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.

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

Cohere currently offers ESNA’s suite of unified communications services. This suite integrates messaging, mobility and presence into a single, intuitive solution — built around your company and your people.

We build it into your existing office system such as, Google Apps, Microsoft BPOS/365 and Exchange, Zimbra, Lotus Notes and other on-premise and cloud-based business solutions.

This Unified Communications solution leverages an organization’s existing data and telecommunications infrastructure and supports current and future plans for virtualization and integration of private and public cloud applications. IT departments deliver more productivity, convenience and secure communications with a simplified infrastructure that streamlines management and reduces TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
Unifying infrastructure with applications delivers a portfolio of messaging, mobility and presence solutions to change the way your business communicates.
The Feature Set Includes  (Above and Beyond Cohere’s Base Service Offering):

• IM and Presence
• Mobility (All Smart Phones)
• Email Integration (Google, Zimbra, Outlook)
• Auto Attendant (With Speech recognition)
• Voicemail to text
• E-fax
• FMC (Fixed Mobile Convergence)
• Web Portal and Desktop Client Access

Microsoft Lync

Cohere is also currently in the testing phases of a full blown integration that leverages the power of Microsoft’s Lync server in conjunction with the reliability of Broadsoft’s hosted PBX. Cohere’s hosted Microsoft Lync server will deliver an unparalleled unified user experience that is fully managed and supported over Cohere’s private line IP backbone. The solution is cost efficient and infinitely scalable.

“This fully integrated solution is mesh of the mostly powerful communications and collaboration tools available to enterprises – providing unmatched reliability, stability, and interoperability.” said “Steven Francesco” Cohere Communications’ CEO.

The Feature Set will Include (Above and Beyond Cohere’s Base Service Offering):

•  IM and Presence
•  Conferencing (Audio / Video)
•  Outlook Integration
•  Application. Desktop and Document Sharing
•  Whiteboarding
•  MS Office Integration
•  Mobility
•  Active Directory Integration

For information or for pricing, please contact us info@coherecomm.com | 1 (212) 404-6911

Whether through Google Business Apps, SalesForce.com or the many other existing (or emerging) services, every business is exposed to the cloud in one way or another. As time goes by, more and more tools will be created, refined and integrated to work with each other providing you with seamless communications bridging telephony, CRM applications, Unified Messaging support, Collaboration tools and application integration.

The different possible components of Unified Communications System. Having the UCS under one platform will simplify your world.

The following is a selection of interesting articles that discuss ongoing industry trends:

VoIP For Business is Catching On All Around the World

According to research at In-Stat, Business VoIP now has over 120 million subscribers worldwide and the industry keeps growing to predicted $40 billion annual market by 2015.

http://www.tmcnet.com/channels/voip-equipment/articles/203127-voip-equipment-threatening-wireline-voice-service-success.htm

Unified Communications market is to top $1 billion by 2013

Infonetics Research has released a publication indicating that clients have grown over 1,000% because of bundled Unified Communications with IP telephony.

http://www.infonetics.com/pr/2009/unified-communication-market-highlights.asp

Australia ditches the old and VoIP is in. USA next?

Following the news in Australia, the FCC technology Advisory council has recommended the FCC to move away from traditional phone lines by 2018 with mobile and VoIP replacing the old service. This may be the time to change your existing service.

http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2011/080311-bradner.html?page=1

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.

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