'Time is ripe' for IP convergence

Companies have been advised to advance plans to move their communications to internet-based (IP) services, as otherwise they risk being left behind by competitors.

According to Christian Harris of small business computing magazine BIOS, the time is now for companies to make the leap as "everything is going IP".

He highlighted that an Extreme Networks and Data Integration survey shows that almost 60 per cent of UK businesses now run IP telephony systems, while a third make use of IP video technology.

"Results point to a growing need for market education into the host of benefits of running a modern converged network," he suggested in a BIOS article.

"It is the industry's responsibility to assist businesses in considering all of the advantages in deploying and maintaining a highly available converged network."

Mr Harris explained that there are numerous benefits to IP services when looked at from an executive point of view, such as reduced costs and improved efficiency thanks to VoIP calls or video conferencing.

But he also noted that increased use of these services will put more pressure on the company server, which could test the infrastructure to the point of failure without planning ahead and upgrading as necessary.