Patton (News - Alert) Electronics Company has announced that SmartNode VoIP media gateways -- release 6.T and newer -- have been tested and certified in Microsoft's Unified Communications (News - Alert) Open Interoperability Program for Lync Communications Server.

The qualification for Microsoft's Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program ensures that customers have seamless experiences with setup, support, and use of qualified telephony infrastructure and services with Microsoft's (News - Alert) unified communications software such as Lync Server.

To the enterprise customers and system integrators, the certification assures that SmartNode VoIP equipment interoperates seamlessly with Microsoft’s UC software.

Company officials said that Microsoft lists Patton and SmartNode in the Direct SIP category, while Patton cites Microsoft as a Patton-Certified Enterprise Communication Partner for Lync and OCS.

An enterprise-ready unified communications platform, Microsoft Lync enables users to keep track of their contacts’ availability; send an IM; start or join an audio, video, or Web conference; or make a phone call -- all through an interface.  

With SmartNode gateway-routers, organizations can leverage the benefits offered by Lync-based unified communications, and without replacing their existing phones or PBX (News - Alert) systems as well as without sacrificing connectivity with the traditional PSTN.

Company officials said that SmartNode interconnects Lync software with legacy voice technologies and the PSTN. This enables it to preserves past investment in still-operational systems and add rich IP-telephony features such as voice-and-data survivability and least-cost call routing.

Additionally, Patton announced that it has published a free eleven-page application note entitled Microsoft Lync and Patton SmartNode. This note provides set-up tips, valuable background information, and a sample SmartNode configuration file.

Earlier this year in April, Patton Electronics started taking orders for the eight-to-24-call SmartNode 4670 BRI/FXS/FXO VoIP Integrated Access Device (IAD) with built-in IP fax capability and G.SHDSL broadband access.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO click here.

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