3Com Extends Corporate VOIP to Telecommuters

3Com has introduced an enterprise-level VOIP application to give off-site employees access to corporate converged communications networks.

3Com Corporation and Ingate Systems announced this week a partnership to offer enterprise-level enhanced IP telephony solutions for workers on the go.

3Com unveiled yesterday its new IP Telecommuting Module, designed to give remote employees secure access to corporate VOIP (voice over IP) applications, including IP conferencing and IP messaging.

"The 3Com IP Telecommuting modules provides a critical capability for businesses with remote workers, satellite offices, even customers and partners who need reliable access to convergence communication applications including—but not limited to—IP telephony," 3Com vice president and general manager, Convergence Business unit, Denis Aull said in a company statement.

"Existing 3Com IP telephony system customers looking to add remote access capabilities will benefit from secure, converged seamless interoperability, a tremendous asset for any large enterprise today."

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The open standards-based IP Telecommuting Module uses SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) to allow for increased user mobility.

Employees can now utilize existing corporate VOIP systems to make telephone calls through their computers from any location with internet access (such as airports and home offices), according to a recent news release.

Read more here about 3Coms switches aimed at enterprises small branch offices and workgroups.

With the enhanced IP telephony solution, users can also opt to re-route incoming calls to wireless devices or even hotel rooms, when they are working out of the office.

3Com will utilize Ingate Systems technologies to combat NAT (Network Address Translation) traversal issues that often come about with SIP communications, according to the release.

"Being chosen by 3Com to provide the far-end NAT traversal solution for the 3Com IP Telecommuting validates Ingates technology as the best solution for enterprise remote connectivity," said Ingate Systems Chief Executive Officer Olle Westerberg, in a company statement.

"Ingate Firewall and Ingate SIParator products offer businesses a proven solution for SIP-enabling the enterprise and for IP-PBXs (Internet Protocol Private Branch eXchange). Through this arrangement Ingate brings 3Com an important but small portion of its full traversal technology."

Each 3Com IP Telecommuting Module manages up to 100 concurrent remote users. The module, along with required software and licenses, retails for $80 per user and is available for purchase through 3Coms Convergence and IP Telephony Product Information page.

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