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Research In Motion's (RIM) BlackBerry Wireless LAN solution now supports Cisco Unified CallManager 5.0. The companies recently completed interoperability testing between CallManager and the Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerry 7270.

As a result, BlackBerry 7270 users within range of their WLAN may perform a number of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony functions - making and receiving calls - using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). It also provides benefits with cellular-based BlackBerry handsets and Cisco MobilityManager or Unity Unified Messaging 4.1.

For example, the Mobile Connect functionality in MobilityManager supports BlackBerry devices with "single number reach," pushing incoming calls on a desk phone extension to a user's BlackBerry wherever they are. This also allows users to continue in-progress calls on their BlackBerry while stepping away from their desk phone (and vice versa), and to place calls from a BlackBerry handset that routes over the enterprise IP Communications network under the control of Cisco Unified CallManager.

Cisco has also developed a plug-in for BlackBerry Enterprise Server that integrates with Unity Unified Messaging 4.1 for instant call playback on WLAN or cellular-based BlackBerry handsets.

When a message is recorded in voicemail, BlackBerry users automatically receive an e-mail with a unique embedded link. A click of the link causes the Unity messaging system to call the user on their BlackBerry and play the voice message.

RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said in prepared statement, "The BlackBerry WLAN solution helps expand the reach of the BlackBerry platform to on-campus workers by delivering advanced wireless voice and data capabilities that can enable significant productivity and workflow improvements inside an organization. With Cisco, we can now extend the benefits of the BlackBerry WLAN solution to enterprises that deploy Cisco CallManager 5.0."