Communication is essential to business and the telecom industry has responded to keep pace with the evolution of next-generation services and converged technologies. Email has long been the killer application, delivered and received anytime, anywhere. However, one of the most commonly-used communications vehicles is still waiting in the enterprise mobility wings—voice.
Although people often elect to use voice communications many corporations are not fully capitalizing on its benefits in mobile technology. Employees are often forced to juggle a variety of devices including BlackBerry, cellphones, PDAs, laptops and deskphones. With more workers claiming road warrior status and increased awareness around reducing carbon footprint, enterprises have been eyeing the latest advancements in voice mobility to accompany mobile data strategies. But what are the best options?
To help streamline systems many are turning to FMC solutions to alleviate the daily challenges of a global, mobile workforce in 2008 and beyond. It offers voice mobility without rip-and-replace, leveraging existing telecom infrastructures and investments. Whether delivered through PBX extension, unlicensed mobile access (UMA) or IMS, it is now being integrated with IP-based architecture, legacy TDM or a mix of both.
By deploying FMC telecom managers can make mobile phones an extension of employee deskphones and provide one number, one voicemail box and traditional phone features. It also gives the ability to transition a call from a deskphone to a mobile without having to disconnect and re-establish. It can offer greater corporate control, ability to better calculate telecom costs, and full visibility into what types of calls are being made and through what devices.
FMC allows workers to use any device, appearing as if they are at their desks while ensuring availability and consistency for customers. It can also give the flexibility to use one device as either a work or personal mobile phone, enabling employees to maximize productivity and help maintain balance of work/home separation and avoid job burnout. It can increase internal collaboration while maintaining external relationships.
Voice mobility is a must-have for today’s expanding enterprise, reaping benefits as the workforce streamlines to a single device. The path to widespread FMC adoption is still being blazed; however, organizations will be looking ahead to converged mobile communications as a key to achieving the bottom line.
Reach the author at hhowland@ascendentsystems.com.
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