Unified Group is claiming a UK first having implemented and demonstrated the next generation of Nortel and Microsoft multimedia conferencing technology based on Unified Communications (UC) platforms - Nortel Communications CS 1000 Release 5.5 and Microsoft Office Communication Server (OCS) 2007.

At Unified Group's Open Day, which took place on 19th June, the Nortel integrator demonstrated the latest Nortel and Microsoft conferencing technology including: Nortel Multimedia Conferencing (NMC); Microsoft Live Meeting; and Microsoft Roundtable which provides 360 degree panoramic video support.

Mark Hyland, marketing director, Unified Group, said: "The demonstration of this multimedia conferencing solution is an industry first combining the latest Nortel and Microsoft multimedia conferencing technologies. It has particular benefits for international or distributed organisations looking to provide real collaborative working opportunities. This technology means that any boardroom can become a state of the art multimedia conference facility easily accommodating multiple remote users."

As a dedicated Nortel Gold solutions partner, Unified has one of the largest number of trained Nortel engineers in the country. The Nortel integrator regularly beta tests the latest Nortel applications and new releases and is one of the first in the UK to implement Nortel's latest CS 5.5 release with Microsoft OCS 2007 in its own environment.

The purpose of the Open Day was to demonstrate how the latest UC technology provides significant and transparent benefits to companies. Successful UC provides businesses with a more responsive, simplified communication system, reduced timescales and costs, which in turn improves productivity and customer care.