Vodavi Technology Inc. and Covad Communications have announced the two companies will provide VoIP endpoints designed for the Very Small Business (VSB) and Small Business (SB). The arrangement calls for Vodavi to provide the new phone models to Covad (News - Alert), a provider of integrated voice and data communications.
Vodavi is an advanced communications solutions provider delivering innovative business communications solutions that help small to large enterprises increase productivity and reduce costs.
The new 6800 series handsets will be manufactured by LG-Nortel (News - Alert) Co. Ltd., Vodavi’s strategic partner and largest stakeholder. The phones will employ both SIP and MGCP standards, and will operate seamlessly with the Covad vPBX, its PBX designed for companies with fewer than 250 employees. What’s more, despite being tergeted for the small business, these phones will provide the same kinds of enhanced features as units designed for enterprise users, like “find me/follow me,” call logs, and contact lists.
Prior to Covad’s introduction of the 6800 Series phones, small businesses lacked a variety of cost-effective alternatives. Today, VSBs and SBs can implement the productivity advantages of VoIP with minimal up front costs, making total telecom savings even greater. The phones will fit in with Covad’s all-in-one VoIP solution for smaller businesses, which means that those customers will be able to turn to a single provider for their entire hosted VoIP solution — which is just what smaller companies without extensive IT teams are looking for.
“Our goal is to transform business communications through cost-effective technology solutions,” said Prakash Nagpal, director, product strategy, at Covad. “The 6800 Series is a welcome addition to our hassle-free VoIP service for small businesses and is yet another step in providing our customers with the flexibility they’re looking for in a managed IP environment.”
Small businesses have been largely left out in the cold, as most larger — and, therefore, the best known — service providers and equipment manufacturers, have traditionally focused on the larger markets. But there are more than enough small and very small companies out there who also will enjoy cost savings from VoIP service— they just need to be catered to as well. Hosted VoIP providers, like Covad, have the chance to make a killing in this market.
Erik Linask is Associate Editor of INTERNET TELEPHONY. Most recently, he was Managing Editor at Global Custodian, an international securities services publication. To see more of his articles, please visit Erik Linask’s columnist page.
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