Converged connectivity is described as a single service provider delivering networking services or solutions for voice, data, and video. Instead of providing a separate ‘silo services’ network for each of these services, a converged service offers seamless interworking. This allows a business to use one network from one provider for all its communication and cloud-based services. In other words, it is the synergistic coexistence of voice, video and data communications, which enables seamless integration into applications that use video, voice, chats and unified communication. Converged connectivity breaks geographical barriers and device dependencies, enabling users to access resources from anywhere, using any device.
Rohitha Thanthilage, Head of Converged Connectivity at Dialog Enterprise, shares insights into how the country’s leading ICT solutions provider is helping Sri Lankan enterprises navigate the unfolding economic crisis and the role converged connectivity can play in our accelerated recovery.
Apart from enabling businesses to integrate data, voice and other communication platforms within a single network, Dialog Enterprise also provides sophisticated services that go beyond traditional voice and fixed solutions. Among its offering are cloud-based contact centres, remote connectivity for working from anywhere and seamless business communication networks for clients, providing branch connectivity and internet breakout safely and securely, backed by its enterprise-grade security features, that ensure data security isn’t compromised.
These secure and affordable converged connectivity solutions help multi-location businesses engage all their employees via a single, self-managed, communication platform. As a pioneering leader in converged connectivity, Dialog Enterprise guarantees faster solution deployment with low upfront investments, thus freeing businesses ranging from SMEs to large corporations from having to invest heavily in hardware capacity, and software development, and incurring large expenditures on maintenance and staffing.
Furthermore, recognising that Sri Lankan enterprises are facing challenges in making forex payments to foreign vendors for cloud and collaboration services due to the current forex shortfalls, Dialog Enterprise has taken steps to alleviate this burden by offering customers LKR-based monthly billing options when making payments for these services.
Globally, the concept of converged connectivity became a reality in the late 1990s. What are the latest trends shaping the future of converged connectivity?
Though technological development fasttracked the evolution of converged connectivity by several decades, the crucial turning point was seen only with the consumer adaptation that took place recently. Businesses started using more converged connectivity tools to access collaboration services and cloud-hosted applications as the necessity for such services increased. Telco and ICT service providers, in quick response to this demand, continued to enhance their network capability, products, services and customer extensions, ensuring interoperation with OTT social media channels.
If we look back over the past three years, we were challenged by the COVID19 pandemic and the subsequent energy crisis, which greatly limited workforce movement. However, most industries managed to continue operations without interruptions thanks to converged connectivity solutions like Microsoft Teams, cloud-hosted call centres and affordable data connectivity. That itself allowed Sri Lankan enterprises to fast-track technology adaptation and convert the crisis into an opportunity. Now, post-pandemic, enterprises have adopted remote working, with enhanced productivity. This demands more and more features from converged connectivity solutions.
Security underpins all these services. At present, Software-Defined Networks play a major role in providing better customer experiences and offer secure connectivity for multi-branch operations and further into user-level secure access including SDWAN and SASE solutions. The user experience of working from a branch, head office or home should be just as consistent and secure.
Also, the adoption of converged connectivity will be further expedited by the current challenges in managing on-premise solutions such as PABX and data storage, like the ongoing energy crisis and hardware sourcing issues. Further, competitiveness will be key for enterprises in the current context and productivity-enhancing features like remote sensing, geo-tracking and other IoT services will see higher demand. We are committed to offering a complete array of digital tools, bundled with converged connectivity, that can enhance digital adoption, thus helping industries reduce their costs and become more competitive in the market.
Where is Sri Lanka in the journey towards greater converged connectivity, and what is its role in industries navigating through these turbulent times?
The challenges we face are mainly due to the economic meltdown. Our customers are facing challenges in sourcing capital, ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply, sourcing hardware and retaining talent. We need to produce more with less. That is why higher productivity is important. In this context, digitalisation will play a major role.
A simple cloud-hosted call centre allows call centre agents to log in to their company account from any device, anywhere in the country, to provide an uninterrupted service, with the company management still being able to closely monitor the agent’s performance. Further, they will have the luxury of being able to source the right talent from any geography. This will further avoid challenges like sourcing, maintaining and powering devices. These solutions have helped industries save money while improving staff productivity.
Industries worked around recent travel limitations using collaboration tools. However, added features like HR management tools and affordable, manageable, data solutions can help companies create more near-physical remote working experiences while avoiding heavy infrastructure costs and operational expenditures.
What is Dialog Enterprise’s approach to converged connectivity?
The integration of new platform services and artificial intelligence (AI) with converged connectivity can help businesses take full advantage of the benefits offered by these technologies. Across healthcare, manufacturing, retail, logistics or transportation; converged connectivity, platform services and AI can help businesses optimise their operations, improve efficiency, and drive innovation. AI can help businesses analyse the large volumes of data that are generated by IoT and other connected devices on a converged network. For example, industries such as retail, logistics and transportation can benefit from real-time data provided by converged connectivity to optimise their supply chain and improve logistics and delivery.
Dialog Enterprise is keen to understand customer pain points and is fully geared to provide customised solutions when required. Sector-specific, affordable solutions will always be developed to support back-to-business efforts such as in the hospitality segment. We have a gamut of solutions for any business that will provide them with transformative digital technology solutions without committing to a heavy capital outlay. Clients can also start with basic technology solutions, add more features as they scale and obtain enhanced solutions at each stage of their evolution. Finally, we are deeply committed to enhancing the affordability of converged connectivity to reach businesses across the island