Overview:

More companies are discovering the cost and productivity benefits of
using advanced communication services, such as MPLS, Ethernet and SIP
trunking, which let them combine voice, data, video, imaging and enterprise
applications on the same network. They also see the value in using hosted
services, including hosted audio, video and Web conferencing, as well as hosted
VOIP, contact centers and data centers.

By implementing these advanced services, IT teams not only enable their
business to communicate more effectively, they provide the means to better serve
customers, boost sales and improve employee productivity.

These capabilities are extending over wireless networks, making it easier
not only to serve the remote workers in fixed branch locations, but also those who
are truly mobile. As this unified-communications environment expands to
include other communications modalities, IT decision-makers must understand
the implications for IT planning and investment.

Often, organizations will restructure or consolidate their IT departments
to more effectively manage and monitor voice and data networks. A majority of
organizations have dedicated a “communications group” within IT focused on
providing these services.

In this volume, we examine which enterprises have dedicated
communications groups, and how they have structured those groups to most
effectively evaluate, implement and manage the services they provide to the
organization.

We also look at organizations’ business drivers and IT cultures, and how
they tie in with communication requirements and purchasing decisions.

Lastly, we address the rate of adoption for hosted services; including
VOIP, IP-video conferencing, audio conferencing, and Web conferencing, and the
staff required to monitor and manage these offerings.

Clients read this benchmark: Advanced Communications Services - Organizational Best Practices and Key Trends [1]

Nemertes Benchmarks are available to clients only. If you're not a
client and would like to receive a copy, please contact us [2].