Siemens launched today a unified communications software
platform, OpenScape Unified Communications Server, which aims to remove the artificial
legacy barriers between today's traditionally separate voice, video and unified
communications systems.
OpenScape includes for the moment OpenScape Voice Application (HiPath
8000 V3.1 R2, enterprise grade voice and IP least cost routing), OpenScape
Video (integrated HD, desktop and client video conferencing) and OpenScape UC
Application V3 (role-based UC).
According to the company, OpenScape UC Server can operate in
virtually any existing IT or telephony environment, including IP telephony or
legacy PBX telephony environments from Siemens or any other vendor.
OpenScape UC Server software is the foundation for the
company's new unified communications suite and is a new product offering
available for sale starting April 30, 2008.
The company will release OpenScape UC Server in three
versions. The Medium Edition (ME) configuration is a single server solution
with optional redundancy for up to 1,000 users. The Large Edition (LE) is a
multi-server configuration for up to 100,000 users (with full UC functionality
for up to 20,000 users and basic UC functionality for up to 100,000 users). The
Hosted Edition (HE) contains additional application components to support the
unique requirements of service providers and hosting organizations.
Siemens is also introducing a new, redesigned version of its
OpenScape UC Application as one of the licensable offerings for the Siemens
OpenScape UC Server. The enhanced OpenScape UC Application V3 can now be
deployed on virtually any telephony or IT environment, works with any vendor's
IP or legacy telephony platform, and integrates with nearly any IT and IM
environment.
OpenScape Video is the industry's first single-vendor,
unified video conferencing solution integrating high-definition (HD) video,
desktop PC video, voice and presence into a single powerful communication
environment. OpenScape Video can be integrated with the OpenScape UC Server
enabling video and voice endpoints to easily participate in the same conference
calls and use the same directory and call numbering plans.
The new OpenScape Video portfolio includes three HD systems
and a PC soft client. VHD 600 includes an HD camera, a CD-quality conference
phone and a codec that can bridge up to six parties on a video conference call.
VHD 400 includes the same components as the VHD 600, but for bridging four parties,
and VHD 100 is a single, point-to-point solution to enable
one-to-one calls or for the user to join a conference hosted
on a VHD 600, VHD 400 or a third-party video bridge. The OpenScape UC
application desktop client is a video-enabled soft client.
"With the introduction of OpenScape Unified
Communications Server, we have reached a significant milestone in our
transition from a traditional VoIP manufacturer to a top global software and
services company focused on a new era in the enterprise communications
market," said Eve Aretakis, CEO, Siemens Communications, Inc. "Simply
put, OpenScape UC Server is the easiest, most affordable and flexible way to
introduce full UC into any existing telephony or IT environment."
