In theory, the world is heading at a pace towards convergence and a communications context where always on and always connected is a way of life. The reality, however, is often very different to the theory.
Many users feel like they are drowning in disparate devices that all claim to do the same thing. This is particularly true in the business world, where the productivity and cost impact of technological dissonance can be damaging to the bottom line.
Within this 'techno-fragmentation' context, the challenge for communications service providers is to not only offer their clients the right technology, but to also guide them in the effective use of that technology.
“The ability to offer meaningful value-adds is very important,” says Kevin Greig, Sales and Marketing manager at telephony specialist SS Telecoms. “As the number of options out there spirals, clients require service providers who not only provide the goods, but make them work.”
SS Telecoms recently developed the SS Outlook Dialler Add-in. The application has been designed around the Aastra IP phone series .It allows users to integrate phone functionality with the Microsoft Outlook Address Book. Features include single click dialling when selecting a contact in the Outlook Contact list, plus contact transferring to the phone via the XML protocol. By taking advantage of the rich features of Outlook's contact management and search features, dialling a contact becomes effortless.
The SS Outlook Dialler currently supports Office Outlook 2010, and the next phase of development would include support on other Microsoft applications.
In addition to this, SS Telecoms also provides an integrated cellphone solution via its principle, Media 5, which provides a SIP client that runs on iPhone and Android operating systems, and which ensures the solution can deliver genuine unified communications across any office context.
When an incoming call arrives through the switchboard, the user's desk phone will ring. In addition, however, their cellphone - connected to the wireless network - will also ring, allowing the user to take the call anywhere in the office, using their cellphone as a VOIP handset. Finally, if the user is actually out of the office, the call will be routed via GSM to their cellphone in a conventional fashion.
“We call it a 'follow me' service - and it's a good example of the kind of unified communications functionality companies are looking for,” says Greig. “If service providers can provide this kind of additional service quality, they gain a lot of competitive advantage in the market.”
SS Telecoms offers the SS Outlook Dialler Add-in and other similar applications to its reseller base at a nominal fee, as part of its own value-added sales approach.
“We're always looking to empower our resellers, and we do that through adding value to our technologies,” adds Greig. “Resellers are then able pass that value on to their clients. In the current fragmented market, this value is central to building strong, lasting relationships, which is what our business is all about.”
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