dia with the Internet-This strat- egy involves intelligent endpoints and a dumb network. The relevant stan- dards include SIP and SIP for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE). Next-generation IPT applications are most distinguished by two specific applica- tions: (1) synchronous communications that streamline and enrich business pro- cesses and (2) presence awareness that allows one to see who is available for collaboration and how to reach them. Key IPT productivity benefits for the field force include increased efficiencies among service employees, shortened reaction times, improved service quality, and an increase in the number of customer contacts. For the sales force, the benefits of IPT include a reduction in the number of client appointments needed, lower service costs, shortened proposal and negotiation Chapter 9 IP Services processes, and improved transparency of the sales processes. For the supply chain, the key productivity benefits include reduction of inventory levels, improved data quality, fewer disruptions in downstream processes due to logistical errors, and lower total logistical costs. The IPT Network As shown in Figure 9.1, the IPT network taxonomy has three major layers: Media layer-In this layer, on the bearer platform, media is processed, including the media transport, QoS, and items such as tones and announce- ments. Two bearer platforms communicate with one another over media transport, and this is where TDM, Frame Relay, ATM, and MPLS apply. Signaling layer-Signal processing, signaling conversion, resource manage- ment, and bearer control occur on this layer, on the signaling platform. Sig- naling platforms talk with one another by using a signaling technique. This is where H.323, SIP, and other call control protocols apply. Application layer-This layer, referred to as the application platform, is home to call intelligence, and it is where service creation and execution as well as provisioning management occur. Application platforms talk to one another with appli