GALVESTON, Texas, Sept. 23, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- J&J Telecommunications Inc., a leading supplier of hosted VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services to small businesses in the Texas area, provided uninterrupted service during Hurricane Ike.
Hurricane Ike tore through Texas, leaving millions of Americans without power or drinking water and swamped the coastal barrier island town of Galveston; while J&J's hosted customers still had phone coverage throughout the massive storm.
"The power of Mitel's hosted voice solution allowed us to provide customers with uninterrupted communications during Ike," said Scott Kellogg, CEO of J&J Telecommunications Inc. "Businesses using premise-based equipment were knocked out of service, while companies using our hosted service were able to operate normally -- business as usual."
One of Galveston's largest insurance companies moved their operations inland when the storm warnings came. Using a combination of remote worker and twinning functionality provided by Mitel's 3600 platform, the 14 -person office easily plugged their phones in another location, and were able to communicate with their clients during and after the storm.
"This is a great example of the flexibility of our 3600 product," said COO of Mitel Networks, Paul Butcher. "We're helping to provide business continuity solutions for business of all sizes, worldwide."
Pat Smith, Chairman and CEO of Natural Convergence added, "We have deep roots and investment in our partnership with Mitel and it is once again evident that the investments made by both companies continue to pay dividends to our customers and their customers. We expect the system to provide the crucial business continuity required during emergency situations or natural disasters and we are honored to have stood side by side with J&J and Mitel during Hurricane Ike."
The Mitel 3600 Hosted Key System, powered by Natural Convergence's silhouette, is a carrier-grade communications system that allows service providers to displace traditional key systems and SMB VoIP in small businesses (5-50 employees) with a hosted service that is full featured, simple to use, low cost and easy to manage. The solution also features tight integration of Mitel Phones, 52XX and 53XX, to ensure simple operations and deployment whether during first install or emergency relocations like required during Hurricane Ike. Small business owners can enjoy business-quality voice using the same broadband data connection they use for Internet access, and can rely on one vendor for all their business communication and continuity needs.
For more information on the 3600 Hosted Key System or silhouette and providing business continuity solutions with hosted VoIP in the small business space, visit: www.mitel.com or www.naturalconvergence.com
About J&J Telecommunications Inc. (www.jandjtelecom.com/)
J&J Telecommunications Inc. specializes in telephone systems for businesses nationwide. Founded in 1984 by Eddie Janek, Sr., we craft communications solutions to help clients on their path to success. Our main commitment at J&J is to customer satisfaction, and we keep our customers pleased with services such as our 24-hour emergency call out seven days a week, and free loaner equipment. J&J is headquartered in Galveston, Texas
About Mitel (www.mitel.com)
Mitel delivers flexibility and simplicity in smart unified communications solutions and applications for organizations of all sizes. Combined with a full range of managed services that include voice and data network design and traffic provisioning, custom application development, and attractive financing options, Mitel is reinventing how successful organizations gain competitive advantage by easily collaborating and communicating over distance and time with customers, colleagues and partners. Mitel's (www.mitel.com) U.S. headquarters are in Phoenix, AZ. Global headquarters are in Ottawa, Canada, with offices, partners, and resellers worldwide.
About Natural Convergence and silhouette (www.naturalconvergence.com)
Natural Convergence supplies hosted VoIP software that enables service providers to sell dramatically improved services to the huge, yet untapped, small business market. It's flagship product, silhouette, replaces traditional key systems, combining familiar functionality with powerful cost and performance advantages. Its go-to-market channel strategy is optimized to the buying habits of small businesses -- from value-added resellers, through service providers and original equipment manufacturers.
Founded in April 2001, NCI has grown with major service provider customers deploying their industry leading products to small business customers across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the Caribbean.
Natural Convergence is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada.
The Natural Convergence logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4579