Aastra and Headset Solutions (Plantronics) 'Lync-Up'

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan. 26, 2011 - Johannesburg, 26th January, 2011 – Aastra, a leading company at the forefront of the enterprise communication market, has selected Headset Solutions as a distribution partner for its Aastra IP Phones designed for use on the Microsoft® Lync™ Unified Communications platform.

Founded in 1990 and boasting and excellent BEE rating, Headset Solutions (PLANTRONICS AFRICA) have established themselves as a credible and reliable source of a comprehensive selection of headsets that support a wide range of devices from phones to laptop computers.  “One of the greatest benefits of Microsoft® Lync is that customers are able to choose a device that suits their specific working style. Whether you are office based or a mobile worker, there is a device to cater for your working style. With the Aastra product range, we are now able to offer our partners a complete range of products, both headsets and SIP Phones, thus allowing choice to the end user when it comes to selection of devices.” says Duncan Barnes, Channel Manager Unified Communications for Headset Solutions (PLANTRONICS AFRICA).

Aastra’s 6725ip and 6721ip IP phones for Microsoft Lync, are the latest additions to the award winning line of Aastra IP phones. Embedded in the hardware design is the Microsoft Lync 2010 Phone Edition, offering seamless integration into Microsoft’s Lync Server 2010. This combination provides for the fullest Lync feature set available, including simplified installation, management and configuration.

When connected to a Microsoft Lync 2010 equipped desktop, these terminals provide a synchronized integration with the desktop client enabling enhanced functionality, including click-to-dial and desktop control of calling features such as transfer, hold, call park and conferencing.

“We are extremely excited to have Headset Solutions on board, as we feel their track record, professionalism and expertise are the perfect compliment to an excellent product”, says Hercules Schoombee, Managing Director for Aastra Telecom South Africa. “We already know the benefits of a fully enabled Microsoft Lync solution coupled with Aastra phones, but we now have a strong mechanism to take these devices into a larger component of the South African market”.

To learn more about the 6721ip or 6725ip www.aastra.com/lyncphones  .

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About Aastra Telecom South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Aastra Telecom South Africa is the sub-Saharan business unit of Aastra Technologies Limited, (TSX:“AAH”), a leading company at the forefront of the enterprise communication market. Headquartered in Concord, Ontario, Canada, Aastra develops and delivers innovative communications products and applications for businesses. Aastra’s operations are truly global with more than 50 million installed lines around the world and a direct and indirect presence in more than 100 countries. Aastra is entirely dedicated to enterprise communications and offers one of the most complete portfolios of unified communications solutions individually tailored to satisfy its customers’ requirements. These range from feature-rich call managers for small and medium businesses and highly scalable ones for large enterprises, integrated mobility, and call centres solutions to a wide selection of terminals. With a strong focus on open standards, Aastra enables enterprises to communicate and collaborate more efficiently. For additional information on Aastra, visit our website at http://www.aastra.com or http://www.aastrasa.co.za.

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Premium provider of Unified Communications, Collaboration, Contact Centre, VoIP and Open Standards based telephony solutions, servicing the sub-Saharan African region.