Migrating to SIP trunking (Session Initiation Protocol Trunking) can out rightly mean lesser expenses and an enhanced flexibility in call routing, disaster recovery, and mobility integration. However, when talking about a successful SIP, there are some challenges to be faced with this trunking initiative.

IT architects have discovered, through several consulting and research interviews, that there are five trends in business IP telephony that shape the way communications is handled.

UC (Unified Communications)

While this is most likely a confusing idea, Unified Communications is defined as the combination of different communications applications together with various collaboration services. For many users, UC simply means connecting telephony with services such as conferencing, instant messaging, video and unified messaging. As a result, this enables users to see the status of other users, and initiate communication forms through a single application. As a matter of fact, more than 60% of the companies are currently implementing Unified Communications, usually beginning with IM and telephony integration before diverting to other applications.

SIP Trunking

Changing standard PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) access with services that are SIP based can also eliminate some costs involved during the process, and at the same time enhance the flexibility for mobility integration, call routing, as well as disaster recovery. As a standard count, most companies can generally save around 20-60% out of their PSTN access bill after transferring to SIP trunking. Companies that still use a centralized access also recognize the savings involved. An initiative to implement SIP trunking often involves focusing on finding answers to certain challenges, such as the need to support services such as E911, fax, as well as other performance management services throughout SIP trunks. Revising the dial plan of your company may also be done.

Video

As the quality of video conferencing improves through time, workers are distributed, and prices continue to fall. As a result, more companies will adapt to video conferencing, more than voice. As a matter of fact, desktop video services are now a built in feature in many UC platforms. Also, leading vendors such as Toshiba Telecom are beginning to integrate immersive and room telepresence systems with UC desktop apps. At this moment, video has not completely replaced voice yet, as it is even more important to be able to enable remote workers and or customers to facilitate conference room meetings.

Virtualization

Over the last few years, companies such as Toshiba Telecomhave diverted their attention to having virtual appliances as well as general-purpose hypervisors. This provides their customers the capability to enjoy its operating and lower infrastructure costs. Some vendors are continuously working to provide support for video and voice through (VDI) virtual desktop infrastructure.VDI has to face challenges because of the need to localize encapsulation for video and voice. It also provides the possibility of reducing operational and capital expenses over desktop systems. As a result, more and more companies have become open to the idea of VDI implementation.

Mobility

UC capabilities are currently extended to the use of mobile services across a wide range of mobile devices and gadgets. This offers convenience to many users in an office. Many employees ultimately want to get rid of their desktop phones. While it is possible, for functionality purposes, it is better to integrate the services offered by both desktop services and mobile functionalities. While this is a good potential, it is safe to expect of certain challenges and risks involved. However, with the continuous existence of case studies, these lags will be eliminated quickly. With these studies comes the discovery of mobile phone integration that makes sense.

Michelle Patterson helps companies understand and adopt new technologies in all aspects of their operations. She is currently working on new communication technologies that are promising a paradigm shift.