Alcatel Lucent issues swine flu warning

Vendor urges schools to prepare for the worst by rolling out unified comms tecnnology

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.

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.