Mitel announced an updated version of its Linux-based Unified Communications server for the SMB market. The Mitel 5000 CP 5.0 adds support for up to 20 eight-party conferences, bidirectional synchronization of voice messages with email, dynamic extensions for up 10 associated devices, a new web portal, and a System Open Architecture Interface (OAI) Toolkit for third-party app integration.

Designed for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) with up to 250 users, the latest Mitel 5000 Communications Platform (CP) release 5.0 delivers enhanced mobility support, increased ease-of-use, and simplified management, says the company. A spokesperson for the long-time PBX vendor confirmed to LinuxDevices that its VoIP communications server runs on embedded Linux.

The 5000 CP enables the integration of legacy Mitel IP and TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) infrastructure, providing  integrated IP telephony and Unified Communications (UC) functionality for up to 99 sites, says Mitel. The server is said to enable businesses to network geographically-dispersed employees and locations, whether they are connecting over a data network, or use digital, IP, or mobile phones.

Mitel 5000 CP
(Click to enlarge)

The Mitel 5000 CP's UC features are said to include unified voice messaging, fax-over-IP, and analog and digital phone routing out of the box. Additional messaging, conferencing, collaboration, presence, and video features are available via integration with the Mitel Applications Suite (MAS), as well as Mitel Unified Communicator (UC) Express and Mitel Unified Communicator (UC) Advanced software, says the company.

Supported communications standards are said to include Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), 802.11b, 802.3af, as well as ITU G.711, G.729, and T.38 (fax). The system is also said to support WAP, LDAP, and .NET.

The 5.0 release of the Mitel 5000 CP is said to add the following features:

• Meet-Me Conferencing is now an embedded function, and now offers up to 20 simultaneous, eight-party conferences.
• Embedded voicemail has been enhanced to offer Unified Voice Messaging, featuring bidirectional synchronization of voice messages with email, including Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes support.
• Dynamic Extension Express, which provides single-number support and calling between desktop and mobile devices, now enables up to 10 associated devices within a group, and adds features including message waiting indication and hand-off push and pull.
• Embedded "hotdesking" has been added, enabling users to log in to any phone and have access to personal communications settings — previously accessible only on desktop PCs.
• New web portal lets end-users view and configure communications settings.
• System Administration and Diagnostics client now features embedded reporting capabilities.
• System Open Architecture Interface (OAI) toolkit has been enhanced to enable more transparent integration with third-party applications.

The Mitel 5000 CP offers four built-in analog trunk ports, and four analog station ports, says Mitel. In addition, four module bays allow for internal expansion.

Optional modules four these four bays are said to include a T-1/E-1/PRI module for connecting to TDM telephony systems, a loop start module that provides four analog connections to the phone company, and a module offering four analog phone connections. Additional module options are said to include paging and music-on-hold, a Digital Expansion Interface (DEI), and a "Door Relay" capability controlled by designated phones.

Mitel 5000 CP, rear port detail
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Mitel did not reveal the processor or memory used on the 5000 CP, and there are few other hardware details available: most of the information the company did offer is indicated in the annotated photo above. As shown, standard interfaces include Ethernet ports, USB ports, and a CompactFlash slot. The box supports shelf-top, rack-mount, and wall-mount placement, says Mitel.

Stated Chris Caravaglia, network administrator for Builder's Hardware, "The Mitel 5000 CP stood out from other communications solutions in the market because it comes equipped with the embedded UC applications that we need to help our employees collaborate effectively. Now we can easily set up call twinning, support teleworking, and have the flexibility to adapt as our communications need grow — all at a competitive price."

Availability

The Mitel 5000 CP release 5.0 appears to be available now at an undisclosed price. More information may be found in this Mitel 5000 CP PDF data sheet.

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