IP telephony enables voice communication
over internet protocol (IP) networks. It unites an organisation's
many locations - including mobile workers - into a single
converged network. It promises cost savings by combining voice
and data on one network that can be centrally maintained,
as well as by eliminating toll expenses for calls between
locations.
IP telephony works by converting
voice communications into data packets. Telephones are connected
to data ports on the IP network. But the function of a telephone
can easily be provided using a device that is already connected
to the network - the PC.
Terms such as client-server
telephony, telephony-enabled LAN, pure IP telephony, converged
telephony, and LAN telephony all describe the same fundamental,
distributed IP telephony architecture. Simply put, Avaya supports
both distributed (client-server) IP telephony and IP-enabled
PBXs without forcing customers to compromise on either approach.
Instead of a separate, multi-line phone beside the PC at
each desk, IP telephony allows software on the PC to serve
as a "soft" phone. Software, unlike telephone hardware,
is easily upgraded and enhanced, without work disruption,
without equipment cost… without even visiting every desk.
The concept of transmitting voice over a data network is
exciting to companies that are maintaining intranet connections
for all of their branch offices, while paying for voice circuits
to PBXs in those same locations. The cost savings alone are
appealing - although security, reliability, and quality questions
can make network managers apprehensive about IP telephony.
That's why
Avaya offers comprehensive solutions for delivering secure,
scalable IP telephony across the enterprise.
Avaya combines these solutions with services to ensure that
the network will handle voice with the utmost quality and
reliability. Avaya Services help companies select the right
solutions, assess the readiness of the LAN to carry voice
traffic, implement the solutions, and maintain them after
installation.
The benefits to businesses who take advantage
of mobile email services, lie more often in the ability to
respond quickly to trivial matters. Rather than being burdened
with the need to handle routine email when they return to
the office, employees use mobile working tools to keep on
top of their inboxes on the move, freeing up time for more
important tasks. Mobile email also explains the phenomenal
success among Businesses of the BlackBerry communications
device, and it is the primary driver for the adoption of both
Smart-Phones and Internet-connected PDAs.
Studies carried out found that users of such
devices saved on average 47 minutes a day, with their productivity
increasing by 27%. Much of this came from removing bottlenecks
in business processes, because staff could respond quickly
to emails and make decisions on the move. Depending on the
exact tariffs, mobile users should expect their devices to
pay for themselves within one year.
There are a number of solutions that Open
Business Systems recommend for our clients. Please click through
the logos above to read more about these solutions, or get
in touch with us to talk through options and arrange a demonstration
and trial of particular offerings.
