With an Avaya IP Softphone, a Lenovo PC becomes the office phone by integrating with an existing office extension number and linking it with multiple office, home and mobile numbers that can ring simultaneously or in a sequence at the user's choice. Location becomes irrelevant: callers can reach employees quickly through a single number; employees have full access to Avaya Communication Manager features, voicemail and directories on their Lenovo PCs. In addition, users can make calls using a simple, click-to-dial feature from corporate directories, call logs, Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes contact lists or any open desktop application.

"The Avaya Mobility Edition for our Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks provides unified communications that facilitate business communications among our staff internally and with our customers externally," said Jerry Perkins, executive vice president, Emerging Technologies and Corporate Strategy for Cross Telecom. "This secure, cost-effective solution has generated significant interest from our customers both in fixed and mobile locations due to its ease of use."

The solution includes support for biometric log-in using fingerprint readers on Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks and optional Lenovo external keyboards, as well as a new voicemail notification function that uses Lenovo's ThinkLight feature. Lenovo's integrated fingerprint reader provides easy access to business communications with the swipe of a finger while protecting contact lists and call histories from unauthorized access. In addition, Lenovo's ThinkLight, located on the top of the ThinkPad notebooks' screen bezel, alerts users to incoming voicemail.

"Avaya's Unified Communications and IP telephony solution embedded on Lenovo's ThinkPad notebooks enhances worker productivity by providing secure access to a built-in softphone for business communications from any location via their notebook PC," said Stephen Borcich, vice president, Unified Communications, Avaya. "The integrated solution can reduce company expenses by limiting the need for calling cards, hotel phones, second home lines and cell phone charges. The Avaya Mobility Edition for Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks and ThinkCentre desktops enables companies to quickly streamline the growing complexity of their workers' communications environment on their existing PC fleets while giving them more functionality that's also easy to use. "

The solution is available for purchase immediately in North America from Lenovo and Lenovo business partners. Technical support for the joint solution will be provided by Avaya. Pricing starts at $51 per user, with volume discounts available.