The new V6000 is a SIP-based software and hardware system that gives the remote offices of medium to large companies the same survivability and applications as 3Com’s enterprise VCX system version 7.0, which was released last month.

That means remote offices have the same applications that are available at their headquarters, including IP messaging, mobility, contact center, conferencing and presence. These applications run off Linux operating systems and use Oracle databases.

The V6000 and VCX run the same software but while the VCX supports tens of thousands of users, the V6000 is a lower-end product that supports up to 100 users.

Most PBX manufacturers have a high-end product and a low-end product and most of the time they didn’t really work well together, said Mike Leo, director of marketing for 3Com’s convergence business unit. Now we have that capability.

What’s key about the V6000 is that its on-site server runs both VCX call control and IP messaging. So features like voice mail and auto attendance are located on a remote office’s premises. The system also has some built-in PSTN connectivity, which means the VoIP system can connect to traditional, analogue telephone lines.

Having these capabilities built in gives the V6000 the muscle to support voice and all IP applications even if the wireless area network is down, Leo said. In other words, the applications run independent of the corporate headquarters’ system.

We designed this platform to be a stand-alone island if it has to be until the WAN comes back up, Leo said.

Once the network comes back online, the VCX system automatically resumes operations. And if there is an extreme failure of the local V6000 server and if a company uses 3Com IP phones, the phones will automatically re-route to headquarters’ central server for call control.

Of course, because the V6000 is SIP-based, companies can use other types of phones or devices, including RIM’s BlackBerry.

The V6000’s hardware has a $3,500 list price and the call control and IP messaging capability software license costs $1,000. On top of this, customers would buy IP phones or devices, which also have user licenses.

The system is available worldwide, but geared for markets in the US, EMEA, Latin America, Asia and Australia, said Marlborough, Massachusetts-based 3Com.