Avaya Forum Helps Bridge the Knowledge Divide between IT and Telecom Requirements for a Successful IP Telephony Network

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avaya Inc. , a global leader in business communications applications, systems and services, today announced a new online forum to help managers bridge the divide between information technology and telecommunications requirements as they develop strategies for incorporating Internet protocol (IP) telephony into their operations.

"IP telephony can create maximum business value for companies by linking end-users in any location to business communications applications which are embedded in business processes," said Jorge Blanco, vice president of marketing, strategy and portfolio management, Avaya. "A major step on the road to intelligent communications, however, is bringing together the previously discrete knowledge of information technology and telecommunications departments. Many organizations struggle with this issue, which if not resolved, can lead to costly mistakes along the IP migration path."

The Avaya forum, "Bridging the Divide: VoIP Strategies that Optimize IT and Telecom Requirements," will help both information technology and telecommunications leaders develop a strong implementation strategy for their converged network that fully meets both voice and data requirements. The event is scheduled for noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, August 9. Attendees can view the live event online, or by visiting one of Avaya's ten executive briefing centers (listed below). Experts will be available to field questions throughout the live event. The Avaya Executive Briefing Centers will also host a 45-minute demonstration following the presentation.

Forum presenters include: -- Scott Prater, contact center architect for AOL Time Warner, who will share practical insights on the critical voice capabilities that need to be factored in when companies choose an IP telephony vendor. He also will discuss how his company uses intelligent communications for seamless customer service provided by 7,000 agents in eight contact centers on two continents. -- Tom Lesica, Avaya CIO, who will share his perspective on why it is critical for data and telecommunications teams to collaborate on a strategy for converged networks. -- Jorge Blanco, Avaya vice president of Marketing, Strategy and Portfolio Management, who will clarify common myths about IP telephony and share insights on the critical nature of intelligent communications applications that operate on open, multivendor networks. He will also provide specifics on various voice applications, including: telephony, messaging, unified communications, conferencing, collaboration and mobility.

Managers can participate in the live forum via the Web or can view it from one of ten Avaya Executive Briefing Centers located across the U.S. and Canada: Dublin, Calif.; Irvine, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Miami, Fla.; Lisle, Ill.; Waltham, Mass.; Basking Ridge, N.J.; New York, N.Y.; Herndon, Va.; and Markham, Ontario. Avaya IP telephony experts will be on-hand at each of the briefing centers to demonstrate the specific business communications applications featured in the forum.

For more information or to register to participate, visit http://avayaebc.reg4events.com/forum0809 . Online replays will also be available on http://www.avaya.com/ .

About Avaya

Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than 1 million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500(R). Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet Protocol (IP) telephony systems and communications software applications and services.

Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications -- and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services -- Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya website: http://www.avaya.com/ .