Converged Voice & Data

Convergence refers to the integration of data, voice, and video solutions onto one single (IP -based) network. Moving to a converged network can substantially reduce an organization's total cost of ownership for its network, and reduce the ongoing costs required to maintain and upgrade the network.

Bennett partners with Onvoy, providing a better Converged IP solution:
We are very excited to be working with Onvoy to offer our customers an Converged IP Solution that is unique, cost effective, and highly secure. Onvoy (formerly MEANS) has built Minnesota's largest fiber optic, IP based infrastructure. The expansion and reach of Onvoy's network will provide service capabilities to all market sectors in Minnesota and regionally. Virtual private networks (VPN's) connect customers to Onvoy's IP-based network in a private and secure manner. Onvoy offers four primary services: Voice over IP, Video over IP, Private Data Networks, and Internet Access. Not all of these services have to be implemented at one time, you can start with the services that will provide your organization with immediate benefits and further migrate as your organization's needs develop.

What is Internet Protocol?
IP is the world's single most popular network protocol; it is a very simple protocol. It can be fairly easily implemented and can run on systems that have modest processing power and memory. IP breaks information into packets which are transported to a destination where the packets are reassembled into a readable format, so it is a very efficient method of sending information. With ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Model) data packets are overloaded with extra information that makes these packets cumbersome to transport, making ATM less efficient that pure IP. In addition, IP goes directly to your desktop, ATM typically does not.

Additional Advantages of IP:

1. One of the greatest advantages of Internet Protocol is that it can be used on private networks, such as the Onvoy network, without ever touching the public Internet.
2. IP has an enhanced flexibility that will be especially important with new applications, to decrease implementation time and maximize your organization's investment in new technologies. Consider the cost to implement a packaged software solution, which is generally two or three times the cost of the software.
3. With IP, Onvoy is able to provide Quality of Service (Qos), ensuring that voice and data packets which are time sensitive are prioritized over date and Internet packets.

Converged IP offers a lower TCO and reduces the cost to maintain and upgrade:
The hard costs savings alone could lead an organization to begin evaluating a converged IP network. The average percentage contribution to hard cost savings is as follows: Network Administration:44%; Equipment & Maintenance:34%; Network Carrier Costs:22%.

Network administration cost savings breakdown:

• With simplified network management, which improves workgroup productivity through IP collaboration tools
• Heighten staff productivity to lessen the need for outsourced services; gain more control over your network
• More productive staff can manage the needs of a larger user base; you can grow your business without needing to add more support staff.

Equipment & maintenance cost savings breakdown:

• When you move to a single IP based network there is no need to maintain separate networks for different services, i.e. voice, video, data.
• Centralize call processing, many sites can connect to one call processing system - no need for key systems
• Cut wiring needs in half. Your PC and IP phone will run on one Ethernet port - no need to wire your building for multiple services.
• No need to upgrade your nearly full or near-obsolete PBX or Call Distribution system. PBX systems are reaching capacity or obsolescence - in some cases, spare parts are unavailable.

Network carrier cost saving breakdown:

• Reduce voice circuit costs; no more need for multiple voice circuits - eliminate unnecessary phone lines.
• Potential toll bypass; look for savings in intrastate calling over Onvoy's QoS-enabled network.