TMCnet News
Avaya to Mobilize 8,000 of its WorkforceBy ROBERT LIU
Determined to become the leader in enterprise mobility and fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) applications by 2008, Avaya on Monday announced it will equip 8,000 of its 20,000 workforce with FMC software, devices and network features.
By extending features like conferencing and directory services found on employees’ IP-networked desk phones onto mobile devices, the company estimated it can save $25 million a year through productivity gains, lower communications costs and other operational benefits.
Based on Avaya’s own internal analysis, the overall global market for enterprise mobile solutions is projected to be $7.6 billion in 2008. That figure includes self-service speech access, telephony-based mobility clients, VoWLAN handsets, dual-mode/crossover infrastructure and WLAN infrastructure, planning and design. "Our goal … is critical to our plans to deliver Intelligent Communications,” Don Peterson, Chairman and CEO of Avaya, said, referring to the underlying strategy that Avaya unveiled last May. “We see the convergence of wired and wireless IP telephony, cellular systems and business applications as an important step to realizing this vision. We intend to lead the charge for our customers and be a model for best practice."
"The first challenge for voice was the convergence with data; the second challenge will be the convergence of wired and wireless voice. The mobile workforce is demanding seamless connectivity and access to the IP voice applications they are now becoming dependent on in the office. Vendors need to recognize this early and respond with products to meet these needs,” explained Bob Hafner, Chief of Research, Communications, Gartner.
During the past 12 months, Avaya has established ties with numerous cellular and mobile technologies companies including Intel, Meru Networks, Motorola, Nokia, Research In Motion, ScanSoft and Symbian.
The company said the 8,000 employees that will begin utilizing FMC solutions represent Avaya’s most mobile customer-facing employees like sales, services and executive staff. The FMC solutions are planned to be deployed over the next three-years and expected to yield productivity gains in excess of 5 percent.
The first phase involves enabling Avaya's network infrastructure to cope seamlessly between the demands of wired and wireless devices, and completion of trial evaluations. Currently, Avaya Mobile for Series 60 (one of the FMC solutions) is being trialed by 160 employees in North America,
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