Skype and Avaya team to unify their communications

Avaya and Skype announced yesterday that they were signing a strategic agreement to collaborate on unified communications (UC).

The first round of the deal involves deploying Skype Connect for Avaya customers allowing them to access the Skype calling features from their IP-based enterprise communication systems over SIP. Skype Connect will be accessible to companies using Avaya Aura--Avaya's UC system. The companies claim the move will save money for Avaya customers when they use Skype Connect to make calls internationally. Additionally, Skype's massive user base will be able to place Skype calls to Avaya's businesses customers for free or at a reduced rate.

In the second phase of the deal slated for late 2011, Avaya and Skype plan to roll out more integrated UC offerings to establish a federation between the two services. Customers from both companies will be able to engage in presence communications, instant messaging, voice and video. Consumers who use Skype regularly will be able to contact companies who use Avaya to handle any customer service issues within a powerful user experience.

The combination of technologies adds a level of legitimacy to Skype's business offerings by having Avaya's proven name secure the network communications and provide tracking, recording and regulatory compliance.

For more:
- read the release
- read FierceTelecom's coverage

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