Ingram Micro: Channel Advisor - How'd They Build That?

With fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) being billed as �the next hot technology,� there�s even more justification for moving clients toward unified communications. Once a UC solution is in place, it�s just a matter of adding smartphones, software and a service provider to expand those robust communication capabilities to the world beyond a company�s four walls.

YOUR FMC SOLUTION CHECK LIST
	Wireless Access Points Wi-Fi hardware that provides network access and environment-aware roaming Options:Cisco Aironet 1250 Series (pictured left), 3Com AirConnect, Nortel WLAN 2300 Series, Meru Mobile SCALE Solution and Motorola AP-7131, as well as Motorola RFS6000 and RFS7000 wireless RF switches.
	Dual-mode Smartphones In the future, cellular 4G will make cell phones more compatible with Ethernet Options: Look for dual-mode, FMC-compatible devices from manufacturers like Nokia, Motorola (pictured left), BlackBerry and Palm. Mobile Software Applications Hundreds of applications to choose from that enable a mobile device to access data, identify presence and manage calendars, among other functions Options: Nokia Intel-lisync Business Mobility Software, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and Microsoft Office Mobile, and RIM BlackBerry. A Network Service Provider AT&T, Verizon and Sprint are key services providers that will help to pave the way for FMC adoption.
	An IP PBX Platform The wired infrastructure that enables unified communications Options: Unified communications platforms such as Cisco UC500 (pictured left) or Nortel BMC.
	A Specialized Server Designed to manage the connectivity and seamless handoffs between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. Service providers are developing IP PBX platforms to include this capability, but one server example is the Cisco 3300 Series Mobility Services Engine (pictured left).

Paving the Way For FMC