It's time to say goodbye to traditional PBX

Voice is only one piece in the communication puzzle. You might have just made a deal with a client, but you still need to receive or send a quotation on email or fax; or voice communication being too expensive, you might decide to carry a lengthier dialog on chat; or still, it might be necessary to discuss of a product prototype on video conferencing with several business partners.

On the other hand, you don't use communication tools only in the office or at home - you do so while in the car, in the park, having lunch in a restaurant, and even in bed. Also, there is the fact that businesses are becoming more and more 'virtual', which means a business or its workers are not necessarily confined to one physical office or address; the business might be running with many decentralized elements, most of which exist only online.

Due to a lack of integration of all these services, use of these different technologies is not optimized. As a result, while communication can be effective, it is far from being efficient, both technically and economically. Compare, for example, having separate services and hardware for phone, video conferencing, instant messaging, fax and having all of these integrated into one same service and minimum hardware.

What is Unified Communications?

Unified communications (UC) is a new technological architecture whereby communication tools are integrated so that both businesses and individuals can manage all their communications in one entity instead of separately.

In short, unified communications bridges the gap between VoIP and other computer related communication technologies.

Unified communications also gives better control over important features like presence and single number reach, as we see below.

The Concept of Presence represents the availability and willingness of a person to communicate.

A simple example is the list of buddies you have in your instant messenger. When they are online (meaning they are available and willing to communicate), your instant messenger gives you an indication to that effect. Presence can also be enhanced to show where you are and how (since we are speaking about integrating many communication tools) you can be contacted. For example, if a buddy is not in her office or in front of her computer, there is no way your instant messenger can have you contact her, unless other communication technologies are integrated, like pc-to-phone calling. With unified communications, you can know where your buddy is and how you can contact her... but of course if she wants to share this information.

Single Number Reach

Even if your presence can be monitored and shared with unified communications, contacting you might still be impossible if your access point (an address, a number etc.) is not available or known.

Now say you have five ways to be contacted (phone, email, paging... you name it), would people like to keep or know five different pieces of information to be able to contact you anytime they want. With unified communications, you will have one access point through which people can contact you, whether they are using their computer's instant messenger, their softphone, their IP phone, email.

How Can Unified Communications Be Useful?

Here are some examples of how unified communications can be useful:

People that rely on mobility in connection can remain connected with their softphones or wireless IP handsets even when they are outside the office or home.

Enterprises can considerably reduce costs incurred for accommodating workers, with all the implications, by allowing them to work from home.

Moreover, foreign human resource can be tapped from at no increased cost and without the normal delays due to geographical distance.

Web and video conferencing calls will allow for better interactivity and subsequently better productivity, thereby reducing the cost on travel and telecoms.

You as an individual, or a business, will have registrations and less bills to worry about, as you might be having all your services from one single provider, and be reached through one single number.

Is Unified Communications Ready?

Unified communications has already come and, like a red carpet, is being unfolded gradually. Your next question should be, "Am I ready?"

VENCEIP a Home Grown Solution Having stepped in to UC solutions as far back as in 2003 VENCE has its own range of solutions designed for light use for home/SoHo, small to extra large enterprises, call centers and hospitality industry. With vast experience gathered over the past years, development of their own range is today in an incomparable position to cater for the industry locally and globally. Our UC solution is equivalent to any world class product with global brand names.

Most important aspect of UC solution is its ability to adapt in to your precise business requirements. Global brands are designed with majority requirements in mind and most of the useful and special feature licenses have to be purchased separately to obtain functionality.

VENCEIP UC solution comes bundled with all the features on a single open license. Therefore customers get to enjoy host of features as and when they require. Other benefits include the ability to customize to meet your requirement. If the solution does not have the feature you need, VENCE will develop it and ensure that the products fits in without having to change your business process to meet the communication system architecture.

Hosted Call Center - End user requires providing only desks, staff and sufficient internet bandwidth. VENCEIP hosted platform provide A-Z required for a professional call center irrespective of two seats or 1000 seats. Enduser may locate the call center anywhere in the world or even multiple locations. VENCEIP support and provide services 24x7 ensure the service levels are at optimum. Enterprise UC - Era of traditional PBXs are over for good.

Today's businesses operate as virtually single entity no matter how geographically spread.

Along with multiple communication methods like email, voice, video via mobile and fixed the need to synchronize on to one platform is vital for effective communication. IP based Unified Communication has therefore become essential element of modern business.

VENCEIP can setup a global virtual enterprise UC in seconds anywhere in the world. Enduser will be able to enjoy world class without and upfront investment.

Predictive Dialer - Enduser and load there phone number database to VENCEIP platform and call the numbers automatically one by one and automatically connect calls from interested customers to end user agents to compete the transactions for telemarketing purposes etc.

Virtual Agent - Call center agent transfers callers to VENCEIP virtual agent and virtual agent will coordinate with your bank and customer till the approval/rejection is obtained then transferred back to the same agent with results to complete the sale. This tool can be customized to do many similar application.

Conference Solutions - Audio only, Audio/Video, three party or multiparty conference tools is available to provide services as a stand alone or option to a UC solution. Please visit our corporate web site www.vencesystem.com and ecommerce site www.venceip.lk to experience a complete range of communication solutions. SA