Aastra Announces IP Phones for Microsoft Communications Server “14”

New Models Provide Additional Unified Communications Choices and Ease of Deployment for Enterprises

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aastra, a leading company at the forefront of the enterprise communication market, adds to its award-winning line of IP phones two new models optimized for Microsoft Communicator “14.” Both phones were announced today at VoiceCon in Orlando, FL, a leading conference on enterprise communications.

“By working with Microsoft, Aastra provides customers richer connectivity, transforming every communication into an interaction that is more collaborative, engaging and accessible.”

With exceptional voice quality and stylish design, the Aastra 6721ip and 6725ip phones tightly integrate with Microsoft Communications Server “14” and offer user-friendly access to its features, making them powerful unified communications (UC) devices. These phones can operate independently from a PC so they can be easily and widely deployed. The Aastra 6725ip offers the additional benefits of PC connection via USB cable for a tight integration with Microsoft Communications Server “14”: click-to-dial is enriched with presence status ensuring a more efficient call management for business users and team collaboration.

“Software clients and mobile devices will certainly meet the needs for some workers, but others will demand more traditional handsets. Aastra’s 6721ip and 6725ip phones will help deliver Microsoft customers more choice in telephony end points than previously made available to them. It’s also a positive development for Aastra that will open new opportunities on the unified communications market and for Microsoft by adding a partner with strong expertise in unified communications and end points,” said Brian Riggs, Research Director at Current Analysis.

The Aastra 6721ip and 6725ip phones were designed with a focus on providing a superior user experience to facilitate the adoption of unified communications including:

• an intuitive interface clearly displayed on a full color 3.5" LCD screen;
• easy access to the most essential calling features through navigation keys; and
• wideband audio which enhances the clarity of all calls, a particular benefit for companies doing business internationally.

The 6721ip phone offers users choice of functionality at a cost effective price point providing an entry level phone appropriate for most users or common areas as an alternative to the mid-range, feature-rich 6725ip phone. Both models enjoy the same proven Aastra reliability and quality.

“The introduction of the 6721ip and 6725ip continues Aastra’s strategy of providing great choice, high quality and value to the enterprise communications market,” said Simon Beebe, Vice President of Product Management, responsible for IP phones at Aastra. “We’re excited about this opportunity to work together with Microsoft to deliver compelling UC solutions to meet the demanding needs of today’s workers to communicate in a variety of ways.”

“Combining Microsoft Communications Server '14' software with Aastra’s latest IP Phones offers customers a more connected experience,” said Kirk Gregersen, senior director of Communications Server Marketing at Microsoft Corp. “By working with Microsoft, Aastra provides customers richer connectivity, transforming every communication into an interaction that is more collaborative, engaging and accessible.”

These new phones also support the imperatives of IT decision makers for simplified and cost-effective deployment of unified communications combined with interoperability with Microsoft Communications Server “14.”

The 6721ip and 6725ip will be available for sale in conjunction with the release of Microsoft Communications Server “14.” To learn more about the 6721ip or 6725ip visit Aastra in Booth #1017 at VoiceCon or www.aastra.com/mcsphones.

Aastra® is a registered trademark of Aastra Technologies Limited in the United States and Canada. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

About Aastra USA

Aastra USA Inc. is the US business unit of Aastra Technologies Limited, a company at the forefront of the enterprise communication market. Headquartered in Concord, Ontario, Canada, Aastra develops and delivers innovative communications products and applications for businesses. Aastra’s operations are truly global with more than 50 million installed lines around the world and a direct and indirect presence in more than 100 countries. Aastra is entirely dedicated to enterprise communications and offers IP telephony and Unified Communications solutions individually tailored to satisfy its customers’ requirements. These range from feature-rich call managers for small and medium businesses and highly scalable ones for large enterprises, integrated mobility, call center solutions to a wide selection of terminals. With a strong focus on open standards, Aastra enables enterprises to communicate and collaborate more efficiently. For additional information on Aastra, visit our website at www.aastrausa.com.