Covad Intros Cisco-based IP-based voice and data offering for small to medium businesses (SMBs)

Covad Communications introduced an that bundles Covad’s ClearEdge Integrated Access and Cisco’s (quote - news - alert) Unified CallManager Express. The customer-managed IP Communications service is based on Cisco’s Unified CallManager Express and it features an auto attendant, night service bell, call logging, caller ID, call monitoring, call forwarding, call pickup, dual-line appearances, and hunt groups.
The system also provides SMBs with other capabilities, such as video telephony, rich- media conferencing, unified messaging, and softphone integration. Covad’s ClearEdge Integrated Access combines voice and data on a single, integrated connection to deliver VoIP, broadband, e-mail, and Web-based hosting services on one bill.
The service also features an optional Web-accessible interface, the Covad Integrated Access Dashboard. The Cisco Unified CallManager Express is embedded in the Cisco Internet Services Router that provides call processing for Cisco Unified IP phones. According to the agreement between Covad and Cisco, Cisco Unified CallManager Express and integrated services routers for the system will be sold, deployed and maintained by authorized Cisco and Covad partners.
“Covad’s customer focus led it to develop this offering specifically for SMBs that require smart, simple and secure communications services,” stated Vic Northrup, vice president of service provider operations for Cisco. “This offering gives these businesses exactly what they need in a managed unified communications service… allowing them to get the best of both the hosted and the premise-based communications solution.” http://www.covad.com
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