Certification - January 2009 - (Page 23)

The age of classic convergence is ending. Now, we are headed full speed into a new era that might prove to be the most transformational the communications industry has ever seen. What is convergence? Since its inception, the term has referred to the unification of voice and data traffic over a common infrastructure. But today, it’s not just cell phones, PCs and PDAs that are being connected. More and more business and consumer applications are connecting to networks to increase communications capabilities, resulting in entirely new and different types of devices — such as Amazon’s Kindle e-book system, as well as cars, home appliances, medical equipment, cameras, industrial machinery and anything with an embedded radio-frequency ID (RFID) sensor. Further, more and more companies are accepting and adopting fourth-generation (4G) wireless technologies, while the ever-growing demand for bandwidth is ushering in 40-Gig and, soon, 100-Gig optical networks. Meanwhile, unified communications is replacing Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as the new paradigm for enterprise-wide communications. This hyperconnectivity — defined as the state reached when the number of nodes and applications connected to the network exceeds the number of people connected — is quickly revolutionizing the global information workforce. A recent IDC study sponsored by Nortel found that 16 percent of companies worldwide are hyperconnected, and another 36 percent are poised to join them. Most important, however, this unprecedented level of multidisciplinary convergence carries with it tremendous opportunity. There’s the possibility for increased revenues for carriers, heightened productivity for enterprises and a better communications experience for all. Ultimately, it promises to bring new solutions and technologies that will revolutionize the end-user experience and forever change the way we live, work and play. However, hyperconnectivity also presents significant challenges that will require us to fundamentally rethink the way networks and applications are built. Luckily, most of these challenges can be addressed by focusing on the two pillars of hyperconnectivity: true broadband and communications-enabled applications. Creating True Broadband “True broadband” can be defined as a communications experience so seamless that users are completely unaware of the technology making that communication possible. They simply communicate anywhere, anytime, from whichever device is most convenient, wired or wireless. Although the IT industry has talked about this concept for years, it’s a promise that has yet to become a reality. January 2009 CERTIFICATION MAGAZINE 2 http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=RFID reader&i=56953,00.asp http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=RFID reader&i=56953,00.asp http://www.nortel.com/promotions/idc_paper/index.html

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Certification - January 2009

Certification - January 2009 Editor's Letter Contents Data Stream Virtual Village Tech Careers Dear Techie Academic Connection Troubleshooting What We Like Look Ahead The New Convergence Formula Cybersecurity: Are You Safe? Interface Lead Applications Developer: The IT Ambassador Inside Certification Ad Index Endtag

Certification - January 2009

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