'Mix Apples, Oranges and Pears' 
Systems Integration and Convergence are the key 'phenomen' in the industry.
Telecommunications is entering a period of major technological change. This is the result of on-going investment in new capacity and innovation. Traditional services are evolving towards a new framework of integration. Stability in these services will take several years while physical infrastructures are upgraded and applications and protocols become compatible across different networks.
Integration spans the traditional Voice, Data (Internet) and Cellular (Mobile) networks. Crossing the boundaries can bring new possibilities and often simplification. The dis-jointed separate providers (landlines, mobiles, Broadband, telephone systems) will transition to combined data, voice and cellular services with compatible hardware, reliable backbone and alternative routing for resilience. This far-reaching evolution of the industry players will take several years.
Competitive business models and lifestyle changes have increased the demand for faster, ubiquitous and better priced services. The service and solution providers have responded with key commercial drivers:
Costs
Lower
Functionality
Ease of use
Implementation
Maintenance
Technology standards
The applications and related businesss areas are many and varied, and include:
- Mobile Email (Blackberry BIS or Enterprise, Nokia Intellisync, Openhand, etc)
- VPN and Remote Working
- Conferencing solutions
- Wireless networking
- GPS applications such as Vehicle Tracking and Telematics
- Mobile VPN and bespoke handheld applications
- Landline-to-cellular integration (GSM gateways)
- Messaging such as email to SMS, Fax to email
- IP Gateways and SIP Trunks.
Tconsult have identified many suppliers with specific areas of expertise and can quickly provide solutions to solve your needs. We can help answer your questions as as:
- How can this impact on my organisation?
- What is the potential Payback?
- What are the options and possibilities?
- I have heard about Voice-over-IP, how can I implement it?
- Will Integration bring other benefits than reducing my Costs?
- How quickly can a solution be implemented?
We recommend a Business-Focussed approach to evaluating technology. A structured process with projected benefits and financial ROI will ensure success.
Inevitably people are involved and 'Change Management' should be an essential component of the project plan.
For further details about how we can help, please contact us.