In early 2006, businesses deploying converged communication networks with Communication Manager, Avaya’s flagship IP telephony software, will be able to connect with these new Nokia devices over a WLAN or mobile network. This will bridge the fixed/mobile divide, allowing employees to have ‘one number’ with the same features such as abbreviated dialling and conference calls -regardless of whether they are using a fixed office phone or one of the Nokia E series of mobile phone.
Comms Business Magazine will be featuring a growing number of articles on the subject of FMC and to provide further insight into this dynamics market and what it means for businesses, below is information from Avaya, one of the first enterprise vendors to build and deploy fixed/mobile convergence systems and applications.
Why is Fixed/Mobile Convergence a growing business issue?
Fixed-mobile solutions transform mobile devices into fully-functional office phones, extending full enterprise telephony capability to mobile workers. Now, it is possible to give employees a single phone number that bridges the office phone and mobile phone, enabling people to be easily reached regardless of their work location. Many companies are using FMC to manage their voice communication and support a mobile workforce.
This industry need is supported by global research conducted by Avaya, which found that:
• Many organisations miss important revenue-generating opportunities because calls do not reach the right people at the right time
• 68% of respondents reported they receive important messages late more than once a week
• 75% of US and UK respondents believe a flexible working environment improves an employee’s work/life balance
Furthermore, Avaya and Nokia conducted joint research with customers globally who are trialling the Avaya Mobile IP telephony client on Nokia 60 series phones. It was found that:
• 89% of users were either satisfied or very satisfied with overall ease of use and performance with the Avaya Mobile IP telephony client
• 71% rated ‘one number’ and flexibility supported in daily work life as the most important features of the Avaya fixed/mobile communication application
Major business benefits include:
• ‘One number’. Greater employee productivity and efficiency through ‘one number’ and one voicemail box, as well as access to enterprise features, such as multi-party conferencing, simultaneous call appearance on desk phones and mobile phones, group calling and call transfer
• Centralised management and control of fixed and mobile communication across an enterprise for the first time. This allows an enterprise to have consistent policies for fixed and mobile communication as well as increased transparency.
• Reduced enterprise telephony costs through least-cost routing through use of IP telephony
• Greater flexibility in call management to support flexible working initiatives
• Simpler employee collaboration and faster responsiveness to customers
• Using call recording with IP telephony across fixed as well as mobile communication, now gives greater flexibility for businesses, especially those in the financial services sector to trade legitimately using mobile devices