Unified communications and collaboration just became more practical for midsize enterprises. Avaya today announced Avaya Aura(TM) midsize solution for enterprises, a single-server, unified communications solution for businesses as small as 100 employees and scalable up to 2400 users and 250 locations. The new solution reduces complexity, saves money and puts advanced unified communications and contact centers within easy reach.

The Avaya Aura midsize solution for enterprises is one of the first in the industry to use standards-based virtualization technology for real-time communications. Virtualization -- the use of software to allow a single piece of hardware to run multiple applications at the same time -- will be the de facto method for Avaya to deploy applications going forward.

Called Avaya Aura System Platform, this unique, real-time virtualization technology enables unmodified versions of Avaya Communication Manager, Voice Messaging, SIP Enablement Services, Application Enablement Services, Utility Services and Media Services to be deployed on a single server. The Avaya Aura midsize solution for enterprises uses System Platform with standard, commercial servers certified by Avaya to deliver the security, scalability and resiliency which businesses need for their mission-critical communications.

"When we launched Avaya Aura in May, it provided a breakthrough solution for large enterprises looking to run their unified communications and contact center systems more efficiently," said Alan Baratz, president, Global Communications Systems and senior vice president at Avaya. "With the release of Avaya Aura midsize solution for enterprises, we provide the same, high-performing functionality to even more businesses."

Customers can also easily add Avaya Contact Center Express (CCE), a multi-channel contact center solution for mid-size enterprises to deliver sophisticated customer service capabilities using an array of features including a unified desktop display, advanced multimedia tools and integration to CRM software including Microsoft Dynamics(TM) CRM. The CCE common administration tool will soon be enhanced to let companies manage the contact center-related data and capabilities of Avaya Aura Communication Manager from within CCE.

The Avaya Aura midsize solution for enterprises comes in both Standard and Enterprise Editions. Enterprise Edition includes the Avaya Unified Communications All Inclusive end-user package; companies using Standard Edition can purchase the package for $60 per user. Avaya Unified Communications All Inclusive is a single license that provides easy access to corporate communications from simple, consistent interfaces whether an employee is mobile, at home or remote offices, a hotel or at work.

The Avaya Aura midsize solution for enterprises will be globally available in November.