ShoreTel has bought Agito Networks for its wireless technology that enables handsets to switch between Wi-Fi and cellular networks while attached to corporate networks.
The $11.4 million cash deal brings with it Agito's mobility router and smartphone client software that connects mobile phones to corporate PBXs via the least expensive wireless option available at the time.
The gear is interoperable with IP PBXs from Cisco, Avaya, Nortel, Alcatel, Siemens and other vendors as well as unified communications systems including Microsoft OCS 2007 and legacy TDM PBXs. Agito supports handsets including BlackBerry, iPhone, Nokia and Windows Mobile phones.
With Agito mobility products, calls to and from mobile phones are routed through corporate PBXs. The router keeps track of users' whereabouts via Session Initiation Protocol presence capabilities and location information from mobile phones.
The routers can use Wi-Fi, cellular and 3G networks to connect handsets to the corporate network and through it to the public phone network. This routing can save international roaming costs as well as improve coverage area for individual mobile devices. (See also "Mobile phone bill shock: FCC, carriers face off".)
ShoreTel says it has acquired all of Agito's intellectual property, customers and distributors, and it has hired some of its employees.
ShoreTel sells a unified communications platform based in hardware and software as well as supplemental contact center and conferencing software. It also sells IP phones.
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