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Kapsch is Microsoft partner for Unified Communications launch: The company is already successfully implementing the new UC solution
As one of the first domestic companies, Kapsch BusinessCom AG is already implementing the new Microsoft Unified Communications solutions in regular operations. Through the integration of Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Microsoft Office Communicator 2007, Microsoft Office Live Meeting and Exchange Server 2007 as well as other telephony applications, the company is providing an innovative communications solution that is both powerful and cost-effective. Based on existing TC and IP network infrastructures, all communication channels such as instant messaging, voice and video conferencing are all integrated via one complete platform.
Microsoft is presenting its VoIP-based Unified Communications solutions for the first time in Austria on 24 October 2007. Kapsch BusinessCom is able to present its initial references right at the launch due to its close partnership with Microsoft. The company is one of the first in the country to use this new technology for its own internal communications. Approximately 600 Kapsch employees throughout Austria as well as Prague, Bratislava, Budapest, Warsaw and Zagreb are already working with Microsoft Office Communications Server and are profiting from the advantages of real-time communication. The entire telephony and IT environment has been integrated based on the IP network with 9 VoIP telephone systems from Ericsson, Nortel and Cisco. This opens up many new opportunities regarding modern communications options for Kapsch employees. Due to the close cooperation with Microsoft, employees of both companies are linked via a so-called “federation” and can profit from functionalities such as presence information and instant messaging when working together.
“Our Unified Communications product line focuses on the efficient utilisation of the existing company infrastructure and the use of multimedia, mobile options such as presence information and video/web conferencing,” explains Haider Shnawa, Product Manager at Microsoft Business Division for Microsoft Austria. “Kapsch is the perfect reference for us in this regard. Kapsch is also a great partner for system integration due to its service experience and competence throughout Austria regarding IT and data networks, as well as TC solutions.”
Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007
Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 is the platform for new real-time communications solutions: it is based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) standard. This enables Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 to implement dynamic VoIP call management based on the presence information of the users. The system indicates whether or not the employee is currently in a meeting, on a business trip, on holiday or at their desk, thus determining the best way to reach them. This enables employee contact to be targeted via telephone, mobile, IM or e-mail. Additional functions include easy-to-use audio, video and web conferencing, for example. It also enables instant messaging within existing software applications, services and devices as well as with business partners and public instant messaging services.
Unified Messaging with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
Unified Messaging with Exchange Server 2007 is more than just a single solution for processing and managing e-mails: Using this system, voice messages (voice mails) can be sent directly to the e-mail inbox of the respective employee who can then listen to it as a sound file. Incoming faxes are automatically converted to a graphics file and then forwarded to the recipient’s in-box. Using voice recognition, users can access their in-box and calendar from any phone.
Using telephone applications with Microsoft Office
The advantages of all system components are combined in the best possible way due to the seamless integration of all Microsoft Office applications with existing telephone systems such as those from Nortel, Ericsson and Cisco. For the end user, this means an easy to use system with optimal interaction between telephones at the office, mobile devices, business applications as well as e-mail. Special attention has also been placed on the use of existing IT and TC investments, and insuring cost-effective administration through the use of the company's standard software and user management systems.
Kapsch Integrating Telephones, IP Networks with Business Software
The basic requirement for a successful Unified Communications solution is the harmonious integration of the telephony infrastructure with the voice over IP-capable data network and all IT company applications. Kapsch BusinessCom, as a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, is Austria’s largest provider of company data networks, and with more than 10,000 telephony customers, it has all core competencies required for a successful Unified Communications system integration. Kapsch BusinessCom provides products and services Austria-wide ranging from the analysis and design of IT system environments, smart customisation services, complete system integration to support and operation (outsourcing) of the complete solution. The Kapsch smart.Switchboard, for example, is a switching solution for hybrid environments in which Microsoft OCS 2007 is used combined with telephone systems from Cisco, Ericsson and Nortel.
Kapsch has already trained over 100 Microsoft Certified professionals. Microsoft appreciates this leading position and has selected Kapsch for the “National System Integrator – Voice Partner” programme. Throughout Europe, there are only 15 Unified Communications Microsoft partners of this type who are profiting as an “early-adopter” from the latest technical information and training as well as the close cooperation with Microsoft in the area of sales & marketing.
Kapsch together with Microsoft, Nortel, Ericsson and other partners have developed some interesting start-up packages specially for the launch of the Unified Communications solution. For more information, please go to www.kapsch.net/Echtzeit to see what all the buzz is about.
Kapsch BusinessCom AG - a Kapsch Group company - has more than 800 employees, a turnover of more than EUR 160 million and is Austria's leading provider of state-of-the-art communications, network and IT solutions. As a customer-oriented company, Kapsch BusinessCom is divided into four strategic business areas: Real Time Communication Solutions, Marketing Process Solutions, Outtasking Solutions and Business Protection Solutions. With a local presence and around 340 employees in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Poland, Kapsch BusinessCom is also a leading provider and reliable partner for its customers in their expansion activities in Central and Eastern Europe.
