Business Situation
TeliaSonera set their strategic direction to be the market leader for unified communications. To support this objective, TeliaSonera formed an alliance with Avanade, Microsoft and Nortel, with a core focus on unified communications.

Solution
TeliaSonera decided to undertake an implementation of Microsoft Office Communication Server 2007 by initiating a proof-of-concept, piloting users internally. Avanade was engaged by TeliaSonera and managed the Microsoft software integration at TeliaSonera.

Avanade also worked with TeliaSonera to build a business case around unified communications, using the Microsoft Business Value Tool for UC. Internally created questions and methodologies were used to obtain a thorough analysis of the potential areas in which TeliaSonera could expect to realize benefits.

In total, 300 information workers within the TeliaSonera group, located primarily in Finland and Sweden, were provided with Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 and Microsoft Live Meeting client, together with a PC-headset and webcams for their computers. Enterprise Voice connectivity to the Nortel CS1000 PBX was established to provide incoming and outgoing telephony into Office Communicator.

Results
TeliaSonera’s new UC capabilities now provide the following benefits:

• Office Communicator to send instant messages and check presence information.
• Ability to use the external voice capabilities instead of desk phones.
• Convenient and higher voice quality to users than mobile phones.
• Widely distributed teams use Microsoft RoundTable™ and webcams at weekly meetings.
• New UC supported meeting format reduced travel and the need to attend meetings in person.