E Series that is. Today Nokia is announcing that the E65 and E61i are available at over 140 value added resellers around the country including Ingram Micro, Dell and Gateway with an MSRP of $400. Let’s see if this strategy is going to pay off. While other cell phone manufactures are worried about unloading their devices to operators, Nokia is taking a B2B approach pushing the fact that their devices have WiFi and can be easily integrated into corporate PBX systems. That is huge for CTO’s wondering if they should send their flock of executives out with yet another BlackBerry.
I wonder how long until we see American businessmen asking their boss for a Nokia E90!
Full press release after the jump.
Nokia Eseries business devices broadly available in U.S.
June 25, 2007
White Plains, New York – Nokia today announces the availability of Nokia Eseries business devices in the U.S. through a variety of channels, allowing both business and individual users to obtain enterprise-grade dual-mode devices – including the new Nokia E61i and Nokia E65 – in this market.
Nokia is addressing the market demand from both businesses and individual users through complementary sales channels including IT, operator, and retail/e-tail. Business customers can now purchase fleets of Nokia Eseries devices through the IT channel, the preferred and trusted channel of businesses. Nokia supplies the devices to the IT channel through distribution agreements with Brightpoint and Ingram Micro. All approved value-added resellers (VARs) in the Nokia for Business Channel Program are authorized to resell the devices to their business customers. Today there are more than 140 approved VARs in this program in the U.S., and Nokia continues to enlist and train new participants.
“Nokia understands that businesses buy IT solutions through their trusted IT channel source, and offering mobility solutions – including mobile devices – via this channel is an important step in making end-to-end mobility solutions available for business customers in this market,” said Yankee Group Vice President, Enterprise Applications and Mobile Solutions, Eugene Signorini. “Through the Nokia for Business Channel Program, Nokia is empowering resellers to prepare for the evolution and growth of the mobility market in North America.”
For individual business users – or simply “busy” users – Nokia Eseries devices are available through a number of online retailers, including Dell.com, Gateway, Inc. and Mobileplanet.com. Devices are supplied to the retail channels through distribution agreements with Brightpoint and Ingram Micro.
“A complete channel ecosystem involving operators, distributors, value-added resellers and retailers is the key to unlocking the true potential of business mobility,” said Ed DeArias, vice president, Americas, Enterprise Solutions, Nokia. “Nokia has now delivered on its strategy for delivering unparalleled business devices to businesses and to individuals in the U.S. market via multiple channels.”
Designed to mobilize the most-used business applications and processes, Nokia Eseries business devices offer advanced voice features with superior voice quality, business email with attachment handling, and manageability with business-class device security to the most demanding business users. Nokia Eseries business devices bridge the converging worlds of mobile telephony, corporate telephony, and Information Technology (IT). Dual-mode Nokia Eseries devices with wireless LAN, including Nokia E61i and Nokia E65, are ideal for integrating into fixed corporate telephony systems with voice solutions such as Nokia Intellisync Call Connect for Alcatel, Nokia Intellisync Call Connect for Cisco, and Avaya One-X Mobile Edition for Nokia.
The combination of Nokia Eseries devices and the Nokia Intellisync Mobile Suite 8.0 mobileware platform significantly increases the potential for businesses to achieve new levels of productivity and competitive advantage. Nokia Intellisync Device Management capabilities allow businesses to comprehensively deploy, provision, secure and manage mobile device fleets, allowing over-the-air provisioning, software installation, security policy enforcement, remote device control, and easy lock and data-wipe for devices that are lost or stolen, helping protect company and personal data.
By also featuring cameras, video capabilities and music players, and giving users access to travel, weather, news, and financial information, Nokia Eseries devices let customers bridge their work and personal lives. Additional information about Nokia E61i, Nokia E65 and the entire portfolio of Nokia Eseries devices is available at www.nokiaforbusiness.com. High-resolution photographs of Nokia Eseries business devices can be found at www.nokia.com/A4140044.
Nokia E61i and Nokia E65 are expected to retail for approximately $400, but actual price will vary by outlet.
Businesses can search for accredited members of the Nokia for Business Channel Program at www.nokiaforbusiness.com/channel making it easy to find qualified business mobility channel partners. The tool gives customers access to Nokia for Business Channel Program participants’ credentials and contact information based on a geographic search.
Representing the industry’s most complete ecosystem for delivering open mobility solutions to businesses, the Nokia multichannel distribution network is a key to the widespread adoption of enterprise mobility. As businesses of all sizes turn to experts they can trust for help in implementing mobility solutions, Nokia is enabling those VARs with products, solutions, training and financial incentives to address this growing market opportunity. Detailed program information and registration details are available online at www.nokiaforbusiness.com/channel.