RIM announced BlackBerry Mobile Voice System 5 with voice over Wi-Fi calling. It works with Cisco UC Manager and enables a business user to use their regular desk phone number and extension from their BlackBerry smartphone.
According to RIM, with the new version 5, an employee will be able to use a single work phone number shared between their desk phone and BlackBerry smartphone and make and receive enterprise calls on their BlackBerry over a Wi-Fi connection, adding to the existing capability available over cellular networks.
Calls made through BlackBerry MVS 5 are routed through the corporate phone system/PBX, which helps with adherence to company policies and enables potential savings on long-distance and international roaming charges. It’s easy to use since incoming calls ring simultaneously on the employee’s desk phone and BlackBerry and employees access BlackBerry MVS using the same phone interface that they are already familiar with on their BlackBerry.
RIM and Cisco have worked closely to integrate BlackBerry MVS 5 with Cisco UC Manager. The solution has been tested for interoperability and will be supported by both RIM and Cisco.
RIM claims that advanced IT features built into BlackBerry MVS 5 will help to provide “controlled, managed and secure” use of BlackBerry smartphones with the corporate phone system.
Key features include:
• Wi-Fi network access controls to set which Wi-Fi networks employees can access
• Network preference settings with the option of prioritizing the use of Wi-Fi or cellular for making phone calls
• Authentication to help ensure that only authorized BlackBerry smartphones have access to the corporate phone system
• Incoming call filtering based on allowed and blocked caller lists
The company informed that they are working with other companies to make BlackBerry MVS available for a range of PBX systems.
BlackBerry MVS 5 is expected to be available later this year.
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