IP PHONES
IP phones – the IT endpoints built to last
Steven Try, channel manager UK&I, Snom
IT equipment is rarely built to last forever. Laptops and smartphones lose battery life over time, while servers and other workplace infrastructure are replaced as performance, capacity or support requirements change. IP phones are different. If a device remains reliable, call quality is clear and it integrates with a business phone system, there is often little need to replace it. As a result, the same phones can remain on desks, in reception areas and in meeting rooms for many years - helping businesses reduce costs and avoid unnecessary hardware waste. But while the hardware may continue to work, how long does a phone remain secure and manageable from a software perspective? Organisations still need to consider whether it has software support and is receiving regular security or firmware updates. Security support is becoming a procurement issue The UK has introduced legislation addressing the security of consumer connectable products. The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regime came into effect in April 2024 and includes requirements around passwords, vulnerability reporting and transparency over minimum security-update periods. Although the UK Government is considering how it can tackle the security of connected enterprise devices, there is no equivalent legislation for enterprise- only devices.
Instead, there are key questions IT teams should be asking when procuring a new communications device. How long will security updates be provided? How are vulnerabilities reported and addressed? Will firmware remain available after a product reaches end of sale? And can a large installed base still be managed centrally as security requirements evolve? Look beyond the feature list Future-proofing is not simply about buying the device with the most features. Voice quality, ergonomics, interfaces, interoperability and price remain important, but so does the manufacturer’s ability to support a device over time. Centralised provisioning and device management allow IT teams to roll out firmware, certificates and configuration changes across hundreds of devices without having to manage each one individually. That directly affects the total cost of ownership. Replacing functioning phones because their software can no longer be supported creates costs far beyond the hardware itself: procurement, deployment, configuration, testing, logistics and disruption. For communications equipment, longevity is more than just a sustainability benefit. It is a measurable business consideration. The key question for the next procurement exercise may not be how many features a phone has, but how many years it will be on the desk – and who will support it when it gets there. n
Steven Try channel manager UK&I
snom.com
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