Avaya and Skype Partner for Unified Communications

skype

When Skype launched its channel program, The VAR Guy took special note of the enterprise Skype Connect product, which allows the popular voice-over-IP product to integrate with existing UC and PBX deployments.

Under the Skype-Avaya deal, according to the press release, communications solution vendor Avaya will give its US customers access to Skype Connect. In addition to cheaper international calling,that means that inbound Skype calls can be routed to business extensions, users can be assigned Skype Online Numbers for inbound calling from landline and mobile phones, and business web sites can get Skype Click & Call buttons.

But that’s not the intriguing part. In 2011, Avaya and Skype plan to co-deliver true UC solutions, enabling Avaya end-users and Skype users to interact via “presence, instant messaging, voice, and video.” They apparently plan on accomplishing this by federating the Avaya Aura and Skype platforms.

Avaya and Skype say they aim to make UC a reality for enterprises of all sizes, and they’re clearly counting on Skype’s ubiquity in the consumer space to go a long way in their sales pitch. Even so, Skype is making serious strides into the enterprise market even after Cisco acquisition rumors never came true, and The VAR Guy will be keeping an eye on both companies.

Wishful Thinking?

Meanwhile, GigaOm, an influential technology blog launched by Om Malik, is calling for FaceBook to acquire Skype. The reason, Malik says: Facebook wants to mesh communications and community together.

Of course, Malik is merely speculating based on his own views of the market. But that’s what makes a good, informed blog.

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