Ericsson, Microsoft's only mobility partner for unified communications, took part in a daylong event on October 16 with a demonstration and solution descriptions to show how companies can achieve unified communications quickly and cost-effectively.

The solution is based on the next-generation Ericsson Enterprise Mobility Gateway and its integration with Microsoft Office Communication Server 2007. The fixed-mobile convergence it provides will enable enterprises to integrate mobile devices completely with their corporate communications networks and Microsoft Office applications. Ericsson and Microsoft share a vision of mobility and software-enabled solutions to deliver a complete, unified communications experience for the user.

Torbjörn Lundmark, who heads Ericsson's enterprise portfolio management, says: "Most professionals' main work tools are their mobile phones and PCs.  Ericsson and Microsoft are delivering what enterprises have long awaited: unified communication solutions that integrate the telephony and IT environments for employees, no matter where they are. With our shared vision within mobile unified communications, we enable a truly user-friendly, seamless working environment for enterprises."

The interoperability between Ericsson's Enterprise Mobility Gateway and Microsoft's Office Communications Server 2007 will enable business users to use all their mobile devices as extensions of their corporate communications networks at all times, with access to functions such as directory search, conference calling and call forwarding.

Business users will also have access to additional features such as presence information, as well as the ability to click on a phone number in a Microsoft Excel document and instantly dial using the most cost-effective solution.

"Based on Ericsson's mobile leadership and Microsoft's desktop leadership, our two companies complement each other through our unified communication solutions," Lundmark says. "We are working together to ensure that our solutions interoperate, which is a positive message for operators and enterprises. By using our unified communication solution., they can be sure that their business solutions will work well together with a lower total cost of ownership."

This cooperation makes it easier for customers who already work with Microsoft to gain access to Ericsson's solutions as well. Enterprises using Microsoft desktop applications can access the telephony capabilities available in the IP-PBX MX-ONE, Ericsson Enterprise Mobility Server and Ericsson Enterprise Mobility Gateway.

Urban Gillström, head of Ericsson's enterprise business, says: "Interoperability with Microsoft's Office Communications Server 2007 is the latest step towards delivering true, mobile, unified communications. We are committed to integrating our portfolio of mobility-enhancing products with Microsoft's software so that companies can communicate and collaborate more effectively across PCs, phones and mobile devices."