LAN 2 LAN launches is-phone into the UK - seamlessly merging the latest IT and Voice technologies without expensive investment

• Thursday, 31 May 2007

Woking, Surrey: LAN 2 LAN, the leading network integration specialist, has launched iscoord’s is-phone into the UK. is-phone is the first solution that enables seamless integration between Internet Protocol (IP) telephony and IBM Lotus Notes and Lotus Sametime software. LAN 2 LAN has become iscoord’s first UK distributor for is-phone.

“LAN 2 LAN is delighted to be chosen as the UK Partner and distributor for is-phone,” comments LAN 2 LAN’s Andy Dennis. “is-phone is a ‘market first’ solution. The distribution deal reflects LAN 2 LAN’s IBM Premier Partner status and recognised expertise within the IBM Lotus Sametime and Notes community. The ‘Holy Grail’ of real-time instant messaging is to be able to fully integrate voice functionality through the client, without additional, expensive hardware costs, so we feel this is a very exciting market opportunity.”

For LAN 2 LAN, the is-phone solution, which is a SIP phone client plug-in for Lotus Sametime and Lotus Notes, is a pivotal technology in helping to drive its IBM solution-based sales. “We were impressed when we saw the is-phone at Lotusphere in Florida in January. We were looking for a way of integrating telephony within the Lotus Notes and Sametime environment to provide a complete solution. It means that our customers can seamlessly merge the latest IP telephony with the leading collaboration and communication applications from IBM.”

A major benefit to users is that calls can be made between traditional phone systems and the is-phone using Lotus Sametime or Lotus Notes. As long as the host phone system adheres to SIP protocols (which most major providers do) the user can communicate via the IP to the phone system, and then out via standard lines. It also means that a dedicated external number can be set up for a specific user. When a caller phones the dedicated number, the call will then connect directly to the user’s PC wherever they are on-line in the World.

Using IBM Lotus software and is-phone, users have a complete, secure solution that encompasses instant messaging, real-time chat, web and phone conferencing as well as telephony functions. If users have a VPN phone connection at home, they can utilise its benefits there too, effectively meaning that the user has an office ‘presence’ from any location where there is a suitable Internet connection.

“is-phone is ideal for medium sized companies wanting to adopt the latest voice integration technology. It is cost-effective, enables staff to work more flexibly and helps to improve responsiveness,” comments Andy Dennis. “A call centre, for instance, could have ‘office-based’ staff working remotely, which could dramatically reduce overheads and geographical limitations.”

“With LAN 2 LAN, customers can expect professional local support for their unified communications projects with integrated IP telephony through is-phone solutions,” says Markus Sieger, president & CEO of iscoord AG. “Due to our PBX independent approach, LAN 2 LAN clients will have complete freedom of choice concerning their existing or future telephony infrastructure because we are supporting all leading IP PBX suppliers including 3Com, Alcatel-Lucent, Asterisk (Astimax, Digium, Fonality), Avaya, Cisco, Nortel, Siemens and VocalTec. For small companies it is also possible to use an external SIP carrier/supplier without any in-house PBX infrastructure.”

-ENDS-

About LAN 2 LAN

LAN 2 LAN was founded in 1994 as an IT service provider, providing customers with technical expertise in the areas of networking, communications and workgroup computing. Forming strong partnerships with vendors such as Microsoft (Gold Partner), IBM (Premier Partner), BT, Fortinet (Gold partner), Vodafone, O2 and Research In Motion, LAN 2 LAN has grown to become a £9m company with technical expertise gained in security and mobility.

About iscoord ag and is-phone

iscoord ag Zurich is developing and distributing together with their worldwide partner network (www.iscoord.com/partners) the is-phone product line based on IBM software technology (IBM Lotus® Notes®, IBM Lotus® Sametime®). iscoord has won six industry awards: Lotus ADVISOR Editor’s Choice Award 2007 category “Communications”, IBM Lotus Award “Best in Showcase 2006”, VoIPGermany Award 2006 category “Applications”, IBM Lotus Award “Best Messaging Solution 2005”, Lotus ADVISOR Editor’s Choice Award 2005 Silver medal and IBM Lotus CTO Award 2005. For more information please visit http://www.iscoord.com.

Editor’s Contacts:

Simon Hewitt / Richard Vaux
Cobalt Blue
T: 01252 728040
E: simonh@cobaltblue.com / richardv@cobaltblue.com

Press contact iscoord ag:

Chris Peter
T: +41 44 258 88 82
E: info@iscoord.com

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