Siemens Enterprise Communications Improves Efficiency and Mobility for SMBs with Updates to Industry-Leading OpenScape Office and HiPath 3000 UC Solutions

ANDOVER, Mass., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Siemens Enterprise Communications today announced updates to its all-in-one unified communications and collaboration suite – improving mobility, increasing business efficiency and lowering costs for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

The upgrades to OpenScape Office and the HiPath 3000 voice platform include a new UC client for tablets, OpenScape Web Collaboration and a UC plug-in for Microsoft Outlook 2010. These solutions help SMBs better serve their customers and reduce communications costs – all among key priorities for SMB executives according to a just released report.

Newly commissioned global research by Kaiser Associates found that the majority of SMB IT decision makers view improving communication capabilities as a significant strategic priority, with a particular focus on integration of voice and communication systems, mobility and collaboration. Cloud, video and social media also figured in as priorities. However, only a third of SMBs have developed a concrete communication strategy and fewer than a quarter are currently using a UC solution.

With these communications priorities as a focus for SMBs, OpenScape Office is carefully designed to answer the needs of users in several key areas.

• Mobility: Supporting the increased use of smart phones and tablets, OpenScape Office features a new UC client for enhanced mobility. Robust communications capabilities on the desktop can now be leveraged on the go -- be it at home, on the road or simply roaming about the office.
• Web Collaboration: With this release of OpenScape Office MX and LX, Siemens Enterprise Communications is extending its OpenScape Web Collaboration capabilities to the SMB. By creating a virtual office without borders via desktop and document sharing, as well as video conferencing, customers can save on travel costs. OpenScape Web Collaboration can also be used from mobile phones and tablets, contributing to greater flexibility.
• Flexible Deployments: Voice and UC networking between OpenScape Office and the newest version of HiPath 3000 allows existing HiPath 3000 customers a simplified transition from voice to UC. Customers can easily expand, integrate or move from voice to UC, independent of their current situation and infrastructure, saving costs by protecting existing investments.
• Virtualization: OpenScape Office LX and HX now support server software virtualization with VMware. The all-software design of OpenScape Office enables businesses to virtualize their UC solution, which allows them to operate with fewer physical servers and promote green initiatives.
• Expanded user experience: OpenScape Office expands ease of use with the OpenScape Office UC plug-in for Outlook 2010, delivering a consistent user interface and bringing all communications together on the user's preferred desktop tool or device. Plus, Open Directory Service provides flexible connectivity to external customer databases, allowing customers to easily and seamlessly connect to their directory service of choice.

With nearly seven million SMB users today, and 67 percent growth in OpenScape Office systems sold in the last year, Siemens Enterprise Communications is well positioned to provide the comprehensive UC solutions required to meet the unique needs of SMBs.

"Increased mobility and flexibility in consumer devices and the 'bring your own device' phenomenon have caused businesses to rethink their communications infrastructures - moving from siloed voice-only solutions to full-scale UC deployments that provide flexibility for true mobility and an enhanced user experience," said Chris Hummel, CMO and President, North America, Siemens Enterprise Communications. "Siemens Enterprise Communications has designed the newest version of OpenScape Office to answer these demands and anticipate future business needs as SMBs continually push for increased productivity and ease-of-use while reducing business costs."

With OpenScape Office, channel partners can better serve their SMB customers by quickly deploying the solution with easy-to-use configuration wizards, intuitive interfaces for configuration changes and remote support services. In addition, Siemens Enterprise Communications is offering a free 90-day evaluation of OpenScape Office HX to HiPath 3000 voice customers as well as a free 90-day evaluation of OpenScape Office Contact Center. Through its channel partners, Siemens Enterprise Communications is also offering a promotion, Trade In Trade Up for Small Business, that provides advanced UCC functionality (mobility, fax and conferencing) for the end user at no additional cost through March, 2012.

Providing the most flexible deployment model choices on the market today, three updated versions of the OpenScape Office deployment models are available now:

• OpenScape Office MX
  OpenScape Office MX is an all-in-one software-based UC appliance for up to 150 users. An IP-Based solution, it is designed for easy deployment and simple integration.
• OpenScape Office LX
  OpenScape Office LX is an all-in-one software-based UC solution for up to 500 users. It is designed to run on standard servers for standalone, multisite and virtualized software environments.
• OpenScape Office HX for HiPath 3000
  OpenScape Office HX is a UC solution for the converged SMB communications platform, HiPath 3000, and supports up to 500 users, running on a single server or in virtualized environments. It provides a simplified transition from voice to UC for existing voice-focused customers and partners.

Additional Resources

OpenScape Office
HiPath 3000
Siemens Enterprise Communications on Twitter
Siemens Enterprise Communications on LinkedIn

About Siemens Enterprise Communications

Siemens Enterprise Communications is a premier provider of end-to-end enterprise communications, including voice, network infrastructure and security solutions that use open, standards-based unified communications and business applications for a seamless collaboration experience. This award-winning "Open Communications" approach enables organizations to improve productivity and reduce costs through easy-to-deploy solutions that work within existing IT environments, delivering operational efficiencies. It is the foundation for the company's OpenPath® commitment that enables customers to mitigate risk and cost-effectively adopt unified communications. Jointly owned by The Gores Group and Siemens AG, Siemens Enterprise Communications includes Cycos and Enterasys Networks. For more information about Siemens Enterprise Communications or Enterasys please visit www.siemens-enterprise.com or www.enterasys.com.

Note: Siemens Enterprise Communications & Co K.G. is a trademark licensee of Siemens AG. HiPath, OpenOffice, OpenScape and OpenStage, are registered trademarks of Siemens Enterprise Communications & Co K.G. or its affiliates. All other company, brand, product and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on beliefs of Siemens' management. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," and "project" are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Siemens Enterprise Communications