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Healthcare facilities operate in a strict regulatory environment covering virtually every aspect of their operations, this includes communications. If an IP phone provider expects to jump into the healthcare industry, it has to comply with these regulations. Case in point is the new VTech IP phones that will be introduced to the Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) Enterprise Vertical Markets in Europe by ALE. According to ALE, these phones will have antibacterial plastic, as well as having to follow other compliance standards including the green standards that are prevalent in Europe.

As part of the Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise brand, ALE provides communications solutions and services from the office to the cloud for enterprises and industry-specific applications. The company has a global presence in more than 100 countries with over 2,900 partners that serve the 830,000 customers it has around the world.

"The hospitality and healthcare markets are key verticals for ALE, where we have a historical presence and have been working in close proximity with our customers for over 20 years. The relationship with VTech is part of a continuous move from ALE to offer relevant end-to-end solutions and services through our distribution channels," said Christophe Ameline, head of Vertical Markets Strategy & Offer at ALE.

The phones from VTech will come from the company's current product line which will include select analog and SIP phones which will be validated to operate on the Alcatel-Lucent OmniPCX Enterprise, OmniPCX Office RCE and Alcatel-Lucent OXO Connect platforms. As part of this partnership, VTech IP phones will be offered in Europe with the goal of entering new regions sometime in 2017.

The combined manufacturing capabilities of ALE and VTech, will according to the companies provide healthcare and hospital customers more options to meet their communication needs. The phones have been specifically designed for this industry to be personalized with customizable faceplates with the company brand and dialing instructions. This is a necessary feature in healthcare facilities as faceplates are printed with important information that connect different departments and outside organizations quickly and efficiently.

"This relationship offers tremendous opportunities for both companies. VTech’s commitment to growing its hospitality business, combined with ALE expertise in the PBX (News - Alert) industry, will bring great benefits to both parties,” said Charles M.A. Williams, Sales Director, EMEA of VTech Communications Limited.