Executive Thought Leadership

The IPC Methodology

In the late 1970s, the advent of digital technology helped transform the world of business and allowed companies to grow in ways they could never have foreseen. Today, the next business revolution is well underway thanks to Internet Protocol (IP) technology, which makes it possible for all data, voice, and video communication to run on a single network.

An IP Communications (IPC) network is not only more efficient to manage, maintain, and secure than three disparate networks; it also enables a host of new user applications and helps ensure that those applicationsP telephony, conferencing, video-on-demand, call centers, Wi-Fi networking, mobility solutions for remote network access, etc.ork together transparently. IPC is even changing the nature of network management by facilitating dynamic user tracking, intelligent traffic routing, enhanced power management, host intrusion protection, and other capabilities.

Because these applications, features, and functions offer numerous benefits, including improved business agility, lower total cost of ownership, reduced operating expenses, and increased productivity, many companies are considering an IPC solution. But IPC also introduces unique challenges, particularly in legacy environments where there are separate networks, separate design and planning criteria, and separate operational best practices. Fortunately, there is a strategy that, when considered appropriately and in advance of integrating IPC into overall communications and networking policies, can help companies overcome those unique challenges and quickly realize the full business value of their new IPC solution. This strategy is based upon best practices and revolves around a full lifecycle approach to service and support with a specific emphasis on a proven IPC lifecycle-based methodology.

Lifecycle Strategy

The lifecycle service and support strategy is based on the lifecycle of the network itself: preparation, planning, design, implementation, operation, and optimization.

This strategy is both proactive and comprehensive, addressing specific product requirements at each stage of the network lifecycle while anticipating the needs of subsequent stages. Within the lifecycle strategy, the IPC methodology has been developed to help companies manage the unique challenges of IP technologies and successfully deploy IPC solutions.

IPC Methodology

The IPC methodology provides a consistent, repeatable, scalable way to deploy and operate IPC solutions. This well-defined methodology focuses specifically on the planning, design, and implementation stages of the network lifecycle and covers three areas within each stage: technology, operations, and training. The IPC methodology also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive project management and offers detailed project management guidelines. In this way, the IPC methodology helps ensure that whether a company installs a full IPC solution or gradually introduces IPC to its users, the solution can be deployed smoothly and successfully.

Planning Stage

The planning stage of the network lifecycle strategy focuses on the assessment and testing of the existing network, architectural planning for the proposed future network, and skill assessments for network personnel. For IPC solution deployments, the IPC methodology targets some of the following areas:

• Technology—verify business and technical needs by line of business, determine feature and function requirements of the IPC solution, develop solution requirements, perform a network readiness assessment, develop specifications for site requirements, and create solution and site acceptance test plans to help ensure that the network and each individual site is ready for the IPC solution.
• Operations—perform an operational readiness assessment, which evaluates important functions of the network operations environment such as network resiliency, network availability, fault management, problem management, change management, configuration management, and security management, because those areas relate to maintaining a highly available network.
• Training—conduct skills assessment to determine if the operations staff has the skills needed to operate an IPC network.

Design Stage

The design stage of the network lifecycle strategy focuses on services that identify and prevent potential network bottlenecks or issues related to conflicting design measurements. For IPC solution deployments, the IPC methodology targets some of the following areas:

• Technology—validate the proposed network architecture; develop a detailed network design that incorporates data, voice, and video applications as well as architectural scalability, reliability, and security; develop a network implementation plan.
• Operations—complete the remediation plan from the operational readiness assessment.
• Training—create an educational development plan for operations and administration staff and users.

Implementation Stage

The implementation stage of the network lifecycle strategy focuses on ensuring that the design and deployment deliver the desired network value and functions. For IPC solution deployments, the IPC methodology targets some of the following areas:

• Technology—create and execute a certification test plan, conduct pilot testing for the IPC solution, conduct a site survey, create and execute a network remediation plan—if necessary—to resolve problems before installation, stage and configure the IPC solution, install the IPC solution at each site.
• Operations—create and execute an operations remediation plan, if necessary.
• Training—conduct operations, administration, and user training.

Comprehensive Project Management

Effective, comprehensive project management is critical to any deployment, but it is particularly important when dealing with an IPC solution, which requires coordinated integration of previously separate network infrastructures, separate design and planning criteria, and separate operational processes in order to achieve desired business results. The project management guidelines contained in the IPC methodology are based on Project Management Institute (PMI) methodologies for large projects and are designed to help ensure a consistent, repeatable process. The IPC methodology classifies project management tasks in two categories: preliminary and ongoing. Some of those tasks are outlined below.

• Preliminary tasks—initiate the project, define and document the project scope, define task and work structure, identify risks and create a mitigation plan, develop a resource plan, determine project costs and establish a budget, and develop a schedule.
• Ongoing tasks—manage risk, manage costs and resources, manage change, manage solution performance and progress, and update the project plan.

Summary

The IPC methodology is built on the lifecycle strategy for service and support and provides a consistent, repeatable, scalable, well-defined way to deploy and operate IPC solutions. By applying this methodology to its IPC deployments, a company can help ensure that their IPC network, operations staff, and users are not only ready for an IPC solution but able to benefit fully from the applications, features, and functions that IPC has to offer.