IT managers are presented with a choice when deciding on their Unified Communications (UC) deployment strategy: work with their network vendor and implement a complete end to end solution, or select best of breed applications to build their own system.
On the whole, and unsurprisingly, the networks’ view is that UC demands a vendor-specific approach – from the network up – to deliver full potential from a UC system.
The application approach, on the other hand, says that UC should run across any network/ voice system, regardless of the vendor.
Computer telephony specialist C3 has over two decades experience in deploying multi-media communication solutions in the enterprise. In our experience there are many perceived obstacles to deploying a UC solution – primarily a misconception that UC deployment means a complete rip and replace of legacy infrastructure and an apprehension about the associated complexity and cost.
In reality, an open software-based approach enables organisations to migrate at their own pace and implement the UC applications that make most sense to their business and user-base. Working in this way means that organisations can evaluate the system as they go, leverage existing infrastructure investments, and maintain control Return On Investment (ROI).
All too often businesses are encouraged to roll out an all in one vendor solution and a significant proportion of the system is never used. Integrating best of breed applications means that organisations reap the productivity benefits they were expecting from a UC system, whilst managing change at a pace that suits the organisation.
However, interoperability is key to this approach. Companies should ask any potential UC vendor if they use SIP and also publish their interfaces to ensure that the UC applications are IT ready and can fit into any IT architecture.
At C3 we use open standards and publish our interfaces to ensure interoperability. This means that our clients are always free to evaluate, design, integrate and support a multi-application environment effectively – and benefit from the flexibility this approach offers.
Taking an open-standards, multi-vendor approach gives organisations the flexibility to adopt a wide variety of applications from specialised best of breed suppliers who can offer strong technological leadership and more advanced solutions.
The University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford are just two C3 clients benefitting from a best of breed approach to unified communications. Both have deployed C3 Unified Messaging, IVR Call Handling, Voicemail and Conferencing on their Cisco infrastructure enabling them to leverage existing investments, expand customisation opportunities and develop bespoke applications.
C3 has over two decades experience in the enterprise sector with unified communications installations at sites across the UK and internationally, including two of the largest Cisco Higher Education installations at Oxford University and Cambridge University.
Our core platform is based on open standards and is entirely switch agnostic so you can be confident that a C3 solution is entirely future-proof, wherever you are in the IP migration process.
We support flexible deployment options whether you need an on premise, cloud or hybrid solution. Please get in touch now for a free review of your existing network.