Avaya's Dr. Alan Baratz Describes Emerging Business Communications Landscape in VoiceCon Keynote

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - November 3, 2009) - VoiceCon San Francisco -- In a keynote address delivered at VoiceCon San Francisco today, Avaya's Dr. Alan Baratz predicted dramatic changes in the business communications landscape as voice increasingly takes on the characteristics of today's modern data networks.

Baratz is President of Avaya's Global Communications Solutions group and is responsible for charting the company's global product development plans. He told an audience at the Moscone Center that the proliferation of communications both offers choice and increases complexity.

"Workers are spending virtually an entire business day engaging in and managing communications," said Baratz. "The question is, to what extent is that productive?"

Baratz said the industry needs to analyze which types of communications tools most effectively support specific business activities. He cited two distinct categories of communications: those that deliver short-form bursts of information and those that are richer and more appropriate for detailed problem solving or building relationships. According to Baratz, new business communications tools will combine the best qualities of both categories.

"The next generation coming into the workforce communicates in 140 characters per session. They share information via text, chat, phone call or social media -- but they're not solving complex problems," said Baratz. "Businesses need the quality, reliability and usability requirements that are in the DNA of voice. Tools like SMS, IM, voice and video will converge, and with the addition of certain control capabilities, change how businesses communicate."

Baratz added that a standards-based communications infrastructure and applications are essential for the integration of diverse communications media. He described how the Session Initiation Protocol-based Avaya Aura™ enables the convergence of applications such as IM and SMS, voice, video and conferencing and the ability to sequence others into the real-time communications flow.

"With Avaya Aura, we're enabling voice to become more like data," said Baratz. "In the near future, communications will easily convert voice to text across platforms and devices, so what works best for the sender also works best for the recipient. Users will have more control and be able to include attachments to real-time conversations which can subsequently be archived and searched by topic."

About Avaya

Avaya is a global leader in enterprise communications systems. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world. Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service, and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.

Contact Information: Media Relations: Deb Kline 908-953-6179 klined@avaya.com