BT One Cloud For Microsoft Lync: A New BT Unified Communications Platform Provided "As A Service"

IRVING, Texas, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BT today announced the availability of BT One Cloud for Microsoft Lync, a cloud service based on Microsoft Lync 2010, providing instant messaging, presence, audio, video and web conferencing, and Enterprise Voice. Offered on a monthly 'pay-per-user' basis, BT's new service provides high performance unified communications without significant capital investment.

A recent survey from BT found that 62 per cent of global executives want integrated instant messaging and email and that 68 per cent want cloud-based file services to be able to collaborate more easily internally and externally.

To give executives the tools they need, the new BT cloud offering is designed to provide the full functionality of a premises-based Microsoft Lync deployment, but packaged as a commercially-attractive cloud-based service.  BT has partnered with industry leading audio, video, and gateway device vendors supporting a holistic and end-to-end solution approach.   The fact that BT has both on-premises and cloud variants of Microsoft Lync in portfolio, means that customers have a choice and that BT can  accommodate a variety of hybrid service models where required.  For clients with existing multi-vendor investments in telephony, video, and other unified communications infrastructure, BT offers Hybrid Architecture Services consulting engagements to develop the appropriate roadmap for Microsoft Lync migrations and deployments.  Customers can also elect to attach BT's enterprise grade voice and reap maximum Microsoft Lync functionality or start more simply and hold Enterprise Voice within their roadmap.

BT has already completed its first sale of BT One Cloud to a global energy company where BT will design, install, and integrate the service for 10,000 Microsoft Lync seats globally.  That service will incorporate instant messaging and presence in addition to audio, video, and web conferencing.  The service will also deliver full Enterprise Voice functionality to the entire user population, initially in the US and then globally, providing a full PBX replacement service for the customer.    

After graduating from Microsoft's Lync Voice Partner Incubation program, BT completed all certifications to become a Premier Lync Support Partner (PLSP). This enables BT to offer a full suite of support and Service Level Agreements for Microsoft Lync to customers.  And in conjunction, BT can further deliver its BT One Voice global network along with industry-leading audio, video, and gateway devices in order to provide the convenience and benefits of a holistic end-to-end service and deliver additional value and unmatched expertise to its customers through BT One Advise.

Giovanni Mezgec, General Manager of Lync at Microsoft said: "BT's credentials and expertise have made them one of the leading Lync partners.  We are particularly excited to have BT's pedigree as a global telecommunications and Enterprise Voice provider behind the delivery of its cloud-based Lync service."

Neil Sutton, Vice President, Global Portfolio at BT Global Services said: "BT is among the very first on the global market to provide Lync as a cloud offering.  Earlier this year, we started a pilot program with Microsoft in the US for Lync cloud which gained a lot of customer interest. We are now offering BT One Cloud firstly to customers in the US, and then rolling out globally. Based on our track record of global service provision, we are uniquely positioned to meet key requirements in delivering the full Enterprise Voice features of Microsoft Lync from the cloud. We are also using Lync in-house as a productivity tool for our own employees, and BT is part of the first wave of Windows 8 with 3000 seats already deployed." 

About BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2012, BT Group's revenue was £18,897m with profit before taxation of £2,445m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.btplc.com

SOURCE BT