Siemens Communications Inc. has introduced its answer to fixed mobile convergence. The new HiPath MobileConnect platform automatically decides which calls should roam on voice over WLAN or cellular networks, making the most of a companys IP PBX investment and reducing cellular costs.

Telecom managers believe approximately 28 percent of their employees are using mobile phones as their primary work phone, said Nora Freedman, an analyst for research firm IDC. “If enterprises are looking to provide greater mobility to their employees while leveraging the robust functionality of their IP PBXs, enterprises should look toward enterprise FMC solutions that allow for single-number dialing to aid in regaining control of mobility costs.”

Siemens developed an appliance that sits between the enterprises IP PBX and the WLAN. The device monitors a users location and the available networks, whether corporate or public. It then decides which network the user should be on and switches accordingly. The HiPath platform comes with a dual-mode handset client that talks to the IP PBX.

The platform means users get one phone number and one voice mail system, instead of having to hand out multiple contact methods.

HIPath MobileConnect works with almost all SIP-supported IP PBXs, WLANs and dual-mode handsets, Siemens said. The company has certified the product with its HiPath 8000 communications server, the Siemens HiPath Wireless platform and some dual-mode handsets.

Siemens Communications Inc. www.siemens.com