IAS - Unified Communications

Most businesses go through a similar process as they migrate from conventional to IP communications. First, they build the foundation of a robust data network with routers, switches, servers, etc. This supports an IT infrastructure for both data management and Internet access. In parallel, they will have a voice infrastructure to support telephony, usually anchored by a PBX or a Key Telephony System. As the benefits of IP become more compelling, the process begins to shift telephony off the voice network and on to the data network. This represents the first phase of the evolution that leads to Unified Communications.

Some businesses deploy IP telephony in a hybrid fashion, whereby IP features are enabled with their existing legacy phone systems. Others choose to undergo a "forklift upgrade" and make a wholesale changeover to IP, replacing their systems with an IP PBX or equivalent. In either case, these businesses are taking the important initial steps towards network convergence. Prior to this, voice and data were separate applications, often managed as independent silos. This approach works well so long as there is no interdependency. With the advent of IP that all changes, and for businesses to get full benefit from their IT investment, the need for a converged network infrastructure not only becomes apparent, but mission-critical.

As businesses adapt to a converged environment, they begin to benefit from the richness of IP telephony - VoIP - and the efficiencies of having voice and data managed over a common infrastructure. This now sets the stage for the next step along the path to Unified Communications. The demands of business today coupled with the impact of both the Internet and mobility on our daily lives have made the process of communications far more complex. While the modes of communicating are more varied, businesses face significant challenges managing all these choices, often cancelling out the efficiency gains created by IP.

To overcome this, businesses have been seeking an integrated solution that does more than just manage voice and data over the same network. This brings us to Unified Communications, which we view as the best way to realize the synergies created by network convergence. With a solid IT infrastructure in place, and well-defined solution, businesses can seamlessly make all the tools work to their advantage, including voice, video, instant messaging, email, presence, conferencing, mobility, etc.

The challenge, however, is having the expertise, the resources, the budget and the will to pull all these pieces together. While the core IT infrastructure is largely hardware-based, communications solutions are increasingly software or Web-based, which means they do not need to be on-premises. IAS has developed significant expertise across all aspects of Unified Communications, and our view is that small and medium-sized businesses will derive better value and more quickly deploying this on a managed basis. Furthermore, IAS has already provided the IT infrastructure for most of our customers, and extending our offerings out to Unified Communications on a managed basis is a natural evolution for us. We know your network, we know how to deliver telephony, and perhaps most importantly, we know how bring all of this together to make your business more successful and your employees more productive.

IAS Managed Unified Communications - Migration