Voice Communications—Just Like Any Other Networked Application
Using open standards and IP to integrate business–critical applications on a network facilitates collaboration and information sharing. Contact databases and directories from one application can be used with another. For example, employees can initiate calls and provide real-time information when speaking on the phone with a customer, colleague or with hundreds of participants in an IP conference. A caller can see the availability of a colleague from their computer monitor using a suitable presence-enabled client to save time and the effort of repeated failed contact attempts. And VoIP services that support multimedia connections, including voice, video, data sharing and instant messaging, can be accessed from a single desktop interface.

Enabling Advanced Business Applications
In 2006, the reason given most often for implementing IP telephony was the ease of integrating advanced, business applications with voice solutions. Rather than the traditional cost and management benefits of converging voice and data on a single network, perceptions of value shifted to the benefits of a single network environment that delivers an integrated set of business-relevant solutions. Organizations of all gain financial and productivity benefits from real-time, simultaneous access to a variety of communications tools.

The Winning Value of Standards-based Solutions
Standards such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) provide a common language for applications to interact with each other. Customer relationship management systems, for instance, utilize contact information that an integrated SIP-based solution can immediately and automatically provide to a service agent, simultaneously saving time and expediting customer service. Open systems allow application developers to enhance their solutions with ease and ensure their interoperability with other communications solutions. Integration, interoperability and innovation are encouraged in standard-based environments and result in easier, more economical and more robust solutions for connecting people and ideas.

3Com Open Network™
The 3Com|ON Program is designed to provide third-party solution providers with a wealth of resources and support programs that enable them to get technical, marketing, and business development support and advice from 3Com. The program brings innovative companies together that share a common goal of providing unique offerings that meet customer needs. Through a collaborative, open approach, the 3Com|ON team actively engages leading solution providers that develop products and services that complement the 3Com product portfolio, and when paired together, interoperate and enhance each other.

Learn more about 3Com|ON.