IBM is helping its customers who are interested in upgrading their voice and data networks to IP without negatively impacting service levels, according to Victor Fung, executive, IBM Global Technology Services, IBM China/Hong Kong.

In the last few months, IBM helped AEON Credit Services in Hong Kong to roll out a centralized IP contact center platform and IPT system for the whole company.

"The resulting system improved AEON's ability to scale, simplified its infrastructure and considerably improved productivity of the service agents," said Fung.

According to Edwin Ho, director for enterprise, Greater China, Nortel, interest in IPT is now very broad and extends right across the verticals. "Many firms see their peers making use of IPT and encouraged to deploy it-they don't want to be left behind," said Ho.

While migration to IPT is a certifiable trend, it's important to note that firms may be seeking new functionality, but not necessarily by replacing all their old TDM equipment. Ho noted that customers are often going for a gradual migration process, often running IP and TDM systems side by side. "Complete replacement of TDM voice systems is a very challenging management exercise," warned Ho.