Acme Packet Deploys Solution for TruGreenAcme Packet Deploys Solution for TruGreen

Session Border Controllers may be that next big thing in bringing control to manage that squishy soft IP demarc.

Acme Packet recently announced that ServiceMaster, known for its leading brands like TruGreen, Terminix and Merry Maids, is deploying Acme Packet Net-Net 2600 session border controllers (SBCs) to implement SIP trunking and secure contact center VoIP communications infrastructure for its TruGreen brand. TruGreen has initially centralized call control functions for 63 TruGreen locations and will ultimately extend shared trunking throughout its enterprise network of approximately 225 locations across the United States.TruGreen is using Acme Packet Net-Net SBCs to:

* Centralize call routing * Ensure that all voice call traffic will be routed and managed by a central call server * Reduce the need for individual trunks at each remote site * Allow TruGreen to continue to use its legacy PBX equipment * Reduce PSTN call termination costs by routing outbound calls over the service provider IP backbone * Support voice applications on existing data networks * Reduce the number of ISDN-PRI trunks

Acme Packet's Michael Leo, Director, Enterprise and Contact Center Solutions Marketing and Jim Donovan, VP of Enterprise Product Management were pretty clear in our conversation to help me visualize that their solution manages the soft demarcation points in the IP network: the SIP trunks (IP trunking border), private network (Private network border), the un-trusted (Internet border) and the hosted service providers such as E911 (Hosted services interconnect border). Firewalls can't do this and they can't provide the advanced capabilities and support for encryption (Signal and Media), session replication (to record calls for record management) and header manipulation to re-route calls.

SBCs ensure regulatory compliance, enforce security at all borders, provide service level assurance, and enable application and interoperability between various signaling, transport and encryption protocols. For a large and distributed enterprise this means a softer transition into SIP trunks. For the SMB/E this signals a caution to look carefully at your SIP providers because without the SBCs and in the right places, that soft demarc becomes a nightmare to manage. I also think that another benefit of the SBC is a direct tie to the Service Level Agreement (SLA), meaning that the terms become realistically achievable. All ITSPs aren't the same and more scrutiny may reveal that solutions aren't as strong or even as secure as what they appear to be. In the case of TruGreen they are enjoying the benefit of not forklifting their TDM gear while they gain significant cost benefits. So here is a classic example of a large distributed enterprise cutting deeply into the Telco PRI cords. Session Border Controllers may be that next big thing in bringing control to manage that squishy soft IP demarc.Session Border Controllers may be that next big thing in bringing control to manage that squishy soft IP demarc.