Voice and Data combine...
Telephony is no longer enough for everyday business: e-mail and Internet access have become just as essential as voice calls and fax for doing business. Managing all the diverse hardware and software elements that go into making a traditional voice and data solution used to be a major headache. However, new solutions which converge the previously separate worlds of voice and data can deliver real functionality benefits to your business, without breaking the bank.

With new integrated voice & data solutions, businesses can make savings by sharing equipment functionality and by reducing the number of phone lines needed, which helps cut ongoing communications costs.

Here's how
Imagine a typical 10-person office: it would typically need around six phone lines, one fax line, a handset per desk, a key system, and either an automated attendant or a live receptionist for voice communications.

Then the computer network would likely require a hub, a proxy server for Internet access and a remote access server for remote connectivity. Additional systems may be required such as voice mail, an email server, possibly an Internet firewall, and so on. Add to this the support and configuration requirements, and the business is looking at a considerable IT overhead.
With a converged solution, this business would be able to make savings on two fronts. First by sharing equipment functionality - a converged product could handle all the functions described above, and cost far less than the price of a phone system and data equipment combined. Secondly, the business would be able to reduce its need for phone lines, helping to reduce ongoing communications costs.

Coming together
An integrated voice and data solution serves traditional voice telephony needs with features such as call forwarding, DDI, and caller ID, and adds extra functions such as data networking capability to accommodate file and peripheral sharing, and message handling capability including email and voice mail. It also gives high-speed Internet access over ISDN, enabling cost-effective inter-office links.

If this all sounds difficult to set up and manage, the reality is that the latest generation of converged solutions give the look and feel of a modern digital switch, complete with smart, advanced handsets, but with the converged functionality built in.

Meet the DCS ViP
An example of this is the Samsung DCS ViP, which integrates advanced telephony features with network hub and Internet router capabilities and features ergonomic digital handsets. The ViP works as a conventional key system, giving all the everyday telephony functions that businesses need. It also includes advanced data handling features, making it ideal for use in smaller offices or branch offices.

DCS ViP delivers Internet access for the whole workplace, and also supports authentication technology, giving secure Internet usage. Another feature is the system's optional voice over IP support capability, enabling transmission of voice and data traffic through the Internet, realising potentially enormous cost savings on call charges.

The key point with voice and data convergence is that you can serve all of your business communications needs in a single solution, and very cost-effectively. If you're establishing a new office, a converged solution is an option well worth considering.