True convergence with Siemens LifeWorks@Com

As broadband wireless access technologies such as the Universal Mobile Telephony System (UMTS) - better known as 3G, WiMAX and Orthogonal Frequency Multiplex Division (OFDM) help drive the ICT industry closer to true convergence, Siemens Communications has demonstrated a clear vision for the future progression of communication systems with the development of its LifeWorks@Com strategy.

Dr Jan Mrosik, CEO of Siemens Communications, says this concept helps demonstrate how organisations of any size can apply next-generation technologies to enhance business processes, better integrate mobile workers and improve productivity.

"The LifeWorks@Com concept seamlessly integrates wireline, wireless and enterprise as well as public domain to offer an unmatched, unified communications experience," says Mrosik, adding that this concept includes premise-based enterprise communications systems, managed services and subscription services from network operators, as well as fixed and mobile networks.

"In a converged world, companies with a limited portfolio have a restricted vision and a reduced value proposition," he says. "However, the broad portfolio and all inclusive vision embodied in the LifeWorks@Com concept harmonises our portfolio and guides our strategy, bringing Siemens Communications' full value to users, carriers and enterprises."

He says there is a three-pronged strategy aimed at improving and simplifying such converged communications. Firstly, Siemens makes life easier for the user, with easy-to-use, multifunctional devices that provide universal access to services and applications.

"With our unified communications and messaging solution, users instantly know how to best reach their contacts while also being able to let others know their preferred method of contact - be it video conference, e-mail, telephone or SMS," he says. "This greatly simplifies the messaging process, creating productivity increases and generating cost savings."

Secondly, for network operators, Siemens Communications offers both the fixed and mobile operator plug-in applications anywhere in the network that they can market as services to their subscribers.

"With our common application platforms, operators can build and provision new, revenue-generating services easier and more cost-efficiently," he says.

Lastly, Siemens makes life easier for enterprises by enabling three business-critical factors.

"With presence applications, enterprises can make communication more efficient; while fully integrated communications and IT reduces costs and improves the way in which the business serves its customers. On top of that, with our Mobile Enterprise solutions, we make business processes mobile."

Mrosik says one of the most important of the reasons for introducing the LifeWorks@Com concept is due to the constant state of change in the communications industry.

"Convergence is happening across three segments: devices, carrier and enterprise," says Mrosik. "The LifeWorks@Com vision and our broad portfolio leverage Siemens' strength in all these areas."

He believes the beauty of the concept lies in the fact that LifeWorks@Com removes the barriers between home networks, enterprise networks and wireline and wireless carrier networks, offering seamless, intuitive and appropriate access to all kinds of applications, independent of device and location. It also provides presence-aware real-time communication and is easy to use. "Our goal is to eliminate wasted time by making sure information is stored in only one place and available to users both within the corporate network and wherever they happen to be," he says. "To do this, we bring together fixed, wireless and corporate networks and make applications available everywhere. As a company specialising in all the technologies that can accomplish this, Siemens is uniquely positioned to deliver on this potential."