|
|
|
07 Sep 2009
Vendors’ efforts to punt unified communications (UC) gear on the back of the swine flu pandemic are intensifying as fears grow that the UK is set for a sharp increase in cases.
According to predictions made last week by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, half of the working population could call in sick at any one time in the coming months.
And with ministers being urged to consider closing schools this autumn to help curb the number of cases, Alcatel-Lucent is banking on a UC boom in the education sector.
Further reading
The vendor urged institutions to deploy new technology immediately to ensure National Curriculum continuity.
Natalie Stallwood, business development manager for Alcatel-Lucent’s UK& I enterprise activities, said: “With the new school year getting underway, it’s vital that these institutions start implementing technologies now that can keep education going virtually if physical facilities are closed.”
Alcatel-Lucent said schools could create “interactive classrooms” where pupils and teachers can communicate with each other from any PC or web browser using presence-based instant messaging.
Those without access to home computers can be dialled into these audio sessions.
“Schools in particular have been hit hard by the swine flu pandemic – in the event of further closures there is a serious risk that pupils will fall behind with their studies, if they are unable to access to relevant learning materials,” said Stallwood.
Related articles
In this video find out about the fast-growing Chinese vendor's plans for market domination and how the channel is its route of choice
Find out what gifts Acer has in store for partners for 2012 in this exclusive roundup of its recent conference
CRN's premier networking event is back on 17 May at the Ricoh Arena
Date: Thu 17 May 2012
Channel fighters preparing to square up once more on 24 May
Date: Thu 24 May 2012
The proliferation of endpoint devices within the enterprise has highlighted the shortcomings of one of the traditional approaches to data security
This Forrester report compares the costs and benefits of legacy email and productivity software with Google Apps
Dave discovers that rozzers are seemingly living in the technology dark ages
Mark Needham, founder of distributor Widget, argues that John Browett leaves for Apple with Dixons in better shape than when he arrived
|
|
|
Do you agree?
Have your say