Unified communications (UC) has transformed the way enterprises do business. Converging voice and data on the same network has eliminated redundant costs. The nearly ubiquitous adoption of personal mobile devices, conferencing and video solutions has let UC vendors extend traditional telephony services to the mobile phone. Yet, many industries such as healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and retail have found that some consumer-grade mobile devices are too fragile to withstand these demanding environments.

Ilan Rubin, managing director, Wavelink, said, “A more enterprise-grade mobility solution is required. Transformative technologies such as Wi-Fi and the cloud make it possible to access and deploy mobile voice and data across an organisation, wherever people are, and through a single enterprise mobile device. The outcome of this consolidation is improved productivity, lower cost, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

“Yet, because UC systems are already complex, adding mobility can seem like a risky proposition. However, with careful execution, businesses can ensure workers have the tools they need to access co-workers and data from anywhere in the organisation, while on the go, to improve decision-making and boost the bottom line.”

There are six critical steps to adopting a mobile strategy:

1. Focus on the primary goal with a well-defined vision. The company vision clearly defines what an organisation expects to achieve. By identifying these goals, businesses can avoid confusion and achieve better business alignment. Once defined, a detailed plan is needed to clearly identify what success will look like and how it will be measured. For many service-oriented businesses, for example, success often means the ability to respond quickly to opportunities and challenge. Giving workers access to the information they need, in real time, can therefore deliver a competitive advantage.

2. Take inventory of critical business processes. A successful mobile deployment begins with a list of workflows that teams follow to accomplish daily tasks. These processes provide a shared understanding of the business and may lead to discussions on ways to improve. Enlisting key representatives within the organisation is necessary to examine the needs of each team, and align technologies and processes. By looking closely at the various workflows, data, and teams, everyone can gain clear alignment and identify roadblocks in the processes.

3. Assess the IT infrastructure. Assessing the company’s current infrastructure and technology assets provides clarity into the opportunities and limitations that are inherent in the environment. Mobile UC improves the speed and flexibility of communication, however, any DECT infrastructure or Wi-Fi network must be designed with both voice and data in mind. Adequate bandwidth and coverage is necessary to support calls, video conferencing, seamless roaming, and multi-client usage. Businesses must ensure the infrastructure can accommodate wireless communication throughout the organisation. A site assessment can be helpful in analysing current infrastructure and technologies.

4. Evaluate enterprise mobility solutions. While there are numerous mobile solutions available, including consumer-grade devices or a BYOD strategy, few offer the reliability and coverage to support more demanding enterprise environments like healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and retail. Mobile workers within business environments need solutions that offer reliable network connectivity, durability, seamless integration, and complete device management.

5. Determine proper management and governance. IT often faces competing objectives, from satisfying employee demand for greater mobile access to ensuring the security of corporate data by putting limits in place. Policy consistency will help break down silos and ensure each department is executing on the same strategy. Training and communication are key to keeping employees informed of what is and is not permissible with their mobile devices. The lack of a complete end-to-end strategy and awareness leads to greater risk, potential long-term administrative issues, and ultimately, greater cost to the company.

6. Initiate a test pilot. A pilot program, or proof of concept, lets organisations ‘test and tinker’ with the proposed technology to ensure it addresses their unique business needs. They can track KPIs to get a baseline of performance metrics, as well as gain feedback from users on existing and future processes. As an initial rollout, a pilot lets organisations test the proposed solution within a limited scope. It may consist of deploying a specific number of mobile devices within a particular facility or engaging a certain department to test its unique workflows. The purpose of the rollout is to verify functionality and determine whether the proposed system works as designed.

Ilan Rubin said, “Successful businesses today focus on listening and responding to customer needs and delivering solutions to address them. UC brings tighter collaboration among workers, and mobility, by its nature, helps companies respond quickly to new opportunities. Understanding the vision, assessing workflows, and implementing an end-to-end mobility infrastructure is the first step to increasing productivity and decision making. It’s a business strategy that ensures an organisation does not get left behind.”

Hugo Hutchinson, Wavelink’s national business development manager for Fortinet, said, “Wireless connectivity and IoMT improves productivity, responsiveness, and patient resolution.

“However, a breach in security can cause loss of confidential patient information and even put lives at risk. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are a major threat vector at the moment, and are ripe targets for ransomware, DDos attacks, and IoMT breaches.”

While many facilities might not have the resources in-house to address their security concerns effectively, they can find a partner that can walk them through the journey. The right partner can guide the facility in making important decisions about how to manage and segregate the network to minimise the risk. For example, there should be different access levels and credentials for doctors, nurses, patients, and third-party visitors such as maintenance contractors.

Hugo Hutchinson said, “The security environment must include technology, governance, and awareness. Facilities should look for a partner to a conduct a cyber threat assessment so they know where they are today from a security risk perspective and have the information they need to get to an acceptable risk level in the next 12-24 months.

“In addition, consider reaching out to other similar organisations to understand what they are doing and even look at resources such as Essential Eight Explained and Internet of Things Security Guideline to see how they can help. Not everything is a cost, and there are many free resources to get started with.”

Source: Stoneridge Partners website.

In this video, we will demonstrate an emergency duress situation, using a Spectralink 8400 series handset, a Spectralink PIVOT:SC handset and SERIA by Olinqua.

If you have any questions about duress or Spectralink handsets feel free to contact us at sales@wavelink.com.au
http://wavelink.com.au/ 

K-12 schools face ever-increasing challenges in managing increasingly complex network security threats. While it’s key for schools to have the latest security and networking technologies, limited budgets can make it seem impossible to purchase and then find the resources to manage them.

Schools needs solutions that reduce complexity with end-to-end network and wireless access security, saves IT resources with centralised security management for endpoint, firewall, wireless, and WAN connectivity and provide comprehensive security across threat vectors.

Join Ashley Walters from Christian College, Geelong, Haris Chaudhry from Fortinet and Wavelink’s Manuja Wijesekera and Hugo Hutchinson in a panel discussion on ‘End to End Network Security for K-12 Schools‘.

Wavelink, a value-added distributor of technology solutions for the mobile enterprise, has announced two new appointments to ensure rapid expansion of its Fortinet security business, which will build upon its existing strong Fortinet wireless business. Hugo Hutchinson has been appointed as national business development manager – Fortinet, and Manuja Wijesekera as pre-sales solutions architect – Fortinet.

Hugo Hutchinson’s core focus will be on expanding the Fortinet channel. He will assist channel partners to identify opportunities in key target verticals, such as health and education, through providing opportunity sizing and scoping, and Fortinet business updates, as well as upskilling sales teams.

Hugo brings a wealth of Fortinet experience to Wavelink; his previous role was national business development manager – Fortinet at Ingram Micro NZ. He has also worked as national retail account manager at Altech Computers and international account management at Ingram Micro NZ.

Manuja Wijesekera will work closely with Hugo to provide pre-sales assistance to Fortinet resellers, including proof of concept implementation, technical training of partners and Cyber Threat assessments.

Manuja previously held the role of security and network lead at the Melbourne Cricket Club. Prior to that he worked as network administrator for Arlec Australia. He has extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing security solutions for organisations with anywhere between 15 users up to 25,000 users.

Ilan Rubin, managing director, Wavelink, said, “Wavelink has a successful track record spanning several years distributing Fortinet wireless solutions. With the huge surge in cyber threats we see significant opportunity to expand our Fortinet security practice. The investment in Hugo and Manuja demonstrates our commitment to providing dedicated security resources to support our resellers in selling Fortinet solutions.”

Related post: Security Guard Services Companies Near Me.

If you have any questions about duress or Spectralink handsets feel free to contact us at sales@wavelink.com.au

Want a #free CTAP? Drop by @FortinetANZ stand #237 @EduTECH_AU?? pic.twitter.com/d6k6OWJaiz

— Wavelink AU (@WavelinkAU) June 8, 2017

Thank you Geelong Christian College for sharing your journey on keeping students digitally secure with #Fortinet at @EduTECH_AU pic.twitter.com/IoAfUfgNhS

— FortinetANZ (@FortinetANZ) June 8, 2017

Last day at @EduTECH_AU last day to #Win a spot at @FortinetANZ‘s Security Workshop stand #237 pic.twitter.com/rD84V7Yb27

— Wavelink AU (@WavelinkAU) June 8, 2017

Busy day at #EduTECHAU! pic.twitter.com/nMFFmJiEhS

— EduTECH (@EduTECH_AU) June 8, 2017

May 18, 2017 – Wavelink has signed a distribution agreement with Spok, Inc., for Australia and New Zealand.

Spok® is a provider of critical communications solutions for healthcare, hospitality, and enterprise. Together, Wavelink and Spok will help hospitals evaluate and transform how care teams communicate as they work to improve patient outcomes with Spok Care Connect®. This enterprise healthcare communications platform is extremely flexible, spanning voice, messaging, alarms, and alerts across many different devices. The directory, scheduling, and preference data at the heart of the system enable the right people to be reached around the clock, improving both staff and patient satisfaction.

Wavelink is the first Spok distributor in the region, and the partnership includes Spok’s alerting software, hardware, maintenance, and services. The agreement also includes distribution to Spok’s existing resellers and will be offered to Wavelink’s approximate 300 resellers in the region.

“Spok Care Connect complements the work we are doing within the Wavelink Health Practice. Our focus is to identify and deliver the clinical applications healthcare professionals need to improve patient care and provider responsiveness,” said Ilan Rubin, managing director of Wavelink. “This partnership is another step forward for Wavelink in developing a range of messaging and application solutions offerings for partners and customers.”

“Doctors and nurses are under increasing pressure to become more efficient while improving patient care and satisfaction,” said Hemant Goel, president of Spok. “We are pleased to partner with Wavelink to help equip Australia and New Zealand hospitals with more effective clinical communication solutions.”

Spok Care Connect integrates with existing hospital workflows to deliver information quickly and securely into the hands of the clinicians who need to act on it, wherever they are and on whatever device they are using. From the contact centre to the patient’s bedside, Spok Care Connect provides directory details, on-call rosters, staff preferences, secure texting, and more.

-ENDS-

About Spok
Spok, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spok Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPOK), is proud to be the global leader in healthcare communications. We deliver clinical information to care teams when and where it matters most to improve patient outcomes. Top hospitals rely on the Spok Care Connect^® platform to enhance workflows for clinicians, support administrative compliance, and provide a better experience for patients. Our customers send over 100 million messages each month through their Spok^® solutions. When seconds count, count on Spok. For more information, visit spok.com/apac or follow @spoktweets on Twitter.

Spok is a trademark of Spok Holdings, Inc. Spok Care Connect is a trademark of Spok, Inc.

About Wavelink
Wavelink specialises in the supply, marketing and support of a range of leading edge Enterprise Mobility and UC Solutions. Wavelink distributes a range of products from Spok, Olinqua, LAS, Spectralink, Fortinet, Extreme Networks, COBS and Digium. For more information please contact Wavelink on 1300 147 000.

Healthcare’s core mission has always been to provide the best care possible. To support this mission the industry has turned to advancing technology. From medical devices to enhanced patient care, technology is considered to be the driving force behind improvements in the healthcare industry. The downside of technology improvements is that if not done securely will lead to increased risk of loss of confidential patient data and unauthorised access to technologies. In addition, they can also debilitate the day to day running of the institution.

This webinar will touch on some key concerning healthcare statistics, attack vectors and how the Fortinet Security fabric delivers unmatched and value-added security to protect the industry.

Join us for this webinar to find out how Wavelink, the Fortinet Security Specialist, can ‘Enable a Safer Healthcare Practice’.