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Be mobile, be happy with wireless technology
By: Mike Seeley
National Messaging Practice Leader, Avaya Canada
For many companies, virtual communications are the lifeblood of the organization. As organizations become more distributed and mobile, the need for access to real-time information increases. To support this need, today’s office workers have access to a large array of communications technologies.
But, a recent global research study indicates that an increased number of tools may not be as effective as imagined at keeping people connected. While 64 percent of people surveyed carry two or more communications devices every day to help them stay in better contact, over half of them missed important business meetings because clients or co-workers did not know the best way to reach them.
It would appear an inverse relationship may exist between the number of devices in use and the time it takes for a message to be returned, due primarily to a lack of means to control and direct the information flow to the appropriate device. Businesses unable to manage these new devices risk hindering efficient, direct communication between their customers and staff. The solution isn’t to give workers more IT tools, but to allow information to flow to the user regardless of device or location.
The increasing demand for mobility and efficiency is leading many organizations to redefine their workplace, and businesses can achieve an increase in personal productivity through more intelligent communications that incorporate – and converge -- IP telephony and wireless communications.
“Canadian companies are looking to IP to respond to the needs of their customers and better equip their employees with the information and resources to do their jobs effectively and efficiently,” according to Michael Sone, President, NBI/Michael Sone Associates Inc. “Avaya provides companies with an evolutionary product allowing customers to IP-enable their business without committing to the technology until their business needs demand it.”
Kingston General Hospital (KGH), a care referral facility that offers specialized medical and surgical services to more than 500,000 residents in Southeastern Ontario, has implemented a wireless data network solution, which incorporates the latest state-of-the-art encryption with a virtual private network (VPN) solution. This provides healthcare professionals with access to the most accurate and current medical information at the patient's bedside via their personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other portable devices. By extension, the technology is designed to help healthcare professionals provide better patient care through secure access patient records, lab results, pharmacy data, and view diagnostic images such as x-rays or CT scans from anywhere in the hospital.
The implementation of the wireless technology provides a significant time saving advantage, since doctors no longer have to spend time collecting dynamic data from disparate sources. By bringing dynamic, accurate, real-time information to the point of care, the Acute Pain Management service at Kingston General Hospital has boosted staff efficiencies, enhanced clinical safety and advanced quality of care. Waiting times have been reduced because patients are looked after more quickly, since healthcare practitioners can now record 60 per cent more info in 40 per cent less time, according to Dr. David Goldstein, Medical Director, Kingston General Hospital.
With the ever increasing need for mobility, many organizations like Kingston General Hospital are implementing IP-based and wireless technologies. Through better access to people and information, companies can increase flexibility and productivity, improve customer service and maintain a competitive edge.
About Mike Seeley:
Mike Seeley is the National Messaging Practice Leader of Avaya Canada. He is responsible for supporting the Avaya strategic account teams and Canadian Business Partners with Avaya's Unified Communication Solutions. Avaya is a leading global provider of business communications software, systems and services, with Canadian headquarters in Markham, Ontario, and offices across the country.
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