NUIT Takes First Step in Converged Communications

Northwestern University Information Technology (NUIT), in partnership with Central Administration, is announcing a move towards converged communications services on the Chicago and Evanston campuses beginning in FY2006.

Converged communications is the coming together, or convergence, of key communications services delivered over a single network. At Northwestern University these services, all of which are operated by NUIT, include 1) voice services, including local calling, and long-distance calling; 2) data and video services; and 3) messaging services such as voice mail, e-mail, and (in the future) Instant Messaging.

Converged communications provides the means to deliver multiple services in a "bundle" to all University faculty and staff members much the same as what is becoming available in the residential market, thus removing financial disincentives for using technology.

To deal with the technological and marketplace changes associated with converged communications services, we have created two classes of services: Core Services and Non-Core Services. Core Services are those communications services now required for faculty and staff to be functioning members of the University community. The basis for the Core Services charge is to provide access to all Core Services for all members of the faculty and staff of the University.

For complete information, visit Converged Communications.

To order telecommunications or networking products and services, call NUIT Consulting Services at 847-467-5560 or e-mail consulting-services@northwestern.edu.