Unified Communications Implementation

What are your top 10 steps for purchasing a unified communications system?

SMB

Telephony

1 more topic

Feb. 24, 2011

Richard Piatkowski and 1 other person answered this question

Unified Communications is not a "system" as such, but a strategy and the bringing together of disparate methods of communication such as voice, email, webchat, presence, SMS etc. Before you start any UC project, you need to understand what benefits it might bring to you, ... more

Expert Content

Who should be in charge of ensuring adoption of UC systems in small businesses?

Telephony

Dec. 14, 2010

Jon Arnold and 1 other person answered this question

This is an important question, since most SMBs don't have large IT departments. Regardless, it's important for the financial decision-makers to understand that UC isn't just about IT - it's a strategic investment in the business. If they blindly follow what IT tells them, and ... more

Adoption

Telephony

How should I strategize a change in UC systems?

1 more topic

Dec. 7, 2010

Beth Cossette answered this question

Great question, Randy. At Qwest, we’ve found that the safest approach to making changes in your UC Environment is to plan a parallel implementation. When possible set up a second system that includes the newer applications and or features so that what is new can ... more

Communications Infrastructure

Communications System

Best Practices for Integrating Unified Communications in a Call Center?

3 more topics

Dec. 4, 2010

Harald Henn and 4 other people answered this question

I agree with Williams and Bills statements.
In most projects unfortunately the technolgy is placed in the middle and processes, strategy follow the features of the new system rather than the other way round.
First step always should be to have a clear understanding based upon an ... more

General Management

Unified Communications and IT infrastructure: top tools?

Sales

Best Practices

3 more topics

Nov. 13, 2010

emanuel miller answered this question

The top 5 tools in Unified Communications & most valuable. 1.Security of your internal and external IP Network
2. Reliablity for end to end services from one vendor for hardware and support.
3. Cat5 cable per location or better and fiber Testing records
4. Complete ... more

How can a medium-sized firm use UC to improve their bottom line?

Nov. 10, 2010

Michael Oliver-Goodwin asked a question

Avayaverizon1109

How does your IT department approach innovation, new ideas and R&D for telephony and UC?

2 more topics

Nov. 8, 2010

Diane Williamson asked a question

How do you start formulating a telephony/UC strategy?

Nov. 3, 2010

John Green and 1 other person answered this question

Rob,
Derek is correct. The start point of anything is defining the needs.
I find it helpful to not think in terms of labels, ( UC, etc ), but in terms of the functionality that you want and/or need. Its also useful whilst doing this to ... more

What roles within the organization should "drive" or "lead" adoption of UC and why?

Oct. 21, 2010

Lars Vleeshouwers and 1 other person answered this question

In addition to Todd's comment to which I totally subscribe, I'd like to point out that especially in knowledge-intensive roles (as I have seen in large law companies) where employees put high value to personal development, workspace flexibility and recruitment costs are high, the HR ... more

What will it really take for telepresence to gain widespread adoption?

Oct. 18, 2010

Jon Arnold and 1 other person answered this question

Telepresence is a pretty broad term - unless you're Cisco, in which case, it's really a high end enterprise solution. Their offering is first rate, but is not likely in the budget for most Focus readers.
The broader sense of telepresence includes lower end systems ... more

What do you think is a reasonable payback for UC?

Oct. 18, 2010

Lauren Harper asked a question

What do "UC Managers" do?

2 more topics

Oct. 18, 2010

Troy Walker asked a question

General Management

What do you say to those still not yet committed to or convinced about UC?

Operations

Managed IT

8 more topics

Oct. 11, 2010

Lauren Harper asked a question

Focus Interactive Summit

Unified Communicatins Strategy

1 more topic

Oct. 11, 2010

Joe Nemastil and 9 other people answered this question

Tips for implementing unified communications?

I'm with the camp recommending a phased approach. Hopefully the vendors with whom you're working have done their homework, starting with an in-depth sight assessment to determine viability of the cable plant and network, and a full inventory of all the voice and call center ... more

Any experience/stories using Microsoft's hosted UC offering - Office Commuication Server?

Oct. 5, 2010

Richard Piatkowski answered this question

Lauren,
Speak to Aspect ... we use MOC for voice, video and presence ... in fact we use it for everything!
Richard more