Wireless systems manufacturer Ruckus Wireless and ShoreTel, a provider of simple IP phone systems, announced plans to deliver a Mobile Unified Communications Starter Kit, combining WiFi and voice over IP products, which is specifically designed for the small to medium-size business sector.
The Ruckus ZoneFlex Smart Wireless LAN (WLAN) offering is a verified system within the ShoreTel Innovation Network, ensuring coordination between the two platforms for end-to-end interoperability. For midsize enterprises looking to test mobile unified communications over WiFi, Ruckus and ShoreTel have also created custom, discounted product bundles for their respective channel partners.
The ShoreTel/Ruckus bundle delivers UC and wireless networking capabilities to support corporate voice and data requirements. The Ruckus ZoneFlex Smart WiFi system extends ShoreTel’s VOIP reach beyond the wired environment–allowing customers to use smartphones, tablets and Voice over WiFi phones over the existing enterprise IP voice system, while maintaining high voice quality.
“With the growth of mobile devices and consumerization of IT, there is now huge demand by enterprises for the use of diverse smartphones using advanced WiFi and VOIP technology,” said Denis Maynard, vice president of worldwide sales for Ruckus Wireless. “ShoreTel and Ruckus now give organizations a complete turnkey system that takes advantage of the best VOIP and WiFi technologies to easily and securely integrate employee smartphones into their existing network framework.”
As the corporate workforce becomes increasingly mobile, desk phones are giving way to smartphones, while powerful tablet devices marginalize PCs. As these smart devices pop up everywhere within companies, more WiFi will be needed to achieve the same performance as traditional laptops, according to a recent report by Gartner.
“Research reveals that half of enterprise knowledge workers are using smartphones as their primary communications device–a number that continues to grow, particularly as younger generations enter the workforce,” said Mark Arman, vice president of business development for ShoreTel. “There have been limited options available to support enterprise mobility for the midmarket sector. Ruckus shares our dedication to ease of use and implementation, and we are pleased to partner to bring about a much-needed affordable WiFi-integrated VOIP solution to market.”
The bundle includes ShoreTel Mobility Router 2000 appliance (supporting up to 100 users; upgradable versions available) bundled with 10 user licenses, Ruckus ZoneDirector 1100 (supporting up to six APs and is license-upgradable to 50 APs), Ruckus Premium Partner Support, Ruckus ZoneFlex 7363 802.11N APs (includes three APs to start, and license can extend to additional APs if needed) and Ruckus ZonePlanner Software. The ShoreTel/Ruckus product promotion is being offered for a limited time through ScanSource, which distributes both ShoreTel and Ruckus products throughout North America.