Even Luddites can change - gradually

I remember reading a Wall Street Journal article a few years ago examining broker Edward Jones' then-apparent resistance to technology innovation. The piece mentioned that - in contrast to the sweeping momentum of online investing and ubiquitous broker contact options of most other investment services firms, Edward Jones brokers preferred customer contact through phone and in-person visits to one of their 6,000 retail locations. Some brokers didn't have email addresses.

Old phones, and no email. So "90s"- 1890s.

Yet even Luddites can change- at least somewhat. Today, Edward Jones and 3Com announced that the broker would be purchasing the 3Com Convergence Applications Suite. The core of the solution is the 3Com VCX IP Telephony module, which includes IP telephones, 3Com 4400-PWR enterprise switches, and the3COM Router 5000.

Combined, The Suite offers IP Telephony,IP Messaging, IP Mobility and IP Contact Center services.

First on board for the retrofit: conversion of Jones' St. Louis coroporate HQ to a 3Com-based IP telephony solution.

Oh, but still no email, at least not overtly on the Edward Jones website. Their agents have contact forms. Understandable in the age of spam, but ...