Irwin Lazar's "Real-Time" Blog

Mitel Acquires Inter-Tel

Mitel has announced an agreement to acquire Inter-Tel. Both companies compete in the SMB market for voice over IP, and both have a strong set of solutions.

My guess is that Mitel saw two primary gains with this acquisition, the first is Inter-Tel's large network of service and support offices throughout the U.S., the second is Inter-Tel's strength in the SMB market. Inter-Tel also offers managed services that Mitel can build upon.

Still, there's a great deal of product overlap, so I expect we'll see some sort of shakeout fairly soon after the acquisition is complete.

 

FutureNet Update

"FutureNet: MPLS, VPLS and Beyond" takes place next week in New York. For more information, please visit FutureNet: MPLS, VPLS and Beyond

The conference program looks very strong this year, with sessions on the evolution of Ethernet, network and performance management, and WAN futures. We've also attracted a large international audience. See below:

International Audience to Discuss the Future of Networks to Help Enterprises and Service Providers Stay at the Forefront of the Telecommunication and IP Network Transformation

FutureNet: MPLS, VPLS and Beyond: The lineup of high-level network technology sessions has attracted an international audience to FutureNet Expo April 30 - May 3 in New York. Already attendees from 14 countries plus the United States and Canada have registered to attend. Countries represented include Germany, Poland, United Kingdom, Jamaica, Denmark, Australia, Japan, Finland, China, New Zealand, Brazil, Turkey, Russia, and Switzerland.

Companies' scheduled to attend are a "Who's Who" in technology and business including: Adva Optical Networking, Alcatel-Lucent, Arcor, Asia Netcom, Aster, AT&T, Bell Canada, Brunschwig Fils, Inc, BT Radianz, Cable Wireless Jamaica, Capital Group Companies, Inc, Carole Lynn Steiner and Company, Cisco, City of New York, Colgate Palmolive Company, Combiz Press, Conde Nast, Cox Communications, DE Communications, Dell'Oro Group, Morgan Stanley, Ericsson, Flag Telecom, Fluke Networks, GCI, Global Connect, Hammerhead Systems, Harris Corp, High Corporate Services, Hollister Incorporated, Honeywell International, Juniper Networks, Maimonides Medical Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Microsoft, Morgan Keegan & Co, MSNBC, Nemertes Research, Netone Systems Co, Ltd, New Edge Networks, New York City Health and Hospital, Nokia, Nortel, NTT America, NYC Housing Authority, Overture Networks, Ovum, Packet Design, PCCW Global, Qwest Communications, SIAC, TechTarget, Tekelec, Telco Systems, Telecom New Zealand Limited, Tellabs, Tivit Technologia Da Informac CO SA, Turkcell Iletisim Hirzmetleri A.S., United Technologies, US China Magazine, Verizon Business, Visa, Vodafone, VSNL International, Windstream Communications.

"Hac a Mac" challenge successful?

Various news outlets are reporting on the CanSecWest $10,000 "Hack-a-Mac "challenge. The basic idea was the first person to crack into one of two MacBook Pros would win the prize. The MacBook Pros were configured with all current software and security patches.

So given that we have a winner, Macs must be insecure right? All that bravado that Mac users have displayed about how wonderfully secure their machines are compared to their Windows counterparts is out the window, right?

Not quite.....Mac Daily News has the scoop. After 24 hours of no successful attacks the conference organizers lowered the bar.

The contest's second-day relaxed rules allowed attackers will be allowed to place exploit code online and launch drive-by exploits on the Mac's built-in Safari browser.

But that hasn't stopped headlines like this: "Security Bites Podcast: A blow to Apple security." Sigh.....

RIM migrates software to Windows Mobile

Via Alec Saunders: RIM migrates software to Windows Mobile

RIM had a rough week last week with a major outage that underscored the risk of relying on a centralized application architecture.

Virginia Tech Memorial Fund

Memorial Fund Established in Wake of Virginia Tech Massacre

April 16th, 2007, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the Virginia Tech community and the world beyond.

To remember and honor the victims of those tragic events, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process and generate financial support.

The fund will be used to cover expenses including but not limited to:

• Grief counseling
• Memorials
• Communication expenses
• Comfort expenses
• Incidental needs

In the wake of this tragedy, we are confident that Hokie Spirit will only grow stronger and more resilient. We thank you for your continued support.

To donate visit: www.vt.edu/tragedy/memorial_fund.php

Virginia Tech

Thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by today's events at Virginia Tech. I attended neighboring Radford University, but spent a lot of time at Tech training with the Corps of Cadets and have numerous friends who either attended Tech, or who have family members who have/are attending. To say this is a huge tragedy goes without saying.

Skype for Enterpriseses coming?

Webtown reports that Skype is seeking mid-size companies (approximately 1,000 users) to test a new Skype for Enterprises product. The product will deliver enterprise-grade management, support, and control capabilities including centralized account creation.

See: Skype for Enterprise Edition Coming Up?

Google Introduces TiSP - Free Internet Wireless Broadband Access

Happy April 1st everyone:

http://www.google.com/tisp/