NEC Promotes Hybrid Cloud-Based Unified Communications Killer Applications

NEC Unified Solutions Outlines the Potential for Adding Third Dimension of Communications to Existing 'Flat' Apps to Deliver Real Business Value

CAMBRIDGE, England, April 21, 2010 - NEC Unified Solutions www.nec-unified.co.uk/ is leveraging cloud
services to take unified communications to the next dimension and create new
user-centric killer applications. To date, vendor hype has devalued the
promise of unified communications and threatens to cause confusion with the
move to cloud computing. In the absence of clear and unambiguous explanations
of the benefits of embarking on such projects, end users could be forgiven
for thinking that these are technologies without a purpose. However a
revolution is underway, bringing with it real benefits to enterprises and to
workers.

Over the last ten years, there has been a rapidly accelerating series of
convergences in the communications marketplace, from IP telephony and unified
communications, to fixed mobile convergence and most recently the convergence
of the IT and communications worlds. Yet to date the overall benefits of the
convergence of these technologies to the enterprise have been questionable.

Chris de Silva, Managing Director of NEC Unified Solutions
(www.nec-unified.co.uk/about-us.php), explains, "The melting pot of
the converging IT and communications worlds is now becoming a noisy place.
Unfortunately as the hype increases in volume, it is becoming more confusing
for the enterprise to understand the real differences between the various
approaches. Significantly, vendors from all sides are struggling to escape
from the confines of their traditional products."

He continues, "Communications-enabled business processes (CEBP) are being
used by some to try and show that they are thinking 'out-of-the-box'. But
scratch the surface a little and it becomes very clear that most vendors are
unable to explain what this means. Business processes have always required
communication and collaboration between people. CEBP suggests that this
becomes more automated in some way. But where are the examples? Ignoring the
hype, this leaves us with a converged IT and communications zone that is very
flat and uninspiring - in many ways two-dimensional."

NEC Unified Solutions believes that in order to understand how to move
beyond this dead zone, it is fundamentally important to consider
communications as a part of the overall IT strategic plan, building
communications and collaboration infrastructure that is totally integrated as
a cornerstone of IT.

For example, using service-oriented communications software platforms
built with open standards and interoperability as design objectives, new
user-centric mashups can be developed quickly and cost-effectively with web
2.0 collaborative capabilities. These can be deployed on virtualized
platforms on enterprise premises (including private cloud services) or for
use as public cloud services. They provide workers with the right tools at
the right time irrespective of whether they are in an office or remote
location or mobile environment.

An interesting example created by NEC Unified Solutions is to use these
techniques to communications-enable the well known public cloud mapping
services used by consumers. Using GPS technology in mobile phones, the
location of a mobile workforce can be easily seen on these maps and
integrated with other information, such as their availability (presence) and
their skills. In a customer service scenario, it is easy to determine which
appropriately skilled workers are available and located near an incident
requiring attention. By clicking on the map, communications can be
established instantly and the customer incident managed much more quickly and
cost effectively with much less disruption than by traditional means.

Chris de Silva adds, "The concept of 'unified communications' is still
compelling and valid in today's fast changing world, enabling the convergence
of all methods of communication between two or more people - from any
application, using any device, at any location, via the most appropriate
route, ensuring effective collaboration with business-grade security.
Providing workers with next-generation communications-enabled applications,
delivered quickly and cost effectively, can significantly improve the
efficiency of the organization's business processes. At the same time, if
these new applications are developed to reflect web 2.0 techniques, they are
likely to be accepted quickly by workers as well as providing them with real
empowerment."

He concludes, "Adopting cost reduction strategies without
considering innovative ways of improving efficiency is a missed strategic
opportunity. Enterprises that understand and embrace this will create for
themselves real competitive advantage."

For a full copy of the White Paper 'Converging Enterprise Communications,
IT and the Cloud', please visit www.nec-unified.co.uk/cloud.php

About NEC Unified Solutions

NEC Unified Solutions (NEC) is a systems integrator
specialising in the deployment of unified communication solutions which
combine the best in voice, data, mobile, video and IT communications.

NEC engages directly with medium and large enterprises, in both the
public and private sectors, providing them with customised productivity
solutions integrated tightly into business processes.

NEC designs solutions that combine a range of leading technologies from
both the NEC stable and other credible and recognised industry vendors.

These solutions consist of infrastructure and application components,
wrapped with value added services to deliver a range of IT and communication
solutions aimed at transforming enterprise collaboration.

Designed to reduce costs and environmental effects, the infrastructure
components combine best-of-breed market technologies in a secure and reliable
environment to underpin enterprise IT and communications activities.
Infrastructure components incorporate software, IT, voice and data elements,
including virtualisation, security, identity management, converged networks,
storage and wireless solutions.

The application components offer a range of business and end-user
solutions focused on improving productivity and efficiency through enhanced
collaboration and transforming business processes.

They incorporate routing applications, mobility, conferencing, presence
management, messaging, document management, enterprise search, workflow and
CRM.

Maximising potential is the focus of the NEC value added services, which
include project management, consulting, deployment, support, optimisation and
custom development.

The company has a long and proven track record in the provision of
enterprise solutions, systems integration, design services and ongoing
support services to a network of enterprise customers across the UK.

For further information, please contact:

    Clare Granville / Kieran Kent
    itpr
    Tel: +44(0)1932-578800

    Ian Guest
    NEC Unified Solutions
    Tel: +44(0)1223-468241

For further information, please contact: Clare Granville / Kieran Kent, itpr, Tel: +44(0)1932-578800; Ian Guest, NEC Unified Solutions, Tel: +44(0)1223-468241