Converged networks can improve business and cut costs

Manufacturing businesses should be taking a phased approach to implementing converged IT and telephony systems. That way they can get the benefits without hitting the P&L. So says Alex Black, strategy director at web development and hosting firm Affinity. But he adds that they should start as soon as possible. “The cost of VoIP is roughly the same as voice – marginally cheaper. But, people have been selling rip and replace, which isn’t good for the balance sheet. “Now you can keep what you have but use new technology as you need to change – ring fence the old and integrate it with the new. So, over time, your operational costs reduce.” But this isn’t just about hard cost benefits. “Users are now understanding that they can create a more fluid organisation and improve business continuity coverage,” says Black. Indeed, he suggests that the disaster recovery improvements that flow from a converged architecture can impact insurance costs. “If you don’t build a more resilient business, insurers may not insure you. With a converged network, you can mirror between sites so business continuity is improved – which cuts insurance costs.” He believes that consultants and system implementers are changing their advice. “18 months ago, industry hadn’t come off the fence – the industry was still sowing seeds of doubt. Now the benefits are clearer, integration is more important and we have this evolutionary approach.”