Momentum builds behind convergence
A recent survey by services giant AT&T in co-operation with the Economist Intelligence Unit has found that almost 25 percent of companies have converged voice and data networks throughout all or most of their organisations, and that by 2008 this will be 60 percent. The figure in 2004 was 15 percent.
When asked to identify the main benefits of network convergence, firms said the top two were: better collaboration with customers, suppliers and partners; and better customer service. Previously, the lower cost and simplification of network management were perceived as the main benefits.
The global survey polled 236 executives, including 77 chief executives. Forty-five percent said voice and data convergence is critical or important to their strategic IT and business objectives, while only four percent said it is unimportant.
Companies said that the most significant barriers to the implementation of converged networks are the costs and network security issues.
However, the percentage of firms citing implementation costs as a barrier fell, while the proportion citing fears about network security increased.
Denis McAuley, director of global technology research for the Economist Intelligence Unit, noted that 70 percent said that convergence “will enable the delivery of voice, data and video applications over a single network”. “This indicates that companies are thinking more broadly and are not just thinking that it’s about delivery of voice from an IP PBX [private branch exchange],” added McAuley.