Aruba Networks Cuts the Phone Cord by Certifying the Wireless snom 800 Series VoIP Desk Phones

Network rightsizing is a three step process in which the utilization of existing wired Ethernet infrastructure is assessed, unused or underutilized ports and switches are consolidated to lower recurring costs and energy usage, and mobile users and devices are migrated to 802.11n Wi-Fi networks. The cost savings and carbon footprint reduction obtained from network rightsizing have been demonstrated in projects large and small. Migrating desk phones from wired to wireless connections promises to boost rightsizing savings even further, while delivering the freedom to locate and move phones at will.

"Single- and dual-mode Wi-Fi enabled handsets have been available for some time, but many users prefer the desk phone form factor," said Peter Thornycroft, a voice system architect at Aruba. "One-finger dialing, high-quality speakerphone, large information display, and an easily cradled handset -- these are features usually found only in wired desk phones. Until now enterprise desk phones have required a wired Ethernet port, and typically a Power over Ethernet power source, too. snom has turned that model on its head by delivering fully featured, wireless SIP desk phones. Enterprises now have the option of building a wireless workplace, and reaping the productivity, efficiency, and cost benefits that result."

Industry analysts report an advancing wave of SIP-capable equipment, and the technology is the clear choice for new phone deployments. Major UC/PBX vendors now offer SIP connectivity on the station side, avoiding the need to implement multiple proprietary signaling protocols.

"There are two key developments that are encouraging greater use of SIP in enterprise telephony environments and that make it more relevant for enterprises to consider buying independent vendors' SIP telephones and gateways," said Gartner VP Steve Blood*. "UC is driving vendors to orientate their telephony platforms toward open communication protocols like SIP, with SIP proxy for routing and policy, and SIP registrar for location identity and presence functions. Also, the number of software-only manufacturers in the UC market is increasing. All these software-based solutions are consistent in that they rely on SIP as a common communications protocol and on independent vendors for hardware components such as IP telephones, gateways and session border controllers. Consequently, we expect that independently-provided SIP products will become increasingly important for enterprises adopting software-based communications."

The snom 820 VoIP phone has been compliance-tested by Avaya for compatibility with Avaya IP Office 5.0, and features a large high-resolution TFT color display, integrated XML browser, speakerphone with interference noise suppression, secure VPN, 5-way conferencing, multiple ringtones, and up to twelve different SIP identities. The 870 VoIP phone includes a larger touch-screen display, larger address book, and additional security features.

"snom is the leading provider of WLAN-enabled desktop business phones," said Mike Storella, snom's Director of Business Development. "As such our solution is ideal as a replacement for wired desk phones across a wide range of enterprise applications. Aruba validated the interoperability of our 820 and 870 Wi-Fi desk phones across both its 802.11n wireless LANs and its Virtual Branch Networking (VBN) solution. The VBN solution was tested together with an Avaya IP-PBX, meaning that we now have an interoperable solution for campus Wi-Fi, fixed telecommuter, remote call center, and branch office applications."

Aruba uses wireless snom phones in its Sunnyvale HQ facility and new Rockefeller Center offices in New York City. The latter is a completely wireless VoIP deployment anchored by an Avaya IP-PBX in Sunnyvale.

* Isabel Montero and Steve Blood, "Organizations Deploying UC Need Strategic Partners for SIP Hardware," Gartner, 26 June 2009, ID Number G00166684

About Aruba Networks

People move. Networks must follow. Aruba securely delivers networks to users, wherever they work or roam, using a combination of award-winning solutions:

--  Adaptive 802.11n Wi-Fi networks optimize themselves to ensure that
    users are always within reach of mission-critical information. Rightsizing
    expensive wired LANs by replacing them with high-speed 802.11n Wi-Fi
    reduces both capital and operating expenses;
--  Identity-based security assigns access policies to users, enforcing
    those policies whenever and wherever a network is accessed;
--  Remote networking solutions for branch offices, fixed telecommuters,
    and satellite facilities ensures uninterrupted remote access to
    applications;
--  Multi-vendor network management provides a single point of control
    while managing both legacy and new wireless networks from Aruba and its
    competitors.
    

The cost, convenience, and security benefits of our secure mobility solutions are fundamentally changing how and where we work. Listed on the NASDAQ and Russell 2000® Index, Aruba is based in Sunnyvale, California, and has operations throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions. To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com. For real-time news updates follow Aruba on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ArubaNetworks.

© 2009 Aruba Networks, Inc. AirWave®, Aruba Networks®, Aruba Mobility Management System®, Bluescanner, For Wireless That Works®, Mobile Edge Architecture, People Move. Networks Must Follow., The All-Wireless Workplace Is Now Open For Business, RFprotect, Green Island, and The Mobile Edge Company® are trademarks of Aruba Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.