Avaya took another step toward tamping out the speculation that it would jettison Nortel's data product lines (the former Bay Networks) with an announcement of a range of new gear in this line, debuting at Interop Las Vegas, which opens today. The company also promises more data product announcements in June. All of this reinforces the promises Mohamad Ali, Avaya's strategy/bizdev head made when I spoke with him at VoiceCon Orlando.The products introduced at Interop include:
* Ethernet Routing Switch 8800, with new processor supporting higher scalability.
* Wireless LAN 8100 Series, an 802.11n WLAN controller, Access Point and management portfolio.
* Configuration and Orchestration Manager, a new module in Avaya's UC Management suite.
* Advanced Gateway 2330, a SIP-based gateway to provide survivability in remote locations in case the associated main controller or WAN link go down.
As to why Avaya is staying in the data networking business, Jean Turgeon, GM of Avaya Data Solutions, said the product line has seen "steady growth," with sales stabilizing in 3Q09, and increasing in 4Q09 for the first time in 3 years. He called data "a profitable, healthy business within Avaya."
When I asked Jean how the spate of data product announcement jibes with Avaya's HP partnership, he explained the approach Avaya will take: "We will always lead an opportunity with our own data products," he said. "The exception is if HP is bringing a voice/UC opportunity to Avaya's attention."
