Avaya is extending Flare Communicator technology
beyond its own Flare tablet hardware, beginning with the launch of a version of
the software for the popular Apple iPad tablet. The announcement of the iPad version
of the user interface follows on prior announcements of PC and smartphone
versions.
The
mobile collaboration application is available to iPad users via the Apple App
Store for free. Until April 30, customers can receive free Avaya Aura client
licenses for up to 50 clients. The licenses will give them the ability to
connect iPad users to Flare Communicator. To take advantage of the offer,
customers need to be using Aura 6.1 or later. At the end of the initial
promotion, licenses will carry a list price of $100 per user.
The
launch of Avaya Flare Communicator for Apple iPad tablets follows on the ever
increasing popularity of the iPad, but it’s only a start when it comes to
deploying Flare Communicator on tablet devices.
“What
we’re doing is extending our range of mobile clients that empower people
wherever they are,” said Lawrence Byrd, director of collaboration solutions at
Avaya.
The
application provides the secure mobile collaboration, including
enterprise-class voice, instant messaging and presence with email integration
on Wi-Fi and 3G networks. According to Byrd, it really makes the iPad a useful
communications and collaboration tool within the enterprise, no matter whether
the enterprise or the worker has purchased the device.
“Bringing
it out on the iPad makes it easier for mobile workers to set up an office
anywhere and have access to phone, instant messaging and presence through the
corporate communications environment,” Byrd said.
Designed
specifically for enterprise deployments, Flare Communicator provides several
benefits and capabilities over and above what’s available on consumer mobile
devices. With Flare Communicator, enterprise iPad users will have the ability
to view the availability of associates from the contacts card and contact them
in the method of their choice with a simple tap on of the screen, manage two
simultaneous voice calls, multi-task using other applications while
communicating, and search the corporate directory and associates to the Flare
Communicator contacts fan for easy access.
“Businesses
are deciding that the tablet format is very valuable. We see that in financial
services, in healthcare, and even organizations that are traditionally
conservative are deploying iPads,” Byrd said.
Other
growing markets for the iPad include universities and other educational
institutions, he added. In many cases, the trend is flowing upwards from
workers who are bringing their own iPads into the enterprise and expecting to
be connected to the company network, but in other cases, enterprises are the
ones making the purchases and deploying iPads to their employees.
As
a consumer mobile device, there are concerns about security – both on the
corporate network and while roaming to unsecured wi-fi hotspots.
“Part
of our overall solution is to make sure that it’s secure and controllable,”
Byrd said.
According
to Byrd, Avaya’s channel partners have been enthusiastic about the launch of a
version of Flare Communicator for the iPad.
“We’ve
been working for many months in betas and trials, and prior to the
announcement, we had over 4,000 downloads. Our partners are very enthusiastic
about how to empower people, how to deal with the increasing mobile and
distributed workforce, and how to tackle bring-your-own-device trends. These
are good conversations to have with their customers and a conversation many
customers want to have,” Byrd said.
Mobile Devices 
