Sonus Networks introduced a bundled solution, Sonus Advantage, that will help enterprises deploy unified communications (UC) more quickly, easily and securely in their networks. Sonus Advantage addresses the growing need among enterprises to quickly adapt their network capabilities as they transition from legacy-based TDM communications to IP-based UC.

The new solution from Sonus brings industry-leading security, policy and interworking together, creating a best-of-breed platform for UC that is secure, smart and simple.

As enterprises transition to IP-based UC, they encounter new requirements for security, call routing, interworking and network management. Existing network solutions such as next-generation firewalls do not provide the robust security or session control capabilities that UC demands. Sonus Advantage provides a UC-centric platform that allows enterprises to quickly, safely and efficiently transition to real-time IP communications without exposing their network to security or quality issues.

The new solution focuses on three key benefits for enterprises:

• Security that protects the communications network, ensures customer privacy and meets industry compliance requirements;
• Intelligent session control including centralized dial plans, centrally managed policies, call/session state awareness, least cost routing and adaptive overload controls; and
• Legacy equipment interworking for multi-vendor PBXs, video conferencing, as well as contact centers for fax machines, interactive voice response (IVRs) units, and voice transcoding services.

Sonus Advantage is available as a value-priced bundle that allows enterprises to scale their UC environment from a single office to multiple regions easily and cost-effectively. All of this is managed through a single EMS, thereby reducing operational complexities. As a pre-integrated, vendor agnostic solution, Sonus Advantage enables enterprises to quickly adopt UC in their network while minimizing risk, disruption and delays.

“Migrating to modern unified communications solutions is rarely a clean break for businesses,” said Michael Brandenburg, Industry Analyst, Information and Communication Technologies, Frost & Sullivan. “The new Sonus Advantage bundled solution provides all of the elements that businesses need during transition and beyond, including security, intelligent session control, and support for legacy equipment.”

“Enterprises know that unified communications are the future. What they don’t know is where to start,” said Mykola Konrad, vice president, Product Management and Marketing, Sonus. “Sonus Advantage gives enterprises an affordable, logical starting point in migrating their legacy communications networks by focusing on the core capabilities of security, session control and interworking.”