IBM and 3Com have developed IP telephony to run on a
single server along with a customer’s core business
applications.
IBM’s System i, based on IBM's “all-in-one” business computing
platform and 3Com’s VCX, replaces the established IP telephony
model where customers have to dedicate one or more servers to
support each function of the telephony suite - call processing,
messaging and conferencing, for instance.
“You can’t help but recognise the benefit of running your entire
business and your IP telephony simultaneously on a single system,”
said Mark Shearer, general manager of IBM System i.
“System i IP telephony can support fewer than 100 to thousands
of phone users and can deliver a return on investment in months,
not years,” he said.
The usual model presents integration and systems management
challenges, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that
may have limited IT resources, said IBM and 3Com. The system will
be available from both companies next month.
