Economic Stimulus Package - SIP/VoIP - Quit Whining and Get On With It
Benefits of UC-Unified Communications Outweigh Delays or Risks
By Thomas B. Cross – Techtionary.com
Surveys say anything you want them to say. In one of the latest surveys on VoIP/SIP it presented the “same old issues” with different percentages. In regard to implementing VoIP/SIP, this survey said, “Some interviewed said high upfront cost of conversion is the reason to wait. Few would argue that the cost of email is not significant but the vast improvements in productivity, increased speed of business and critical business tool are without question. Regarding price, get over it – VoIP/SIP is indeed, in most situations more expensive but UC-unified communications is "priceless." That is, the user benefits extend the capabilities of email is many new ways. With new features found in OCS-Office Communications Server and other systems may be the most profound since the invention of the telephone and certainly far more pleasant than the “interrupt-driven” behavior we have in our offices today. Some of the other key benefits shown in the animated tutorial are to reduce complexity, cut costs, save time, enhance communications and the lower overall TCO-total cost of ownership. See the animated tutorial for the visual explanation:
Others said problems from a SPOF-Single Point of Failure, security, or increased network costs are the reasons to wait.” All good reasons to do nothing but no good reason to not do anything. The first issue I want to address is SPOF. The animation explains the need for multiple redundant and diverse routed network solutions. See the animated tutorial for the visual explanation:
You should have multiple redundant and diverse solutions without regard to VoIP/SIP; you should have them already as part of your disaster recovery program. Now for a humorous sidebar and contest.
You should have multiple redundant and diverse solutions without regard to VoIP/SIP; you should have them already as part of your disaster recovery program. Now for a humorous sidebar and contest.
Contest – In class I tell the true story of a “gotya” even with multiple levels of redundancy. Long ago, there was an unmarked building near the state of Colorado capital building in Denver which as you know is called the “mile high city.” This small building was one of the control centers for the western electrical power grid operated by the major electric utility in Colorado. The building had multiple communications network connections as well as up to three levels of lighting, air-conditioning, radio and other types of redundant systems for both the systems and the people. Of unique importance were triple levels of power protection with a direct feed to the city power generator, multiple aerial feeds and of course a UPS-uninterruptable power supply battery system and diesel powered generator. Now to the point of the story, one day there was a thunder storm which knocked out the aerial power, the generator was offline for maintenance and so the UPS turned on and fifteen minutes later the diesel generator went into operation. Around thirty minutes later the diesel generator died. Why did it die? This story is a lot more fun to tell in class because I give cool prizes for the answer and no one so far in telling this story to thousands of students has got it right. I was going to give you the answer but decided that I will give the winners, if any, free access to all our online classes and of course, public recognition in this blog. While this may not be the greatest prize, it will show others you have a good mind.
Meanwhile back at the VoIP/SIP installation ranch. Next in regard to the issue of voice quality which keeps coming up over and over again. If people were so darn concerned with voice quality, then why do they talk so much on their pitiful cell phones which by definition may or may not voice and absolutely little or no quality. Lastly, from our research, one of the aching problems is the choice of either providing the user with a deskset hardphone or a PC softphone. Eliminating hardphones and going to softphones is, according to our survey, the greatest challenge usually overcome by UC/UM-Unified Communications Messaging. Remember the only person who really wants change is a "wet baby" so understand "pushback" is more about all the other IT changes you are "pushing" at them, than VoIP/SIP and a softphone. Go easy on the folks they are scared enough about losing their job.
So what are you really waiting for, it’s time for you to do your job now. VoIP/SIP systems are really cool, it will give you something to “crow about” and add more to your resume as there are more and more jobs for SIP implementers, managers and engineers.
If you are still afraid, take one of our classes and get really smart.
This presentation is also included in TMC University special course on Microsoft OCS-Office Communications Server at ITexpo.com. For more go here:http://www.tmcnet.com/voip/conference/west-08/tmc-university-microsoft-ocs.htm
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