It seems that the term Unified Communications is everywhere. Yet not everyone is clear on exactly what it means. Here at Coloured Lines, we’d like to shed some light on the topic! In a series of posts we will help you better understand UC and how it can help your business.
Firstly, to point out a common misconception – Unified Communications is not a single product. UC is actually made up of a set of products that provides a consistent, unified user interface and user experience across multiple devices and media types. The ultimate aim of UC is to optimize business processes by integrating communications.
With Unified Communications, typical businesses are able to seamlessly integrate, or unify with both real-time communications (instant messaging/chat, presence information, telephony/ VoIP, call control, video conferencing) and non real-time communications (unified messaging, integrated voicemail, email, SMS and fax).
So how can Unified Communications benefit your business? In reality, you may be already using the various independent elements of a UC solution, such as VoIP (Voice over IP) or specific features like find me/follow me. If you combine a broader range of these features and communications into a complete UC solution and integrate your new UC tools with existing technologies your business will be able to substantially increase effectiveness and cost savings.
Mobility and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) are just two reasons why organizations are adopting UC solutions. Mobility is allowing businesses to seamlessly integrate their remote workers with a communications system in a corporate office. Organizations are also in addition requiring their communications system to work with employee’s personal devices. BYOD allows for the communications system to be used with or in place of standard corporate devices (smartphones and tablets). Pretty impressive huh?
So what can you expect from a mobility feature in a UC solution?
- Mobile applications for iPhone, Blackberry and Android
- Having access to company directories from any device
- Fixed mobile convergence
- Find me/follow me capabilities
- Capability to transfer and record calls from your mobile phone to another number or extension too
- The ability to make calls from your mobile device as if it were an office extension
Need more information? Contact us today!
