Motorola Unveils VoWLAN Smartphones, Solutions

The VoWLAN handhelds, the EWP1000 and the semi-rugged EWP2000 smartphones, are the first offering from Motorola's Total Enterprise and Access Mobility (TEAM) integrated voice and data portfolio and were designed to offer users instant mobile access to voice and data services that are typically only available while sitting at a desk.

According to Imran Akbar, vice president and general manager of converged communications in Motorola's Enterprise Mobility Business, the goal of the handhelds is to "take VoWLAN beyond voice" and add in mobile e-mail, calendar and contact syncing, text messaging, Internet and intranet access along with running Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system for applications.

The devices, coupled with two new servers -- the Wireless Services Manager and the Network Services Manager -- build a system that offers toll-quality telephony services integrated with the PBX and enterprise-grade push-to-talk functionality. The TEAM solution also can interoperate with existing two-way radio systems.

Akbar said the new solutions integrate with several existing WLAN and IP and TDM PBX infrastructures to create a single common platform for voice and data services delivery.

The Wireless Services Manager server provides the push-to-talk services, text messaging, PBX interoperability and enhancements to device battery life, mobility and security. The Network Services Manager offers a centralized provisioning and management system. The solution can scale from a handful of users to up to 4,500 and will incorporate future TEAM solutions like dual-mode VoWLAN and cellular devices and the extension of services to other voice-capable Motorola devices like mobile computers and bar-code scanners.

Motorola's VoWLAN releases come as companies continue to adopt wireless LANs and more are looking to further their wireless deployments with VoWLAN to drive mobility, boost productivity and reduce operating costs. According to a recent report from research firm Frost & Sullivan, the North American market for enterprise VoWLAN devices will grow from $110.5 million in 2007 to $2.15 billion in 2014.

Akbar said the TEAM VoWLAN solutions are most suited for verticals like retail and health care, but will likely break into other verticals as wireless and mobility continue to gather steam.

"The TEAM solution is designed from the ground up to provide the voice quality, interoperability, mobility, scalability, security and user experiences that enterprises want," Akbar said, adding, "The TEAM solution is architected as a nonintrusive overlay and can be easily deployed without changes to existing infrastructure."

G. Mario Di Prizio, senior director of product operations for converged enterprise communications in Motorola's Enterprise Mobility Business, said the new handhelds can support four active calls on a single device, three-way calling, abbreviated dialing, call forwarding, call transferring, holding and SMS delivery along with a host of other features. The handhelds offer up to eight hours of talk time and 170 to 180 hours of standby time.

Motorola is currently qualifying and training existing channel partners as part of its TEAM solutions ramp up. Akbar added that vendors whose PBX and Wi-Fi equipment interoperates with the TEAM solutions can also offer them through their distribution models.

Darryl Morin, CEO of solution provider Advanced Wireless, said the TEAM VoWLAN solution gives him the ability to help customers turn the desk phone and desktop computer combination into a pocket-size virtual office while also providing corporate functionality in a consumer-style, enterprise-grade device.

"Our customers are demanding enterprise-grade voice and data solutions that help them improve productivity while reducing costs," he said.

The TEAM solution is now available in the U.S. and global availability is planned for early 2009. The suggested retail price for the TEAM solution is around $800 per user.