NEC Unveils UC Portfolio For Enterprise, SMB

Also, NEC announced the new Univerge OW5000 API, a media gateway integrating both NEC and other third party UC solutions like Microsoft Office Communications Server, IBM Lotus Sametime and hundreds of other applications. Lastly, for the enterprise, NEC updated the Univerge MA4000 Management System, a Web-based management applications that offers remote access through a Web portal to configure communications tools based on individual needs.

But NEC on Wednesday didn't stop at the enterprise, the vendor also announced a number of role-enabled communications solutions for the SMB market, making new solutions available through NEC partners and direct from the vendor.

The Univerge SV8100 and SV8300 are communications servers for SMBs that support applications like call number and name display, conferencing, soft keys, voicemail, unified messaging, speed dialing and automatic call distribution. Both servers support NEC's UC for Business single-server UC applications. The SV8300 version supports the UC for Enterprise suite of applications for larger deployments.

Other enterprise updates include the new DT700 and DT300 terminal series that include IP and digital terminals that add new features to desktop phones, such as SIP support, support for VoIP and tradition voice and XML open interface support.

Kane said the goal of NEC's shift is designed to make it easier and more economical to deploy unified communications solutions, while also focusing on the business case.

"UC is not the end-state, but a business enabler," he said. "CEOs don't talk about presence; they say 'I want the call to come to me.'"

For the channel, Kane said NEC is putting a significant amount of money, time and energy into channel programs to get partners up to snuff with the sweeping changes.

"All of this new stuff changes what they do pretty dramatically," he said.

Paul Lopez, general manager of marketing and services for NEC said there will be some challenges for the channel, but over time those will thin out. Lopez said NEC has a training plan in place to give partners updates on the products, but getting them ready from the business process and integration side of things may take a little longer.

"You have to provide either a shrink-wrapped solution or almost like a getting started proof-of-concept design," he said.

Kane said VARs can offer professional services wrapped around the new product set. They can also help clients align investments in unified communications, giving them a clear path toward UC without an infrastructure forklift.

Kane said a big part of the Univerge360 vision is interoperation with other market leaders in the UC space, including Cisco Systems, Microsoft and IBM. All of the new tools are based on open standards, meaning ISVs can write once across a single platform.

"I think we're all trying to get to the same place," Kane said of the competition. "The goal is to have any kind of communications you want to do available at any moment. We're trying to become an end-to-end communications company."