The Business Ethernet Switch (BES) 50, for desktops and the stackable BES 200 series should help partners broaden their offerings to smaller companies, said Nortel officials
The addition of the units “provides a complete portfolio of solutions designed for the needs of small and medium businesses” up to 300 users, said Richard Solosky, Nortel’s SMB product marketing director. He defined that as companies from five to 300 users.
“These are not big enterprise products repackaged for the SME.
They’re designed from the ground
up. They’re priced right for the SMB marketplace and they work in an integrated fashion.
At the same time Nortel also announced Release 2 of its Business Communications Manager 50 software, used to manage Internet-based communications, which now adds an Intelligent Contact Center and Multimedia Contact Center, giving users access to detailed reporting, real-time statistics and Web presence features.
“We’re offering a complete portfolio of voice and data products to make it easier for our partners to move into the converged market, and provide better service to customers,” said Soloksy.
The BES 50, which is available this month, comes in Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet versions in 12 or 24-port models. Prices range from US$750 to US$1,375.
Plug and play
A Web-managed device for plug and play installation, Nortel says it offers a complete converged networking solution for small businesses with less than 50 network users when used with the BCM 50 software.
The BES 200 line, which came out last month, will have two models, the 210 and the 220 with similar features in 24- and 48-port versions. However, the 220 also offers Power over Ethernet. Up to four of either model can be stacked together.
Prices range from US$595 to US$2,290 depending on the number of ports.
Darin Barton, director of sales for Net Cyclops, an Oakville, Ont., Nortel VAR, said that for small organizations with limited budgets the new switches “could be an economical solution.”
“We’ve got a fair number of businesses those would fit nicely,” he said.
However, he believes that most medium-sized companies would opt for one of Nortel’s bigger and fuller-featured Ethernet Switch 400 series, which “are going to provide to provide a higher value in the long run.”
The release of the BES 50 and 200 lines is part of the company’s “IPT 1-2-3” campaign to push its products to small and mid-sized customers.
The program, launched in September, includes a streamlined online application allowing distributors and resellers to quickly assemble quotes on solutions. For example, a partner can put together a bundle including an IP-based PBX, unified voice messaging and IP-enabled desk phones.
