ShoreTel Ships New Unified VOIP System

VOIP provider ShoreTel the week of June 16 began shipping Version 8.0 of its ShoreWare Professional Call Manager unified communications system, which already offered voice, instant messaging and e-mail, but now includes an option for video with business processes.

ShoreTel claims to be the first vendor to deliver a system that takes advantage of a recent enhancement to the H.264 standard for video compression: SVC (Scalable Video Coding). This new feature permits high-quality video on every desktop, including those of remote workers, a company spokesperson told eWEEK.

Call Manager's third-generation desktop user interface offers tabbed windows that make it easier to access voice mail, call history, directories and the speed dial list, the spokesperson said.

The system also offers more intuitive call control features that anticipate user needs and present productivity-enhancing information and tools based on the situation, the spokesperson said.

For example, when a user starts a call transfer, the phone status of the called party is shown in real time, letting the caller decide whether or not to proceed with the transfer.

Call Manager supports high-quality video (up to 640 by 480 resolution and up to 30 frames per second), making a video call as simple as a voice call, the spokesperson said.

Call Manager also provides presence information and consolidates instant messaging with voice, video and e-mail.

ShoreWare Professional Call Manager is currently available in the United States only and is included in the base ShoreTel 8.0 user license. Additional per-user license costs are: ShoreWare Professional Call Manager, $80; ShoreWare Operator Call Manager, $595; ShoreWare Agent Call Manager, $295; ShoreWare Supervisor Call Manager, $595; SIP Device License, $30.