If you have the responsibility to design, upgrade and manage data networks to carry IP Telephony (voice, video and data), need help in evaluating competing IP-Centrex and IP-PBX systems, or need guidance in specifying the parameters for a service level agreement for IP-Centrex, this unique reference provides you with the knowledge you need to get the job done right. It enables you to more accurately estimate the time and resources needed to implement IP Telephony in your organization. The book describes the IP-Centrex option of having the telephone company take responsibility for the service delivery and offers the kind of information service providers need to improve marketing and sales campaigns for IP-Centrex services. This unique resource helps you present your company's telecom capabilities, and offers a better understanding of the pluses and minuses of competitive sales presentations. It includes summary descriptions of 14 IP telephony systems on the world's market, while clearly identifying the advantages and disadvantages of IP-Centrex. There are detailed financial analyses of three realistic case studies, together with descriptions of how Centrex is used in various organizations.
Introduction to Centrex - Background; Rationale for Centrex; Virtual PBX Service; Integration with On-Premise Switches; Multiple Centrex systems; Investment in Centrex Software; Development of Internet Protocol Centrex; Blurring the Boundaries.; Internet Protocol Centrex - Interactive Communications over Internet Protocol; IP-Centrex Configurations; Softswitch Characteristics; Network Considerations for IP-Centrex; Deployment Strategies for IP-Centrex.; IP-Centrex Systems and Applications - IP-Centrex Systems; Features and Applications; Telephone Sets and Consoles; Wireless Capabilities; Unified Messaging; Contact Center Applications; Managed Networks; Local Access Facilities; Summary of IP-Centrex Systems and Networks.; IP-PBX Systems and Applications - Architectures for IP-PBX Systems; Current IP-PBX Systems; Advantages of IP- PBXs; Concerns with IP-PBXs; Comparing IP-PBX Systems.; IP-Centrex: Prospects and Pilot Trials - IP-Centrex Prospects; Provincial Government relies on Centrex Services; IP-Centrex Field Trials.; Evaluating IP-Centrex - Attractions of IP-Centrex; Concerns with IP-Centrex; Financial Analyses; Single Site Organization; Distributed Contact Center; Multi-location Telecommunications Service; Summary of Analyses.; Implementing and Managing IP-Centrex - Installing IP-Centrex; Cabling Categories; Guidelines for Implementation; System Management; Service Level Agreements; Personnel and Training Requirements; User Groups.; Marketing and Selling IP-Centrex - Where IP-Centrex Will Win; Effects of Centrex Tariffs; Who will buy IP-Centrex?; Enlarging the IP-Centrex Marketplace.; Appendices - Useful Addresses; Centrex Versus PBX; Centrex Glossary.;
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John R. Abrahams
John R. Abrahams is a consultant with TelSys Associates in Oakville, ON, Canada. He received his M. Sc. in computer systems from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. He is also the author of Manager's Guide To Centrex (Artech House, 1988).
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Mauro Lollo
Mauro Lollo is the vice president and chief technology officer at Unis Lumin, Inc. in Oakville, ON, Canada. He received his Diploma in Technology in electronics from Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario.