Many people report using many different channels and applications for communication each day. Ironically, more tools do not imply more effective communication. In practice, many employees fail to reach their colleagues on the first attempt, given the choice of channels and a lack of context around the most effective method, based on a colleague’s status. It’s no wonder then that many organisations worldwide are taking the first steps in unifying their business communications channels in order to improve their employees’ productivity and reduce the delays and costs associated with business communications.

Dimension Data's 'Seven Key Steps for Identity Management in a Unified Communications World' provides practical guidance on how your business can enables its people to use the most appropriate communication medium for the task at hand and to switch/merge channels as necessary.

Download this whitepaper to learn more.

Dimension Data’s IPAD (IP Telephony Active Directory) Solution is a unique application that brings the world of Cisco and Microsoft together. It simplifies the deployment and management of Cisco Unified Call Manager by integrating user identities between Microsoft® Active Directory and Cisco Unified Call Manager simultaneously.

The benefits of IPAD to your business

Ø Reduced cost and administration time and effort – IPAD reduces the number of forms required to be completed to provision a user from up to 49 down to 1. IPAD is a single user provisioning form that intelligently automates Cisco Unified Call Manager and Microsoft Active Directory administration.

Ø Simplifies the adoption of Unified Communications – IPAD manages the complex interaction between the many different communications systems that are required to enable a fully integrated and collaborative environment.

Ø Maintain consistent user data – Data inconsistencies can be eliminated and security loop-holes are closed. IPAD ensures that a users IP phone directory service and the Exchange Global Address List displays are the same.

Ø Reduce inter-dependency between Active Directory and Call Manager – Cisco Unified Call Manager is dependent on Microsoft® Active Directory availability and failure in Active Directory or connectivity between Call Manager and Active Directory can impact call processing. IPAD reduces this inter-dependency through its automated update and integration between Call Manager and Active Directory.

Ø Simplifies the use of Extension Mobility – IPAD enables users to ‘log-in’ to any IP phone, providing the full user phone profiles and configurations, including any lines and speed dials set up by the user. This process simplifies office moves and allows users to ‘hot-desk’ or work from temporary locations with ease.

Dimension Data’s expertise and skills across Cisco Unified Call Manager and Microsoft® Active Directory means that we are uniquely placed to help you address your cost and administrative processes for these solutions, as well as enable your business to seamlessly access and communicate from one business system to another.

Download IPAD Connector to learn more.

The concept of business collaboration is not new. For many years, organisations have interacted with others, from sharing supply chain data to establishing collaborative sales agreements. Today, organisations increasingly view collaboration as a fundamental part of their long-term survival. More than one-half of all executives polled say collaboration will either form an important part of their competitive advantage or will actually be central to survival over the next three years. While successful collaboration hinges primarily on people and communication skills, technology plays an enablement role.

More and more, organisations are moving away from a totally controlled or centralised delivery of collaboration technology to the adoption of tools that are appropriate in their context and mode of work, and influenced by the end-user. Organisations are always looking to maximize the use of their investment in technology, while delivering more flexible and effective ways for their staff to communicate and collaborate. Integrating all forms of communication - from telephony to email, web conferencing to instant messaging (IM) - helps to deliver a richer communications environment that ultimately results in cost savings and productivity increases.

Download the Integrated Collaboration brochure to learn more.