Nortel Networks Delivers IP-Enabled Communications Solution for Small and Medium Businesses - Enterprise Edge - Product Announcement

Cambridge Telcom Report, Oct 11, 1999

Nortel Networks Monday announced commercial availability of Enterprise Edge, an internet protocol (IP)-enabled unified communications platform that integrates voice and data functionality into a single system for small and medium businesses (SMB) and branch offices. Through its combined leadership in voice, data and Internet Telephony technologies, Nortel Networks is offering Enterprise Edge as the first Unified Networks solution for small and medium businesses. As part of its SMB initiative announced Monday, Nortel Networks is offering Enterprise Edge as a competitive, advanced, IP-enabled communications system, delivering investment protection, low cost of ownership and high reliability.

"Most IP telephony solutions currently in the marketplace are far too expensive to realistically implement," said Jim Workman, CEO, BFW Advertising. BFW Advertising is an Enterprise Edge beta customer based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with 28 employees. "With Enterprise Edge, I'm getting a long-term, cost-efficient IP-enabled communications solution that scales to match my business growth."

Features and Benefits Enterprise Edge offers customers a variety of implementation choices including IP and public-switched telephone network (PSTN) flexibility, enabling companies to choose packet switching, circuit switching or both for voice and data communications. Other features include a selection of desktop communication options such as Norstar digital telephones and Internet telephones, and a complement of pre-installed software applications optimized for Microsoft Windows NT server platforms that can be simply enabled with a key code purchase. Enterprise Edge encompasses cost-effective voice over IP, toll by-pass and scalable technology with a flexible migration path to complete IP-based technology. Existing Norstar customers are provided investment protection with a smooth migration path if they choose to adopt Enterprise Edge.

To ensure telephone reliability, Enterprise Edge call processing operates independently from the embedded Microsoft Windows NT operating system, offering customers uninterrupted voice service in the event of server restarts or outages.

"Small businesses want technology solutions that offer a competitive edge with tremendous value at reasonable price points," said Roy Appelbaum, vice president and general manager of product marketing for Tech Data's networking division. "Working together with Nortel Networks, Tech Data is thrilled to be the first distribution partner to deliver Enterprise Edge as an extremely competitive solution for data resellers with customers who want advanced communications capabilities. As the leading distributor for resellers supporting the small-to-midsize marketplace, we believe we are well positioned to help them quickly get this product to the channel."

Enterprise Edge also provides small and medium businesses with the ability to connect externally to multiple locations, customers or suppliers over the Internet or any managed IP network, optimizing the full range of their voice and data network, while creating greater efficiencies. Customers are also equipped with cost-effective communications tools such as voice mail, unified messaging and attendant console, enhancing employee productivity and customer service. Pricing starts at US$500 per station for the basic communication server capabilities and US$615 per station with routing and voice over IP capabilities.

Nortel Networks delivers value to customers around the world through Unified Networks solutions, spanning mission-critical telephony and IP-optimized networks. Customers include public and private enterprises and institutions; Internet service providers; local, long-distance, cellular and PCS communications companies, cable television carriers, and utilities.

Nortel Networks' common shares are listed on the New York, Toronto, Montreal and London stock exchanges. Nortel Networks had 1998 revenues of US$17.6 billion and has approximately 70,000 employees worldwide.