VoIP upgrade 'needed before move to UC'

The process of embracing unified communications (UC) has been outlined by an expert in IP telephony.

Gary Audin, writing for Search VoIP, highlighted that a firm has to set up a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) network before it can gain the benefits of a full UC system.

"Moving to a UC environment is not a one-step operation," he said, outlining five steps on the way to bring UC functionality to company systems.

Mr Audin made clear that a sound IT staff and network foundation are necessary before any attempt to implement UC.

Training about server types and IP networks may be needed to ensure that IT support is up to speed on the technology, he suggested.

The next step for firms is to check whether the current IP network can handle the addition of voice calls and upgrading the system to separate voce and data traffic.

Following a network upgrade, the time has come to implement VoIP telephony, which often includes the next step - unified messaging.

"VoIP is the cornerstone for unified messaging (UM) and UC," Mr Audin said.

"Without VoIP and the connecting IP network, the integration of multiple server platforms, each with a different UC function, would be very difficult."

Only after VoIP and UM services have been set up can firms turn to integrating these systems throughout the workplace using UC.