Unified Conferencing for better convergence mngmt

Unified conferencing based on SIP protocol is redefining how companies manage their voice, data and video conferences. IP unified conferencing takes conferencing to the next level by simplifying user interface across a wide range of communication devices in a single conference over the company’s IP network.

Unified conferencing provides multiple channel conferencing over the LAN and reduces costs associated with supporting video conferencing over the ISDN lines. Additionally, with SIP-based real time communication servers users set up spur-of-the-moment conference sessions by clicking on a “buddy” list, which outcalls to other members using a single address.

A major benefit of IP unified conferencing is its ease of use and simple management, which encourages employees to collaborate frequently. Unlike earlier conferencing tools, the common user interface eliminates complexity associated with setting up multiple party conference calls across channels.

However, unified IP conferencing that includes video sessions consume high bandwidth and necessitates careful network engineering to support increased network traffic.

Unified conferencing permits users to decide on the most appropriate media for a conference and allows conference attendees to shift from audio to Web or video during the call. For example, a participant on an audio conference could share data files on demand by dragging and dropping a file to the buddy list that appears on the participant’s desktop screen.

Common user interfaces also allow non-technical users to quickly set up and manage conferences for voice, data and video. The real gain for business is that remote and mobile workers can communicate more effectively and use conferencing as a convenient replacement for face-to-face meetings and travel.

Unified conferencing supports IP networks and also bridges both IP and ISDN conferencing across mixed networks. Since many companies need to support both ISDN and IP for the next few years, it is important in the near term for unified conferencing to support transmissions for both types of networks.

Additionally, unified conferencing is still in its early stages of growth with only a handful of vendors with products currently available.

However, several vendors are expected to announce enhanced SIP-based conferencing solutions during the coming year. Polycom currently offers a unified conferencing platform that integrates voice, video and audio conferencing and simplifies the management for multi-modal conferencing sessions.

Mitel provides a unified conferencing platform that integrates with its 3300IP-communication platform and enables users to set up video and audio conferences by merely pushing the buttons on its IP telephony handset.

Mitel’s Voice First solution also supports real-time availability that allows users to immediately know the availability of other parties. The ability to quickly and easily initiate and manage IP conference sessions increases employee productivity and simplifies the management of conference sessions among employees.

Recommendations

Despite the many advantages for IP unified conferencing, there are also challenges that companies must address prior to implementation. One major concern is to cost-effectively deploy video over an IP network without risking either traffic congestion or security breaches. Although unified IP conferencing streamlines the management of conferencing sessions, care must be taken to adequately upgrade data networks to ensure quality conferencing.

In addition to bandwidth requirements and QoS for unified conferencing, converged conferencing sessions require careful network administration and management to deliver quality results.

Companies should begin their assessment of IP unified conferencing solutions by determining their network’s readiness to support unified conferencing and increasing bandwidth if needed and implementing QoS.