Last time, we discussed how the SMB office and the branch office both need IPT systems that offer affordability, usability, and manageability. Today, we’d like to highlight how the two environments are different.

First, because the branch office is part of a larger corporate network it needs to offer scalability that doesn’t adversely affect affordability, usability, and manageability. In traditional PBX systems, to add another office onto the corporate network typically required more trunk lines and changes to every onsite PBX located in the branches. An IPT system can overcome most of this complexity, especially when the system architecture supports distributed processing of call control and when it supports plug-and-play moves, adds, and changes.

Second, the branch office needs to offer remote management so the centralized IT staff back at headquarters can monitor and control the many branch office systems while the SMB office typically needs simple onsite configuration management capability.

Third, the remote branch office benefits from presence management across a larger enterprise. For example, a bank may offer mortgage services in every branch, but the mortgage experts may be physically sitting in another central location or they may travel between branches. Easily and quickly reaching the right person regardless of their physical location can be especially important to the branch operations.

In summary, while the small office and remote branch office have many similar needs, they also have needs that are different. So our advice: when selecting an IPT system for branch locations, large enterprise IT managers need to remember that the remote office is both a “small business” office AND part of a larger enterprise network.

Our thanks to Steve Hardy, Avaya’s Director for Global Product Marketing for his insights for this week’s topic.

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. Larry Hettick is a principal analyst at Current Analysis.