uld like it to support. Modern encryption routines such as IPSec and SSL provide interoperable standards for users to maintain confidentiality, to verify message integrity, and to control availability over insecure networks. Carriers are deploying Quality-of-Service (QoS) mechanisms, such as MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) to ensure a level of service within a best effort network technology. Security and QoS technologies have often been complex and difficult to manage but, now that they are becoming transparent, companies are converging video, voice, and data on the fly, and in real-time over the Internet. As a result, they are managing fewer networks and finding it easier to communicate with employees, customers, and vendors. Unfortunately, converging networks is not always easy, and PC-based IP telephone switches (often referred to as softswitches) do not completely alleviate the complexities long associated with programming PBXs (Private Branch Exchange, or conventional, connection-oriented phone switches). Converging networks still requires programming routers, network management software or devices, and security software and devices to interoperate. Nevertheless, corporations big and small are implementing voice over IP (VoIP) traffic over inter-branch T-1 data links; some are even leading the way by doing SO over the Internet. Doing SO enables them to provide better service by instantly linking incoming customer calls to CRM (customer relationship management) software. It enables them to cut costs by instantaneously linking all supply chain interactions to resource planning (ERP) software. It even enables healthcare providers to provide patients with access to personal healthcare records without waiting for a doctor or nurse, or worse, snail-mail. Integrated communications servers that support unified messaging (voice, video, and data, how and when you want it... wired or not), and presence are displacing conventional circuit-switched only, voice only, PBXs. Historically, data (packet-switched) networ