Sun Microsystems, Mitel take unified communications to new level

Sun Microsystems and Mitel are announcing the availability of the SunRay Unified IP Client from Mitel at Gitex Technology Week.

This unique unified communications solution is well-suited for both cost and security-sensitive environments as well as for people that work remotely or are very mobile. With the SunRay Unified IP Client, Mitel has taken the ultra thin client SunRay technology and created a slim module that snaps securely onto Mitel IP phones to create the industry's first truly unified communications desktop. This allows users to securely "hot desk" into both the Mitel IP phones and the SunRay thin client terminals using a personal, authenticated Java Card.

Chris Cornelius, Managing Director, Sun Microsystems MENA, said:

"The agreement signals a new era for the SunRay, and simply demonstrates its flexibility. The SunRay Unified IP Client delivers a secure unified computing and communications environment fully integrated into our world renowned Su Ray solution."

"This combined solution is also among the industry's most energy efficient, providing ongoing capex and opex savings through the elimination of power-hungry desktop PCs and the reduced energy consumption of low power Mitel IP phones," Cornelius added.

Mitel and Sun have committed teams of resources to further develop the joint unified communications solutions and take them to market. Earlier this month Mitel announced the Q208 availability of the Mitel Communications Suite on the Sun Fire X4150, which introduces the ability to consolidate mission critical voice applications such as messaging, mobility, conferencing and Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 in the data room environment.

Hisham Amili, Mitel, GM, GCC, said:

"We are excited by this global agreement with Sun Microsystems. The mutual Enterprise offering is significantly differentiated - Nothing else is like it in the market. It is another endorsement of mutual responsiveness and commitment to the market place. Naturally we are delighted to be offering this cutting-edge unified communications suite to a growing market in the Gulf region. The GCC appears to be reaching a maturing point where such unified communications adoption is accelerated by organizations that are looking to stay connected and competitive regardless of time, geography and applications."

The SunRay Unified IP Client provides voice and data services at any workstation on the network, dramatically reducing desktop cost and complexity while preserving the familiar, proven, telephone device. The simultaneous hot desking takes place within five seconds of the Java Card being inserted into the Sun thin client on any terminal within the network, providing the user with access to their desktop profile as well as advanced unified communications capabilities, such as mobility, unified messaging, video streaming, and presence information.

The Sun solutions Powered by Mitel have been designed to significantly reduce power consumption with a combined nine Watts required to power the SunRay Thin Client and Mitel IP phone compared with 80 Watt PC/60 Watt laptop and 10 Watt IP phones. Additional power savings are realized through the reduction of servers provided by the pre-integrated Mitel Communications Suite that incorporates the Mitel Communications Director call control software.

Live demonstrations of the solution are taking place at the Tech Access stand located in hall no 3, stand E3-25.