Sprint Launches Wireless Integration with Cisco Unified Communications Manager
Sprint today announced availability of Sprint Wireless Integration with Cisco Unified Communications Manager, an integrated mobility solution that delivers fixed mobile convergence to businesses - only on the Now Network. Sprint Wireless Integration extends customers’ Cisco Unified Communications Manager functionality to Sprint mobile phones, providing productivity, cost efficiencies, and greater control of mobile devices.
“Sprint Wireless Integration takes convergence to a whole new level,” said Dan Dooley, president of Wireline, Sprint. “It not only converges your desk and mobile phones, but it allows all calls within your enterprise to be on-net. No other solution in the marketplace offers this kind of convergence. This is a great example of Sprint leveraging our core wireline and wireless assets and working with best-in-class partners to deliver a unique and compelling solution to our customers that no other competitor can match.”
Sprint Wireless Integration is delivered using the Sprint IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture, built into Sprint’s IP/MPLS network, which not only minimizes equipment required on the customer premises but also allows for intelligent routing and “on-net” calling capabilities nationwide.
The solution uses a customer’s existing Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Cisco Unified Internet Protocol (IP) phones, and a Cisco Unified Border Element (provided by Sprint). A Sprint Global MPLS connection provides connectivity directly to Sprint’s IMS Core, allowing Sprint CDMA phones (3G) to be fully integrated into the Cisco Unified Communications Manager.
Sprint Wireless Integration targets a minimum of 100 users and provides the business enterprise the opportunity to minimize capital costs and allows customers to pay only for the service they use.
“We’re constantly in motion as we go through our day from workspace to workspace,” said Steve Slattery, vice president and general manager of Cisco’s IP Communications Business Unit. “Customers using Cisco Unified Communications Manager with Sprint Wireless Integration leverages Sprint’s unique wireline and wireless assets to collaborate, enhance productivity, and reduce operating costs through on-net dialing.”
Sprint Wireless Integration allows abbreviated dialing from the mobile device. Calls are transferred seamlessly and transparently between devices in a user’s workspace, such as a Sprint mobile phone and a Cisco Unified IP phone. It provides businesses numerous ways to save on telecom expenses.
Key benefits:
• Leverage existing assets. Sprint Wireless Integration is a network-based solution that uses existing Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Sprint mobile phones, so getting started doesn’t require a large capital outlay.
• Reduce trunks. Sprint Wireless Integration leverages the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) in Sprint’s core network. The “all-IP” architecture enables calls to be routed more efficiently. Because many calls can be moved onto the IP network or routed around the enterprise altogether, you’ll be able to reduce trunk usage.
• Extend class of service. Class of service can be extended to your mobile devices, so you can enforce such restrictions as international dialing or 900-number dialing on your mobile phones – just as you do on your desk phones. You can even set restrictions for your mobile devices, such as “no-outbound calls” or “intra-enterprise calls only” for users who require those limits.
• Track mobile calls. Mobile calls can be tracked and logged with Cisco Unified Communications Manager.
• Increase flexibility. With Sprint Wireless Integration, you can provide new employees intra-company dialing and corporate voicemail the day they start, anywhere on the Nationwide Sprint Network. If an employee leaves the company, his single phone number remains a company asset, which can then be passed to a new employee.
End-user features:
• Simple dialing. Employees can reach co-workers by just dialing their extension. There are no access codes or additional dialing required. Calls outside of the corporate dial plan can be reached by dialing the 10-digit number, so employees don’t have to change their address books.
• One phone number. Increase “reachability” with one phone number that rings both the desk phone and the mobile phone simultaneously. Because the existing desk phone number is used, employees won’t have to notify customers of the change.
• One voicemail. All messages go to the enterprise voicemail, so callers only need to leave one message, and employees only have one voicemail inbox to clean out.
• Simple interface. Sprint Wireless Integration is available on Sprint CDMA phones (3G). In addition, intuitive end-user clients are available for some phones with graphical menus for easy access to all of your functions. (Ask your Sprint representative about available options.)
• Mid-call transfer. Calls can be transferred seamlessly between the mobile and desk phone without anyone on the call knowing the transfer took place.