ShoreTel and IBM Join Forces on Unified Communications and Collaboration

SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ShoreTel(R), Inc. , a leading provider of Pure IP Unified Communications solutions, today announced that it is working with IBM to integrate ShoreTel's distributed unified communications solutions with IBM's unified communications and collaboration platform, IBM Lotus Sametime. The plug-in will allow joint customers to access ShoreTel's powerful distributed IP telephony features from within their IBM Lotus Sametime application, providing greater freedom to choose the right communications to optimize their business processes.

With ShoreTel, companies will be able to integrate voice capabilities throughout their IBM collaboration application, providing users with new, productivity-enhancing features without the need to learn new programs or change the way they are accustomed to working. Companies can enjoy greater productivity and collaboration using an easy-to-deploy, easy-to-manage and easy-to-use solution that offers unmatched reliability. ShoreTel and IBM will preview a number of enhanced capabilities in ShoreTel's booth at VoiceCon Orlando 2008, March 17-20, booth 817.

"We are very excited to be adding ShoreTel to our growing ecosystem of unified communications and collaboration Business Partners," said Bruce Morse, vice president of unified communications and collaboration, IBM. "Their leading telephony expertise, particularly in the area of small-to-medium-sized businesses, is key in offering customers greater choice and flexibility in unified communications decisions. Working with ShoreTel, we will enable customers to seamlessly add vital capabilities for voice communications, collaboration and productivity to their IBM-powered business processes."

"Our relationship with IBM is another important step in our commitment to help enterprises easily integrate all the collaborative and productivity benefits of our distributed unified communications solutions into their existing business processes," said Mark Arman, vice president of business development at ShoreTel. "Our joint customers will also benefit from two renowned service organizations with the resources, commitment, and track record to ensure an optimal experience even as our capabilities continue to evolve over the years."

ShoreTel's distributed architecture extends enterprise-class voice services to every office and outpost, keeping employees fully connected wherever they go. The IP-based ShoreTel solution delivers immediate results and can be easily expanded and customized for industry-specific needs, whether in healthcare, government, retail, education, manufacturing or financial.

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