The industry's adoption of a converged network that is the concept of the convergence of separate telephone, video and data networks into one IP (Internet Protocol) data network is gaining rapid momentum, due to the many benefits and advantages that it provides.
Network convergence delivers a compelling return on investment (ROI), improves productivity and communications processes, and enables integration with other applications and corporate databases. In most business environments network convergence can save money, therefore, the business benefits could not be more compelling.
The volume of data traffic relative to total network traffic is growing exponentially. As a result, most companies need to make significant investments in a new data infrastructure over the near term to meet network demands. As they evaluate new data equipment purchases, it makes good business sense to ensure that this networking equipment can support not only data, but also carry the voice and video traffic. A single converged network brings many benefits with it which all lead to enhanced profitability and productivity and provides the building block for all business communication leading to:
| |
Reduced costs for support, maintenance and network management of a single infrastructure. |
| |
A reduction in the amount of physical space occupied by equipment. |
| |
Reduced call costs and the ability to bypass some call costs. |
| |
Extension portability leading to reduced administration costs and a flexible working model for employees. |
| |
Consolidated reporting and billing systems. |
Why are telephony and video services moving to the data network?
Telephony vendors have realized that in order to survive in the modern business communications market they must consolidate their established product offerings into a common architectural model that is open, scalable and robust. Hence, the move towards IP based solutions. The majority of voice vendors have adopted the IP model and it has become clear that the roadmap for future development is no longer applicable to the traditional PBX. The conclusion of this transition means that voice, video and data will in the future exist on a common or converged infrastructure the data network.
Why the traditional PBX telephone switch is no longer suitable for todays evolving business communications requirements:
| |
Complex integration: built around proprietary or closed operating systems, PBXs require expensive and time consuming integration projects to enable them to connect with other telecoms equipment or computer systems. |
| |
Operational costs: maintenance costs for day-to-day administrative operations are high such as the costs for moves and changes that are associated with office or departmental moves and the provisioning of telephone services. |
| |
Vulnerability: the PBX is generally in one cabinet and reliability is through the replication of equipment rather than distribution over several locations. Therefore, a business that is heavily reliant on network communications is highly vulnerable due to equipment failure, as the PBX cannot be geographically distributed. |
| |
Limited scalability: the slot, shelf, and cabinet architecture impose physical constraints in terms of scalability and this can prove costly for rapidly growing companies. |
Benefits of Convergence
The main benefits of telecom convergence are:
| |
Reduced cost - Many of the costs associated with separate networks, such as the costs of separate equipment and the costs of separate facilities can be avoided; |
| |
Greater coverage - With a converged network, the full set of services can be provided over the entire network (the union of the network segments) as opposed to full service being limited the intersection of the service-specific networks; |
| |
Easier interoperability - Convergence facilitates interoperability among the networks of different carriers, which further expands the effective coverage area; |
| |
Common user interface and access - All telecom services could be accommodated by a common user interface and a common access method. |
