Furthering your Enterprise’s Network Convergence Strategy with SIP Trunking

Converged networks save money and improve productivity, but some businesses still need to act. Voice, data and video can run simultaneously on a single network, and can significantly lessen the cost of IT labor and infrastructure. As more businesses join the trend toward network convergence, we’ll look at what converged networks do and how they can help.

Before Network Convergence

In the past, companies maintained separate networks for their phone systems, computers and multimedia devices. These networks often required separate administrators with different skill sets as well as separate cabling, security and supporting hardware.

The Dawn of Convergence

A new breed of IT managers and technicians can now deploy discreet networks that service all current and future IP services without the expenses associated with multi-network models. Providers such as Allstream can offer clients Multi-Protocol Label Switching, a technology that keeps costs low while improving the efficiency and quality of data-dependant services. These networks provide high-speed connections with the bandwidth necessary to allow companies to operate without constraint. On this network, traditional data, voice and multimedia coexist on the same infrastructure but remain isolated from one another through MPLS technology.

The Benefits

The ability to use Voice over IP technology allows you to lower the cost of your voice communications. Phone systems that use Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) allow desktop phones to share the data connections used by workstations. This eliminates the need for multiple cable drops at every desk and allows phone systems to conform to the needs of your workplace.

SIP technology extends beyond the user interface. SIP trunks can eliminate the need for expensive phone-company services when connecting multiple offices. SIP trunks perform the same functions as trunks offered by the telephone company over a single converged network. This means that your business has more control over its voice communications at a reduced cost, and IT administrators can use SIP trunks for low-cost routing of telephone calls, slashing the cost of outbound calling.

All Your Eggs in One Basket

Although converged networks offer important benefits such as efficiency, flexibility and affordability; some businesses hesitate to stake their entire reputations on a single set of cables and interfaces. A reputable provider understands the impact of network outages. VPN technology and redundant systems make outages rare and survivable without requiring clients to install and maintain redundant networks.


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