A Message from Our Dean
Dear Communications Technology Professional,
I understand why many of us in the traditional TDM-oriented world greeted the onset of IP telephony with the same enthusiasm as getting a root canal. Change is threatening, uncertain, and uncomfortable; especially when it seems to dismiss the skills we spent so long mastering.
I’m here to tell you that we remain vital to our enterprise, however large or small. IP convergence is a huge opportunity for us to ‘take it to the next level.’ Check out some of the recent stats compiled by Voice Report.
- There’s no escaping IP telephony. Nearly all enterprises (93%) have either implemented the technology or plan to in the next two years. But few (11%) have converted more than 59% of their endpoints, which means a considerable job lay ahead.
- IP telephony means higher salaries for telecom managers. Having IP telephony implementation or management as a core responsibility is worth about $5,000 more per year, on average, in annual compensation, Voice Report found.
- Convergence is happening whether you want it or not. Just 8% of telecom departments have yet to be merged with their IT departments. The IT staff might not be in a hurry to learn telecom language, but you’d better be learning theirs’.
I’m speaking from experience when I say that IP telephony is huge. I too was a TDM-oriented telecom professional before heading back to night school, committing four years to earn my master’s degree in information and telecom systems – while still working full-time, and pregnant during my last semester. The hard work paid off: I received a raise and promotion to the newly created position of Manager of Telecom Technology. Now I’m a key player in defining Black & Decker’s global strategy for IP telephony and convergence.
I want you to become the champion of convergence at your enterprise, too. That’s why I worked with Voice Report Publisher Jason Huffman to create IP Telephony University. We’ve assembled an incredible faculty to help you understand the technology, confront integration issues and effectively represent your enterprise when shopping the IP telephony market.
So check out the agenda and join us for 2 days of in-depth study. See you in Alexandria!
Sincerely,
Mary C. Allan
Manager of Telecom Technology, Black & Decker
Dean of Studies, IP Telephony University