2 September 2014

SMEs in Australia can leverage Microsoft Lync via iiNet

Parallels, the platform provider for cloud service delivery, has successfully deployed Microsoft Lync via Parallels Automation at iiNet, Australia's second-largest DSL Internet service provider and the leading challenger in Australia's telecommunications market. The new Microsoft Lync service from iiNet will make enterprise-grade voice, telephony and video calling services affordable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) nationwide. 


Source: iiNet website.

IiNet has been providing Australian SMEs with innovative connectivity solutions to suit the changing dynamics of its home market for 20 years. With almost 40% of SME* employees now working away from the office, there is an urgent need to make available business-class collaboration solutions at economical prices, the company said.

The new offering builds on iiNet's popular Hosted Microsoft Exchange email service, equipping SMEs with fully integrated corporate tools to communicate and collaborate where they want, when they want and how they want. 

The iiNet Microsoft Lync service lets businesses make clear voice and video calls over their broadband connection, share their desktop with others and instant message in a familiar Microsoft environment. Business customers can also make free local and national landline calls from a personalised number directly from their desk phone. Other advanced telephony features include voicemail being forwarded to email, call forwarding and automated receptionist services.

“We’re excited to announce this is the first time an Australian ISP has combined Lync with a ground-breaking voice solution to help our small business customers cut costs and transform the way they work,” said Greg Bader, Chief Business Officer at iiNet.

“What we offer with Lync is a great step up, a professional communications tool that’s designed to work well with your desk phone as well as on your desktop. Additionally, it’s backed by our reliable broadband network and award-winning support team with priority business lines.” 

According to the most recent Parallels SMB Cloud Insights, the global market for communications and collaboration solutions is projected to triple in the next three years, from US$6.5 billion in 2013 to US$20 billion by 2016. Customers are seeing significant benefits by combining unified communications services like Microsoft Lync with their other cloud-based collaboration and communications solutions such as Hosted Exchange.

“The most recent report by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) validates our observation that SMEs are ready and willing to integrate technology into their business process provided the solutions are affordable, easy to use and don't take much effort to maintain,” said Pavel Ershov, Vice President for Service Provider, Parallels Asia Pacific and Japan.

IiNet Microsoft Lync is available in three plans starting from A$1.95 per month per user, no contract required. 

*”Home is where the work is – the digital worker” study, ACMA, October 2013.