Avaya denies closure of R&D lab

David Heath
Wednesday, 03 February 2010 15:35

IT People - Enterprise

Avaya insists that the R&D lab is not closing down; the departing staff disagree.

Responding to yesterday's article "Avaya definitely terminated their research and development team", Avaya's spokesperson from PR Firm Fleishman Hillard told iTWire, "Not sure where you got your info, but it is inaccurate. The Avaya R&D Labs in Australia are definitely not closing down and remain of strategic importance to the company's future growth in Australia and a centre of excellence in APAC.  Avaya have always been committee to the development of R&D and remain so."

We responded:

"In response, I must inform you that I have impeccable sources which are very strong on this and I have no reason to doubt them."

To which we were told by the same PR spokesperson:

"I can only confirm that if your impeccable sources are telling you that the Labs are closing, then they are completely wrong- they are not and there has been no indication that they were. Here is the consistent message from Avaya confirming the Labs are strategically important and will remain that way in Australia.

"With more than 4300 global patents or patents pending, Avaya Labs strategic directions are to support the introduction of innovative products and services in global markets and to improve development and business processes.  Avaya Labs maintains facilities around the globe including 7 centres in the US, along with labs in the United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, Germany, Japan, India, Canada and Singapore.

"As a result of a global decision to realign resources, Avaya is consolidating some of its R&D functions. Avaya's R&D capabilities in Australia remain a key part of the company's strategy as well as a centre of excellence in the Asia Pacific region and Avaya remains committed to providing customers with advanced communications capabilities."

Reading closely, this doesn't look like a denial.  There is a subtle (but very clear) distinction between terminating a team and closing a lab - clearly you don't need a team present to retain a lab.