nVisionIT will team up with Microsoft to bring out end-to-end unified communications (UC) solutions. This follows the IT solutions service provider's successful bid, last month, to become the second Microsoft Unified Communications voice-ready partner.
“We're working with Microsoft on a campaign that offers a comprehensive solution for companies considering going the UC route,” says nVisionIT director Miles Kubheka.
Kubheka explains the solution will target both enterprises and SMEs that want to experience what convergence truly is. “The customer will receive a turnkey solution that includes the hardware, software and services required for a unified communications pilot.”
nVisionIT hopes to broaden its customer base with the new offering. When asked about a timeline, Kubheka says: ”We expect a positive and speedy uptake of the technology as most organisations are already using Microsoft products for their business communication needs such as e-mail. Voice is the logical next step. nVisionIT's key differentiator in this regard, however, is the ability to integrate this technology into its line of business applications such as CRM and ERP. Imagine being able to call your ERP system to ask it where in the process your purchase order is.”
Ready to deliver
Werner van der Merwe, head of nVisionIT's infrastructure services team, says Microsoft's Voice Ready Partner Technology Adoption Programme is a competence assessment and training programme which was conducted recently with Microsoft. “Voice is also a service which must be delivered with the highest levels of reliability and performance,” he adds.
Van der Merwe says the traditional PBX has reached the limits of its capability, while the cost for such devices remains high. He adds that the drive today is towards integrated communications capabilities, which not only deliver a lower cost of deployment and ownership, but also substantially improved convenience.
UC is king
Gartner stated in its UC report last year: "Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications, 2007", that in 2008 UC will enter an early mainstream adoption phase globally. The telecoms research group believes Microsoft is a leader in UC because the company has strategic partnerships in specific areas, such as live voice, and IP, which add credibility in these technology and service areas.
Meanwhile, Frost & Sullivan predicts SA's $35 million (R405 million) UC market is set to double by 2013. Frost & Sullivan research analyst Letticia Nkumbula says the unified messaging and UC market domestically “offers significant potential for growth.
“Increased workforce productivity, cost optimisation and important workforce mobility are the key benefits that encourage organisations and individuals to adopt UC solutions,” she says.
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