VoIP: The Business Case
When pitching VoIP for the branch office, justifying the expense of the project can be just as important as the implementation itself. So what's the best way to approach such as delicate subject? We posed that question to several network architects who have made the transition to VoIP.
One major theme that emerged was that while VoIP cuts costs, its biggest benefit is in the functionality it delivers. "At a comparable price point to a key system, Avaya's IP Office enabled us to give our branch offices PBX functionality," says Jack Nelson, manager of network services and operations at appliance manufacturer Sunbeam Products. "We can now provide auto-attendant and call routing, create small ACD groups, and in general bring a lot more flexibility to addressing individual requirements."
Conferencing was another big savings for Sunbeam. Nelson says the company spent up to $130,000 annually on AT&T's conferencing services. By deploying Avaya's IP Office at branch sites, users were given the ability to set up ad hoc conferences at just $40,000, resulting in a first-year savings of $90,000. Similarly, adding unified messaging can double the cost of a PBX or key system, whereas that feature is often included in VoIP solutions.
Subsea cable alternatives can provide a level of comfort for those concerned about disruptions. Realistically, they will continue to play a small, but critical role in the short term.
Maintaining existing network infrastructures often incurs huge technical debt before newer technologies are adopted over time.
Amid ongoing regional uncertainties, telecom infrastructure in the Middle East has expand to include terrestrial low-latency network infrastructure, which offers resilience and agility in navigating political complexities without relying solely on undersea networks.
