| IP telephony, or Internet Protocol telephony | | | | majority of enterprises in upcoming markets |
| deploys the Internet infrastructure to | | | | still remain unconvinced by its efficacy. In |
| transmit voice and fax calls. IP phone | | | | the developed world too the picture is not so |
| systems digitize voice and transmit it in the | | | | rosy. As per estimates put forward by world |
| form of packets to unique IP addresses | | | | telecoms major Ericsson, 'pure-play VOIP |
| designated by the user. Slow to get off the | | | | phone system PBXs account for less than five |
| blocks, Internet phone systems have gained | | | | per cent of customer premises equipment (CPE) |
| significant ground in the recent years. This | | | | shipments' across the globe. Apart from this, |
| is largely due to the rapid rise of | | | | businesses implementing VOIP phone systems |
| convergence as the ultimate destination for | | | | too prefer to remain on line with the |
| communication technology. In this context, | | | | traditional wire line telephony. The reasons |
| voice over ip phone systems are seen as a | | | | are not hard to find. META group studies |
| crucial first step in the march towards | | | | point towards the a still lingering adverse |
| achieving seamless low-cost connectivity by | | | | public perception about reliability, degree |
| integrating data, voice, and video onto a | | | | of integration with legacy systems, and the |
| single Internet based platform. Enterprise | | | | money that needs to be pumped into the new |
| communications at the cross-roadsA recent | | | | applications.Besides, a number of countries, |
| study by META group, a subsidiary of the | | | | including India and China, are still to |
| global consultancy major Gartner, indicates | | | | recognize IP telephony, which puts a big |
| that convergence is fast catching up among | | | | question mark over its usability in these |
| businesses across the globe. As per the | | | | fast growing markets. Apart from this, |
| study, 26 per cent of the Global 2000 | | | | convergence require a high degree of |
| Enterprises are in the process of migrating | | | | customization for companies in different |
| to converged networks, whereas another 42 per | | | | sectors. Experts also point out that |
| cent will be taking it up in the next one to | | | | converged networks are still to come up with |
| two years. Impressive figures indeed! In the | | | | common technical standards that are essential |
| same vein it predicts that the IP lines | | | | to make the technology ubiquitous.An idea |
| deployed by the hybrid 'computer phone | | | | whose time is nighDespite the remaining |
| systems', are bound to see a 50 per cent | | | | hurdles, it clearly emerges that the future |
| growth annually in the coming years. One | | | | belongs to converged networks, which means |
| reason why enterprises are boarding the IP | | | | that we are in for a greater proliferation of |
| telephony bandwagon is that it enables them | | | | voice over IP phone systems both at the |
| to generate substantial cost-savings by using | | | | workplace and in life away from office. The |
| their existing IP infrastructure for voice | | | | technology has got too many things going for |
| traffic. Plus, prominent communication | | | | it. After all how can we turn away a system |
| equipment vendors, such as UK based Actimax | | | | that offers advantages such as greater |
| Plc, have clearly cast their mandate in favor | | | | efficiency and productivity while lowering |
| of the Internet phone system. Going by the | | | | your total cost of ownership? Those of you |
| Actimax Web site, the benefits of adopting an | | | | who have had a feel of concepts such as |
| IP phone system include:1. Connecting remote | | | | 'Computer Telephone Integration' will know |
| workers at no extra cost | | | | what we are talking about. And, to those |
| | | | still to get a taste of this upcoming |
| 2. Integrating IP applications with | | | | communication revolution, we can only say: Go |
| telephones to harness the best of two | | | | out and try it for yourself. It makes more |
| technologies | | | | sense to be an active participant in the |
| | | | technology sweepstakes than to wait and let |
| 3. Connecting geographically disparate sites | | | | the convergence wave sweep you off your |
| together at no extra call costIP telephony - | | | | feet.John Massey is the Managing Director of |
| the roadblocks From the above, the IP phone | | | | whose background in the communications |
| systems appear simply unstoppable and clearly | | | | industry goes back over 30 years is |
| the future of the global communications. But | | | | invaluable in the company being one step |
| then why is it still moving at a relatively | | | | ahead of the competition. |
| slow pace? For example, an overwhelming | | | | |