Avaya has recently announced a new version of the Avaya IP Office Phone System, Release 8.0. The new version will be available after December 12, 2011. There are many new features and some new hardware as well. They have simplified things a bit so that going forward there will only be one SD Card- Basic Mode- Partner Version, otherwise known as A-Law SD Cards. If you would like an Essential Edition SD Card, you simply purchase a Basic Mode SD Card and an Essential Edition License.

Some of the other highlights include:

• Supported on IP500 V1 or V2 Cabinets
• One SD Card for all Versions- Basic Mode, Partner Version
• Upgrade with license to Essential, Preferred or Advanced Edition
• Avaya IP Office Web Manager: System Management via Web Browser
  • Supports the following web-browsers:
    • Firefox
    • Internet Explorer
    • Safari
    • Chrome
• New Hardware: (Preferred Edition Only)
• UC110 Unified Communications Module
  • Requires a slot in Main Cabinet
  • Supports Preferred Edition without Server
  • Supports User Productivity Packages
  • Supports Mobility Server
• Basic Edition, Partner Mode- V2 Cabinet only
  • Upgrade to Essential Edition with Keycode
  • Mobile Worker (Mobile Twinning) not supported, requires upgrade to Essential Edition
  • No new feature enhancements with the exception of the voicemail
  • Voicemail Enhancements:
    • Intuity Audix Commands
    • Call Screening
    • Allow System Administration while Users are on a call
• Essential Edition
  • Requires a keycode to upgrade from Basic Mode
  • Comes with Mobile Twinning Feature for all users (requires SIP Trunks or PRI)
  • Comes with the ability to have 2 remote workers - requires VCMs, does not require VPN or IP Endpoint License (9600 series Phone)
  • Anything more than 2 remote workers requires an IP endpoint license- and maybe used for 1600 or any other IP Phone that requires VPN router
  • Coaching Intrusion, Silent Intrusion and Whisper
• Preferred Edition
  • Requires Dedicated PC, Server or UC110 Module
  • Requires purchase of Essential Edition License
  • Required Keycode to use Office Worker, Teleworker or Power User Productivity Licenses. If a customer with User Productivity License upgrades to Release 8.0 and does not have Preferred Edition, they must purchase this license in order to keep the User Productivity Licenses. Otherwise they will no longer work.
  • Required for Multi-Site Networking at minimum of 1 site even if Centralized Voicemail is not required
  • Multi Time Zone Support
  • MAPI Exchange Integration on Linux
  • Call Screening
• Advanced Edition
  • Agent Monitoring and reporting via Customer Call Reporter Updates for 8.0
    • Avaya one-X Portal for IP Office: Agent Control Gadget, World Clock Gadget
    • System Talk Time Report Enhancements
    • APF- Agent Productivity Factor (Agent Time Card Report)
    • 15 & 30 minute reports for Call Summary Report and Call Detail Report
    • Custom Reports