Unified communications infrastructure virtualization now a reality

Unified communications vendors are starting to introduce unified communications (UC) infrastructures that can be deployed via server virtualization, reducing capital outlays and management overhead for enterprises with limited resources.

Last month, Avaya introduced Avaya Aura System Platform, a virtualized server that runs multiple Avaya Aura unified communications applications on a single server. In the past, Avaya sold each individual element of its unified communications infrastructure on a single dedicated box. Mitel announced last June that it was working with VMware to produce “VMware Ready” versions of its unified communications products. Alcatel-Lucent has had its Business integrated Communications Solution (BiCS) product on the market for a couple of years.

Avaya’s product limits enterprises to deploying only Avaya products on an Avaya-branded server. Mitel and Alcatel’s products allow customers to deploy their unified communications products on any industry-standard server and run them concurrently on a virtualized server with other non-Mitel virtualized applications.

Virtualized unified communications infrastructures offer several advantages to enterprises, according to Rob Arnold, senior analyst for enterprise communications at Current Analysis.  More >>