Unified Communications

In the past the technologies for data networks and telephony developed separately in parallel. As a result, many companies still maintain separate networks, each with its own cabling, WLAN and DECT wireless networks side by side and each with their own management regime. Integration of PC applications with telephony in such environments is only possible with special, expensive telephones. Moreover, managing a traditional telephone system is very specialized work and therefore often outsourced to the supplier.

The arrival of Voice over IP (VoIP) – IP telephony – has allowed data and telephony to use the same “convergent” network infrastructure. Not only does this allow for better utilization of the infrastructure (Power over Ethernet, PoE, even removes the need for mains power and transformers for telephones and other devices), but management costs are reduced and the extra functionality available means organisations can improve productivity and work more effectively.

A single infrastructure
From now on only one infrastructure is required. Speech and data share the same cables and switches, cordless telephones can use the Wireless LAN (WLAN) and network connections between sites can also be used for free internal calls.

The new telephone server is now just an application running in an industry standard server. This server can be replicated with the second server placed in a different building and guaranteeing high availability for the service.

The management interface of IP telephony systems is similar to that of IT applications. This means that it is simpler to learn for ICT operation and management requires less specialist knowledge.

Unified Communications
IP telephony has opened the way for unifying communications; telephony, e-mail and chat.

In particular, organisations applying flexible workplaces or hot desking gain many benefits from IP telephones. One can log on at any telephone and all personal settings and extra functions are made available. Calling with a single click in a contact list, data from the CRM system displayed automatically when a customer calls: unified communication offers these and many more of integration features.

Presence & Preference
How do you want to be reached? Land line or mobile? E-mail or SMS? Or maybe ‘not just now’. Presence & Preference allows you to specify these requirements. Exapent integrates them into a coherent communication system that makes best use of the options to increase the productivity and accessibility of your employees.

IP Touchphone Attendant Console
The IP Touchphone from BT/IP Trade is an excellent solution for:

– Attendant, receptionists and Assistant consoles
– Service desks and hotlines
– Call centers
– VIP, executives
– Intercom operators

The system can be easily integrated for use in a Cisco Call Manager infrastructure.

Exapent and Cisco Systems
Implementing IP telephony requires the correct partner. Exapent has a wealth of experience in the design and implementation of convergent networks. With this experience comes the knowledge that technology alone does not necessarily lead to a successful project. The user requirements for telephones are often very subjective and diverse.

Exapent works with Cisco Systems as the supplier of the most reliable and complete platform for IP Telephony: Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM). This solution is suitable for a wide range of situations, from small to very large multinationals. The combination of Cisco products and Exapent services is the best guarantee for a successful, cost saving IP telephony implementation.