March 22-25, 2010, Orlando, Florida
http://www.voicecon.com/

Securing Communications
Monday, March 22, 3:15 – 4:00 PM
Irwin Lazar, Vice President, Communications and Collaboration Research

The issue of security in communications has gone well beyond concerns over vulnerabilities in IP networks. The issues of securing your enterprise's communications systems now extend into mobility, connections with other networks (public and other private networks), as well as the latest concern--issues around security and policy regarding social networking. In this wide-ranging session, we'll briefly review the state of VOIP security, but will then move on to these new, more complex issues. The session will give you a foundation for understanding the universe of security challenges you face in the new communications environment.

KEY QUESTIONS:
* Is IP network security still the primary concern in converged communications networks? If so, what specific vulnerabilities are causing real-world issues?
* What security challenges are added as mobility systems are integrated into IP telephony/Unified Communications? How do you protect against these challenges?
* Can enterprises maintain security while connecting their "islands" of VOIP via SIP trunks? What about opening up their voice systems to business partners or to hosted providers that are delivering discrete elements of the enterprise's voice system?
* What are the biggest security concerns relating to users' adoption of social networking? Are the major issues related to corporate policies, or are there ways in which the security of the communications system itself can be threatened when social networking is integrated with enterprise systems?

New Options for Connecting Distributed Offices and Teleworkers
Tuesday, March 23, 8:00-8:45 am
Robin Gareiss, Executive Vice President and Senior Founding Partner

As companies spread out across towns, states, nations and the globe, the challenges of interconnecting locations becomes more complex. And with more employees working from home and on the road, the question of which systems, services and personal devices becomes more challenging. There are new options for centralizing core communications facilities with distributed subnetworks, and the options for mobile communications are expanding almost daily. This session will review the newest options for connecting smaller/ branch locations and at-home and mobile workers.

KEY QUESTIONS:
* What design configurations make the most sense for distributed network architectures?
* What's the emphasis on current developments--more features, more security, more availability?
* What are the real capabilities for ensuring system reliability, security and back-up?
* What's the pricing trend?
* Should you be thinking about on-premise equipment or using "the cloud"?

Building Business Cases for IP Telephony and Unified Communications
Tuesday, March 24, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Robin Gareiss, Executive Vice President and Senior Founding Partner
Irwin Lazar, Vice President, Communications and Collaboration Research

Whether an enterprise is early in its migration to IP Telephony or further along and now evaluating the concept of Unified Communications, it's not easy to build a credible business case. IP Telephony and, in particular, UC, are complex and involve numerous technologies, decision-makers and equipment, software and service providers.

This workshop will be divided into two segments: The first is devoted to IP Telephony businesses cases, the second will cover the UC business case. It will be based on IP Telephony cost data that has been gathered over the past five years from more than 800 companies that have implemented the technology, as well as real-world data from hundreds of IT decision makers on the newer UC products and technologies.

KEY QUESTIONS:
* How do companies build a business case around IP Telephony and Unified Communications? What are the key metrics?
* What does it really cost to implement IP Telephony? What are the cost components of a UC business case?
* What resources (internal and external) companies must devote to their VOIP and UC rollouts, per end-unit, per year segmented by rollout size and vendor.
* What are some of the key pitfalls? Where did companies go wrong?
* What are some compelling business case models for both IP Telephony and UC?

Social Networking in Your Enterprise
Wednesday, March 24, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Irwin Lazar, Vice President, Communications and Collaboration Research

Wikis, blogs, Twitter....these are no longer just for consumers. Enterprises are embracing social networking tools and tying them into communications platforms and infrastructure. This session gives participants a chance to share experiences and ideas, and to discuss opportunities as well as potential pitfalls.