Over the past year, the business sector has been quick to explore, but resilient to adopt unified communications solutions. The reason for this is that there is still no “clear-cut” solution from any UC provider that stretches across all platforms (MAC, PC, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows Mobile) and mediums of communication (desktop phone, mobile phone, IM, video, conferencing and productivity solutions) into one unified system.

Many mid and large size companies are looking to eliminate CapEx entirely, while only using OpEx for technology expenditures. We expect that this business practice will include integrated managed UC solutions in 2012.

For those of you that are unclear on what Unified Communications is, a simple explanation is that they are unified communications systems that permit business employees to operate and access multiple communication systems from a ubiquity of devices. This ability allows them to maximize availability and collaboration efforts by pulling together all the communication tools they use, making it possible to communicate through a consistent interface across devices.

More specifically, Unified Communications is comprised of various communication technologies including unified messaging, which allows users to access voice, email, fax and other media from a mailbox independent of the access device (that all sync together), SMS, collaboration systems (which include applications such as calendar, workflow, scheduling and integrated voice response for applications), real-time communications (communication using applications such as conferencing, instant messaging, PBX, and paging), productivity solutions (desktop/application sharing) and video conferencing.  

In 2012, the UC industry will be escalating its video, mobility and collaboration efforts as businesses continue to take notice of the advantages of UC technology, which are most notably, mobility, cost savings and productivity enhancement. The further development of UC integration with a variety of different CRM applications will allow for new features (Salesforce, Goldmine, ACT, Microsoft CRM, etc.) that increase employee efficiency. In addition, the central management of these systems gives your company greater control over sensitive data. UC integration with CRM software effectively achieves a managed solution that provides increased security over all communications systems by giving you the capability to lock down all devices and services simultaneously.

This equates to a basic DLP (Data Loss Prevention) solution and with the advent of further UC systems, DLP functionality will soon be available at an affordable cost so that smaller and midsized companies looking to gain a central point of control are able to make certain that their data is secure.

With all the new UC developments in 2012, this year is predicted to be the breakout year for UC solutions and possibly when it finally becomes a mainstay for enterprises. Cohere recognizes this shift in enterprise communications, and is ready to implement UC solutions for your business as an add-on to our regular services at a nominal fee. At Cohere, we know how to improve productivity, collaboration and cost savings when it comes to technology and we look forward to helping you achieve this in 2012.

The jury is out on what role the tablet computer will play in the enterprise space in 2012.

Around 19.5 million tablets were sold in 2011, and a projected 54 million will be sold in 2012. The era of the tablet is upon us and we are now seeing more and more businesses doing away with their laptops in favor of these lighter, sleeker, more mobile devices.

To read more about why we foresee tablets becoming a business standard in 2012, check out our blog

Here are some key reasons we foresee tablets becoming a business standard in 2012:

1. Battery Life and Portability

The tablet can work a full day with just a single charge, whereas laptop computers often require a charger after a few hours, and need to be carried around in a bulky bag.

2. Virus Resiliency

Tablets are far less likely to succumb to the various viruses that afflict many Windows laptops. The Apple iOS mobile operating system is tightly controlled and apps need to go through a stringent review process in order to be approved on Apple’s app store. Within the realms of Android tablets, security is more of an issue, but we expect that most serious business applications will be locked down.

3. Business Ready Applications

Probably the biggest advantage of the tablet is and will be the applications that users are able to run on them.

The iPad already includes business savvy apps such as:

• Pages, Numbers and Keynote (Word Processing, Spreadsheet and Presentation applications)
• CamCard (reads business cards and adds them into your contacts)
• GoToMyPC (a remote PC desktop access app including firewall integration, 128-bit encryption and end-to-end authentication)
• Bria (A soft phone that can be configured to match your desk phone)
• Dropbox (A cloud service that permits for synching of files between your iPad and Computer)
• Dragon Dictation (Voice to text dictation tool)
• Polycom Video (Video Conferencing Application By Polycom)
• ESNA UC Client (Unified Communications Client)

The Android tablets offer other apps such as:

• Due Today (an organizational app that syncs with Google Tasks),
• Catch Notes (Allows you to record your thoughts via text, voice recording, images and locations),
• Fuze Meeting (high definition Web-conferencing service)
• File Manager HD (ability to access the file system as on a regular desktop)
• Bria (a soft phone that can be configured to match your desk phone)

With the demand for business related applications rising, expect a deluge of new applications to hit the tablet market in 2012. Considering more companies and end users will be switching to tablets this year because of the advantages outlined above, there will be new business applications in constant development in 2012 and beyond. The tablet may not be ready to take over the laptop and PC completely because of their inadequate multitasking manipulations (lack of keyboard and mouse). However, the business world is taking advantage of its other proficiencies and tablet sales will only grow over time with more advanced features and an already lower cost than quality laptops. We at Cohere recognize this seismic shift from laptop to tablet and have already implemented tablets into our UC systems.

Here are few key reasons people have been adopting the hosted model:

• Service providers host the solution in their top-tier data center(s). Since most SMB’s have limited IT resources, outsourcing the management of their communications infrastructure reduces cost while increasing resiliency and reliability.
• As for any business related technology purchase, initial CapEx is an important decision making factor and hosted solutions typically cost 30%-60% less than premise-based solutions.
• By migrating your telecommunications to the cloud, you pay a flat monthly predictable rate while saving up to 50% on international calling.
• Hosted telephone platforms come with a variety of features and functionalities such as eFax, Voicemail2Text, Remote access, Virtual office, application integration, FMC, and Unified Communications with presence based call routing – amongst a long list of other features that enhance overall productivity.
• Remote access enables all users to modify their services from anywhere they have an Internet connection! Need to forward a number to your cell phone? Do it on your internet enabled smart phone!
• Have offices in multiple locations? A hosted solution is able to manage your intra-office communications much more efficiently than having a premise-based solution.

In addition to all of the above points, we at Cohere still like to say: “that what you don’t get with our hosted service is sometimes more important than what you do …”

NO maintenance contracts, NO additional costs for on-site resident technicians, NO software support contracts, NO upgrade mandates, NO MAC tickets, NO wasted time negotiating rates, NO expensive disaster recovery plans, and NO multiple invoices.  Our service packages are set on a per user basis and scale with the “right sizing” of your organization…  you only pay for what’s in-use, without penalties or fees – ever.

Bringing VoIP to Small Businesses

http://dupont-solutions.com/attachments/article/81/Bringing%20VOIP%20to%20SMBs.pdf

When do hosted VoIP Solutions Make Sense for Large Offices?

http://www.focus.com/questions/when-do-hosted-voip-solutions-make-sense-large-offices/

The following examples are extracts from Cohere’s “Feature Guide”:

Personal Features:

Alternate Numbers — Enables users to have up to ten phone numbers and/or extensions assigned to them. The usual ringing is provided for incoming calls to the
primary phone number and users have the option of enabling a distinctive ring for calls to their second and third phone numbers. For outgoing
calls from the user, the user’s primary phone number is the calling line identity.

Group:

Hoteling — Companies often reserve a set of cubicles and phones for mobile workers who come into the office from time to time. “Hoteling” enables mobile
users to share office space and phones on an as-needed basis, like a hotel room. The Hoteling service supports this activity by enabling users with guest privileges to log in to a host account via their web portal or voice portal. This enables the employee to use the host phone to make and receive their calls as usual, while retaining their own BroadWorks user profile.

Call Park — Enables a user to hold a call and to retrieve it from another station within the group. To park a call, a user presses the flash hook and dials the
call park feature access code. The call is parked and the caller is held. To retrieve the call, the user goes to any phone in the group and dials
the call retrieve feature access code, followed by the user’s extension. The call is retrieved and connected to the retrieving user. Users can also
execute call park via the CommPilot Call Manager.

These are just a few examples from approximately 650+ pages of features. Each feature comes with a description of what it does and how it works. The feature guide will provide our customers with a constantly growing, vast knowledge base that can be used to answer any simple questions or just provide information on the many features that come with Cohere’s services.

Several key players in the mobile phone industry

This week, we are going to take a deeper look into mobile Voip and how enterprises can leverage it to achieve enhanced productivity.
Year after year, the number of businesses professionals using mobile phones to interact and communicate has been growing exponentially, a recent In Stat report states that by 2015 there will be 83 million mobile VoIP users.

By next year, with almost 85% of mobile phones having high speed web access, how can you leverage this to help enhance productivity within your organization?

What are the benefits of enabling VoIP on your mobile devices?
1.    It provides its users with seamless in-office / out-of-office appearance towards their customers and colleagues (across a multiplicity of supported devices).
2.    It enables mobile access to enterprise resources regardless of location or status – phone, email, meetings, applications, and directories.
3.    Using Wi-Fi will give a high QoE along with developing cellular technologies (3G and 4G network support).
4.    Enhanced mobility with reduced costs:

a. Local, Long distance and international rates at a reduced cost
b. Eliminate SMS by using IM  and Lan talk
c. Developing Video chat functionality

By being connected to your company’s communications cloud from your mobile device, you can enjoy true business flexibility and convenience.

Further Reading:

Software Recommendation – Bria 3 for iPad and Smart Phones 

Bria allows for a multitude of great functionalities and calling features permitting users to manage all of their communications and make calls seamlessly using whatever device they choose (running the Bria software). read full article

5 Mobile Trends to Look Out for

Mobile has finally delivered on its promise and it’s transforming our lives in almost every way, connecting our physical and digital worlds. Smart phones are driving an explosion of the mobile web. read full article

Business Voip on the Rise

“Even office commodities like VoIP are beginning to transition to mobile. Mobile VoIP is the practical next step for enterprises and small to medium-sized business (SMB) alike to move towards enterprise mobility and a mobile workforce.read full article

The 6 C’s of Mobile VoIP for Business

So what are the benefits and what makes Mobile VoIP ideal for business use? Collaboration, Connectivity, Convenience, Consistency, & Cost-Savings. read full article

• Get rid of expendable in-house staff

• Leverage the most powerful feature set in the industry

• Save space by reducing on-site equipment

• Save 30%-50% on what you are currently paying

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Just some of the benefits that you can get from a Cohere Hosted PBX IP Telephony solution.

These giants were once drivers of innovation and growth. Now, their infrastructure’s are decades old and increasingly showing their age.

They provide sub-par customer service and are far too expensive given the inflexibility of their network core!

Imagine if you could start over from scratch, what would you build to replace them?

Our answer is a customer centric next generation system that coherently binds the newest technologies available providing you with seamless reliability, unparalleled capabilities and the best feature set in the industry – bar none.

At an all inclusive rate for local and long distance calling (while providing more advantageous international discounts).

All of that and we can do it for up to 50% less than what you are now paying. Click here to access The Cohere Total Cost Of Ownership Calculator and find out exactly how much we can save you.

Don’t be the last to get on board, Global Trading Firms, Various National Financial Enterprises as well as world renowned media conglomerates already use Cohere. Contact us and we would be more than happy to provide you with references.

If you have received this email in error but know someone who might be interested, please forward it to them.

Enter your information into the Cohere Total Cost of ownership calculator and find out!

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