Communication is the lifeline of every organization. Imagine the damage to your business without a secure and reliable communication network. Since its invention, the telephone has historically been the centerpiece of communication. People can communicate in real time without physically traveling for face-to-face meetings.
As communication technology has grown, new means of communication are being adopted in every enterprise. Today communication can be achieved using a broad range of facilities including voice, video and data communication through fixed and wireless devices. The instantaneous and critical nature of communication has forced managers to watchdog the health of a network with more powerful monitoring and management applications.
Traditional call accounting software is being revamped and updated to incorporate a complete umbrella of tools to track and analyze traffic from various sources including instant messaging (IM), email, voice mail, call center automated call distribution (ACD), interactive voice response (IVR) and call detail record (CDR) statistics.
Call accounting has given way to more powerful siblings that offer complete communication management solutions (CMS). These new systems consolidate reporting of various facilities into one logical solution. CMS systems are generally web based and SQL database driven to take advantage of remote and multi-user access. Managers are able to get a much better handle on corporate communication network security, performance and misuse. Companies that adopt communication management systems realize up to 30% savings on monthly telecom expenses in addition to enhanced productivity.
Most legacy call accounting systems are reactive solutions. They can only report activity that has already taken place. Modern solutions are completely integrated with manufacturer hardware to provide "as it happens" response for emergency and security notification.
Communication management systems can reduce telecom spend by pinpointing billing errors, identifying network inefficiencies and curbing misuse. Billing errors often account for up to 10% of a corporate telecom budget. If left unchecked, billing errors can eat away at the bottom line.
Corporations concerned about securing sensitive data require monitoring solutions that highlight possible breach from would be spies, hackers and malicious personnel. CMS systems can trace obscure or unusual behavior and alert authorized personnel.
Many corporations can derive huge returns by managing their communication networks properly. Productivity can increase up to 50% by systematic tracking of communication logs. Some estimates have put productivity loss at 20 minutes to 1 and one half hours per day per employee due to abuse of communication facilities such as non business telephone calls, email and internet use. The cost to a corporation can be staggering if left unchecked.
The analysis of communication facility logs can be important in optimizing and provisioning of IP PBXs, VoIP services, wireless equipment, multi-party conference and other call handling applications. CMS systems can act as a means of consolidation with mergers, acquisitions, and new technologies creating non-uniform networks. The “new call accounting” remains a core weapon in the arsenal of all telecom and IT managers. A powerful CMS system can unify communication management under one umbrella.
Shadow CMS by RSI is a powerful system that facilitates communications management from various telephone systems and IP switches. Modules include call accounting, hotel billing, guest tracking, traffic analysis and web call management. The system is completely scaleable from a small office to a global multi-site environment.
RSI is recognized as an industry leader in the field of communication management. The communication management product portfolio includes tailored integration to the most popular switching and network manufactures. RSI has been granted Nortel Developer Partner status with recognition for its core portfolio as Compatible Products. RSI is a Cisco Technology Partner, Siemens HiPath Ready Standard certified, Avaya DeveloperConnect Member, Mitel MiSN Member, Adtran Complementary Solutions Provider, ShoreTel Technology Partner, NEC Univerge Partner and Alcatel Applications Partner.
More information about communication management systems can be found at www.telecost.com.