Initial Build - Communications Toda

Initial Build - Communications Today, Talking Points:
Technology has brought us a very long way in terms of how we communicate in the business world. But as communication and collaboration technologies have evolved, they have done so independently, in parallel with one another, creating communication silos. In the meantime, the way we work is changing; business is operating at a faster pace and frequently across time zones. As a society we are more mobile, have greater access to technology outside of the workplace and have expectations to match.

Today’s Information Workers are using a variety of products and services to meet all of these needs in their professional and personal lives. For most companies today, telephony and voice mail, e-mail, IM, audio conferencing, video conferencing, Web conferencing, and group communication tools all live in their own disconnected silos. Each has evolved a separate operating platform—often with proprietary third-party technology— separate clients, authentication, separate administration, and separate storage and compliance.

Add to that all of the consumer oriented tools and services we are using in our daily lives - the result is an enormous headache for the end user, who has to remember separate phone numbers, account names, and passwords. Plus, these users have limited communication with each device—for example, not being able to make audio calls from their computers. Ultimately, their communication is disconnected, and their collaboration and innovation are hindered.

These independent silos, which now encompass enterprise and consumer, have led to redundancies and inefficiencies for the IT administrator as well. It has become difficult and expensive to maintain them and to ensure each is in compliance with business and government regulations, is secure and manageable in the long term.