Seamless integration of all communication channels as a service or by location

Teltow, September 25, 2012 – NextiraOne Germany, the leading vendor-independent IT Integrator and service provider, is expanding its service portfolio with Alcatel-Lucent’s innovative OpenTouch™ solution. This makes it possible for all customers to use real-time communication as an application in the data centre.

Based on the SIP standard (Session Initiation Protocol), OpenTouch™ seamlessly and conveniently integrates all communications channels from smartphones to videoconferencing. Another advantage that will strongly resonate with users of traditional Alcatel-Lucent communications solutions is the option of using OpenTouch™ both as an application server and as an application in a virtualised data centre environment.

"As a long-time global partner, we are very aware of how attractive and reliable Alcatel-Lucent communications platforms and applications are," said Jürgen Schmidt, Director of Business Development & Communication at NextiraOne Germany. "That's why we are so delighted that with OpenTouch™ we now have a solution, based on established standards, that allows us to virtualise data, voice and video services in data centres as well as work in private or hybrid clouds. We can now leverage our architecture model to create attractive and tailored solutions and to outline a clear migration strategy for customers with traditional communications solutions."

Put through its paces
Thanks to its far-reaching know-how and many years of expertise, NextiraOne is a member of the Alcatel-Lucent exclusive circle of beta test partners. All new developments undergo detailed and extensive testing procedures within this community, before they are approved for unrestricted release and distribution. Half a dozen professionals working at NextiraOne Germany’s Technical Expert Centre took up the challenge of thoroughly testing OpenTouch™.

"What makes this so special is the completely new architecture of the solution, making it possible to connect all accessible communications channels," said Wolfgang Mursch, Alliance Manager for Alcatel-Lucent. "Use of media with a single user interface is the standard that many manufacturers offer today. The seamless and effective integration in the customer's IT landscape is the key strength behind OpenTouch™."

Unified communications in top form
The highlight of the solution is the award-winning OpenTouch™ Conversation, which brings together all data, voice and video services onto the iPad. Employees can easily connect their personal tablet devices to their employer's communications channels, switch between voice communication, e-mail, instant messaging or a video conference, add participants to a conversation and then remove them.

This does more than support the growing BYOD (bring your own device) trend. OpenTouch™ is in fact a communications platform that has been optimally designed for companies with distributed locations or mobile workplaces. They benefit from efficient employee collaboration and higher productivity as well as optimised customer service. "This is especially true, because the solution can be used in the Cloud," stated Jürgen Schmidt. "It takes the pressure off businesses and at the same time ensures greater flexibility - without negatively impacting system stability or user-friendliness. OpenTouch™ is a highly attractive solution for numerous application scenarios.”