As my travels take me from one town to the next, I�ve
noticed more and more IP telephony equipment installed in offices around the
country. And it�s not just telecom equipment providers. Ad agencies and
companies that are not in the telecom space at all are discovering the
benefits of IP telephony. It is really amazing to have watched the
progression of this technology over the last decade or so. IP telephony was
once a pipe dream and now IP PBXs are becoming a common fixture in offices
around the world. We are even at the point where companies are mixing IP PBX
vendors to achieve results not possible with either vendor alone. Merrill
Lynch recently swapped out some Cisco gear for equipment from
Avaya.
Published sources say that Merrill was very concerned about the
proliferation of voice devices on their IP network. One attack on the IP
network could conceivably take the voice and data network down together.
Using Avaya, Merrill is able to use TDM as a backup in case the IP network
becomes unstable.
Most IP PBX vendors have the ability to work with TDM phones and they use
this advantage to distinguish themselves from Cisco. Now I am not aware of
any such attacks that have brought down an organization�s phone system.
Generally, you design your voice network to prioritize voice and thus make
it impervious to attacks that flood the network with low priority traffic.
It is conceivable (in theory) to design an attack that sends out
high-priority packets and subsequently floods the network. Again, I am not
aware of this happening, but it is possible. I have received a number of
concerned e-mails from a slew of Fortune class companies who are concerned
about attacks taking down the voice and data networks. Please visit
http://forums.tmcnet.com and check
out the VoIP room if you want to learn more or have comments to share.
Another great place to learn more about this technology and the various
IP PBX options available to you is the IP PBX Shootout at
Internet Telephony
Conference & EXPO, which takes place on Wednesday, October 15 in Long Beach,
California. Come watch the industry�s vendors battle it out to see who can
provide you with the best solution to suit the needs of your organization.
This event is among the best-attended events at Internet Telephony
Conference & EXPO, and you don�t want to miss it.
While on the subject, I have something new to announce regarding the
upcoming event in Long Beach: TMC University. The industry has lacked a
third-party independent source for vendor certification in the IP PBX field
for far too long. IP PBXs are a breed apart from PBXs, and just because you
may be an expert in either voice or a data, it doesn�t automatically qualify
you to install one of these hybrid devices. We have harnessed the editorial
talent of this publication coupled with TMC Labs and leading industry
vendors and educators to present you with the absolute best education you
can receive on this topic anywhere. As the inaugural subject of TMC
University, the IP PBX Certification program will make its debut at Internet
Telephony Conference & EXPO this October. Attend this event, and you will
learn about topics such as network traffic management, building
fault-resilient systems, and deciphering the different vendor approaches.
This certification should figure prominently on your r�sum� and will no
doubt help you in furthering your career. Attendees who successfully
complete the course requirements will receive a certificate of achievement
and -- if they so choose -- will have their name proudly listed as a
graduate on our Web site. So make sure you register to attend Internet
Telephony Conference & EXPO and TMC University on Wednesday, Oct. 15th, 2003
to take advantage of this terrific opportunity. For more information please
check out
http://www.tmcnet.com/university.
[ Return
To The September 2003 Table Of Contents ]
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Marc Robins Begins New
VentureWhile I�m sad to report that Marc Robins, who served us
so well in so many capacities for the past five years, has left TMC, I am
also happy to report that it�s not the last we�ll see of him.
Both Marc and I have felt strongly that over the last couple years many
companies were setting themselves up for failure, having gutted themselves
of marketing professionals, whole marketing departments, and the
capabilities required to develop and execute effective marketing and sales
strategies. Indeed, many companies have thrown the baby out with the
bathwater in their efforts to cut costs and trim expenses. And contrary to
some �unpopular� opinion, marketing is more important now than ever before.
Well, Marc has put his career where his mouth is, and has launched a new
management consulting and marketing services company. Robins Consulting
Group seeks to help serve the needs of companies looking for a seasoned
professional -- and a trusted industry source -- to goose their marketing
and sales activities into high gear. Marc has been an invaluable member of
the TMC team, and now he can be a member of yours!
In launching this practice, Marc is drawing on his more than 22+ years of
consistent industry involvement, coverage, and analysis in the telecom, call
center, IP telephony, and wireless and mobility markets; an extensive
background in sales and marketing; deep exposure to the many vendors
participating in these marketplaces; access to key movers and shakers; and
his unique perspective on what works, and what doesn�t.
For a limited time, Robins Consulting Group is offering a free 30-minute
diagnosis of your company�s marketing and sales condition. For more
information about the array of services being offered, and to schedule your
diagnosis, contact Marc at
[email protected] or by phone at 718-548-7245. We hope you join
us in wishing Marc much success in his new venture.
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