Small Business VoIP

Aastra USA, a provider of innovative unified communication solutions for enterprises and small businesses, announced enhanced fixed-mobile convergence features for its Clearspan UC solution.

 

Clearspan from Aastra (News - Alert) is a SIP-to-the-core solution that targets large enterprises with 1,500 to more than 100,000 users. The solution can be deployed as an overlay for existing call managers to offer direct access to new advanced unified communications features, while still protecting their existing investment in hardware and endpoints, said company officials.

 

The new Clearspan Anywhere features enhancements to simplify configuration of Clearspan Anywhere for FMC. It allows users to make and receive calls via a single phone number regardless of what device they use - desktop phone, mobile phone, soft client, executive conference room phone, residential phone, hotel phone or any similar set of devices.

 

In the latest upgrade, Aastra has also improved Clearspan's desktop toolbars and added advanced configuration capabilities for additional customization to an individual's needs.

Clearspan Anywhere features new scheduling capabilities for greater flexibility in call routing. It allows a user to determine when they want to accept calls "anywhere." Within that period of time, Clearspan can ring a desk phone, home phone, and mobile phone simultaneously or sequentially; otherwise calls will be delivered only to the desk phone.

Another new feature is the ability to require answer confirmation. This feature helps users ensure that calls are only delivered to a real person or to the Clearspan voice mailbox, not a mobile or residential voicemail.

 

Clearspan Anywhere also includes call termination via a single phone number or multiple phone numbers, depending on user preference, on up to ten devices. It also provides call origination from these devices with a single calling line ID.

 

Call continuity from one device to another via a seamless handover of the call is another added feature. For example, if a call is answered on a desktop phone and the user needs to leave his office, he can "move" the call to his cell phone with no interruption of the call or any indication to the connected party that he has changed devices, said Aastra officials.

 

The new solution is also characterized by service consistency across all devices: all Clearspan services including calling features, access to directories, four-digit dialing, and complex features such as Executive-Admin rules work whether the user is on their mobile phone, soft phone, or fixed phone.

The above-said features of Clearspan Anywhere can be easily accessed and changed from an Outlook or web browser toolbar.

 

According to Tim Whittington, senior vice president and general manager, Aastra USA, Clearspan Anywhere gives users the true seamless mobility, customizable to their needs.

The solution provides them with one contact number that can reach them wherever they are at the time they choose to accept calls, Whittington added. They can also make calls from anywhere with the appearance of a single outgoing number.

 

Aastra recently launched Aastra 6739i, its most advanced desk phone to date at the BroadSoft (News - Alert) Connections executive conference.

 

Aastra 6739i features a large, high quality color touch screen combined with an intuitive interface and navigation menus. The new phone also brings high definition sound with Aastra Hi-Q audio technology combined with full wideband handset and speakerphone hardware, company officials said.