The Red RepoRT: Business Benefits Network Preparations. VoIP Security UC Health Check GETTING YOUR COMMUNICATIONS TOGETHER.

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1 The Red RepoRT: UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING VOL 04 Business Benefits Network Preparations VoIP Security UC Health Check GETTING YOUR COMMUNICATIONS TOGETHER.

2 CDW.com/uc NoT GeTTING The MeMo. WHEN EMplOYEES ARE OUT OF THE OFFICE, THEY VE GOT TO STAY IN THE loop. We get it. And we ve helped thousands of businesses keep in touch anytime, anywhere with Unified Communications. Unified Communications always has IT people talking and the conversation is always changing. What began as a way of converging your voice, data and video systems onto a single platform is now extending its reach. Today, companies aren t only connecting their conferencing, collaboration and telephony systems, but also their customer relationship management systems, security monitoring and even web-based social media. To learn more about how we ve solved it before, call your CDW account manager or SoLVed. This innovative technology offers a number of incentives, including streamlined communications, increased productivity and reduced costs. But before companies can implement a UC solution, they must first ensure they have the secure, optimized network to support it. With the right infrastructure in place, businesses are free to enjoy the benefits and workers are free to collaborate from around the world.

3 02 Business Benefits CDW.com/uc let S TAlK BUSINESS. While most IT professionals are convinced of the benefits of a UC solution, CEOs might be wondering what s in it for them. Find out with two real-world business applications: on-the-go By consolidating your smartphones, notebooks and tablets onto the same network, UC lets employees connect more conveniently and effectively. It assigns a single IP phone number to a worker s many mobile devices. So no matter which device they re using, they ll always get the message. IN The CaLL CeNTeR UC integrates telephony, messaging and customer databases with tools like CRM and web collaboration. This lets customers interact via voice, web, chat or . It also gives employees instant access to critical information so they can answer questions quickly without putting callers on hold. The BeNefITS: The BeNefITS: Enhanced customer experience Enhanced user experience Flexible telephony architecture Flexible work environment improves productivity Intelligent call routing Heightened efficiency 8x processing more calls completed after UC deployment, as reported by the call center of a student loan and collections agent 1 CaSe STUdY See how our unified call center solutions helped the world s third-largest contact lens manufacturer, CooperVision, take customer contact to the next level at CDW.com/callcenter 1 CDW.com/content/solutions/case-studies/uc/student-loan-processing-collections.aspx

4 04 Network Preparations CDW.com/uc UNIFIEd COMMUNICATIONS & NETWORK CONSIdERATIONS You re ready for a UC solution. But is your network? Stefan Karapetkov, Emerging Technologies Director at Polycom, Inc., suggests the following four steps to prepare your network for a successful UC rollout: DIAGRAM YOUR NETWORK Create a clear picture of your network both inside and outside your local facilities. CHOOSE IP TElEPHONY OR VoIP VoIP can be achieved without moving to a UC platform, but IP telephony may offer increased cost savings and productivity. OPTIMIzE YOUR NETWORK Evaluate its strengths and weaknesses and determine available bandwidth. CREATE YOUR UC INFRASTRUCTURE Add the UC components that make sense for you. This may include high-res video conferencing, integrated IM and voice, desktop sharing and more. HOW ORGANIzATIONS EMBRACED UC IN 2010 As reported by organizations that are planning, implementing and deploying UC CDW s 2010 Unified Communications Tracking Poll 31% Rich media conferencing approach 29% -centric approach 26% Telephony-centric approach 14% IM and presence approach 71% their of organizations that have fully implemented UC and track ROI say that UC ROI has met or exceeded expectations. 2 2 CDW s 2010 Unified Communications Tracking Poll

5 06 VoIP Security CDW.com/uc KEEp YOUR TRAVElING EMplOYEES FROM BECOMING MOVING TARGETS. ThReaT: denial of SeRVICe (dos) attacks flood a connection with requests and overwhelm resources in an attempt to make the network unavailable to its users. SoLUTIoN: Here is a sampling of two of the most common VoIP vulnerabilities and what businesses can do to prevent them: ThReaT: eavesdroppers can steal credentials by picking up or listening in on conversations in core networks especially those using unsecured VoIP connections. SoLUTIoN: A Unified Communications solution opens your mobile workers to the world. Left unsecured, however, VoIP networks and the devices that use them can open your business to a world of risk. A scalable security solution with components like port security and a firewall can help protect against threats, especially in the influx of activity at the edge. Virtual LANs (VLANs) can help maintain call privacy and prevent information theft by segregating traffic and/or encrypting voice traffic to the enterprise edge. NearLy 80% to 3 SignalNews.com/voip-security-growing-concern of businesses plan on migrating a VoIP system by

6 08 UC Health Check CDW.com/uc FEATURED SERVICE: UNIFIEd COMMUNICATIONS HEAlTH CHECK WHY people WHO GET IT NEEd people WHO GET IT. These one- to two-week onsite consultations are designed to help you better determine how to effectively optimize your IP telephony investment. We begin with a review of your current UC environment to ensure your network can accommodate additional voice traffic. We then explore any current network issues before recommending steps to improve the functionality, stability and performance of your solution. 1. Review current environment 2. Explore network issues 3. Recommend steps for improvement Unified Communications is all about making communicating easier. It s getting there that s the hard part. That s why we offer you more than just products. We offer you the people and the plan to turn them into real solutions. The breadth and depth of our product and service offerings are extensive. And with decades of experience, our solution architects can help you develop a UC plan that s both manageable and practical. It s more than just boxes. It s Unified Communications. Solved. To learn more about how we ve solved it before, or to speak with a solution architect about technologies for your business, contact your CDW account manager or call Or, visit CDW.com/uc The People Your dedicated CDW account manager is backed by a team of UC experts with a host of certifications. The Products Our wide-ranging partnerships give you access to thousands of technology products in every area, including Unified Communications, business continuity, security, virtualization and more. The Plan CDW offers a variety of services that make the most of your investment and make your job easier. Improve your communication skills: Ask your CDW account manager how we can optimize your other communication systems with our Video Readiness and Contact Center Assessments.

7 CDW.com/uc FEATUREd partners Think Comprehensively, Build Incrementally The components of the Cisco Collaboration Architecture enable ongoing interaction between your organization and its customers, partners and suppliers. Modular in format, the architecture s video, voice and data capabilities allow you to customize a UC investment plan that ensures interoperability with your existing assets. It also gives you the flexibility to quickly respond to the changing needs of your business. CDW is proud to have received the 2011 Cisco Partner Summit Global Award for National Collaboration Partner of the Year. Elevate the Way Your People Communicate Microsoft Unified Communications solutions help streamline your communications, enhance collaboration and boost productivity. With Microsoft Lync, you ll be able to integrate your existing messaging and voice infrastructure while adapting to changing business needs. Users will also enjoy a familiar interface and built-in, enterprise-grade security. As a member of Microsoft s Voice Specialized Program, CDW has proven experience helping customers deploy UC solutions on Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Lync. CDW has joined with Microsoft to offer comprehensive solutions from leading technology to services and support. Partnerships, Certifications and Awards Avaya Platinum Partner Polycom Platinum Partner Polycom DMR Partner of the Year Award 2010 Microsoft Gold Service Partner Microsoft National Systems Integrator (NSI) Managed Partner Microsoft Voice Specialized Partner Microsoft Service Large Account Reseller (LAR) Microsoft Large Account Reseller of the Year 2010 Cisco Gold Partner Cisco National Capital Partner of the Year 2011 Cisco National Collaboration Partner of the Year 2011 Cisco Central Region Capital Partner of the Year 2011 Cisco Central Region Data Center Partner of the Year 2011 Cisco South Region Commercial Partner of the Year 2010 Cisco Central Region Collaboration Partner of the Year 2010 Cisco U.S. and Canada Partner of the Year 2010 Cisco Partner Summit Global Award 2010 To see how Cisco and Microsoft can help unify your communications, contact your CDW account manager or call Or, for more information, visit CDW.com/uc The terms and conditions of product sales are limited to those contained on CDW s website at CDW.com; notice of objection to and rejection of any additional or different terms in any form delivered by customer is hereby given; CDW, CDW G and PEOPLE WHO GET IT are trademarks of CDW LLC; all other trademarks and registered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners