IP communications has much farther-reaching capabilities than merely transporting voice and data. By integrating this technology with fundamental business processes (e.g. accounting, HR, manufacturing, shipping and inventory control), companies can achieve significant operational improvements.

The tying together of disparate business processing using IP communications is, to a large degree, the idea behind using service oriented architecture (SOA) and Web service environments to build business applications—communications related or otherwise.

SOA is a complex topic, which is why the presenters of SOA: Special Double Session, to be held at the upcoming INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO East at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida, decided to give it more than the standard amount of time allotted for conference presentations.