the coming year.
"No one wants IP telephony per se. They don't particularly want voice and data on the same network," he said.
"The real value is in the applications, and Mitel can offer some great ones. Speech server is great, and mobility is going to be a massive issue.
Gardner went on to claim that Mitel has "a much better solution sell than most other vendors in the market".