Avaya’s new offering for small business reduces the price point for unified communication by 40 percent, which features a new combination card that provides support for IP, digital and analog phones.  The collaborative tools include video, instant messaging and presence.   The lasted offering utilizes an SD card, which replaces the flash card and license that was required previously.   It is offered as part of the 6.0 version of IP office which is browser based.  The 6.0 version features improved instant messaging, more presence features and the ability to archive voice messaging.

"We recognized we needed to be stronger in the sub-20 [employee] space," Scotto stated. "What we have done with this release is to reduce the price point dramatically. This has made us accessible at the low end."  Scotto noted that Avaya is benefitting from the products it acquired from Nortel last year. He stated: "Nortel was very effective in the sub-20 [employee] space. 6.0 brings IP Office to the sub-20 segment with equal or better price point to Nortel solutions in that space."  Video collaboration is made possible via a PC based video softphone application.   There is also an application that makes possible for a conference call to be controlled by a chairperson that can add, drop or mute conference call participants.

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http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,40079609,00.htm