Mitel Unveils New Version Of Its Unified Communications System

Advances are coming fast and furious in the Unified Communications (UC) marketplace. Trying to keep pace with competitors, Mitel announced the Mitel 5000 Communications Platform (5000 CP) version 5.0.The new release features improved conferencing capabilities, enhanced integration, better mobility functions, and streamlined management features. The UC solution's Meet-Me Conferencing function now supports eight-party conferences with the capacity to host 20 conferences simultaneously. In addition, 5000 CP v5.0's voicemail function now offers bidirectional synchronization of voice and email messages

Increased mobility has been a common desire for small and medium companies. The solution's single number calling capability has been enhanced to support up to 10 devices and includes a Message Waiting indicator. With embedded hotdesking, users can log into any phone and have access to their personal communications settings as if they were at their desk.

The company tried to ease the device's management functions. Via a web portal, users can view and configure settings, such as Do Not Disturb, manual call forwarding, dynamic extension express, their presence status, call history, and account information. Embedded reporting capabilities have been added to the System Administration and Diagnostics client.

Historically, Mitel has focused on serving small and medium businesses. Like other voice communications vendors, the company has been undergoing a transformation in the past few years as the industry focus has shifted from hardware based solutions to software systems. The 5000 CP system came from its purchase in 2007 of Inter-Tel. Mitel, which generated $648 million in fiscal 2010, is doing well but will need to increase its market share to remain viable as the market matures.