Wireless, Wireline Become One With Cingular

[jones]

Wireless, Wireline Become One With Cingular OfficeReach(TM)
Wednesday February 22, 10:00 am ET
Voice Communications Management Solution Integrates Mobile and Office Communications as Single System for Greater Control and Efficiency


ATLANTA, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless today introduced Cingular OfficeReach(TM), an integrated communications management solution that allows businesses to administer their wireline and wireless services as one system to help control telecom costs and increase productivity.
OfficeReach is a voice-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) that enables business customers to manage their communications platforms through a suite of valuable tools, including One Number Service, Customizable Call Management, Private Numbering Plan, and Zone Billing. OfficeReach is integrated directly into a company's existing telephone network and uses a database-driven, intelligent platform. OfficeReach requires no capital investment in PBX infrastructure so trunk line and PBX investments are minimized while the organization grows.

"OfficeReach satisfies the needs of Cingular business customers who are grappling with the challenges of managing and better leveraging multiple communications platforms in an increasingly mobile world," said Joe Lueckenhoff, vice president, business mobility and marketing, for Cingular Wireless. "With OfficeReach, Cingular is paving the way for businesses to optimize their fixed and wireless communications to increase employee productivity while reducing communications costs."

Using Cingular OfficeReach, companies can establish a one-number "find me/ follow me" service that allows for employees to be reached at their desk, mobile phone, home or any other location they specify, all by a single phone number. The user can pick up to three numbers that can be reached sequentially by a single phone number. For example, if a company employee is traveling to a satellite office, the one number service can be set to first try the employee's mobile phone, then a phone number at the satellite office and lastly the phone in the employee's hotel room.

Customers also can set up an abbreviated dialing feature so that workers can be reached at their desk or mobile phone via the same two-to-five digit extension number. In addition, businesses can establish single or multiple calling zones in which they enjoy special rating on both fixed and wireless service, and customizable call restrictions to reduce or eliminate unauthorized calls on company-owned wireless devices.

OfficeReach also simplifies communications management. It allows managers to activate all OfficeReach services and restrictions from a single Web-based interface, and employees can set up their personal services via the Web. The solution also reduces the administrative burden of managing wireless bills with flexible, easy-to-use invoicing through a single carrier featuring on- and off-network call tracking.

"There has been increasing demand by companies of all sizes for a way to better control and manage more easily their total fixed wireless and wireline spend while increasing employee accessibility and productivity," said Mark Winther, Group Vice President & General Manager, Worldwide Telecommunications, for IDC. "Through its new OfficeReach service, Cingular is presenting a viable solution to this growing business issue."

Cingular OfficeReach is available to business customers with a qualified Cingular Wireless business agreement. OfficeReach packages are flexible and enable customers to choose different elements of the OfficeReach service based what's right for the organization or individual users within the organization. Customers can choose from multi-tier pricing options and subscribe to individual OfficeReach features or the entire OfficeReach suite to maximize wireless expense control.

For more information, please go to www.cingular.com/officereach.