ShoreTel links Android phones to corporate PBXs

Enterprise IT groups can now tie in Android-based mobile devices to corporate directories and IP PBX (Private -Automatic- Branch Exchange)s, with the latest update by ShoreTel to its mobility software.

ShoreTel Mobility 4.6 is server software, plus a mobile OS client -- in such a case for Android 2.2 or higher -- that at the same time let enterprises extend a range of IP PBX services and features to corporate- or employee-owned smartphones and tablets.

The software is based on code originally developed

The software is based on code originally developed by Agito Networks, which ShoreTel acquired a year ago. The ShoreTel client integrates with the native dialer on the smartphone, and creates a new phone-based user interface to features on the PBX. The ShoreTel Mobility Router in the enterprise interfaces with an array of third-party IP PBX systems, and eliminates the need for a VPN, according to the vendor.

ShoreTel, located in Sunnyvale, Calif., offers an IP phone system and unified communications software for the enterprise. The company competes with Cisco, Avaya and others. Before this year, a Wisconsin school district scrapped a Cisco VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) infrastructure for one based on ShoreTel. 

The new release of the ShoreTel Mobility software

With the new release of the ShoreTel Mobility software, Android phones now can use corporate PBX and unified communications features, just as putting a call on hold, conferencing, transferring, and having a single enterprise phone number and voicemail. Before, ShoreTel Mobility supported iOS, BlackBerry OS and Nokia phones.

The software can distinguish between personal calls and business calls. For instance, friends calling the user's personal cell number are directed to personal voicemail, nevertheless a customer or colleague dialing the business number will be directed to the corporate voicemail.