If you were to ask ICT managers today about their budget plans for 2008, you will most likely be told that systems integration is one of the growth items on the agenda.

Systems integration has never seemed more important. As more and more enterprises and service providers take the best-of-breed approach, and the industry is moving to software and standards-based solutions - systems integration is the name of the game.

Looking specifically at the VoIP arena, the main driver behind systems integration becoming increasingly important is the standardization of SIP as the control protocol for VoIP networks and applications.

Service providers use IMS as a reference model for developing VoIP networks and applications, and SIP is the key protocol that is utilized. The telecom industry’s major NEPs (Network Equipment Providers) are currently positioning themselves as control and application software vendors who provide systems integration services, directly, or via channel partners.

In the enterprise space, SIP is also becoming the leading protocol for IP-PBX platforms, and software companies, lead by Microsoft, today provide a Unified Communications software-based framework, based on SIP as the connectivity and integration protocol. Major hardware PBX vendors position themselves as IP-PBX software providers and system integrators, leaving the hardware portion to best-of-breed vendors such as AudioCodes.

The new VoIP SIP ecosystem is all about interoperability and systems integration. The power is now in the hands of system integrators who are free to pick and choose different solution components from various vendors, and provide a best-of-breed solution for their end customers.

AudioCodes will showcase the new VoIP ecosystem at our annual channel partner meeting, to be held in Jerusalem from January 8-10, 2008. This meeting will host hundreds of AudioCodes’ channel and solution partners globally, exhibiting best-of-breed solutions incorporating AudioCodes’ VoIP infrastructure products along with many other vendor Softswitches, IP-PBXs and Value Added Services applications.

Registration for the channel partner meeting is currently open, and sponsorship opportunities are available for AudioCodes’ solution partners interested in participating in this exciting, leading VoIP industry event.