|
by David R. Brousell, MA Editorial Staff Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 4:00:00 PM   | Abstract: | With communications streams like voice and electronic data beginning to traverse the same paths, how long before we can access all of it on one master device? |
| Keywords: | Voice communications, data communications, email, voice mail, network convergence, IP telephony |
Combining voice and data networks is an idea that has been gaining ground. An upcoming MA special report, to be published in the magazine later this month, cites research which shows that 45% of surveyed companies either have deployed or are deploying IP telephony, with another 30% evaluating or piloting the technology. The benefits of taking advantage of this technological convergence -- which consists of voice communications, e-mail, and faxes -- are many indeed. From a corporate management standpoint, it could mean one less network to pay for. Savings can also be found in using an IP network to bypass long distance telephone charges. In addition, advantages could accrue by consolidating capabilities for monitoring equipment, better collaborating with workers, and more accurately measuring productivity. So will manufacturers be accessing these converged, multi-function networks with one mobile device? Will we still need traditional handset telephones and fax machines in addition to our increasingly sophisticated cell phones and Blackberries? Or will something new come into the market that will compel us to move to a new device paradigm? [Click to continue] |