Press release
ntl:Telewest Business unveils IP Multimedia service to enhance
workforce collaboration
- Integrated PC-based tool enables desktop video calls and
employee presence to be easily confirmed, streamlining
communication practices
22nd May 2006. ntl:Telewest Business, supplier of communications
services to the public and private sectors, today launched IP
Multimedia, a new range of communication services that integrates
video calls, phone calls, voicemail, email and the presence-based
benefits of instant messaging into a online working
environment.
IP Multimedia provides a platform for more effective
communication with teams, both large and small. The new service
uses IP phones as well as a voice and video softphone application.
The main features are instant messaging, which provides a secure
online ‘talk’ environment with correspondence displayed live; video
calling and conferencing from PC-to-PC using web
cameras. Additional features include IP telephony call and
voicemail services supported by extensive phone directories; and
presence indicators, providing a live list of which colleagues are
available at any one time. The service can be used from any office
or location via a secure internet connection.
IP Multimedia is a complete suite of tools designed for
communicating with colleagues more efficiently. The new services
make it easy to determine whether colleagues are available through
an online Presence information, enabling questions to be answered
quickly, group dialogue to be undertaken faster and many meetings
to be conducted online rather than in person. Seeing the person you
talk to enhances communication effectiveness.
Stephen Beynon, MD, ntl:Telewest Business, said: “The IP
Multimedia service takes converged communication to another level.
It enables people to make the maximum use of their existing network
infrastructure to support more effective team communication.”
“Often the root of reduced day-to-day efficiency is that you
don’t know whether people are available when you want to
communicate with them. IP Multimedia overcomes the communication
inefficiencies that result from not knowing whether people are busy
or in meetings and having to try several numbers to reach them.” he
said.
Chris Barnard, IDC said: “Companies that are moving to IP
telephony increasingly see that it's not just about replacing the
functionality of the traditional PBX system, but to move further
and add functionality to voice in the form of IP applications,
specifically around collaboration and presence. IDC's annual WAN
manager survey (660 respondents in 10 European countries) show that
there are significant plans to buy enhanced hosted VoIP services,
especially in the United Kingdom and Denmark, and in the financial
and retail vertical markets.”
IP Multimedia users connect over their LANs (Local Area
Networks) to the ntl:Telewest core IP network in order to utilise
the managed services, which have undergone internal and
customer trials involving over 300 personnel across over 50
locations.
Sandra O'Boyle, Current Analysis commented, “If collaboration
between virtual teams and offices is important and users require
ubiquitous service functionality across hot-desking, homeworkers
and small branches, ntl:Telewest Business has a rich feature set in
terms of unified messaging, video calling, instant messaging and
conferencing. IP Multimedia can provide a centralised dial plan,
supports analogue and IP phones and does not require a significant
CapEx investment, instead customers can try out the service with
one group of employees and pay on a monthly per-seat basis."
* See http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/work_time_regs/index.htm.
** See http://www.cec.org.uk/info/pubs/bbriefs/bb28.htm
About ntl:Telewest Business
ntl:Telewest Business, part of the UK’s second
largest fixed-line telecommunications company, is a leading
communications provider to businesses, public sector organisations
and service providers in the UK. It delivers a complete portfolio
of voice, data and internet solutions nation-wide.
ntl:Telewest Business sales and support
teams are located across the UK, in close proximity to our
customers, as part of a commitment to deliver superior customer
service.
ntl:Telewest Business delivers services over
the Group’s £13bn investment in its state-of-the-art
infrastructure giving business customers access to the largest
alternative network in the UK.
ntl:Telewest Business is trusted to provide
critical communications to high profile customers
including: Heathrow's Terminal 5, Birmingham City Council
and Cambridgeshire County Council.
For further information go to http://www.ntltelewestbusiness.co.uk/
ntl:Telewest Business press contacts: