IP telephony (VoIP)

For those companies that consider effective operation, high quality service, and low operational costs important aims. Considering market trends, IP telephony is the most dynamically developing segment of the market. The reduction of communication costs and the advantages of team work and flexible services put the changing of ordinary public switched telephone networks to IP-based systems to the forefront.

As a result of technical development and decreasing costs, IP telephony is spreading. According to the prognosis of Synergy Research, the market of IP telephony products will add up to USD 4.4 billion next year. NetworkIT Week states that 44% of all telephone systems will be IP-based by 2008.

The advantages of IP telephony

What advantages does IP telephony have? First and foremost, it can be fully integrated into the data network, thus the companies do not have to maintain two separate networks; as a result, the costs of operation can be reduced and a smaller technical staff can do all necessary work. The costs of installation are also lower: an existing sub-centre is cheaper to turn into an IP-based one than to replace it with a new sub-centre. If companies with more branch offices build a WAN network or a virtual private network (VPN), the phone calls between branches can be switched from the public switched telephone network to the data transmission network. These calls are, of course, free. This function of the IP option can often reduce the phone bill of the company even by 15%. 

Another advantage is that IP Phones can be fully integrated into other computer applications such as the client management system. The ordinary telephone technology is fundamentally different from computer technologies while IP telephony itself is a computer technology. As a result, it is easier to connect computer applications with IP-based telephone networks. The IP system simplifies the development

Cisco IP Phone options

Cisco offers communication products, options, services, safety and support for those companies that face new business challenges or would like to improve their position on the market, regardless of their size. Those companies need flexibility and extended capacity in order to satisfy changing demands. The universal business communication options of Cisco help those companies to fully exploit the features of their IP networks in order to supply their employees, regardless of their location, with uniform audio, video and data transmitting applications.

7985G Cisco IP Phone

The 7985G Cisco IP Phone is a personal desktop videophone suitable for universal business communication options. This option, that enables executives and managers to communicate face to face in real time, increases efficiency and contains all necessary elements of video calling (camera, LCD display, speakers, keyboard, handset) in one easy-to-use module.

Video telephony options – Today videophony is just a call

Cisco Unified Video Advantage

Cisco Unified Video Advantage complements Cisco IP Phones with video telephony functions, thus allowing users to incorporate video into communication. Cisco Unified Video Advantage is a full-range video telephony option that consists of the Cisco Unified Video Advantage software, Cisco Unified Video Advantage camera and a video telephony webcam. After attaching the Cisco Unified Video Advantage camera to a computer with Cisco IP Phone or Cisco IP Communicator, users can easily start or receive video calls (without keyboard or mouse) on the IP telephony network of the company. 

Cisco Unified Communications for Manufacturing options

Cisco, which is the market leader in the field of network options for manufacturing companies, offers the most complete safety network products that, with the innovative options of its partners, elevate manufacturing processes to a new level. With high quality services, network management and support, Cisco helps to turn the operations of companies into efficient, intelligent and flexible manufacturing environments.

Safe and intelligent network

The Unified Communications for Manufacturing options contain the cost-effective audio and data transmission products of Cisco; these products support a wide range of innovative communication applications. These applications run on a single Cisco Intelligent Networked Manufacturing infrastructure which can serve more than one manufacturing site at the same time. Cisco Intelligent Networked Manufacturing is conform to the strictest service quality regulations (OoS) and provides optimal availability and safety. The Cisco Intelligent Networked Manufacturing architecture can be integrated into existing manufacturing systems, protects these critical investments and enables switching to uniform business options. 

Unified Communications options

The Cisco Unified Communications options change the way you receive information; they co-operate with and share data between locally distinct branch offices.

• Access – the access allows employees to start and receive calls, check their calendars, data and e-mails at any place. Whether they are in the office or using mobile tools, they have instant access to people and information at any time.
• Co-operation – Thanks to the Cisco options, the suppliers, logistic suppliers, manufacturing and engineering experts can co-operate on the basis of consistent, real time information.
• Client service on higher standards – the innovative communication functions co-operate with client service applications, thus maximising the efficiency of the Call Center and the satisfaction of the clients.
• Safety – with the integration of network-based video security options companies can enhance the working safety of their employees, accelerate reparation processes, and protect their assets more effectively.
  

Brand new solutions for conferences

Using the wide range of conference and discussion options offered by Cisco, people can meet in real time after pushing only one button. What is more, the Cisco Intelligent Networked Manufacturing infrastructure supports TelePresence, the brand new conference technology of Cisco. The Cisco TelePresence enables employees working at different departments or branch offices and doing different tasks to co-operate and share information via a life-sized video conference that is a perfect substitute for real presence. As a result, manufacturing companies can react to client demands, get feedback about their products more easily, and accelerate the solution of problems concerning manufacturing. The participants of a conference can talk as freely and naturally to each other as if they were all sitting by the same table, be they anywhere at that time. Cisco TelePresence works together with company team work software products like Microsoft Outlook or other Cisco Unified Communications options. 

The advantages of the Unified Communications in Manufacturing option

Enhancing team work

The Cisco Unified Communications for Manufacturing options make communication between employees, suppliers, manufacturing and engineering experts and managers easier in many regards, because voice and e-mail messages can be accessed from the same mailbox, and audio or video conferences can be organised immediately. People can share information and find solutions quicker and they can co-operate in real time, that is, they can work in an easy and cost-effective way. The Cisco Unity Unified Messaging option makes listening to e-mails on a mobile phone possible with a function that converts text to voice. Users can access their voice and e-mail messages from the same mailbox and can use the most appropriate message sending tool for maximum flexibility.

The Cisco Unified MeetingPlace® conference options merge audio and video conferences with online team work. The participants, be they wherever they want to be, can start multimedia conference calls according to a schedule or spontaneously, thus achieving considerable savings compared to the options of other suppliers. Communication can be enhanced further if information (e.g. emergency calls) can be sent to more than one tool (e.g. IP Phones, mobile phones and computers) at the same time. Cisco TelePresence elevates team work to a new level of efficiency.

Enhancing flexibility

The Cisco Unified Communications options make accessing the necessary resources in time easier for clients, suppliers and business partners. All employees or departments are available on a single telephone number. Employees can pass calls; therefore, clients can easily reach their respective client service representatives if they need help. Companies can create virtual Call Centers which maximise the availability of staff members while supporting global clients and providing 24-hour support and services. The virtual operation supports business continuity and strategies for preventing disasters.
 

Enhancing the efficiency of mobile employees 

The Cisco Unified Communications products allow employees to work at the production line as efficiently as if they were in their own offices. The Cisco IP Phones provide a wide range of innovative applications that support access to data as well as audio functions. The Cisco IP Interoperability Collaboration System (IPICS) is an innovative option that integrates several types of communication technologies and offers audio, video, data and message transmission functions on any network. With the Cisco IPICS system any kind of tool can communicate at any time if they get permission. The advanced mobile functions enhance efficiency because they provide full-range audio, data and video functions without geographical or organisational limitations.

The support of new applications and services

 The open and intelligent manufacturing networks provide a firm basis to manufacturing companies on which they can introduce new applications and services.

The efficiency of operation can be boosted with the integration of the safe Cisco Unified Communications options into existing data applications. With the help of the Cisco Unified Application Environment the customised applications can be developed and new Cisco Unified Communications applications can be added to the system in order to satisfy changing demands.
 

Reducing the costs of operation

With the safe Cisco Unified Communications options the manufacturing companies can simplify their network infrastructure, thus reducing the costs of equipment, maintenance and operation. The manufacturing companies can avoid paying the costs of equipment and operation of several distinct infrastructures if they have access to efficient and advanced communication options in a single network. They will not have to acquire separate tools for call processing and maintain a separate network for video conferences. With the Cisco Unified Communications options manufacturers can minimise their expenses related to the relocation, adding and modification of telephones and networks. The uniform network makes network management easier, thus the employees doing these things can work more efficiently. The companies which apply this option experience 10-40% increase in their IT efficiency. The transmission of audio calls through the network results in the decrease of the transmission costs.