Nortel and Microsoft Unified Communications Solution Delivers Integrated Communications for Arvato Systems

Market Wire, July, 2008

arvato systems, subsidiary of Arvato AG, the media and communication services provider of the German Bertelsmann Group, is streamlining its internal communications to achieve seamless unified communications (UC) between voice, email, conferencing, video and instant messaging. The successful deployment is enabled by the Innovative Communications Alliance between Nortel(1) (TSX: NT)(NYSE: NT) and Microsoft (TSX: MSFT)(NYSE: MSFT) and is one of the first deployments in Germany of a joint, integrated UC architecture with Microsoft OCS2007 and Nortel IP Telephony working together to deliver business benefits for arvato systems employees and clients.

arvato systems workers now have all the advantages of UC including one-click access to communications from any Microsoft application with a seamless user experience using IP phones or laptops. The UC solution also enables arvato systems users to instantly find available colleagues across the enterprise, to communicate and collaborate with them in real-time via existing desk or computer software phones, instant messaging, e-mail, video-conferencing or within web-based team workspaces. The presence feature allows users to see, at a glance, whether a specific person is available or on the phone before making contact, this feature improves productivity and customer service by speeding up information sharing and decision making.

"With our new unified communications capabilities, we gained immediate productivity benefits without needing to train workers on how to use new devices and user interfaces," says Rainer Flottmann, product manager at arvato systems. "The cooperation between Microsoft and Nortel was a major advantage because their hardware and software solutions integrate seamlessly and were easily configured to meet our exact needs and expectations. Now we have a solid first phase system on which we can easily add future internal users and also showcase to our customers such as the Bertelsmann Group and other companies."

"arvato systems was able to launch unified communications in ways that were easy to deploy and highly cost-effective because its investment in its existing hardware could be retained and new capabilities were simply layered onto devices and interfaces that were already familiar to arvato systems employees," says Wim te Niet, president, Central Europe, Nortel. "We also provided extensive consultancy services throughout the project to enable arvato systems to plan, integrate and rapidly deploy its unified communications solution."

The cons ulting services delivered by Nortel covered a three-stage implementation process. The architecture design service , using Nortel and Microsoft's unique Coll aboration Center , was critical in enabling the arvato systems network management teams to collaborate on all business and technical aspects of successfully rolling out their UC network. In the second stage, design and integration, Nortel delivered a network and integration plan down to the component level. In the third stage, integration and acceptance, Nortel worked with its Gold Solution Partner DeTeWe Communications GmbH to provide hardware and consulting services for the roll-out and integration of the solution. A final acceptance test verified that the whole solution worked precisely according to arvato system's requirements and expectations. DeTeWe Communications also upgraded and customized arvato system's existing Nortel IP-PBX and components of the Microsoft solution.

About arvato systems

arvato systems is an international subsidiary of arvato AG, the media and communication services provider of Bertelsmann AG. With solutions covering the use, management and distribution of media, the IT service provider sets the standard. Services include consulting, development and integration, as well as the management and operation of applications and systems. A global network of offices in Asia, Europe, and North America takes on projects all over the world.

About Aastra

Aastra Technologies Limited, is a global company at the forefront of the Enterprise Communication market. Headquartered in Concord, Ontario, Canada, Aastra develops and delivers innovative and integrated solutions that address the communication needs of businesses small and large around the world. Aastra enables Enterprises to communicate and collaborate more efficiently and effectively by offering customers a full range of open standard IP- based and traditional communications networking products, including terminals, systems, and applications. For additional information on Aastra, visit our website at http://www.aastra.com (2). "Aastra" is a registered trademark of Aastra Technologies Limited.

About DeTeWe Communications GmbH Systems

DeTeWe Communications GmbH is a provider-independent ITC-system integrator with subsidiaries all over Germany and a broad service portfolio including managed services offers. DeTeWe Communications uses the portfolios of Aastra and Nortel and sets its focus on complex solutions as well as a full service offer. For further information visit: www.detewe-communications.de (2).