Canada - Mitel (www.mitel.com) extended the value of its advanced communications portfolio with enhancements to the Mitel Solutions Alliance (MSA) developer partner program. The launch of an exclusive Mitel Platinum Preferred (MPP) member level and expansion of its SIP Center of Excellence aims to propel development of sophisticated new capabilities and functionality and accelerate time-to-market for strategic solutions that deliver value to Mitel customers and channel partners.

The MSA program provides resources, support and channel visibility to third-party partners (3PPs) worldwide so they can create high revenue-generating and productivity-enhancing applications and services that integrate and interoperate with Mitel's Freedom architecture. Mitel is now identifying the most strategic third-party solutions for exclusive MPP designation, which offers extensive collaboration and go-to-market support. The 3PPs and Mitel sales channels benefit from a "one-stop shop" for pre-integrated solution quoting and ordering.

Mitel has also enhanced and expanded its Interoperability Certification and SIP Center of Excellence labs in support of the Mitel Interop Certification Program. These teams work with MSA partners to validate integration and functionality of 3PP solutions with Mitel core products using Mitel APIs, protocols or interfaces. Pre-validation helps maximize the quality and reliability of integrated solutions and minimize the amount of support required by Mitel and its resellers.

"The MSA program already includes more than 160 innovative development partners and we are acquiring new advanced application and solution partners to enhance the business value of our solutions portfolio," said Ron Wellard, executive vice president and general manager of Mitel Communications Solutions. "Our market leadership makes this program attractive for third-party developers, as they can benefit from accelerated time-to-market for their solutions and increased exposure to our channel partners and global customer base."