Whether we’re talking about VoIP, video on demand, video conferencing, or traditional internet services, IP multimedia subsystems are used to deliver pretty much everything you can think of these days. In other words, emails, phone calls, faxes, telephony, instant messaging and virtually every other form of communication you can think of is controlled via IMA, or IP Multimedia Subsystems. Simply put, IMS is one of the major technologies that make the world as we know it, possible.
IMS was created in the 90’s, it was conceived that it would eventually expand and spread to create a global infrastructure capable of connecting a wide range of devices. Likewise, another goal was to create a versatile system that could bring multimedia services while at the same time linking up with older infrastructure, like the PSTN (public switched telephone network). Think of it as one system that’s built on top of another (sort of). Moreover, IMS was created under the Third Generation Partnership Project, otherwise known as 3GPP.
These days, companies specializing in delivering IP multimedia subsystems (like Broadsoft) are able to bring more advanced types of services to clients, especially of the corporate variety. Why don’t we explore one possible scenario for the advanced use of IMS? Let’s say that we have a person who works in an office in a managerial capacity. They likely have a smartphone (or other internet-capable device), a computer / laptop at the office, a computer at home, some form of television service, and perhaps even some type of advanced conferencing technology which they can use in the office or even at home.
Top IMS providers are able to create structure around these devices and how they are used by certain individuals. For example, maybe our (example) manager has their system set up so that they appear online in the contact lists for other employees while appearing offline for friends and family. Naturally, when they leave the office, or arrive at home, this status is automatically switched. Likewise, perhaps their home entertainment and television delivery system doubles as a teleconferencing method?
The point is, virtually everything runs on IP multimedia subsystems these days and there are plenty of companies out there who know exactly how to package these services / capabilities for corporate clients. This of course poses a very interesting question to those who are employed in the IT sector, which is, “do you know enough about IP multimedia subsystems (IMS) to impress prospective employers?”
Perhaps you’re wondering, “Why do I need to know how IMS works, again?” In a nutshell, the IT industry is in a period of extreme growth; this of course comes as we are in the midst of what can only be called a ‘global economic downturn’. As the position and importance of IT continues to grow, we are seeing increased usage of IMS-based technologies, and therefore, jobs / careers in this area. Simply put, the demand for qualified IP multimedia subsystems engineers has dramatically increasing. This is happening because, once again, virtually everything you can think of today that features an electronic circuit is able to connect to the internet. Furthermore, whenever you have multiple devices, it’s only a matter of time until certain organizations and providers will begin attempting to connect them via a larger enveloping network. Sometimes it’s because new service packages are being created, other times it’s simply a matter of inter-office functionality; regardless of the reason, IP multimedia subsystems are all around us.
For those employed in the IT sector, having direct experience with, training, or better yet, certification in IMS is not only a good idea, it’s one of the best ways to make sure that you’ve got your bases covered when it comes to telecommunications technology. Often times, IT workers will utilize IMS services to accomplish various inter-office tasks as well, like tests of the infrastructure or basic communications systems. It’s also worth noting that IP multimedia subsystems can be used to gather statistical data in either a mobile capacity or over a static infrastructure. The point is, there is great inherent value in employees that understand IMS and can utilize it in a professional capacity.
Looking for a complete certification kit for IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS)? Click here!