BANGKOK--26 Apr--Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest Provides Access to Specialised Skill-Set, Cuts Costs and Delivers Peace-of-Mind In response to organisations' needs to contain costs, increase organisational agility and maximise existing technology infrastructures, Datacraft has introduced its managed service for Internet Protocol telephony (IPT). Datacraft managed IPT service is designed to provide businesses with the experienced, specialised resources needed to manage and maintain a robust, IP-based voice platform. By outsourcing the end-to-end management and support of their complex IPT system to Datacraft completely, business can cut down on operating cost and re-focus their resource on core business goals, while assured of greater reliability, stability and availability. Globally, managed services are gaining popularity for various compelling reasons. The need to manage the increasing complexity of a converged communications environment, contain and control costs, maximise the utilisation of existing technology infrastructure as well as the need for 24/7 service availability are factors that are motivating organisations to move away from atraditional technology outsourcing approach. Gartner predicts that, by 2009, 90 per cent of all telephone lines shipped will be IP-based. "To ensure that clients extract optimal business value from their IPT environments, it is essential that it is managed and supported with the correct skills, resources and using best practice," said Andy Cocks, Director of Solutions Development & Strategy, Datacraft. "Convergence means that voice becomes one of many applications that require prioritisation on the same network and that it is subject to similar management and security challenges. This is compounded by the mission-critical nature of the voice application. No business can afford telephone downtime. To ensure the availability required for telephony, voice, data and security specialists need to work together in support of the new communications environment." Datacraft has extensive experience in the planning, building and support of converged communications infrastructures, having deployed and currently managing over 2,000 IP networks and more than 60,000 IP handsets for clients around the region. It also has preferential relationships with world leading converged communications providers, including Cisco, Tandberg, Genesys andMicrosoft. Datacraft's managed service for IPT include Maintenance, Monitoring and Reporting, a Monitoring Portal, 24x7 Online Support, Backup and Anti-Virus Assurance, Patch and Release Management, and Monthly Care Reporting. Optional modules include Administration of Moves, Adds, Changes and Deletions, Secure IP Telephony Assurance, Billing Management, Carrier Management, Onsite Support and Enhanced Monitoring. The flexible structure of Datacraft's Managed Service for IP Telephony -- with its standard service and optional add-ons -- enables clients to customise the service according to their specific requirements. Datacraft employs the ITIL (Information Technology Information Library) framework to implement the service and manages clients' IPT infrastructure to strict service levelagreements and client requirements. In addition to the ability to focus on core business activities, the service presents organisations with various cost benefits. "In line with the growing trend of reducing or eliminating capital expenditure, the monthly service fee is an operational expense that enables clients to budget more accurately," adds Cocks. In common with all Datacraft's managed services, clients using Managed Service for IPT have access to a web-based, real-time view of service delivery. Secure online access to clients' IPT environments from Datacraft's Global Service Centre help desk enables skilled IPT engineers to resolve problems quickly and efficiently. About Datacraft Datacraft is the leading independent IT services and solutions company in Asia Pacific. The company helps clients plan, build and support their IT infrastructures. Datacraft combines an expertise in networking, security, operating environments, storage and contact centre technologies, with advanced skills in consulting, integration and managed services, to craft IT solutions for businesses. A member of the Dimension Data Group, Datacraft is listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange and is a component company of the Straits Times Index. Headquartered in Singapore, Datacraft spans more than 50 major offices and has over 1,200 employees across 13 Asia Pacific markets. More information can be found at http://www.datacraft-asia.com . Media Contacts Datacraft Asia Waraporn Wangsiri Executive, Corporate Communications & Brand Management Tel: +66-2625-0920 Email: [email protected] BeeKee Lim Manager, Corporate Communications & Brand Management Tel: +65-6322-6605 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Datacraft Asia --Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--