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Hewlett-Packard (News - Alert) (HP) highlights its “Just Right IT” portfolio for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) that includes IT capabilities (new server, printer, PC and software products), wireless data networking for laptops and computers (a new 802.11n WiFi Access Point (News - Alert)) and IP telephony (an upgraded VCX telephony system and new 350x IP phones). HP and its channel partners can now offer smaller business customers a full range of office solutions (data and voice) from one communications vendor. VCX solutions for larger enterprises are also available. In April 2010, HP acquired 3Com and has incorporated the 3Com VCX IP PBX (News - Alert) systems into the HP Networking unit portfolio. The former 3Com VCX systems will move forward with enhancements and integrations with HP products (3Com’s NBX portfolio is discontinued). Read more below for more on HP’s VCX and other IP PBX systems on the market.

Following the acquisition of 3Com in April 2010, Hewlett-Packard (HP) has folded the 3Com VCX IP Telephony systems into its HP Networking unit, adding telephony to its portfolio of IT and data networking products. In a recent announcement around new IT and data networking products geared toward small and mid-size businesses (SMBs), HP introduced a new version of the VCX IP Telephony system and a new series of IP telephones. HP has discontinued the NBX platforms from 3Com, but is moving forward with VCX Connect for SMBs and the VCX V7000 Unified Communications (News - Alert) Series for larger organizations.

Below are the available VCX IP Telephony options from HP:

VCX Release 9.5 delivers several enhancements and new features, including support for VCX running on HP Servers. The V7005 Unified Communications Server (HP DL120G6) with optional redundant disk drive is used for VCX Connect 200 and VCX V7005 Classic or Expand configurations; the V7205 Unified Communications Server (HP DL360G6 with redundant disk drive and power supply included) is used for VCX V7205. VCX R9.5 also increases the scalability of the VCX Connect 200 system from 250 to 500 users and from 1,500 to 3,000 networked users. Additional enhancements are made to IP Messaging (secure IMAP connections, fax server functionality and 50-, 250- and 1,000-seat license bundles), ACD (ACD Call Detail Record Reporting) and Global Directory (synchronization across release levels). The VCX softphone (Desktop Communicator) adds file transfer and some user-friendly features such as forward typing and searching for a company name.

A new 350x Series of IP Phones includes five models (3500B, 3500, 3501, 3502, 3503) with a contemporary design and with features over and above the earlier 3Com 310x IP phones. A high-end executive model has a large back-lit, color display with configurable background image. Several models have dual-port Gigabit connectivity, Power over Ethernet support and wideband audio (G.722 or G.722.2). All models support energy saving options; administrators can configure a screen save mode and a power save mode that uses up to 50% less power than the phone’s active state.

Availability/Compatibility: VCX R9.5 is available as of September 2010 and is a free download for existing VCX customers. HP has discontinued the earlier 3Com NBX systems; however, NBX customers can migrate to a VCX Connect or VCX V7000 Series system, and the earlier 310x telephones are compatible with VCX 9.5 systems and provide full VCX feature support.