Friday, 16 February 2007

Singapore’s SOS’ Nortel and Microsoft Alliance

Nortel and Microsoft technology platforms have been integrated into International SOS, a provider of medical assistance and services. The reason for the deal is to provide employee communications and improve control of telecommunications expenses.

By integrating Nortel IP PBX and SIP-based solutions with Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 and desktop systems, International SOS will be able to reduce global communications costs by using IP telephony to save on long distance calling charges and intelligent routing to select the path for worldwide data transmission, the company is quoted to have said.

"We are communications-oriented business and view unified communications as a technology that will carry us into the future", said Todd Schofield, chief technology officer, International SOS. “Most of our IT systems are Microsoft and the majority of our telecommunications hardware and contact center software is from Nortel. By unifying the strengths of our two largest and most strategic IT vendors we are establishing a communications structure for future growth and business opportunities, and to enhance how we service our customers."

"International SOS is trailblazing a path that we expect increasing numbers of progressive organisations to follow", said Joe Poon, director, Asia and Greater China Unified Communications Group, Microsoft.

"Deployment of the Nortel and Microsoft unified communications solution by International SOS sends a strong message to the marketplace that the Innovative Communications Alliance is capable of delivering the real-world productivity and cost-saving benefits that make our Business Made Simple strategy a reality for customers", said Michael Pangia, president, Asia, Nortel.