Optus offers fixed and mobile services bundled with NEC IP PBX

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 26 November 2009 12:25

Your IT - Home IT

Optus is now offering small business customers a bundle of fixed and mobile services, and NEC IPX and handsets combined with unified communications functionality.

The Optus 'yes' Business Totality bundle includes the supply and maintenance of NEC IP SV8000 series communications servers, NEC desktop handsets and Optus fixed line and mobile services. Customers will get services and support from NEC's network of NECare service engineers and strategic business partners.

They can also make use of NEC's mobility capabilities that enables them to have one fixed phone number and voicemail for both their landline and mobile and enables both fixed and mobile phones to ring simultaneously when the fixed number is called.

According to NEC, "The partnership represents the next phase in the execution of NEC's Unified Communications strategy, enabling the IT solutions provider to offer end-to-end unified communications that suit the unique requirements of Australian companies – from small business through to enterprise."

The service, Optus One Office, is available to small and medium businesses with ten or more employees who make intra-office calls in Australia via their mobile or landline. Customers who sign up before 28 February 2010, who bundle fixed line and mobile calls, will also receive included calls to all Optus mobile and selected Optus fixed calls (excluding resellers) in Australia for the first 12 months of the contract.

According to Rohan Ganeson, Optus small and medium business deputy managing director "Optus 'yes' Business Totality, launched in 2007, has been well received by companies but we wanted to expand the choice and level of support we provide. When combined with Optus One Office and Optus SMB mobile, the new whole business solution bundles mobile devices and unified communications capabilities, providing customers with an affordable and cost effective way to access the latest technology. By enabling the mobile to act as an extension of the desk phone, staff can be contactable on the go, helping businesses work anywhere, anytime."

Announcing the service, Optus cited the results of a survey it had carried out of 200 small and medium business customers, which found that "More than one-third of Australia's small and medium businesses (SMBs) believe managing costs will be their biggest issue in 2010." Optus says the new service will help them manage costs, but has given no indication of likely cost savings.