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It seems a bit strange that Unified Communications (UC) has not become a core plank of the support and delivery mechanism of every business, yet it seems to remain a little out on the fringe as a specialist capability that only some companies require.
It should be one of the biggest elements underpinning the cloud for all companies, especially with the widespread and rapidly growing use of smartphones and tablets, which are now key components of doing business.
Perhaps its biggest image problem is that UC seems to involve significant and quite radical change to the infrastructure of a business. This all-or-nothing image can be seen by large enterprises as a risky, rather drastic and irrevocable step, while the smaller businesses see it as an expensive move that only the larger enterprises can consider.
So the announcement by Outsourcery of a cloud-delivered UC solution that is targeted at the SMB sector (which often in practice includes the large departments and regional offices of large enterprises) may go some way to alter that perspective.
Outsourcery is working with HP and selected members of HP’s channel partner community to provide a cloud-based solution to Unified Communications for small and medium businesses. The company uses an HP Converged Cloud infrastructure, which will allow organisations with 200-1,000 employees to improve communications, increase cost-efficiency and drive revenue.
Unified Communication & Collaboration services available via the cloud will include Microsoft Lync for voice over IP (VoIP), video, web and audio conferencing and chat, and Microsoft Exchange for email and document management. Dependant on size and complexity, these will either be deployed on a multi-tenant platform, or in a dedicated environment in Outsourcery’s secure datacentres.
“UC&C enables businesses to work in smarter, more effective ways, but SMBs may not have the expertise or budget to implement it,” said Michael Clifford, Director, Cloud Computing, HP United Kingdom & Ireland. “ Leveraging Outsourcery’s cloud hosting platform and the implementation expertise of specialised channel partners enables SMBs to cost-effectively deploy unified communications on a pay-per use basis.”
Implementation and support will be provided by the following selected channel partners: Damovo, a Gold Microsoft partner focusing on managed connectivity, data networking and UC&C; IP Solutions, a London-based business communications consultancy; Neptune Consultancy Services, which specialises in Managed Services, Intelligent Business Security and Communications; and Freedom Communications, a networking, telephony and communications solutions provider.
“Working with HP and channel partners that are embracing the opportunity, this new initiative will give SMBs the same access to unified communications and collaboration as larger enterprises. More companies are looking to transform the way that IT serves their business,” said Piers Linney, Co-CEO of Outsourcery. “Through our cloud solutions, we can provide their IT delivered as a service, with fast deployment and minimal need for capital investment.”
