August 05, 2010

Q&A on SIP Trunk-UC Summit with Steven Johnson, President, Ingate Systems

By Ed Silverstein
TMCnet Contributor

TMCnet recently sat down with Steven Johnson, president of Ingate Systems (News - Alert), to discuss SIP Trunk- UC Summit and the field of Unified Communications.

TMCnet: Why the new focus on Unified Communications?

SJ: There is still a great deal of confusion around Unified Communications (News - Alert) within the industry. Far too many players have differing views on what UC is and what it can do for customers. What is UC exactly? What are the real, demonstrated benefits of deploying UC? How does one go about deploying UC? What equipment is needed, and why? 

Not too long ago the same kind of ambiguity surrounded SIP trunking. Ingate’s SIP Trunk Summit attempted to demystify SIP trunking, to give our audiences real answers from industry experts. Our goal was for attendees to walk away with solutions – a full understanding of the what, why and how of implementing SIP trunks themselves.

Now we’re doing the same thing with Unified Communications. UC growth is being driven by SIP trunking, which has been proven to lower operating costs and provide a return on investment quickly. Once SIP trunks are in place, that same infrastructure can be used for all SIP-based applications including Unified Communications. 

Free to all ITEXPO attendees, the new SIP Trunk-UC Summit will provide in-depth information on SIP trunks and now UC as well. We’re devoting a full day to each, with innovative sessions that really take the Summit to a whole new level.

TMCnet: Is SIP trunking still in demand?

SJ: Yes. The economic downturn focused technology buyers on solutions that achieve ROI quickly. SIP trunks do just that – most installations pay for themselves in 6-9 months – and they also set up the network to leverage new SIP-based technologies in the future. Once SIP trunks are in place, all the equipment is there and ready to be used for Unified Communications applications.

While the economy is thankfully picking up again, decision-makers are still looking for solutions that provide immediate value. SIP trunking fits the bill.

TMCnet: Is Unified Communications picking up momentum the market? Who are you seeing the most interest from?

SJ: UC is indeed picking up momentum, but there’s still a lot of confusion as to what UC is, what the benefits are and how to implement. At the SIP Trunk-UC Summit we will feature interactive Q&A sessions with industry leaders to help demystify Unified Communications. One session on faxing-over-IP will address and offer real solutions to this issue. We’ll talk about the benefits of hosted UC vs. self-owned, and have a session on the new opportunities UC offers service providers.

We’re seeing interest in UC from all types of customers – end-users, SMBs and larger enterprises, cable companies, service providers – really from all segments.

TMCnet: What new sessions can attendees look forward to?

SJ: One of the most exciting sessions will be the Town Hall Meeting on SIP, UC and Security on the first day of the show. Moderator Joel Maloff (News - Alert) of Maloff NetResults will lead this session, an interactive Q&A with industry visionaries in an interactive panel discussion. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions as well, so everyone will have a chance to get real answers to their specific questions on SIP, Unified Communications and security.

Our Day 1 program will include the SIP Trunk Professional Development Program, during which attendees can earn a SIP Trunk Professional certificate by attending all sessions that day. The SIP trunk seminars will include sessions on legacy PBX (News - Alert)/PSTN and SIP trunking, the need for an E-SBC, how to sell SIP and building for ROI.

Our Day 2 program will focus on Unified Communications. We’ll offer an insightful Introduction to Unified Communications Q&A with Joel Maloff and other thought-leaders, address fax-over-IP issues and solutions, the future for service providers in a UC-enabled world and discuss hosted UC vs. self-owned UC.

On Day 3 we will feature our free “SIP Trunk Boot Camp” with Ingate’s Scott Beer. Also included will be a session on Deploying SIP Trunks – Getting it Right the First Time.

TMCnet: Who are the speakers so far?

SJ: To date, confirmed speakers include Broadvox, Dialogic, Iwatsu, Mitel NetSolutions, ShoreTel, The SIP Forum, The SIP School and Dan York (News - Alert) of VOIPSA. 

David Yedwab, a Founding Partner in Market Strategy and Analytics Partners LLC., contributor to Unified Communications Strategies and TMCnet columnist, will discuss the future for service providers in a UC-enabled world. 

Additionally, service provider Telia will present their SIP trunk implementation with Intertex Data AB as a case study. 

Joel Maloff of Maloff NetResults will moderate the panel discussions.

TMCnet: So what should a first-time attendee expect?

SJ: First-time attendees can expect in-depth information on what SIP trunking and Unified Communications is, what they have to offer, and solutions on how to implement.

Ed Silverstein is a contributing editor for TMCnet's InfoTech Spotlight. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Ed Silverstein