Verizon Advances Collaboration With Microsoft to Unleash the Power of Unified Communications

Businesses employing Microsoft unified communications software for voice calling, conferencing, instant messaging and user availability can now combine these capabilities with the advanced voice-calling capabilities and cost-management benefits of Verizon Voice-over-IP for a more powerful total solution. 

Building on a collaboration established in 2004, Verizon Business has been named a Microsoft SIP Trunking partner, following qualification of Verizon IP Trunking for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2.

Verizon IP Trunking customers worldwide can immediately employ the advanced telephony features and real-time UC desktop applications of Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 across Verizon's world-class global IP networks.

"This is a significant milestone in our long-standing relationship, which enables our customers to tap the power of unified communications in an even more powerful way," said Anthony Recine, vice president of network and communications solutions for Verizon Business.  "We are positioned to deliver a full range of hosted, dedicated and managed solutions around Microsoft Office Communications Server, backed by our infrastructure, server management, security and expert technical support." 

Verizon Business in 2009 became one of the first global service providers to offer Application Management Services for Office Communications Server to its global customers, an offering specifically designed to help enterprise customers simplify management of unified communications by outsourcing UC application and management. 

As a result of the collaboration between Microsoft and Verizon Business, companies that integrate Verizon IP Trunking with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 can more effectively employ Microsoft unified communications applications across Burstable Enterprise Shared Trunks for more cost-effective and high-performance application delivery.

Aspect, a global provider of unified communications (UC) and collaboration services and software, is among the first of Verizon and Microsoft's mutual customers to benefit from this powerful new formula.  

"As a company focused on delivering software and IT services to customers through the application of Microsoft unified communications collaboration capabilities, it's important for Aspect to use our own company as an important real-world proof point of the benefits of UC," said Jamie Ryan, chief information officer at Aspect.  "By using our WAN and Verizon SIP Trunking capabilities integrated with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2, Aspect has reduced telephony circuit costs by more than $350,000 per year. As a result, Verizon has played an important role in helping Aspect demonstrate the real value of unified communications."

Yancey Smith, director of communications server product management at Microsoft, said: "We are excited that Verizon IP Trunking services are qualified for use with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2.  Verizon IP Trunking services deliver cost savings and improved IT telephony resource management. Only products that meet rigorous testing requirements and conform to the specifications and test plans will receive qualification from Microsoft."

In addition to providing advanced communications solutions to meet a wide range of customer requirements, Verizon also delivers UC&C professional consulting services to help businesses tailor the best UC&C strategy and implementation to meet their specific requirements.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with one of the world's most connected IP networks to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions.  We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment.  Many of the world's largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

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