Verizon Introduces New Managed Unified Communications and Collaboration for Microsoft Lync

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As businesses seek to increase productivity through unified communications and collaboration capabilities, they are often challenged by how to select and implement the appropriate strategy and solution.  To meet this challenge, Verizon is introducing Managed UC&C for Microsoft Lync Server 2010, which enables businesses to more easily adopt advanced communications and collaboration throughout their organizations while leaving the service and infrastructure management to Verizon.

Verizon's new offering is immediately available in the U.S. and 19 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. 

Now, large multinational enterprises can maximize business agility, increase employee productivity and equip a mobile workforce with advanced UC&C capabilities. The new offering also provides the added reliability and performance enabled by Verizon's world-class IMPACT management platform, which now incorporates Microsoft System Center 2012.

"Demand for truly integrated, enterprise-ready communications platforms for information sharing and collaboration is exploding on a global basis," said Martin Burvill, senior vice president of global operations for Verizon Enterprise Solutions.  "The introduction of Managed UC&C for Microsoft Lync is an important component of our overall strategy to advance the way businesses operate through more effective engagement with employees, customers and partners. Enabling a modern workforce to more quickly connect by using video, voice and the Web is essential to speeding decision-making for greater productivity."

Large companies can employ the advanced instant messaging and presence, audio, video and Web conferencing of Microsoft Lync along with enterprise voice across Verizon's expansive global IP network, an advanced VoIP platform, featuring Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) with public switched telephone network (PSTN) integration.  Managed UC&C for Microsoft Lync can facilitate adoption of desktop video conferencing as well as promote enterprise mobility across mobile operating systems, so mobile workers can experience enhanced IM/presence, single-number reach, and audio and video conferencing support.

The new offering can be combined with Verizon SIP Trunking with managed session border controllers to create a comprehensive, end-to-end UC&C infrastructure that facilitates more effective collaboration and decision-making. 

In a related announcement, Acme Packet  announced on Thursday (Nov. 8) that its session border controllers, which help set up and complete VoIP communications, have achieved certification with Verizon SIP Trunking and Microsoft Lync Server 2010.

Cindy Whelan, principal analyst at Current Analysis, said, "Implementation and integration of new services into enterprise communications environments have been the greatest challenges to UC&C adoption.  Verizon's proven record delivering managed services and the company's Microsoft Gold expertise in delivering professional services specifically for Microsoft Lync Server 2010 can create a catalyst for effective UC&C adoption across a global enterprise."

Verizon professional consultants, working with Microsoft Corp. technology partners, can help design, deploy and integrate Microsoft Lync and supporting applications including Microsoft Active Directory, Exchange and SharePoint into a global enterprise environment. 

Verizon was one of the first global service providers to offer professional services specifically designed to help organizations employ Microsoft Lync.  The consulting services include workshop and strategic planning services, assessment services, architecture and design services, deployment and integration services, and unified communications applications enablement planning services.

Giovanni Mezgec, general manager, Microsoft Lync, said, "Microsoft and Verizon have a long-standing strategic relationship, developing and delivering advanced UC&C capabilities for a global business market.  Integrating the latest Microsoft technologies with Verizon's managed services platform gives Verizon a unique end-to-end view across its customers' networks and applications to effectively keep Lync services running smoothly across multiple customer locations."  

Verizon Enterprise Solutions creates global connections that generate growth, drive business innovation and move society forward.  With industry-specific solutions and a full range of global wholesale offerings provided over the company's secure mobility, cloud, strategic networking and advanced communications platforms, Verizon Enterprise Solutions helps open new opportunities around the world for innovation, investment and business transformation.  Visit verizon.com/enterprise to learn more.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 96 million retail customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 184,500. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

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SOURCE Verizon