REDWOOD CITY, CA -- 09/22/08 --
Ascendent Systems today announced that
Sprint has certified the latest version of the award-winning Ascendent®
Voice Mobility Suite (VMS) to enable fixed mobile convergence in the
enterprise. Ascendent VMS v4.5 can now integrate with BlackBerry® Mobile
Voice System (MVS) Services on BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, allowing
BlackBerry® smartphone users to have menu-driven desk phone features and
providing corporate IT and telecom departments with better control of their
mobile usage and costs.
Ascendent VMS enables mobile workers to have one enterprise phone number,
consolidated voicemail and easy access to desk phone features on any mobile
device. When Ascendent VMS is integrated with BlackBerry MVS, an even more
optimized and intuitive experience is enabled as desk phone features are
built into the visual menus of the BlackBerry phone application. With a
simple click, users can transfer a call, dial the extension of a colleague
or seamlessly move a call between their desk phone and their BlackBerry
smartphone.
With BlackBerry MVS, IT and telecom administrators can also now allow
mobile workers to use their BlackBerry smartphones as a securely
authenticated mobile desk phone and gain more control over how mobile
phones are used. Administrators have the ability to control and set 'voice'
policies so that incoming and outbound calls made from a BlackBerry
smartphone are routed through the corporate PBX. Users can be automatically
authenticated to help ensure that only authorized users are making calls
through the corporate phone system and that mobile calls can be logged.
This feature is important for organizations that require calls to be logged
for audit and compliance purposes.
"With the help of our strategic partner, Ascendent Systems, Sprint has made
it easier for businesses to extend the workplace to virtually anywhere work
needs to get done by extending the capabilities of the desk phone and
voicemail to mobile workers, which simplifies the user experience and
enables greater productivity for the organization," said Darlene
Braunschweig, Vice President of Converged Network Solutions at Sprint. "We
continue to build upon Sprint's leadership in providing enhanced
in-building and campus-wide network consulting, integration and fixed
mobile convergence solutions. As mobile workforces grow rapidly, this type
of solution can help control costs and provide enhanced usability and
security which is at the forefront of customers' minds."
"As more organizations look to 'cut the cord,' they will be looking for a
solution that seamlessly leverages their existing telephony infrastructure
while providing the capabilities and controls afforded by the BlackBerry
platform and Ascendent VMS," said Theron Dodson, Director of Sales and
Marketing for Ascendent Systems. "Sprint and Ascendent Systems have enjoyed
a longstanding partnership and we are pleased to be working together to
bring this next-generation solution to customers."
About Ascendent Systems
Ascendent Systems, a subsidiary of Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) (TSX: RIM), is the premier provider of enterprise voice mobility solutions that
allow companies to be more responsive to customers and crisis by giving
them the power to reach anyone, anywhere, immediately. The Ascendent Voice
Mobility Suite of applications provides single number reachability,
real-time notification and conferencing, and voice continuity. These
solutions allow users to automatically extend the identity and
functionality of their business desk phone to any other device. Partnered
with major mobile carrier and infrastructure providers, Ascendent has
solutions deployed in Fortune 500 corporations across many industry
verticals including manufacturing, finance, healthcare, government,
hospitality, and education. For more information:
http://www.ascendentsystems.com.
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the
"safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as "intend" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information
available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without
limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related
to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange
fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential
acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of
quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and
regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of
competition, technological changes and the successful development of new
products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services,
dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks and factors
detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory
authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
Ascendent is a registered trademark of Ascendent Systems. The BlackBerry
and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive
properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In
Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other
brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the
properties of their respective owners. RIM and Ascendent Systems assume no
obligations or liability and make no representation, warranty, endorsement
or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or
services.
