Siemens OpenScape Office for SMBs Adds IT Integrations, Mac OS Support and More

Siemens Enterprise Communications (News - Alert) updates its OpenScape Office all-in-one IP platform for small- and mid-sized businesses (SMB), focusing on key trends shaping the SMB market, including user demands for mobile options and seamless collaboration.

In today’s fast-paced, challenging business environment, more workers than ever are on the go, trying to maximize their time and juggle multiple tasks. Mobile technology has become a high priority as workers can afford to miss important calls and need a quick and efficient means to connect with colleagues and customers. Siemens Enterprise (News - Alert) Communications also considers the demands of the business owner for built-in reliability and security and for flexible deployments (e.g. on-premises, hosted/cloud or hybrid environments).

OpenScape Office is designed as a complete Unified Communications and Collaboration (UCC) solution with built-in voice, video, messaging, UC, collaboration, mobility and contact center capabilities. The original solution was launched in 2006, then expanded in 2010 to include three options: an all-in-one hardware/software appliance (MX) that supports up to 150 users, an all-software, IP-only server / virtualized version (LX) for up to 500 users and a UC application/server add-on (HX) for the earlier HiPath 3000 PBX (News - Alert) system (also supports 500 users). Siemens Enterprise Communications’ large installed base of HiPath 3000 systems, and customers that purchase the HiPath 3000 for high-density TDM needs can retain their PBX investment while taking advantage of UC features via the HX server.

OpenScape Office systems (MX, LX and HiPath 3000 with HX) can be networked across sites, up to eight nodes and 1,000 users or more on a project-specific basis.

IT Integrations

The latest V3R3 software release adds some new functionality important to today’s SMBs looking for a complete telephony and IT solution. OpenScape Office adds support for several IT integrations, including VMware’s Groupware Zimbra Collaboration server for IT services such as e-mail, group calendar and document sharing. Zimbra runs on a virtualized server (can run on the same LX or HX server) and is simply license-activated as needed, giving resellers and customers an in-house alternative to a Microsoft (News - Alert) solution.

OpenScape Office customers can also take advantage of a new Open Directory Service that connects external databases for instant access to all company contacts. The new OpenScape Office Application Launcher for contact center environments integrates with third party applications for screen pops and other automatic actions based on Caller ID (e.g. agents can launch a CRM database for screen pops or a Web browser and Google Maps to see a customer location).

Mac OS Support

The OpenScape Office myPortal client application is now available for Mac operating systems, enabling the large population of Mac users to take advantage of this desktop productivity application which was previously only available for Windows PC. Users can manage voice communications using their desktop computer, including accessing a call journal and directories (for look-ups and point-and-click dialing), managing voicemail, diverting calls based on status, viewing screen pops of a caller’s name and number, as well as sharing instant messages and presence status with other users, both internal and external to the system (OpenScape Office provides support to external presence and IM via the XMPP interface). No additional license is required for the Windows or Mac myPortal desktop clients.

Siemens Enterprise Communications also offers myPortal client applications for other user interfaces, including a myPortal Outlook plug-in client (a licensed option) and myAttendant client, a receptionist application (a licensed option), as well as myAgent and myReports clients for contact center environments. The myPortal for Mobile browser-based application is available for smartphones and tablets such as those with Apple iOS, Google Android, Symbian or BlackBerry (News - Alert) operating systems, and myPortal for OpenStage is an XML application available for Siemens Enterprise Communications OpenStage 60/80 IP telephones (enables access to presence status information and visual voicemail via the OpenStage telephone display).

Web Collaboration and Contact Center

OpenScape Office V3R3 includes updates to the OpenScape Web Collaboration server-based solution introduced for the system last November, adding the ability to launch a Web conference from a two-way voice call. The license-activated Contact Center function has an enhanced user interface (myAgent), more call routing options, support for launching third-party CRM applications and new report templates.

Special Promotions

Siemens Enterprise Communications reports positive momentum for OpenScape Office with a 75-percent increase in sales globally for fiscal 2011 compared to the previous year. This success has been largely due to a special promotion (recently ended June 30, 2012) in which OpenScape Office MX and LX customers that ordered Standard licenses received Advanced UCC licenses at no extra cost – a 28-percent license savings. HiPath 3000 customers upgrading to the latest HiPath 3000 V9 and deploying the OpenScape Office HX server could also receive free upgrade licenses.

Availability: Siemens Enterprise Communications OpenScape Office V3R3 is available as of June 12, 2012 via Siemens Enterprise Communications channel partners (www.siemens-enterprise.com).

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. ITEXPO offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO click here.

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