The result for businesses, say Siemens, is an increase in productivity and responsiveness while driving mobile call communications costs down. Siemens claim that their MobileConnect is the only end-to-end solution that delivers one number and one mailbox with a seamless handover between wireless (WiFi) and cellular networks delivered on a single device.
MobileConnect consists of two elements; the first is an appliance that resides between the enterprise IP communications server and WLAN. Whether on the corporate or public network, the dual mode mobile devices are continuously monitored and call sessions are managed by the appliance. Call costs are then optimised by identifying and selecting the best available network to ensure the mobile call costs are at a minimum.. MobileConnect also consists of a software client that resides in the dual mode handset and works with the MobileConnect device to enable the seamless handover between the corporate wireless LAN network and the cellular exchange.
Based on open standards, HiPath MobileConnect can interoperate with virtually any SIP-supported IP Telephony, WLAN and dual-mode handset. Siemens has certified HiPath MobileConnect with the Siemens HiPath 8000 communications server, the Siemens HiPath Wireless platform and market leading dual-mode handsets. Ongoing testing with other platforms and devices is underway.
“With one number, one device and the seamless cellular/WiFi handover HiPath MobileConnect can boost business productivity, reduce call costs and keep today’s increasingly mobile workforce in touch with each other and with their customers,” said Luc Roy, VP Product Planning, Siemens Enterprise Communications. “At the same time, businesses gain a greater control over a single unified communications infrastructure.”
“IDC survey research shows that telecom managers believe approximately 28 percent of their employees are using mobile phones as their primary work phone. That 28 percent and rising populace often represents high-value sales, field service, and executives who now rely on a communication channel outside of enterprise control," says Nora Freedman, an analyst with IDC. "If enterprises are looking to provide greater mobility to their employees while leveraging the robust functionality of their IP PBXs, enterprises should look toward enterprise FMC solutions that allow for single-number dialing to aid in regaining control of mobility costs.”