Combining the Samsung's Ubigate iBG with the Avaya Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based IP telephony infrastructure, the companies have created an intelligent business solution for mid-sized enterprises. The solution integrates security, LAN switching, WAN routing and PSTN access from Samsung with Avaya MultiVantage? communication applications, which
maximize employee efficiency and improve customer response times and business processes.

Today's announcement leverages Samsung's introduction earlier this year of its UbigateTM iBG Series Convergence Platform and represents the initial phase of jointly- developed product and solution activities between Samsung and Avaya.

The Ubigate iBG Series enables a complete network infrastructure by providing a convergence of essential network functions routing, switching and security ? into a single, easy-to-manage platform.

Integrating the Ubigate IBG platform with Avaya SIP Enablement Services and Avaya Communication Manager software enables both companies to deliver high-value, converged communications solutions tailored for mid-sized enterprises.

Businesses seeking to gain competitive advantage while keeping costs under control can implement the Ubigate iBG series combined with Avaya SIP Enablement Services and Avaya Communications Manager telephony software. Companies seeking mobility and messaging applications can deploy the Ubigate iBG combined with SIP Enablement Services and Avaya MultiVantage Express to deliver a simple, yet secure high performance solution to the mid-market.

Avaya MultiVantage Express provides bundled communications applications on a single server for mid-sized businesses and was recently named a "MidMarket Product of the Year" by CMP Media's VARBusiness magazine.

Underlying these solutions is use of the SIP standard. SIP technology provides enhanced collaborative communications to greatly improve business processes, support low-cost endpoints, and provide access to carrier-provided services that reduce overall networking costs.

"This is a perfect example of how synergy can be realized-by combining the strengths of two companies." said Woon Sub Kim, executive vice president of Samsung's Telecommunications Network Business. "The UbigateTM iBG Series and MultiVantageTM Express solution provide excellent value to mid-sized customers. Samsung also intends to introduce additional products and capabilities that target small and medium businesses and branch offices of mid-to-large enterprises."

"This solution shows the power that SIP-based IP telephony can deliver to mid-sized enterprises," said Micky Tsui, group vice president, Global Communications Solutions, Avaya. "By adhering to industry standards, Avaya and Samsung are delivering high value solutions with a cost-effective, flexible foundation, enabling mid-sized companies to use IP telephony to serve their customers better and improve productivity -- today, and for years to come."

The initial platform being launched in the Ubigate iBG product family is the UbigateTM iBG3026. The iBG Series, which Avaya will sell as a co-branded offering, is targeted to mid-sized businesses. The Ubigate iBG Series' single unit design decreases the total cost of ownership by allowing more simplified network administration. It has the tools necessary to manage user communications effectively and securely End-user-controllable features and applications reduce IT support needs by enabling greater self-service flexibility.

Future offerings are planned for solutions for the mid-market. Avaya and Samsung will market and sell the joint solutions initially in Korea, China and India, with plans to expand distribution to other countries.