Contact Center Solutions

Messaging systems provide businesses and especially contact centers with a cost effective, reliable and personable way to meet their communications requirements. Keeping this technology up-to-date to ensure future benefits is necessary. Reminding customers of this importance are the announcements from Avaya (News - Alert) regarding the Octel product line.

 

In what are being called "Life Cycle Milestones" for the Octel product line, the timelines for end of sale and end of support have been announced. With these announcements, there are a number of changes that any Octel customer will have to face. And because deadlines are fast approaching it's important for companies to realize that if they want to keep their technology--they need to act today.

 

Avaya has announced the dates for end of sale and support for some of their platforms and many of those products fall under the Octel name--specifically the Octel 200/300 platform, also known as the VMX 200/300, and the Octel 250/350 platform. The 'life cycle' for support of the Octel 300 platform is already underway-- and the official start of the time line for the remaining Octel platforms is right around the corner. As of June, 2006, Avaya will no longer sell new cabinets or software upgrades for the Octel 200, 250 or 350 platforms--end of system expansions will follow in June, 2007 and by 2011 there will be very limited, if any, manufacturer support on any of the Octel products.

 

In light of these announcements, it is important for Octel users to take a look at their current systems and determine if upgrades are needed before June. It is recommended that all companies using the Octel platform take the following steps: Review your current configuration and upgrade or expand if necessary, map out a messaging strategy and explore available options for migrating. Although the end of the timeline seems to be at a distance, deadlines are fast approaching, so preparing for the future must begin today.

 

The reality is that next generation messaging platforms are not part of a "one size fits all" mold. So, it is important for companies to partner with a vendor who understands systems integration and can map out the future with products that fit their specific needs. Moving to a next generation messaging system that works with standards based hardware and integrates into the desktop and email and/or offers voice recognition capabilities can for instance, provide greater flexibility and future growth for a company.

 

Avtex is an application and systems integrator that designs, develops, deploys and supports messaging, contact center solutions and IP telephony solutions. They have a 35 year heritage in messaging and help companies implement technology focused on enhancing customer responsiveness and employee productivity. Offering various options and special programs for those looking to migrate as well as assistance from both a strategy and service perspective, Avtex acknowledges the impact of the Octel announcements. "We value this technology and understand there is a need for the continued support on it." Beth Meisel Customer Development Representative at Avtex told TMCnet.

 

Having successfully deployed over 600 installations of Octel systems, Avtex is a company people can lean on to understand the technology they're using today and to map out a strategy for the future. Avtex provides dedicated Customer Development Representatives who work specifically with companies to review their current configuration and help them understand the impact of the recent Avaya announcements.

 

Whether maintaining, implementing or changing messaging products, companies must be familiar with their current configuration and their future intentions. Partnering with a company such as Avtex that has both the experience and the knowledge in messaging to provide answers and help implement a plan, can ensure a company's messaging system is fully capable and ready for the future.

 

For more on the Octel announcements and how Avtex can help contact Beth Meisel, Customer Development Representative, Avtex at: 1(952) 832-3726 or [email protected]