Nortel Buzzboard

One piece of Nortel news that slipped past me recently was our introduction of the Software Communication System (SCS) 500, a new unified communications solution targeted specifically for SMBs in the 30-500 user range (though it can scale to 1000).

The Nortel Softphone 3455 - which can be used as part of Nortel’s software-based SCS 500 unified communications solution for SMBsA new UC solution from Nortel for SMBs, you say? Probably some new cousin of our BCM50 or some scaled down version of one of our IP-PBXs, right?  One way or another you’re probably thinking “a new box.”

But no, this new product release is a shiny, round…disk.  A CD-ROM — because SCS500 is completely software-based.  Not only that, but it is built on open source technology — SIPfoundry sipXecs to be exact.  Yes you heard me right — Nortel just introduced a new fully software-based, open source solution.  Got your attention?  Here are the details….

• SCS500 bundles together VoIP, instant messaging, presence, on-demand audio/video conferencing, unified messaging
• The solution also provides some advanced call routing features that are not commonly available on SMB solutions, including automatic call distribution (ACD), advanced auto attendant, personal auto attendant, and find me / follow me.
• Two softphone clients are available as part of the solution.  You can also use Nortel IP phones, LG-Nortel IP phones, or even multi-supplier devices. 
• Application integration is a big focus, with plug ins available for Microsoft Outlook and IBM Lotus Notes that integrate SCS500’s UC capabilities with those applications.
• Go here for an interactive virtual tour of the SCS500 and some of it’s capabilities (mainly focused on VoIP and softphone capabilities).  There are some additional details and multimedia tools available off the Nortel UC solutions for SMBs page.

To be clear, you can’t just go to your local Best Buy and buy a copy of SCS500 off the shelf.  The solution is currently available on IBM and Dell servers.  In fact, we’ve talked about these two offerings individually in a few recent press releases.

SCS500 with IBM: The SCS500 is currently available on the IBM System i platform, allowing SMBs to also include IBM Lotus Sametime and IBM Lotus Notes collaboration software on a single, multi-purpose application server. Going forward Nortel plans to integrate SCS500 with IBM’s Power Systems in 2Q08, with additional plans for integration with IBM System x and Blades.  Earlier this month, Nortel issued this press release detailing the joint work with IBM to integrate SCS500 into IBM’s Power Systems solution.  Last June, Nortel and IBM announced initial joint plans to deliver SCS500 on IBM System i (though SCS500 wasn’t called out by name in that release).

SCS 500 with Dell: The solution is available pre-loaded as part of its Dell OptiPlex 755 offering, with plans to also extend the SCS500 to the PowerEdge R300 server in the near future.  Nortel and Dell first announced plans for joint work on unified communications last October with this press release.

Open source details: SCS500 is based on SIP using development efforts from the SIPfoundry open source community, which includes more than 250 contributions directly from Nortel leveraging its expertise in telephony, data and multimedia applications.  By using SIP, the SCS500 provides the flexibility, interoperability and existing investment protection that SMBs demand for their fast-changing needs.  Of course, in true Nortel fashion, we have put additional effort into ensuring that SCS500 closely integrates with Nortel’s IP phones to enable advanced functionality from those clients.

The SCS500 opens a new market for Nortel’s UC solutions - directly targeting the 30-500 user SMB space.  Additionally, by working directly with IBM and Dell to sell the solution bundled with their server hardware through their channels , Nortel is in essence “crossing over” from our traditional telecom customer base to the broad IT segment. 

What do you think?  Can the SCS500 be a game changer for Nortel?