Unified Communications: IP communications solution from the cloud

Unified Communications: Communications solutions from the cloud

Whether voice, video and web conferences, e-mail, fax, contact center functions or instant messaging: Unified Communications from the T-Systems private cloud unites all communication channels in a single user interface. Dynamic Services for Unified Communications consists of hardware and software from the leading providers, Cisco and Unify, for the central services, integration services communications applications and devices. The UC solution in the T-Systems private cloud is operated exclusively in secure, high-availability T-Systems data centers within Germany (or on-premise, if requested). High standards, compliant with German and EU norms, guarantee the performance and security of the solutions.
UC from the cloud only develops its real potential, however, when companies use it as an integral component for improving business processes. According to the study "The Forrester Wave™: On-Premises Unified Communications And Collaboration" from 2014, 69 percent of the surveyed decision-makers for network and telecommunications technology have integrated business applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM). T-Systems integrates the UC solution with existing ICT infrastructures and application landscapes. UC integration includes external networking, the automation of business processes, optimization of customer communications and connection of mobile employees – making UC functions accessible from workflow applications such as ERP and CRM.

"T-Systems is successfully transferring its skills from the communications sector and the Dynamic Services portfolio to the CaaS market."
Experton Group, Cloud Vendor Benchmark 2015

How can my company benefit from Dynamic Services for Unified Communications?

Projects can be organized flexibly across multiple sites
Professional knowledge management means better use of in-house skills
Communication-centric business processes are noticeably faster
Contacting experts (both within and beyond enterprise boundaries) is easier
New service models increase customer loyalty and satisfaction
Employees are able to work efficiently while on the move

Consolidation reduces infrastructure costs
Lower administrative effort for maintenance and operation
Communication as an application reduces hardware costs
Voice communication via IP lowers telephony costs
Predictable per-seat costs by means of standardized UC solutions
Integration of legacy equipment (depending on technology) protects investment

The Dynamic UC components (Cisco, Unify) are operated by T-Systems in its own data center or at the customer site
Devices and applications are part of the managed solution
Rollout and management simplified through standardized role-based solutions

References

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

All the sites of the Bundesliga (German Premier Division) soccer club are connected by one IP network. The employees also access the SAP solution via the network.

The customer

Sports club from Sinsheim with around 5,500 members
Men's soccer team has been playing in the Bundesliga since 2008
Construction of one of the most modern soccer arenas in Europe for more than 30,000 spectators
Application to host matches in the Women's Soccer World Cup in 2011

The task

Provide the entire communication infrastructure
Network of all club sites with connection to the SAP system
Simplify collaboration between employees, training staff and players
Meet the requirements and conditions of the Deutsche Fußball Liga (German Soccer League) and of FIFA, such as data security standards

The solution

Redundant networking for voice and data on IP basis and WiFi
Construction of a Unified Communications & Collaboration (UCC) solution
Managed security package including firewall
Centrally managed media technology (video walls, flat screens, projectors and audio components) for the stadium
Mobile equipment and integration of the decision-makers, including the professional team

Benefits for the customer

Requirements of the associations fulfilled; as a result, chosen as a host venue for the FIFA Women's World Cup of 2011
Video walls offer 99.9 percent reliability, necessary for TV rights and sponsors
UCC solution that unifies fixed network phone calls, mobile communications and e-mails in a single channel

Learn more

"Without IT, modern, state-of-the-art stadium operation is no longer imaginable."
Jochen A. Rotthaus, managing director of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

Technical specifications

Voice, voicemail, unified messaging, instant messaging, and presence
Video integration, SIP trunk to the public network and for the integration of the existing PABXs
Internet access for home office/small office workplaces, contact center
Management of hardware and software, central servers, devices and gateways to public networks
PBX service features (such as CTI, boss/secretary function)
Mobile communications integration (e.g. simultaneous call on fixed network and cell phone)
Conferencing (voice/web/video conferences; desktop/file sharing)
Infrastructure: high-performance data center switch, server, firewall and storage systems
Logical separation of the customer environments: virtual computing infrastructure, MPLS-VPNs
Availability of 99.96 percent
On-demand scaling via self-service portal
Hardware components set up at the customer's site, such as local gateways (transition to public telephone networks) and devices
Standardized workplace configurations with devices and services that meet the typical requirements of different groups of employees

Integrating communications with Unified Communications

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When heterogeneous communications solutions such as PABXs are distributed across multiple sites, operation and maintenance become more difficult. The systems cannot be managed centrally and companies have to keep service resources at many sites. Manufacturer support can also lapse for older systems. The result: high costs and staff expenses.

A consistent UC approach means communications can be centralized on an IP basis and delivered from the cloud, significantly reducing both costs and effort for management and operations. Unified communications also turbocharges cross-site teamwork. If collaboration is added, the solution can be seamlessly integrated with business processes, simplifying decision-making and accelerating workflows.

Analysts from the Experton Group say communications is an area that is particularly suited to operation in the cloud, citing its network foundation and high degree of standardization. Experton: "Communication-as-a-Service (CaaS) frees customers from high investment costs and license fees. Thanks to its high level of flexibility, customers only have to pay for the functions they really need and use. Capital expenditures (CAPEX) can be replaced by operating expenses (OPEX), improving the balance sheet. The external operation by a service provider ensures that the most up-to-date program version is always available, so the customer does not need to have the relevant implementation expertise in-house." And the resources adapt dynamically to the actual requirements.

CaaS has the potential to consolidate existing UC infrastructures, optimizing the cost structure. Rationalization potential includes the operating costs for the management and maintenance of a heterogeneous UC environment, as well as the management of different partners and contracts.

According to a study by the analyst firm Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC), 61 percent of the surveyed companies are either already using, plan to use or are discussing such offerings for their employees' IT environment. The most popular cloud applications are e-mail, document sharing, and conferencing applications. More than 20 percent of those surveyed stated that they already offer cloud-based applications in these areas.

Dynamic Services for Unified Communications

Integrated IP communications solution from the private cloud