How to survive the end of the PBX?

The evolution to Unified Communication is omni-present and has come to a point of no return. Amongst other trends, telecom will evolve into fully IP based networks. This is a key-enabler to dramatically change what communication and collaboration means for organizations.
A new wave of IT-based applications will be deployed and will take benefit from this IP-based infrastructure to integrate Video, IM and a range of other collaboration and communication services. Integration of these applications will happen on premises, such as CRM or e-mail, and with in-the-cloud applications, such as mobile or professional collaboration networks.

How does this affect organizations’ requirements?

The choice of the solution becomes a strategic business decision. It needs to accommodate the conflicting demand for new services and features, while delivering cost savings.
Freedom of choice, now and in the future is a critical criterion. The trap of so-called ‘open’, but de facto proprietary solutions needs to be avoided. The IT infrastructure will not only have to cope with local or in-the-cloud integration, it will also have to handle an accelerated arrival of new applications. Time-to-market of new services and upgrades needs to be as short as possible.

The focus must be on identifying and managing the services for end users, without the time wasted on detailed technical tasks.

The most common models

Today, the industry deploys two widely used solutions: the on-premises ‘sort it out yourself’ model and the hosted ‘managed’ model. Both models have significant limitations with respect to the identified requirements.

The first solution is the on-premises or ‘sort it out yourself’ model, which involves a manual set-up, configuration and maintenance of all applications on a variety of dedicated servers.  When new applications are added, this leads to an exponential complexity, as the integration and set-up is dependent on manual processes, handled by certified engineers. They are in charge of the delivered quality through a self-constructed SLA. Upgrades are equivalent of a full re-installation. As a result, most organizations do not perform upgrades on a frequent basis and systems become out-dated.

The hosted ‘managed’ model saves the company from the hassle of support and maintenance. Nevertheless, it is a model with standard features and does not accommodate the individual needs of companies requiring more flexibility or the need for local IT back-office integration. For many customers, it is a key security concern to be on a shared platform.
Although this is sometimes chosen by small companies, it is not a feasible solution for enterprises and larger organizations, who want to control their own applications and services.

In conclusion, the above described solutions do not meet all the set requirements.

The alternative : ESCAUX Hybrid Model

The Hybrid Model combines the full flexibility of the on-premises model with all the services offered by the managed model and is completely based on open standards. It consists of a services center and a set of identical appliances that run all applications.
The appliances are installed in a frictionless way, within the organization and across different sites if desired.

The services center acts as a unique interface with all services and applications. It takes care of many tasks such as the creation of services, the delivery of software, the monitoring of appliances, the reporting of SLA, ... This happens in an industrialized way. Changes or additions - new users, applications, software or sites - are done through a unified and systematic approach. At any time, services and appliances can be re-produced without manual intervention or dependency on certified engineers. This way, organizations keep full visibility and control over the entire solution.

A truly open solution

The majority of the suppliers pretend to be open, based on the argument that SIP is supported. However, if one wants to connect any brand of phone, with auto-configuration and keeping the same functionalities as the supplier’s own brand, the reality is that the solution is not so ‘open’. Most suppliers are de facto proprietary and prefer to protect their own, hardware-oriented business. The same question applies to the choice of software.

The ESCAUX Hybrid Model solution is truly based on open standards. ESCAUX is a 100 percent software-based company and its mission is to remain independent of any software or hardware vendor, at any time.

User functionalities work with all types of devices. Mobile devices can therefore become a true part of the solution and as a result, there is no longer a difference between a fixed and a mobile device. Employees will now be able to see the status of any colleague who is in conversation on his mobile device.

Unbeatable total cost of ownership

ESCAUX breathes and thinks ‘unified’. In that spirit, the pricing is based on a fixed price per user and is all-inclusive. This means, for example, that customers enjoy recovery for all applications, and that they have an end-to-end SLA. More-over, all future updates and upgrades are covered. Budgeting becomes very straightforward and an annual baseline upgrade is now feasible. As IT evolutions come faster and faster, up to date systems, frictionless installation and a very short time-to-market are key.

In conclusion: The ESCAUX Hybrid Model solution complies with all the identified requirements. The total cost of ownership is significantly lower, while ensuring superior services now and in the future.