What's hot in unified comms? We ask Comscentre

Which UC solutions do you deploy?

Cisco CUCM and Microsoft Lync.

When did your company first get involved in UC?

We’ve been providing UC since 2004.

Which UC certifications and/or credentials does your company have?

Cisco Advanced Unified Communications; Cisco Master Cloud Services Provider (MCSP); Microsoft voice certified; Microsoft SIP certified. 

Who are your main distributors for UC technologies?

Westcon (for Cisco). 

What cool or interesting recent UC technology have you heard of lately?

Is there anything cooler than the advances made in video in recent years? The ease with which video can now be consumed allowing users to collaborate across a range of devices has come leaps and bounds.

User interfaces and mobile applications such as Cisco Jabber and Microsoft Lync are allowing businesses to enable a truly mobile workforce with an ability to engage in face-to-face (albeit via video) communications, regardless of geographical location, at the touch of a button. 

Can you tell us about a recent UC deployment you have done?

The deployment of Cisco CUCM into Scope, a not-for-profit that helps 6,000 Victorians with disabilities achieve their goals. Given the breadth of Scope’s services, the UC solution had to be robust, reliable and redundant.

Comscentre deployed a hosted Cisco Unified Communications Manager for 650 handsets at 99 sites. Underneath is a Comscentre MPLS private network with Quality of Service to prioritise mission-critical applications, internet breakouts and SIP technology to cut costs. 

What is driving customers’ UC projects?

The growing acceptance in business to enable mobile workers and provide the tools and information they need on the go – wherever they may be, whenever they need it and on any device they wish to consume it. While the tangible benefits and cost savings spark the business case, there are intangible benefits to be considered. 

UC is...?

The integration of real-time communications services such as voice, video, messaging and presence providing a consistent unified user interface and experience on multiple devices and media.