Benefits of Fixed Mobile Convergence
There are three types of savings an organization can make from a convergent solution: call costs, infrastructure, and productivity.
Savings delivered through convergence
Although call cost savings are the easiest to measure, they provide the least scale for savings. More benefits can be derived through infrastructure efficiencies and productivity.
Infrastructure savings are delivered through fixed-line replacement strategies and greenfield site deployments. This impacts the CAPEX and ongoing OPEX requirements of owning a fixed and mobile fleet.
Providing the greatest opportunity for organizations to benefit from convergence, productivity, and improved business processes are also the hardest to quantify. For example, while a converged voicemail solution may save an employee five minutes of effort a day, the real benefit may not directly be derived from having an extra five minutes for ‘productive’ work. The benefits may, in fact, be delivered through customer satisfaction and repeat business as a result of improved response times. However, most businesses now measure customer satisfaction as a key performance indicator. Therefore, the increase in productivity and potential process re-engineering which can be achieved will have a positive impact on customer satisfaction levels.
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Benefits include
- Extending fixed line call features to mobile handsets
- Reducing call costs
- Improving the responsiveness of the business
- Delivering control – for instance, for compliance with FSA regulations
- Reducing duplication
- Ease of extending the capacity
- Improving productivity
The use of converged solutions also enables the workforce to be more productive through functions such as mobile access to direct-dial extensions and conferencing. Employees can respond faster to voicemails and benefit from reduced telephone tag as they can answer more calls the first time. The following examples illustrate specific productivity gainss:
Consultants within a Healthcare Consulting company achieved a 10 to 15% productivity gain as a result of reduced telephone tag.
Carers at a Home Care Services company achieved time savings of 60 minutes each day per employee due to fewer voicemails, more calls answered the first time and reduced telephone tag.
A specialist call center within a Travel Insurance company handled 25% more calls due to increased responsiveness of the staff.
A University achieved one hour time saving per day for IT support staff, minimizing delays in reaching colleagues to issue job instructions or resolve issues.
Within a Hospital, nurses were able to save at least 10 minutes each time they retrieved patient results by accessing and ccheckingresults irrespective of location.
Productivity benefits can be relatively difficult to quantify and are best addressed on an individual basis. However, financial savings can be found by calculating, for example, the number of minutes saved per day through enhanced communications and business processes (e.g. time wasted unnecessarily visiting an office to pick up desk based voicemails or job schedules). the ability to rapidly and consistently answer inquiries and client calls can ensure that a client is gained and maintained due to a better standard of service.
Although more difficult to measure, research has shown that softer benefits can lead to quantifiable revenue, customer satisfaction, customer retention, and work rate or cost-saving improvements for enterprises.
One simple solution is a feature-rich Business SIM enabling Voice, SMS & Data 3G and HSDPA whilst roaming. This mobile SIM provides the business with full control over calls and texts, both nationally on the hosted network and whilst Roaming. In addition, the SIM provides connectivity to defined private mobile networks and access to a common core for application activation.
The mobile is enhanced by providing short code dialing to other extensions in the business and support for the same feature dialing provided on fixed-line handsets, enhancing application integration.
Number Portability
The MNO or MVNO provides portability and ensures that users can maintain their existing phone numbers and avoid any disruption to the dend user’s dialing experience; no user training is required.
Data Support.
Idealy the network fully supports data options providing internet and mail connections. Access Point Names ( APNs) are provided for network supported applications such as Push-to-Talk (PTT.
Roaming
Subscribers naturally expect the same service capabilities when traveling abroad then registered onto their home network. We aim to avoid complicated methods to make a call while ensuring subscribers can use their account when roaming internationally. Ideally, they want to dial straight from their mobile contacts list without editing numbers and specifying the correct country code.
CAMEL Customised Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic support means that, as long as the international network supports CAMEL, the user dials as normal. When CAMEL is supported, we can guarantee a seamless prepaid roaming experience. Costs are, typically, less than normal call rates and this solution ensures call recording as required for FSA compliance is still delivered while travelling in CAMEL countries.
CAMEL Call Back This solution means that the caller calls as normal and tirected to the platform. The call then drops for a short period. The platform then immediately rings back both the caller and the destination number and connects the two parties. This solution is CAMEL dependent and ensures a lower call rate but it also incurs a slightly longer connection time.
Roaming will enable connection even when no CAMEL network is available. The call is made over the local macro network selected for the strongest network signal in the area. Call charges are at the standard country rates. This solution guarantees connection but will not ensure call recording within FSA regulations and potentially incur the highest call rate.
Landline Number in the SIM
The SIMs can support both mobile and landline numbers which enables a mobile phone to host both a standard landline DDI (number) and a mobile number simultaneously.
Choice of Handset
It will support a wide range of handset models and, since it is independent of Smartphone operating systems, it is unaffected by operating system changes.
Short Code Dialling
As a result of the call routing presentation at the PBX or hosted data centre switch, shortcode dialing and feature dialling (i.e. number tagging to request a feature or application support such as record/don’t record or identification of private calls), are supported.
Cost Saving
Removing Business Costs Mobile phone software applications raise a number of management, cost, and support business issues. Furthermore, it is possible for mobile applications to be bypassed, even if this requires the mobile phone to be rebooted. All applications are delivered and supported centrally from the core; there is no need for support on the individual handsets, all that is needed is a New SIM card.
Savings on Mobile Costs
The outbound call leg is under the business’s control and will, typically, be configured to avoid Mobile Network Operator (MNO) charges for national and international calls. Calls, at the discretion of the business, maybe placed:
FOC over internal, national and international business networks if they remain on-net or at landline contract rates for off-net calls over PSTN or the business’s chosen carrier
Inbound calls to mobiles are presented at the PBX and receive a share of the Media Termination Credits (a credit to the SIM) paid to the Mobile Network.
- In addition this can provide significant savings, in excess of 70%, on international roaming charges. This is provided by:
- Use of professional mobile operator Calls Back.
- Reduced costs as the outbound call leg are under the control of the business.
- Application Integration from the Core
Will route all calls and messages (SMS) to a common core for switching. This common core may also route calls or messages to or through an application platform which, in turn, will activate the required service for that call or message. This enables Fixed and Mobile calls and messaging to use a common applications platform and, for the first time, ensures that the business requirements are met without requiring applications on mobile phones.
Third-Party Business Applications
The common core provides a rich capacity for application integration. The ability to dial shortcodes will enable an integrated application to be activated with the dialled digits feeding the application, avoiding the need for the user to enter additional digits. For example, a time registration for, say, Time and Attendance or flex time recording or for security staff arriving at a location might dial a number which indicates the application and the location – the Calling line ID can identify the caller – all completed in one call.
Push-to-Talk (PTT) PTT is a mobile application enabling mobile phones to be used like Private Mobile Radios (PMR) but with more choice of instruments, including ruggedized phones. PTT is a Hosted Service but available locally with a private mobile network. PTT also provides for Health & Safety Lone Worker requirements with the ability to locate using SMS and GPRS.
User Applications
Support for a wide variety of user-related applications providing inbound call management, mail and business services for the individual. This means that these services are available from both fixed line and mobile handsets.
Intelligent Number (iN) Intelligent Number supports personal numbering, offering the user the flexibility to choose to deliver their calls to any nominated number that can be dialled, including international numbers. This provides a comprehensive strategy for hot-desking, as well as supporting business continuity / disaster recovery.
iN supports lifestyle management, providing call redirection when not available (e.g. switched off), or by date and time, plus the ability to be notified of people attempting to make contact through SMS and email notification.
In the event that the person called cannot be contacted, the call may be offered to an assistant or team (e.g. sales team) for answering. The ‘Assistant’ can have announced the original called party and, if known, the reason for non-answer, in order to answer the caller appropriately. This service also provides for manager-secretary working.
Voicemail Corporate voicemail services which include enhanced notification options through email and SMS integration.
Call Recording On-Demand – Press * at any point in your conversation and a recording of the whole conversation will be captured. This recording will be stored with voice mails and will be accessible over mobile, fixed phone or PC.
‘Always-on’ recording for business and regulatory compliance and governance requirements. Integrates the ability to apply call recording to an extension, a mobile or an intelligent Number – this is enforced through routing for both fixed and mobile calls. Call recordings are accessible through a web portal and can be tampered evident and/or encrypted.
Financial Services Authority (FSA) requirements for mobile voice and SMS recording. There is considerable demand in the mobile market for services to meet FSA requirements for recording both voice and SMS. Fioxed Mobile Convergence through the SIM will enable businesses to enforce the recording of both voice and SMS from any company mobile phone through mobile network routing. This solution does not rely on mobile phone software which can be bypassed or deleted by users.
- All calls are logged for individuals.
- Audio Conferencing Pre-booked or instant conferencing facilities provide a cost-effective, scalable conferencing bridge.
- Providing Control
Will provide businesses with control over the use of their company mobile. Many mobiles are used in the workplace when fixed-line phones are also available. Using fixed line functionality is significantly cheaper than mobile, so providing a converged solution allows the business to maintain control of costs, irrelevant of whether mobile or fixed line phones are used. Private mobile network deployments bring total control of mobiles and costs into the business, in the same way as a PBX. The mobile phone incurs costs at the same rate as a fixed phone.
Mobile Deployment Options
The primary design objective is to converge fixed and mobile networks for businesses, giving them total control over their mobile estate, taking control of onward dialling, enabling significant savings on typical mobile costs, integrating applications, and more. This SIM replacement solution will meet this objective for customers using legacy and IP PBX at the customer premise. The customer installs a private mobile network system at their premises.
The first customer premise option will enable the customer to converge and control voice; SMS will be delivered and managed on the host mobile network.
The second customer premise option provides for a private mobile network system located alongside the customer PBX on customer’s premises. With this option, the Private mobile network will provide a full mobile service and the location and authentication will flow through the mobile network interconnect providing network transparency.
Hosted Communications may be engaged, using either of the above options, to provide a service to record and manage secure recordings for corporate governance or conformance with regulatory requirements and other application services.
Customer Premise – MDC
A Mobile Direct Connect (MDC) service will trunk all calls from/to the SIM direct to the customer premise equipment. The calls will be SIP and, in the case of legacy networks/PBXs, a gateway will be required. SMS will remain on the mobile network and be delivered to the handset. An additional service for secure SMS recording is also available.
Using MDC, customers with their own legacy PBX or IP PBX, or a network of either or both, will be provided with control at their PBX over mobile originated calls and calls from off-net to their mobiles. It is assumed, for this purpose, the customer cannot accommodate nor has any interest in control over SMS. SMS will be delivered and managed on the host mobile network.
The platform, interconnected with the mobile networks, will receive in SIP calls for the customer which will be routed over SIP trunk(s) to the customer PBX. If the customer wishes to put the onward leg of a call back to the macro network, the call will be sent over the SIP Trunk to the platform which will place the call onto the mobile network. All other second legs of calls will be at the discretion of the business, enabling significant savings.
Integrators will need to configure the PBX, or PBX network, provide for shortcode dialing and any other coded dialling used to connect the calls to applications or services, and then instigate the second leg of the call.
All calls for mobiles on the same network, should be routed through the platform. Where a network originated call is received from the platform and is returned through the platform, certain rules will apply in order that the call is recognised as a call originating from a mobile on the network. Customers who have a requirement to record SMS may have their SMS messages routed through the hosted platform for secure storage and auditing.
Customer Premise – private mobile network
Private mobile network service deployment will see all voice and SMS (into PMX) trunked to the customer premise for delivery through the customer PBXs and over the private mobile network deployment. The voice calls will be SIP and, in the case of legacy networks/PBXs, a gateway will be required. The private mobile network will communicate with the National and Global Mobile Networks through the platform interconnect.
Customers with their own legacy PBX or IP PBX or a network of either or both PLUS a local Private mobile network will be provided with control at their PBX over voice calls which may require routing into the private mobile network. The private mobile network will communicate with the platform for the option to distribute SMS messages locally or return to the host mobile network. ITheprivate mobile network system will also communicate location and authentication information to manage connected handsets within the local private mobile network and host networks.
The local PBX is an IP PBX supporting SIP extensions. The local private mobile network system will use the private mobile network SIP Registration Manager to register mobiles within the local private mobile network. Mobiles will be registered on arrival and until leaving the private mobile network will be treated as SIP extensions on the IP PBX. This close integration will enable mobiles to operate as extensions off the IP PBX and support the local services provided from the IP PBX.
Mobiles will transition between macro, micro and back to macro mobile networks automatically and seamlessly. SMS messages will be delivered to mobiles either locally or on the macro network. Mobiles will have full mobile features and facilities available in the local network.
Customers who have a requirement to audit SMS messages without a facility to do so may have their SMS messages routed through the hosted platform for recording and secure storage.
Hosted Services will provide Private Mobile Extension (PME) services and the full IP Centrex Hosted Communications application portfolio for mobile users as well as a mixed integrated mobile/IP Centrex service. Additional services are available, including voice recording and SMS auditing providing standard, encrypted and secure access options compliant with FSA requirements.
Already a proven approach to delivering a wide range of cost effective options, the Hosted Communications services can take businesses much further in deploying a fully integrated communications platform, developed to maximise availability, increase productivity and improve customer experience, resulting in increased customer satisfaction, retention and service revenues.
The Hosted Communications platform and the mobile platform are collocated and, for maximum choice and resilience, connectivity is to many alternative networks. The service utilizes resilient IP connections into carrier networks to deliver voice services.
This “diversely connected” principle is applied over the IP and legacy infrastructure through the carrier network into the hosted platform. This enables the business to effectively manage calls, in the event that the primary infrastructure is unavailable, by routing calls to alternative destinations. This increases the number of calls answered and increases revenue, whilst also maintaining a central point for call management and call logs. Furthermore, the deployment of facilities such as call recording is made simpler, both to network-based devices and off-site destinations, including mobiles, where the hosted platform is managing the delivery of the call.
The Hosted Communications solution offers integrated service options which allow for SIP Trunks, IP extensions and Mobile Extensions to be provisioned at a single site over a single network, as well as across multiple sites over multiple networks, utilising a single integrated dial plan.
